Enter our contest!

Want some SAT or ACT study prep material?

Well, we've got just what you need. The ec magazine team will be giving away two resources we recently got our hands on and if you'll be taking either test, you're SO going to want them!

Today, we'll be giving away "Future U: The Prep Game for SAT," computer game by Kaplan that works on a Mac or a PC, and "ACT in a Box," flashcards to help you ace the ACT.

What do you have to do to win?

It's simple, really.

To win the SAT game, you must be the first person to email the next SAT test date to godlifefun@gmail.com. Include your mailing address and we'll get your prize on its way to you.

To win the ACT flashcards, you must be the first person to email the next ACT test date to godlifefun@gmail.com. Don't forget to include your mailing address!

And if you give us your T-shirt sizes, we'll also send along an ec T-shirt. You know you want it! So let the games begin!

SAT Tip #4

The SAT is two days away. Cramming doesn’t work, and we would highly recommend taking a SAT prep class, but we have been offering some helpful test-taking tips that we really do think can help you on test day. Are you ready for today’s?

Ready or not, here we go!

Tip #4: Steer clear of the avoidable mistakes.
No, we’re not talking about finding ways to avoid wrong answers on the test—you’ll probably get a few of those! But there are some steps you can take now to make sure test day is less stressful and more relaxed. Like knowing where the test center is. If you’re taking the test in a location that’s not all that familiar to you, take some time to figure out how to get there and make a plan to get there early enough to settle in and relax. You can avoid being late on test day, so let technology (like Google Maps) help you out and don’t get lost on test day.

Also, have some common sense. Don’t drink four gallons of water or coffee or soda right before you take the SAT. We’d suggest getting to the testing site early and visiting the bathroom before the test. Commonplace advice, yes, but it’s still good advice. You cannot leave the room during testing sessions. There will be breaks between each section, so use your brain and plan ahead.

Another avoidable mistake is not having the tools you need on test day. You’re going to need No. 2 pencils for sure. A calculator is helpful, but make sure it has fresh batteries or won’t otherwise let you down during the test. You may be restricted on what kind of calculator you can bring, so ask someone today so that you have time to get everything in order. You’re probably going to need a photo idea and/or your SAT admission ticket. Get it all ready the night before and put it somewhere you will not forget. Ask someone trustworthy to help you remember the list of items you need to bring along and hold you to it before you walk out the door on Saturday morning!

And finally, make sure you’re ready for the test. It may be tempting to stay up all night cramming or hanging out with your friends, but those things may not help your score. So, get a good night’s rest the night before and eat a healthy breakfast on Saturday morning. You’d be surprised, but your brain works better when you’ve fed it!

Come back tomorrow for more test tips. And follow us on Twitter (@ecmagazine) for daily test tips this week and devotional tips every day.

SAT Tip #3

The SAT is happening on Saturday, and we’re here to help you get ready! Ready for today’s tip?

Tip #3: Know how the test works.

Part of excelling at the SAT is understanding test. That means recognizing it’s going to be a long day during which you’re going to be tested in various subject matter. It means knowing the kinds of questions you’re going to face and the subject matter you’ll be tested on. (It’s probably too late now to help, but SAT prep courses are always a good idea!) It’s understanding the scoring system (you get a point for a right answer, a fractional deduction for a wrong one, and omitted questions are not counted against your score). It means you have a strategy and know you may want to answer easy questions first and come back to the hard ones, understand you’re going to have to manage your time, and don’t spend too much time on any one question. For more info on the SAT and strategy, go here.

Come back tomorrow for more test tips. And follow us on Twitter (@ecmagazine) for daily test tips this week and devotional tips every day.

SAT Tip #2

Ready for Saturday's (March 14) scheduled SAT test date? We've got our tip for today. And, of course, we’ll be offering you some test-taking tips every day this week—along with our regular blog fare, of course.

Tip #2: Go against everything a teacher has ever told you and WRITE IN THE BOOK.

The testing booklet is yours to use as you need to. You may have grown up with teachers who absolutely forbid you to write in your school books, but the rule doesn't apply to the SAT testing booklet. Scratch out answers you know are wrong. Do the scratch work for math problems. Circle important words in the reading comprehension section or answers you know are correct. Let your testing booklet help you rather than hinder you!

Come back tomorrow for more test tips. And follow us on Twitter (@ecmagazine) for daily test tips this week and devotional tips every day.

SAT on Saturday?

Never fear, ec is here!

Yep, the Saturday (March 14) is a scheduled SAT test date, and there’s a good chance that many of you will be among those testing your knowledge and skills. So we’ll be offering you some test-taking tips every day this week—along with our regular blog fare, of course.

Tip #1: Learn the instructions for all of the sections on the test before you take the test.
Use the time you’ll save to get started on the test questions. Because you’ve done your homework, you’ll know what is expected of you in the various sections before the test even starts, earning yourself a little more time to concentrate on the questions. And we all know, every minute counts on the SAT.

Come back tomorrow for more test tips. And follow us on Twitter (@ecmagazine) for daily test tips this week and devotional tips every day.