Test Taking Tips for ACT and Other Standardized Tests

The following are a list of strategies on the final preparations for a standardized exam (such as the ACT and the SAT.)

DAY (24 HOURS) BEFORE THE TEST • Do NOT study or practice for the test the day before the test • No partying or similar activities the day before the test • Plan to sleep enough hours the night before the test. (For example if the test is on Saturday, don’t take a long nap in the afternoon on Friday if you know that will keep you from sleeping on Friday night. (“Know thyself.”) • Make it a calm relaxing day. Examples of good things to do the day before the test: - Prayer - Meditation - Visualize yourself taking the test and doing well in a relaxed state - Read inspirational or motivational materials - Watch inspirational or motivational movies or TV programs • Prepare everything you need to bring to the test (pens, pencils, watch,…) by the day before the test (and place them in a location you can easily see.) • Know exactly the location of the test and arrange how you will get there. THE MORE PREPARED YOU ARE, THE LESS ANXIETY YOU WILL HAVE. DAY OF THE TEST • Get to the testing site 30 minutes early or earlier. • Bring all you need to bring (the pens, pencils, watch, or other things you’ve already prepared the day before.) • Relax. You’ll be fine. (Whatever happens, it won’t be the end of the world.)

The first advice suggesting for you to not practice the day before the test may seem strange to you. That suggestion applies only for standardized tests (and not for class exams.) It is actually commonly taught in test prep schools such as Kaplan and Princeton Review.



For some of you taking the CUNY ACT, you may have a class or lab practicing for the ACT the day before the test. In that case, just relax and don't do any more practicing after the lab. You should be all prepared by this point. If you are prepared (from your practices throughout the semester), there is nothing more you can do to improve your chances. Doing last minute practice at this point may actually decrease your chances of doing well, because it may increase your stress level and decrease area of activation in your brain. If you are not prepared by this point (such as in the cases where you didn't practice enough throughout the semester), there is nothing you can do in one day to improve your chances. Unlike class exams (such as a biology class exam), you can't cram for a standardized test like the ACT. Cramming will only increase your stress level, decrease your brain function, and decrease your chances.

Copyright: © 2007. This document is the sole property of Amadeo Constanzo. You may use this article for free on your web site, blog, or other publication if and only if you include this entire copyright notice including the following links and statement. Other free teachings from Amadeo Constanzo can be found at SpirFit.com and SpirFit.org

Shu Chan 陳樹中 Terence Chan LIU

Terence Chan LIU Long Island University

Seasonal Allergies Distracting You?

If you suffer from hay fever (being allergic to pollen in the air causing sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, especially in this time of the year), it could be irritating and distracting in your studies. Some medications have side effects such as drowsiness, which is unwanted if you are trying to stay up to do your homework.

Here's one alternative solution you should try which will allow you to take less medication:


http://spirfit.com/2010/05/hay-fever-and-neti-pot.html

Copyright: © 2010. This document is the sole property of Amadeo Constanzo. You may use this article for free on your web site, blog, or other publication if and only if you include this entire copyright notice including the following links and statement. Other free teachings from Amadeo Constanzo can be found at SpirFit.com and SpirFit.org

Shu Chan 陳樹中 Terence Chan LIU

Terence Chan LIU Long Island University

ACT Writing and NY Times Articles

The content of this entry has been removed because the ACT Writing exam has changed. It is now known as the CATW exam. For information and practice exercises for the new CATW implemented in the Fall 2010 semester, go to:

http://spirfit.org/CUNY/Downloads/CATWpractice1.pdf

http://cuny.SpirFit.com/2010/12/new-catw-exam-practice.html

http://cuny.SpirFit.com/2010/09/new-cuny-act-writing-exam-practice-1.html

1+1=2 Is Only My Opinion?

One thing that I teach students in remedial English classes is to humble themselves and to strive to improve their writing and reading proficiency no matter how good they believe they are. I cover this because some students believe that they are better writers and readers than they actually are. (This lesson can be found at http://cunyenglish.blogspot.com/2009/06/do-you-really-think-you-are-good-writer.html)

Despite emphasizing this lesson of humility and striving to improve, I have one student (let's call her S) in one of my English 91 labs who carries the attitude of “I am smarter than everyone.” That would still be okay if she is putting forth the effort to improve her writing. However, S frequently shows up late and leaves early. As a result, she is missing even the most basic knowledge that almost everyone in class knows, and she doesn’t have much quality work to show.

Yesterday, S really irritated me when I reminded the class that they have to pass the portfolio in order to pass the class. It is a policy of the English Department in this college to require passing the portfolio (and other important components) in order to pass English 91. This is as basic as 1 + 1 = 2 in English 91. However, when I reminded the students of this basic policy, S began arguing with me. "That's your opinion," she responded.

How do you deal with that? It’s like someone telling me that 1+1=2 is my opinion. Maybe she will also argue that the sun does not rise from the east. What’s so frustrating about this is that such a stupid argument is coming out of a know-it-all, who in actuality has a lot to learn and a lot of room for improvement in English.

Here’s the sad thing about this girl. She is actually smarter than half her class. However, her classmates who are not as smart as her are doing better than her, because they are proceeding humbly and working hard to improve their writing and reading proficiencies.

Copyright: © 2010. This document is the sole property of Amadeo Constanzo. You may use this article for free on your web site, blog, or other publication if and only if you include this entire copyright notice including the following links and statement. Other free teachings from Amadeo Constanzo can be found at SpirFit.com and SpirFit.org

Shu Chan 陳樹中 Terence Chan LIU

Terence Chan LIU Long Island University

ACT Reading - How You Can Improve Your Score

The ACT Reading Exam is administered on a computer and it is not time-limited. The questions are all multiple choice. I have created a protocol in taking the ACT Reading Exam which many students have found useful. They have found that following this protocol improved their performance in reading comprehension and therefore getting more of the answers correct. Also, you may adjust or revise this protocol according to your individual needs.


ACT Reading Protocol
1. Quickly read questions once (without reading the answer choices)
2. Read passage CAREFULLY at least twice. Sum up each paragraph in one phrase/sentence in your head. (If scrap paper is provided, do it on scrap paper.)
3. Write in one sentence the overall message, or main idea, of the author. Write in one sentence also the attitude or tone of the author (toward an issue, a character, or toward whatever the passage is addressing).
4. Begin answering the questions. For each question, read from the beginning of the passage up to the point where you believe the answer is located.

Note
•By the time you are done, you should’ve read the entire passage AT LEAST THREE TIMES.
• Keep in mind that the creator of the questions in most cases is not the author of the passage. Think in the perspective of the creator of the questions who is probably an English instructor or professor. You have to try to get in the minds of two people, the author of the passage and creator of the questions.
• Use POE (the process of elimination) when answering the questions.
• Be careful not to just focus on one detail or one small area of the passage while ignoring the rest. Use the entire passage to get to the main idea (overall message) as well as the attitude and tone of the author.

An Unconventional Technique
Before reading, get your mind into the alpha state which will help you increase reading comprehension. You can put yourself into the alpha state within 20 seconds by doing a breathing exercise, a mind-calming technique, or saying a prayer. This has been backed up by scientific studies. The alpha state is also known as the “relaxation response” or the relaxed alert state. The more practice you have in reaching the relaxed-alert state, the more success you will have in reading comprehension improvement.

Copyright: © 2010, This document is the sole property of Amadeo Constanzo. Feel free to share this blog with others. You may use this article for your web site, blog, or e-zine if and only if you include the following statement and web links:

More teachings from Amadeo Constanzo can be found at:

cunyEnglish.blogspot.com
stanzo.blogspot.com
spirfit.com

Other inquiries may be sent to: healthsciencewriter@gmail.com