The School And College Ability Test (SCAT) is a standardized exam conducted by the John Hopkins center. It is mainly for students in grades 2 to 8.
The advanced SCAT test is for students between 6th to 8th grades. It is an above-grade test and assesses students for various gifted programs. For most students, advanced SCAT is a difficult test. But with some planning and proper preparation, you can ace it and make the most of the offered academic benefits.
Did you know that nearly 25-40% of American students suffer from anxiety due to exams? So, if you don’t want to fall prey to that and want to prepare for your advanced SCAT without worrying, here are five helpful tips for you.
1. Go through the sample papers
This holds true for any kind of assessment that you take. If you don’t go through the previous year’s papers or sample test papers, you won’t be familiar with thetest format. This one step will tremendously help you a lot in your SCAT test prep.
Familiarize yourself with the format of the paper, what sections there are, and how many questions there are in each section.
There are advanced SCAT sample papers available on the John Hopkins website, so you can head to the website and easilydownload them. It is recommended to print out these papers and keep rough papers next to you so that you can work out the answers quickly.
2. Study both the sections
Studying just a single section for too long can be taxing for your brain and may make you feel bored or sleepy. If you want to utilize your time wisely, keep switching between the verbal and quantitative sections.
For example, practice the verbal section for about 1-1.5 hours and then move over to the quantitative section. This will not only ensure that you cover as many topics as possible but will also help you to stay focused.
But when doing so, make sure you grasp the concepts of a section properly before jumping to the other. Some changes and juggling while preparing for SCAT can make learning fun.
3. Read carefully
Very often, students tend to skim through questions because they fear that they’re running out of time. This kind of panic can only be prevented through proper time management.
When you receive the question paper, don’t start scribbling then and there without understanding the question. Instead, please take a few seconds and read it carefully. Try to figure out if there’s a trick involved in the question or not.
Since there is no negative marking in SCAT, even if you aren’t able to answer a question correctly, don’t panic. Do not rush through the exam and lose marks on things you know by heart.
4. Stay healthy
Studying is essential but it’s equally important not to burn yourself out. Staying healthy, both physically and mentally, is vital when you’re preparing for a major exam. Eat lots of vegetables and drink enough water.
Before you sit down to study:
- Make sure you’ve had a hearty breakfast.
- Try to avoid eating too many carbs because they can make you feel sluggish.
- Instead of binging on coke and chips when you’re studying, opt for healthy snacks like nuts, protein bars, or fruit juices.
Additionally, ensure you’re getting enough sleep at night to wake up feeling refreshed.
5. Make a study schedule
If you don’t have a study schedule at your disposal, it can be tough to focus on the end goal. Creating a schedule helps you to be systematic and stay updated.
For example, make a chart of the seven days of the week and write down which chapters you plan to study each day. Then, when the day is over, make a note of how much you’ve achieved. In the beginning, it’ll be challenging to stick to your schedule but don’t give up.
As you keep practicing and studying, you will see that it will help you immensely to prepare sincerely. If the entire preparation seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks.
Over to you…
When you appear for the advanced SCAT exam, approach the paper calmly. Unless you are composed and confident, you won’t be able to score well. Make use of the advanced test programs and enroll yourself for tutoring, if necessary.