Today’s featured guest post comes from Jenna Smith.

If you’re signing up for SAT prep courses to help you get ready for the test, it’s important that you take advantage of the courses. After all, you’re investing in the pre-test studies, so you’ll want to get the most from your investment. If you’re going to be taking the test in the near future, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind as you attend the prep course:

Do:

Stay Healthy —

Your health is your most valuable asset when it comes to preparing for a test, so do what you can to stay healthy. If you’re sick or tired, it will be very hard for your brain to retain the things that you’re learning in your course. Make sure to get enough sleep at night, and do exercise and eat healthy as you are taking the SAT prep courses. If you are healthy, you’ll find that your studying will be much easier, and you’ll retain a lot more of what you’re learning.

Attend Courses Regularly —

Make sure that you’re on time for the courses, and that you don’t miss the classes. You have a limited number of sessions that you can attend to prepare for the course, and you need to take advantage of each one of the sessions. Don’t let excuses or lethargy prevent you from attending your classes, and really invest yourself in the classes in order to get the most out of them. You’ll only learn if you work hard, so be there and focus!

Ask Questions —

Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand some aspect of the test. There are probably going to be a few things that you aren’t familiar with, things that can trip you up and cause you to lose confidence. Make sure to get help from the teachers of the prep courses, and ask any questions that you have. It will be the only way that you’ll learn what you need to know to ace the SAT test.

Don’t:

Take the Test Until You’re Sure —

Don’t make the mistake of taking the test in a hurry just because it’s the only opportunity you have. You may want to wait until the next test, especially if it means that you’ll pass it properly. Your SAT scores will have an effect on your future, so you want to be sure that you get the best score possible. If you don’t think that you’re ready to take the test and ace it, it may be a better option to pass on the exam and take it when you’re sure you’re prepared.

Cram —

One huge mistake that many students make is cramming their studies into the last few weeks or days prior to their test. While you may think that you’ll retain the knowledge better if you cram everything into the last few days, the truth is that you won’t. You’ll find that studying properly will take months, but it’s worth it in order to be able to learn everything you need to know for the test. Take your time, and you’ll ace the exam!

Freak Out —

When it comes down to it, there’s nothing to worry about. Don’t freak out if you don’t know something that may be included in the test. The reason that you’re taking these SAT prep courses is to help you prepare for the test, so it’s the perfect time to run into something that you don’t understand. If you don’t know something, don’t worry. Just get help and it will be much easier!