Fourteen Great Test Taking Strategies

In preparation for the ACT & PSAE Tests:

  • Get plenty of sleep the night before the test.  Be here and ready on test days.
  • Don't take a test hungry.  Eat your breakfast and lunch.  Snacks can be very beneficial.
  • Dress comfortably in clothes appropriate for school.
  • Read all the answers and the questions completely before answering.
  • Ask the person giving the test for help if you don't understand the directions.
  • Don't rush or dally.
  • Answer the easy question first.
  • Use information from other test questions where possible.
  • If you get stuck on a question, move on to one you can answer.
  • Trust your first answer, but change an answer if you must.
  • If you feel you must guess, try to eliminate some of the answer choices as wrong.  This increases your chances of guessing the correct answer.
  • Don't make wild guesses; your choices should at least be reasonable.
  • If you finish early, check your answers.
  • Don't panic.  Tackle each question one at a time rather than thinking about the whole test at once.

Return to PSAE/ACT Information