It’s Time to Start Utilizing the Most Undervalued Test-Prep Tool
Last week, we discussed preparing your clients for computer-based testing. In that post, we touched on using one of the most underrated test-prep tools: the timer. Utilizing a testing timer is essential in teaching efficient and effective time management.
Timing is Everything
A substantial amount of success on the ACT® and SAT® hinges on time. With every section of both exams rigidly clocked to create as uniform and fair a test-taking experience as possible, teaching effective time management is key.
The 2 largest factors in proficient time management for the ACT® and SAT®? Keeping track of time and knowing how many questions are left.
1. Keeping track of time. A major cause for poor test performance is running out of time. To combat this, students must learn how to monitor their pace throughout each section.
The sections on the ACT® range between 35 and 60 minutes, while the sections on the SAT® run between 25 and 65 minutes. Teaching students to keep track of their remaining time, and practice doing so before test day, will help them get a real feel for how long each section is and how much time they realistically have to work.
2. Knowing how many questions are left. Being aware of how many questions are in each section and how much time is allotted per section is vital to keeping track of time and maintaining a good pace. With that in mind, students can start each section with a plan of which questions to tackle first. Strategically speaking, it makes the most sense for students to answer the easiest questions first, then - while keeping track of their time and the number of questions left - answer the harder, remaining questions in order.
ACT® Sections:
English : 75 Questions in 45 minutes
Math : 60 Questions in 60 minutes
Reading : 40 Questions in 35 minutes
Science : 40 Questions in 35 minutes
*Essay (optional) : 1 Essay Prompt in 40 minutes
SAT® Sections:
Reading : 52 Questions in 65 minutes
Writing : 44 Questions in 35 minutes
Math (no calculator) : 20 Questions in 25 minutes
Math (with calculator) : 38 Questions in 55 minutes
Time is of the Essence
Timing is a dire cause for test anxiety. When students are unfamiliar with being timed on an exam - especially a consequential exam like the ACT® or SAT® - they can experience real panic. If they haven’t adequately practiced and prepared for working under timed pressure, test day could be a real bust. Teaching them to effectively keep track of their time can mitigate that.
Students must understand that in the strictest of test-taking environments, making a single mark, click, or erasure after time is called is a major no-no. Doing so will not just result in a slap on the wrist (idiomatically speaking) - doing so can lead to an invalidated test. As such, students must be cognizant of their pacing and keeping track of time as they work.
Because of this, students should always bring their own watches on test day. In all likelihood, the test center or classroom that your clients will test in will probably have a wall clock, but not only is it a gamble to assume that they’ll be seated in sight of that wall clock, but a wall clock is not the best way to track their time.
There are specific rules as to what types of watches are and are not allowed in ACT® and SAT® testing centers (more on that later). That said, encourage your students to get their hands on an approved timepiece and get accustomed to both bringing it to tutoring sessions and using it during all of their practice time.
Doing so means students can walk in on test day with the same timing tool they used during test prep. But remember, students must disable ALL watch beeps, alarms, and alerts ahead of time or risk a score cancellation for even the shortest, quietest chirp. The ACT® and College Board are extremely strict about noise during the exam, and timepieces are no exception!
Students Must Understand There is No Time to Lose
Along with the necessary data regarding students’ strengths and weaknesses, test-prep tutors can benefit from keeping track of how much time their clients spend on each particular section of the exam as well as the types of problems that cause students to lag behind.
However, teaching your students how to win the battle against the clock is the key here because come test day, your students will have to be responsible for pacing themselves.
Beyond using the same approved watch for both test prep and test day, here are some more tips and pieces of timely advice:
Do not rely on the proctor for time. Students may be accustomed to having exams proctored by their teachers or school staff where the proctors either announce or write on a board how much time is remaining. This is not the case on the ACT® and SAT®. Exam proctors will only announce when there are 5 minutes remaining, so students must learn how to pace themselves while keeping track of how much time remains in each section.
Practice! The best timepiece to utilize as a timer for test-prep is a silent timepiece - a silent digital timer/stopwatch or an analog watch (read: old-school “dumb” watches with the sounds turned off or Mickey’s hands) are acceptable timepieces to use during both the ACT® and the SAT®.
Kitchen timers, stopwatches, cell phone timers, even most watch timers and stopwatches are LOUD. They’re loud enough so that you don’t burn the muffins, you know which of your brothers ran home faster, when to call your Mom (oops!), and to let you know that you need to leave for work NOW. While they can certainly be used as a test-prep tool for practice, they’re not allowed on test day. Sure, the alarm bells, jingles, beeps, and dings can help teach students when their time is up, and in turn help them to learn pace, but relying on those sounds during practice will not help them come test day (read: not worth the Pavlovian experiment).
Know the rules! Both the ACT® and SAT® have very specific rules about what is and it not permitted in the testing location:
“You may bring a watch to pace yourself, but do not bring a watch with an alarm. During testing your watch must be removed and placed on your desk face up. If your alarm sounds during testing, you’ll be dismissed and your answers will not be scored.”
“The prohibited use of devices is in effect from the time you are admitted to your testing room until you are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. Specifically:
You may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight.
If you access your device or it activates in the testing room or during break times, you will be dismissed, your test will not be scored, and your phone or device may be taken away.”
“To ensure that no one gets an unfair advantage on test day, test center staff are required to collect and hold cell phones and other prohibited electronic devices during the test administration. You may not use or access the device until testing is complete.”
“Test centers are serious about security and quiet, so prohibited devices must be turned off and collected. Whenever possible, leave these devices at home.”
“If your device makes noise or you are seen using it at any time before testing is complete, including during breaks, it is grounds for immediate dismissal and score cancellation. The device may be confiscated and its contents inspected. The College Board is not responsible for loss or damage to personal items, including electronic devices, while you are in the test center.”
“When you enter the testing room, be sure to disable any alarms (including your watch alarm, if you have one) and power off all cell phones and other electronic devices.”
“Follow the proctor's instructions regarding device collection.”
“Your devices should remain off during testing.”
“You may not use or access these devices during breaks. If you use prohibited devices before testing is complete your scores will be canceled.”
“Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to:
Cell phones or smartphones
Audio players/recorders, tablets, laptops, notebooks, Google Glass, or any other personal computing devices
Separate timers of any type
Cameras or any other photographic equipment
Any devices, including digital watches, that can be used to record, transmit, receive, or play back audio, photographic, text, or video content (with the exception of CD players used for Language with Listening Subject Tests only).”
All in Good Time
A timer is one of the best tools in a test-prep tutor’s toolbox. Teaching your students how to effectively manage their time and keep pace during their practice tests will undoubtedly serve them when they’re faced with their timed exams on test day.
Next week, we’ll dive into how to help students save time on the ACT® and SAT® and better their odds of not only finishing each section on time, but buying them some time to tackle even the most challenging sections!
For more on how Clear Choice Prep can help your clients make the most of their test-prep time, contact us for a free demo and see for yourself what our 100% white label test-prep software, curriculum, and materials can offer!
