For Many Students In NJ SAT Prep Lessons Are Essential

By Joseph Carter


The prospect of sitting for the college admission tests is an ordeal for thousands of students every year. They believe that they need to do well if they have hopes of gaining a place at a good university. Even later in their lives, when they apply for jobs, their scores may be taken into account. That is why most serious students start their preparations early. In NJ SAT prep lessons are often seen as essential to obtaining good scores.

Contrary to popular belief, these tests are not compulsory. In fact, many colleges do not require applicants to submit their scores at all. The fact remains, however, that all the top institutions of higher learning place a high value on the scores obtained by applicants. The tests remain extremely popular and even students that have no plans to apply for a place at a college will write them.

While good scores are important, students should never forget that they are not the the only thing that is taken into account by admission committees. Students need to show that they are balanced. Participation in sport and cultural events, for example, also count. Community involvement and volunteer work also contribute towards a more favourable application.

Some of the students that choose not to sit for tests believe that only super intelligent individuals can hope to obtain high scores. This is not true. The purpose of the tests is not to test intelligence, aptitude or general knowledge. Instead, they focus on those skills that are deemed vital for a successful college career. The three main test areas are mathematics, critical reading and writing skills.

The SAT tests are owned, administered and managed by the College Board. This is a non profit organization that focuses on educational issues. They offer many other tests too. Numerous students opt to sit for some of these tests to augment their applications to top colleges. Most of these additional tests focus on very specific subjects and may help applicant to gain entrance to specific faculties.

Traditionally, students sit for the tests in their senior year. More and more students opt to do so in their junior year, however. This is because there is no limit to the number of times one may sit for them. Therefore, if a student is not satisfied with his results he can always sit for the test again in his senior year. Many simply view their first effort as a test run that will ultimately help them to improve their scores.

Students and their parents spend a lot of money on materials, lessons, drills and tutors to help prepare them for the tests. The College Board maintains that the general guidelines that they issue is more than adequate for preparation purposes but a huge industry that provide all kinds of additional help exists. Experts advise that care must be taken to only purchase materials that are underwritten by authoritative educational experts.

A college education can be extremely expensive and students that are not ready may end up wasting a lot of money. These tests are a good indication of whether an individual is likely to succeed at college or not. That is why most educational experts encourage students to sit for the tests, even if they do not have to.




About the Author:



ليست هناك تعليقات: