Improving SAT Score Requires - Practice, Practice and more Practice.

Posted @ Dec. 21 2011 07:20AM by Ray - in-print

While preparing for exams, students generally study, read, and cram as much information about a subject as quickly as possible. However, not much time is generally given to taking practice tests. While they may seem like lost time, practice tests can be very beneficial in preparing for the real thing.

 A recent study conducted by Kalif Vaughn, a psychology graduate from Kent State University, and Katherine Rawson, associate professor in Kent State’s Department of Psychology , found that with retrieval practice, such as practice tests, memory is enhanced and preparation for an exam becomes slightly easier. 

“Everything we know includes memory retention; cue memory helps recall specific targets, and associative memory shows the relationship between things, such as word pairing,” states Rawson.

According to the researchers at Kent State, a more effective strategy when taking practice tests is to develop keywords that connect the information. Using keywords helps the brain recall the information needed for a particular test, or at a particular time. Repeating the information over and over, using the personally selected keywords is an effective way of committing the information to memory. 

“Taking practice tests – particularly ones that involve attempting to recall something from memory – can drastically increase the likelihood that you’ll be able to remember that information again later,” notes Rawson. 

“It isn’t just testing, but successful testing – getting the right answers – that makes the difference in memory performance later on,” stresses Vaughn. “We know that repeated retrieval is good for memory, and testing is a useful tool to improve memory.”

Preparing for a test can be difficult for students when they do not know where to begin. When students learn to make memory hooks with information needed for a test, they are better able to understand the material and feel more confident during test time.

Memory Hooks

At Tutoring Club, students learn to study better, improving their test-taking abilities while sharpening their memory.  “One way to help ensure that students’ test scores represent their true achievement levels is to make sure students are well prepared,” states Sherrie Hobbs, Director of Tutoring Club of Duluth of Gwinnett. “Practice tests are a great way to jumpstart children’s memories.  Tutoring Club’s School Tools Program is individually adapted to each child’s needs.  They learn to make memory hooks, along with their own study guides, improving their academic skills.”  

Research shows that students’ test scores show significant signs of improvement when engaging in practice tests.  Although most people assume tests are designed specifically as a way to evaluate learning, research has shown that testing not only advances learning, but also improves memory. 

According to Hobbs, Tutoring Club’s exclusive programs are guaranteed to improve individual skills in core academic areas, including reading, writing, and math. Students can also receive individualized instruction in science and foreign languages, as well as in basic learning skills such as note taking, outlining, time management and ACT/SAT preparation. 

With a wide variety tutoring classes and flexible scheduling, students can begin the process with diagnostic testing in every academic area required for the student’s success in each skill.  The result is a program designed specifically for the student. 

 Club, visit http://www.tutoringclub.com or contact Sherrie Hobbs, duluthga@tutoringclub.com, 770-622-650.