Don't Make These Mistakes During SAT, ACT Prep

When it comes to scoring well on the ACT or SAT, there is no easy path to success. Students must put in a great deal of time, effort and research to meet their target scores -- but even the brightest of students can get tripped up by common mistakes. Strong performance on the ACT and SAT is about more than just studying; it's also about seeking help when you need it, and so much more.

High school students should do everything they can to maximize their chances of test-day success -- and that might mean fixing some test-prep issues they don't even know they have. Three college students shared some personal examples of mistakes they made, as well as some bonus tips to help the study process.

1. Neglecting to use available resources: Many of us have a hard time admitting when we could use some help, but don't fall prey to that during ACT and SAT prep. Most high schools and teachers have access to helpful test-prep resources, or they can at least point you in the direction of some. You should not shy away from seeking these resources.

Alex Bohn, a junior at the University of Iowa, says he made this error. "I think the biggest mistake I made was not taking advantage of the opportunities my high school offered for free. They had after-school tutoring and practice exams. I would encourage kids to look and see if their school has any kind of preparation," he said via email. "A few extra hours of preparation can go a long way."

He says that if he had sought more tutoring, he would have been able to raise his test scores; however, he did take advantage of practice tests. "Practice tests are a great way to get you used to the format and the feel of both the SAT and ACT. I took both tests multiple times in high school and practice tests are what helped me most," he said.

Allison Savoy, a freshman at Saint Mary's College of California, also says she benefited greatly from practice tests. Savoy, who only took the ACT, says timed practice tests were key.

[Learn three answers about common ACT, SAT strategies.]

2. Failing to examine test-taking challenges: Studying properly and accumulating the right knowledge is crucial to success on the SAT and ACT, but so is self-reflection. It can be easy to forget to prepare for the test-taking experience itself. Students should examine how well they typically perform in testing environments, and how they can prepare for the challenges they know to expect.

University of Dayton senior Kristi Helm says she struggled with test anxiety, particularly when it came to the time limits given. Helm attributes much of this anxiety to her attention deficit disorder and says she wishes she had looked into the potential extra testing time available to those with her diagnosis. She says current students should not be afraid to ask for such accommodations if needed.

"For the ADD testing, I know it's not for everyone, but I know some people are afraid to go through the extra steps to get the help they need. Even if I didn't need the extra time, knowing I would have had it would have given me a lot less anxiety during the test and I could have focused better on the material," she said via email. "I really regret not doing more about my ADD during the testing. I do think it would have helped my score."

[Get advice on five ways to reduce anxiety on test day.]

3. Not taking the test seriously enough: Perhaps the focal point of any strong ACT and SAT prep is simply understanding the full importance of the test. If you neglect to comprehend the scope of the exam itself, what it represents and what it can mean for your future, you may not entirely understand what you need to do to prepare.

Savoy says this is a common mistake among students, but she was able to avoid it and perform very well on the ACT.

"I thoroughly prepped for the test. I took all of the practice tests very seriously, went to ACT prep classes and made a point to understand every part," she said via email. "My piece of advice is to put in the time for preparing for your test. It really does make a difference."

Helm shares similar sentiments, saying her No. 1 piece of advice for students is to not take this as a "joke test."

"Don't study all the time to the point where it is detrimental to your GPA, but study enough. Grasp the format of the test by doing the book problems," Helm said. "Don't take this test without even opening a study book. Seek help from those who understand the material because in the end it will help."

Cathryn Sloane is a marketing manager for Varsity Tutors. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa.