Studying for SAT, GRE, ASVAB, MCAT, LSAT, TOEFL & Other Standardized Tests

High school and college students frequently find themselves faced with standardized tests that fill them with dread. Whether it's the SAT, GRE, ASVAB, MCAT, LSAT, TOEFL or any number of alphabet-soup college and private school entrance exams, the one thing that these standardized tests all have in common is that they seek to grade students by a single standard. The standards that each test sets are different, but each test has them. And by learning about these standards, you can beat the test.

When I say "beat", I don't mean cheating. There are specific things that you can do to improve your test scores that are perfectly acceptable and above board. They include: getting to know the test, getting help studying for the test, and practicing for it.

First, you want to get to know the test that you will take. You will want to know how long the test takes, how many questions it has, what kind they are (multiple choice or essays) and what kind of subjects they will cover. You can do research for a test online, or for any help materials. There are more of these than there used to be.

However, the best source of research material remains the library or the bookstore. Companies like Barron's, Kaplan, Arco, The Princeton Review and The College Board publish study guides to major standardized tests like the SAT, GRE, ASVAB, TOEFL, MCAT and LSAT. These books include both practice tests and exercises for beefing up any weaknesses that you may have in the skills required.

Second, you may want to get a tutor, or take a study course for the test that you want to take. Tutors help keep you honest about study deadlines and help you to study harder than you might on your own. They also help with the parts of the test that are not so standardized. Study guides give the answers to multiple choice questions, but they can only give suggestions on how to write an essay. They cannot correct the essay itself or give feedback on how to improve your skills for the next one. A tutor or study course can help you in this area by giving person-to-person feedback.

Third, as I said before, study guides include practice materials such as tests and exercises. These help you become familiar with the test and what to expect. But they also help you get better at it, not only improving your familiarity but your actual skills.

However, practice can be much more involved than just buying a study guide or even getting a tutor. Ideally, you should begin studying for any major tests you have coming up at least a year or two in advance. Even general skills like vocabulary and essay writing require a long time to build up. More specific tests like the MCAT (medical school) and LSAT (law school) require years of college courses in preparation. Even with these, however, it doesn't hurt to get a study guide and/or tutor to get a little extra practice under your belt.

A word of warning: last-minute cramming with these kinds of tests is not a good idea. If you cram the night, or even the week, before, you're liable to confuse more than help yourself on test day. It's better to take a break that last night and get a good rest. Sleep is a great test aid that too many students neglect.

Finally, keep in mind that most of these tests can be taken more than once. The SATs and GREs, for example, are given several times per year. So, if you don't do well the first time, don't despair. You should be able to get another crack at it. With a little extra study and practice, you can improve.

Good luck!