4 Factors for Students to Consider When Choosing an SAT® or ACT® Test Center
Choosing the right SAT® or ACT® test center is an important decision for students, as the testing environment can significantly impact their performance. Selecting a location that's too far away, uncomfortable, or poorly managed by proctors can add unnecessary stress to test day. Based on my experience and feedback from my clients, there are four key factors students should consider when choosing a test center:
Factor #1: Assess the Testing Environment
Not all test centers offer the same experience. Room temperature, seating comfort, noise levels, and proctor effectiveness can influence concentration and test performance.
Before choosing a test center, encourage your students to check online reviews and gather feedback from their peers who have previously tested there. These insights will give them a better idea of the testing conditions.
Keep in mind that not all online reviews are helpful. Advise your clients to approach negative reviews with some discernment, focusing primarily on the more informative insights these reviews may offer, rather than test takers complaining about their personal scores.
Factor #2: Consider Commute and Accessibility
Sure, proximity is important, but even more so is the actual drive to get there. A stressful drive on test day can significantly impact a student's performance. Think about it: Unexpected traffic, getting lost, or struggling to find parking—these are real issues that can increase anxiety even before a student steps into the testing room.
Encourage your students to choose test centers that are easy to access and offer reliable parking options. I always recommend that students do a practice drive to the test center ahead of time to become familiar with the route and accurately gauge travel time. Planning the commute carefully and setting a clear departure time can greatly reduce test-day anxiety.
Factor #3: Familiarity with the Test Center
Choosing a familiar location, such as a student's own school or a center located in town, can make a big difference. Known locations and surroundings obviously reduce navigation issues and can help a student feel more relaxed and comfortable on test day.
However, for some students, testing close to home may not be the best choice. it's important to think about whether such familiarity might actually lead to distractions, especially if friends and classmates are also testing there.
Factor #4: Test Center Policies
Just as important as the first 3 factors, test center policies matter. Not all testing centers or schools follow the same rules. For example, stricter policies do not allow students to chew gum or carry a sweatshirt in case they get cold. Sounds trivial unless chewing gum helps the student focus or the chilly air conditioning makes them uncomfortable.
It’s helpful to become familiar with the test center’s policies before test day. Keep in mind that test center policies and conditions can change. Students should check the center’s site for changes or the official SAT® and ACT® websites for the most current information on test center availability and any specific requirements before their big day, any changes could affect their testing experience.
Key Takeaways
Evaluate the Environment: Test centers vary significantly. Encourage your clients to do a little research on the center and find out what they can about conditions like room temperature, seating comfort, noise levels, and proctors.
Plan the Commute: A smooth commute reduces stress. Advise your students to choose centers with easy access, reliable parking, and test drive that commute before test day.
Consider Familiarity: Familiar locations, such as a student's school, can ease anxiety but beware of potential distractions from classmates.
Know the Policies: Students should familiarize themselves with test center policies ahead of time, regularly checking for updates to avoid surprises on test day.
Picking the right test center can greatly improve students’ test-day experience and overall performance. Help your clients to consider these four factors before choosing which center is right for them so they have the best chance of being able to relax, focus, and confidently tackle their SAT® or ACT® on test day!
One more thing: remind your clients to register for the upcoming spring 2025 test dates!
Did you find this post helpful? We’re always looking to offer useful tips and information to help you and your clients best navigate SAT® and ACT® prep. If you enjoyed this post, you might want to check out a few of our related posts:
As always, thanks for reading!
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