The Score, Issue #23: The Need for Speed on the ACT and SAT
ACT and SAT's tight time limits raise an important test prep question: should you always time your practice?
Greetings, Quiz Hackers, and welcome to another edition of The Score! In this issue, we’ll take a look at the role of timing in SAT and ACT practice. Time management is undoubtedly pivotal in mastering these exams. However, striking a balance between speed and accuracy isn’t always straightforward. Drawing from my 10+ years of experience as a full-time ACT and SAT test prep tutor, I have some insights to share on this topic. Let’s dive in!
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The Short Path Is the Long Path
When preparing for the SAT or ACT, the pressure of a ticking clock can sometimes interfere with mastering new and unfamiliar strategies. As with learning a complex musical composition or an intricate play in sports, attempting to go too fast too soon in test prep can potentially hamper improvement. Adopting a strategic approach to implementing time pressure can be a game-changer.
In the beginning, it's important to break down tasks, understand each element deeply, and master each step. Sometimes, this requires momentarily setting aside the race against time. Much like in music or sports, to excel in test prep, you must first slow down in order to eventually go fast.
Unleashing the Power of Untimed Practice
Untimed practice allows for a detailed, nuanced exploration of each question type, ultimately enhancing both accuracy and speed. Here are a couple of test prep exercises that leverage the opportunities opened up by untimed practice:
Hyper-Literal Textual Analysis (HLTA) in Reading Sections
Employing HLTA involves a meticulous breakdown of text to analyze the correct and incorrect answer choices on the ACT or SAT Reading sections. A very helpful exercise is to note the subtle textual distortions that made your incorrect answers appealing. Additionally, you should identify the precise language in the passage which the correct answer restates. (For a more detailed explanation, click here.)
This exercise can take 30 to 60 minutes per passage. Though time consuming, it is an excellent way to practice applying HLTA and to develop an intimate understanding of how ACT / SAT Reading questions are designed. Such hands-on knowledge is instrumental in augmenting both speed and accuracy.
Question Type Analysis in ACT English or SAT Writing
A structured approach works wonders here. Begin by identifying and categorizing question types throughout the section. Harness the power of resources such as the Quiz Hacker Question Type Inventory to aid in this classification. The goal should be to correctly identify at least 80% of the questions.
Follow this by tackling all instances of each question type one after the other. Refer to your notes and to Quiz Hacker’s strategy guides while you are working on the questions. Use these resources to ensure you are applying the appropriate rules and tactics. The repetition and ‘open notes’ approach of this untimed method not only solidifies understanding but also fosters mastery in execution, again ultimately enhancing both accuracy and speed.
Prep Smarter: First Crawl, Then Walk, Then Run
Incorporating untimed exercises into your test prep isn't just about honing accuracy. It's a strategic way to develop skill sets that ultimately enhance both accuracy and speed.
Think of timed practice as a dress rehearsal in theater or a scrimmage in sports. While valuable, it's not meant to be a critical priority during the early stages of preparation.
Once you've gained a solid grasp of a section's fundamentals, introduce time constraints progressively. Start by adding slight time pressure, then intensify it until it feels almost overwhelming. When you grow comfortable at that pace, ratchet up the challenge again by tightening the time limit.
Continue this iterative process, steadily upping the timing challenge until you can seamlessly apply strategies and tactics with both precision and speed, finishing within the section's designated time frame.
To truly progress, it's often essential to take a step back, thoroughly evaluate, and devote time and effort to developing deeper understanding. This philosophy embodies the Quiz Hacker mantra: Prep Smarter.
Helping you to apply this philosophy is what Quiz Hacker Test Prep is all about. Don't miss out on the wealth of strategy articles, practice drills, and other valuable resources available to premium subscribers. Subscribe now!
Until next time, make sure to Prep Smarter!
~ Dave Walker