The PSAT is just around the corner on October 23rd. While you may brush the test off as irrelevant, it will provide excellent practice for the real exam next spring. Seniors at ROHS helped compile a list of their best study tips for both the PSAT and SAT that helped them perform well on the test.
Online Resources: Blue Book and Khan Academy are your friends! The College Board provides multiple free practice tests to get familiar with test formats. Many seniors used Khan Academy to aid in subject areas they struggled in. Both websites also offer topic and review videos that can help you prepare. Another great resource is the Michigan eLibrary. You can access PSAT and SAT practice both on the website and through the ROHS Learning Commons website.
In-person Resources: Did you know that the Royal Oak Public Library has free study books available to students? While purchasing a copy may be your first thought, our local library system has many study resources available. Spaces are open, including reservable study rooms for up to four people and tech stations for internet use.
General Study Tips: Here are some general tips from seniors, rapid-fire style.
- Study with friends. Having someone to bounce ideas off of and discuss difficult questions with can enhance your studying.
- Take multiple practice tests. Different sites provide tests for different subjects, so practice multiple times.
- Take notes on what you don’t know. Focus on these areas to improve your scores.
- Don’t get discouraged when you don’t know things. The test may cover topics you may not have learned or have forgotten. That’s okay, because you always have room to learn new things.
- Minimize distractions. Nothing stunts a study session more than a cluttered workspace and a cluttered mind.
- Take breaks. Recharge during studying with snacks and brief breaks, but don’t allow yourself to get off-task.
- Most schools accept superscores. A superscore allows students to combine their best results from multiple tests. While you should aim to do your best on each test, taking the test multiple times can increase your score.
