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SAT Preparation | ACT Preparation | Test Dates
GED Preparation | TOEFL Preparation

Standardized testing is a necessary part of the college admissions process. Every student who pursues higher education must take some form of a standardized test.

The most common standardized tests for college admissions are the SAT and the ACT. Although these standardized tests do not determine the intelligence of the taker, they are an indicator of how a student will perform during their first year of college.

Many students approach the SAT and ACT with apprehension. They falsely believe that a bad score will keep them out of college. That is just not true.

It’s true colleges and universities use SAT and ACT scores when considering applicants, but they also look at high school grades, community service, extracurricular activities and athletic participation. There are also several ways to increase your SAT and ACT test scores. Various SAT and ACT test prep study aids, SAT and ACT test prep courses and SAT and ACT test prep books are available to help you prepare for the SAT and ACT tests.

How to register for the SAT and ACT

The SAT and the ACT — the most widely used standardized tests today — allow college admissions officers to judge all students by a common measuring stick.

Where high school grades can vary widely due to teaching quality, district curriculum, grade inflation and other factors, standardized tests are designed to put all students on a level playing field. In fact, preparing for these standardized tests can give you a big advantage over other students.

Both tests are offered several times each year. The fee for the SAT is $23.50 ($24.50 in New York state) and $23.50 for the ACT. In hardship cases, this fee may be waived. To apply for a waiver, pick up a fee-waiver card at your school’s counseling office, then send it in with your registration form.

ACT test preparation

Kaplan ACT 2004 with CD-ROM offers four full-length exams, each with detailed explanations for all answers, as well as expert advice on avoiding traps and managing time. You’ll increase your score through Kaplan’s highly effective test-taking strategies, which provide focused and detailed approaches for every question type.

Cracking the ACT with Sample Tests on CD-ROM, 2004 Edition — The Princeton Review realizes that acing the ACT is very different from getting straight A’s in school. They don’t try to teach you everything there is to know about math, reading, science and English —only the techniques you’ll need to score higher on the exam.

The ACT for Dummies —
You’ve heard that performing well on your ACT can make up for mediocre performance in high school. The ACT for Dummies is packed with useful information and strategies to help you prepare for the test and do your best.

SAT test preparation

Kaplan SAT Math Workbook, 4th Edition & Kaplan SAT Verbal Workbook, 4th Edition —
It’s not difficult to raise your SAT scores —all it takes is practice. Kaplan Workbooks help you practice and learn the SAT formats by working your way through the sample questions. The workbooks also explain the structure and format for each section and provide a number of useful strategies.

Kaplan SAT II: Writing 2004 - 2005 comes with a targeted review of all the material on the exam, plus Kaplan’s proven test-taking strategies. This powerful combination makes SAT II: Writing a highly effective guide to scoring higher on this intensive subject test and approaching the test with confidence.

Cracking the SAT with Sample Tests on CD-ROM, 2004 Edition — This Princeton Review book and CD-ROM package includes seven full-length practice SAT exams: three in the book and four on CD-ROM. All of the sample test questions are just like the ones you’ll see on the actual SAT, and every solution is fully explained.

Kaplan SAT 2004 with CD-ROM : Spring Edition — Maximize your score in the minimum amount of time using Kaplan’s powerful test-taking tips and strategies, plus expert advice on dealing with stress, guessing and more. Additional features on the included CD-ROM include five full-length practice tests, math and verbal tutorials, a customized study plan and performance analysis.

When to take the ACT & SAT

Test	Test Date	Registration Deadline
SAT I	March 12, 2005	February 7, 2005
ACT	April 9, 2005	March 4, 2005
SAT I & SAT II	May 7, 2005	March 25, 2005
SAT I & SAT II	June 4, 2005	April 29, 2005
ACT	June 11, 2005	May 6, 2005

High school completion option: GED

The General Educational Development (GED) diploma is a high school equivalency certificate awarded upon successful completion of a test. The GED measures academic skills in five areas: writing, social studies, science, interpreting literature and the arts and mathematics. To take the test, you’ll need to find a test center in the US or Canada.

There are several ways to prepare for a GED test. You should select the option that works best for you by considering your learning style and lifestyle.

If you like to learn by yourself at your own pace, try a GED preparation book. You can choose from comprehensive books, which focus on the five GED skill areas, or specialized books, which focus on one area. If you prefer to have things explained to you, but you’d rather study from home, consider watching GED preparation classes on television or video. And if you prefer to have the help of a teacher, find a GED preparation class near you.

GED test preparation

Kaplan GED 2004 — based on the most up-to-date information on the GED, Kaplan GED 2004 has been specially created for individuals who want to prepare for the GED on their own. Kaplan’s GED guide features targeted subject review, practice questions with detailed explanations and valuable feedback, and proven score-raising strategies.

GED for Dummies —
Nervous about taking the GED tests? Relax! This friendly guide contains all the essential study methods and test strategies both first-time and repeat test-takers need. Focusing on how the exams work, this book highlights the traps and all the new features of the GED tests, while dispelling the rumors and helping you improve your scores.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL Test Preparation Kit (Book & CD-ROM) — The largest test preparation product ever released by the TOEFL program, the TOEFL Test Preparation Kit provides 14 hours of practice materials with 980 questions from previously administered TOEFL tests.

Included are a workbook with five tests plus an additional 140 practice questions; a sealed test exercise book and answer sheet; four audiocassettes with 248 minutes of material and answer sheet instructions; and the TOEFL Sampler CD-ROM with both Windows and Macintosh versions of tutorials, essay topics and sample student essays and 67 additional practice questions.

Kaplan TOEFL Computer Based Test with CD-ROM, 2nd Edition — Kaplan combines a complete computer-based practice test experience with a comprehensive review of all the tested material, plus strategies to help you increase your score in the Kaplan TOEFL Computer Based Test with CD-ROM.

This highly effective tool will help you score higher on the TOEFL® CBT and will make you more competitive for admission to an American university.