Test-Taking Resources

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This section is filled with free resources and tools to help students decide which test(s) to take, to prepare for the test(s), and to earn top scores. We’ve also included links to fee-based services to ensure that you have all of the information you need at hand.

Choosing the Right Test Prep Path

There are countless test prep companies and publishers of self-study test guides. Most of them are very, very similar. To determine which is right for you consider the following:

  1. Which exam(s) do you need to take? (Ask your guidance counselor, research your chosen college(s) admission requirements on the Internet, and/or write or call the admissions departments of colleges.)
  2. How do you learn? (Can you read something once or twice and commit it to memory? Do you need to work several problems over several weeks to really understand something? Do you study best in study groups or alone, in a classroom setting or alone at the Barnes & Noble?)
  3. How much time do you have before the test?
  4. What are your strengths? Weaknesses? (Are you a math wiz, but a little shaky on the critical reading bits?)
  5. What can you afford? (Don’t forget to consider fee waivers, school/state assistance, parents, other resources)
  6. If you choose to pay a test prep company to help you prepare, check it’s references online and ask for a guarantee that you can re-take all or part of the course if you don’t earn your goal score.
  7. When all else fails, go it alone! (There are plenty of free resources out there, including those listed below, public/school libraries, free practice tests and free test events)

Test Prep Companies

  • Number2.com – Free online ACT, SAT and GRE Test Prep
  • Kaplan Test Prep - Classroom, online, private tutoring test prep. Purchase self-study guides, software.
  • SAT QuizBank – Thousands of free SAT questions, customized quizzes and analysis offered by Kaplan
  • ACT QuizBank – Thousands of free ACT questions, customized quizzes, timed tests offered by Kaplan
  • Princeton Review Test Prep – Classroom, online, private tutoring test prep. Purchase self-study guides, software.
  • SparkNotes – Free, online self-study eBooks and diagnostic tests and low-cost self-study books.
  • Barron’s Test Prep – Low-cost online test prep
  • Free Diagnostic Practice Tests – Take a free ACT, SAT or AP diagnostic practice test to pinpoint your problem areas and create a study plan
  • Sylvan ACT/SAT Test Prep – Tutoring company offering small-group and private SAT/ACT test prep
  • ManhattanGMAT – classroom and online GMAT test prep
  • ACT – The creators of the ACT exam also offer self-study guides and online test prep
  • College Board – The creators of the SAT exam also offer self-study and online test prep
  • Free Kaplan ACT & SAT Events – Test-drive the tests by taking a timed, proctored test. Get a preliminary score and diagnostic analysis.
  • Free Princeton Review ACT & SAT Classes – Sit in on a free Princeton Review class in your area.

AP Exams

CLEP

ACT

PSAT

SAT

GRE

Registration Materials (effective July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007)

GRE Subject Test

Free practice test booklets for each GRE subject area.

Ability-t0-Benefit Tests (ABT)

GMAT

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Going to medical school? Register for the MCAT.

2007 MCAT Essentials Guide – Everything you need to know about the exam, test dates and registration

For information on other exams, contact colleges or universities and professional associations.

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