The Score, Issue #22: How Important Are Full-Length Practice Tests?
The role of full-length practice tests in ACT and SAT prep is a debated topic. In this article, I explore various viewpoints, sharing which one I favor and why.
Greetings, Quiz Hackers, and welcome to another edition of The Score! In this week’s installment, we’re delving into the role that full-length practice tests should play in SAT and ACT preparation.
It's a significant yet contentious issue, with a wide spectrum of opinions complicating the search for the right approach. Below, I'll dissect the predominant viewpoints and offer insights to help you strike the ideal balance for effective test preparation and score improvement.
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Full Practice Tests: How Often?
Not all ACT and SAT tutors agree on the proper role of full-length practice tests. After surveying the field of opinions, I’ve distilled them into three predominant viewpoints:
Consistent Weekly Practice: Some tutors believe that students should take full-length tests either weekly or bi-weekly, starting in the early phases of test preparation. Advocates of this approach emphasize the crucial role that complete exams play in both score improvement and endurance building.
Sporadic Checkpoints: Other tutors recommend doing full-length tests as occasional checkpoints. A significant rationale behind this approach is the belief that full, timed exams provide a more accurate gauge of score improvement than do individual timed sections.
Wait Until Ready: Yet another group of tutors sees limited value in assigning full tests for either improvement or endurance purposes. Tutors in this camp typically advise students to delay taking full exams until they are closer to their actual test dates.
Why I Recommend The ‘Wait Until Ready’ Approach
I personally adhere to the 'wait until ready' philosophy. The reasons are grounded in my 10+ years of experience as a test prep tutor, during which I have had ample opportunity to observe students' success patterns. Below are the primary reasons I caution against an over-emphasis on full, timed practice exams during the early and middle stages of test preparation:
The Scourge of Mindless Grinding: As I have pointed out previously, effective test prep encompasses targeted study, deliberate practice, and focused feedback. However, Conducting full practice tests on a weekly or bi-weekly basis is not only time-consuming but also labor-intensive, leaving little opportunity to focus on other vital aspects of test preparation, such as strategic study and error analysis. This can lead to suboptimal score improvement and frustration.
The Sufficiency of Section Testing: I’ve found that individual timed sections do, in most cases, accurately reflect a student’s current proficiency in that section. I've effectively utilized timed sections to monitor students’ progress without the substantial investment of time and energy that full tests require.
Preservation of Resources: Full-length tests are mentally and physically taxing. Frequently assigning full exams can quickly sap a student’s energy and enthusiasm. This approach also rapidly depletes the limited supply of official practice materials. Prematurely exhausting these resources can leave students with limited options down the line, particularly if reaching their target score takes longer than initially anticipated. It’s crucial to remember that using unofficial practice tests is not a viable alternative. Once all official tests are exhausted, students are left with no option but to retake those same exams.
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Maintaining Morale: Administering full exams to students in the early and middle stages of preparation often requires them to repeatedly attempt sections for which they may have had insufficient — or even no — preparation. Tackling sections students haven't prepared for results in predictably low scores, which can be demoralizing. A crucial responsibility of a test prep tutor is to help students avoid such discouragement and instead build confidence.
The Myth of Endurance-Building: The endurance supposedly built through taking repeated full tests may not be as substantial as some proponents suggest. Considering the short breaks between sections, the extended break in the middle of the exams, and the upcoming transition to a digital SAT format — which will be significantly shorter than the paper version — endurance may not be as significant a concern as previously thought.
Fatigue undoubtedly affects students’ performance on the final sections of the exams, such as ACT Science or the last SAT Math section. However, there are more efficient ways to mitigate this issue. For instance, while a 60-second buffer may suffice for the reading section, students aiming for a particular target score on ACT Science should work towards building a minimum of a 90-second buffer. This approach takes into consideration that students are likely to work more slowly on the final section due to fatigue.
A Balanced Approach
Administering full tests too early and frequently can lead to an imbalanced approach to test preparation. This method is not only unnecessary but also squanders precious test prep resources while risking both exhaustion and demoralization. In contrast, a well-rounded approach that evenly distributes effort between studying, practicing, and receiving feedback has proven to be significantly more productive in my experience.
When to Start Full Tests?
I advise students to take one full SAT and ACT test before delving into their preparation regimen. This initial step acquaints them with the format and demands of both exams, assisting them in making an informed decision on which test to choose. Additionally, these preliminary tests establish baseline scores for the various sections.
In the initial phases of test preparation, the emphasis should be on mastering section-specific strategies and question type tactics. Students should start with one section, gradually incorporating others as they gain proficiency.
Approximately three weeks before the actual exam date, I recommend students begin taking weekly full-length practice tests. These should be conducted under conditions that simulate the exam environment as closely as possible, such as in a quiet external location (like a library) during the morning hours.
Putting Knowledge Into Action
Successfully navigating the challenging journey of ACT / SAT preparation requires striking the right balance between targeted study, practice, and feedback, all while avoiding frustration, waste, and burnout. This publication is designed to be a guide for those seeking a balanced and effective approach to test preparation. Quiz Hacker Test Prep is your comprehensive resource, offering strategies, answer explanations, practice drills, and more to aid you on this journey.
To set yourself up for success, consider becoming a subscriber. Whether it's for yourself, your student, or your child, a premium subscription ensures that you are well-equipped to leverage the full benefits of the Quiz Hacker prep system and ace your exams. For those still contemplating, full access to my complete archive of strategies and drills is available with a free 7-day trial.
Until next time, remember to Prep Smarter!
~ Dave