Test Prep: Information on PSAT, SAT, ACT, GED, & TOEFL

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Getting familiar with the structure and subjects of standardized tests can help you score well.

Below, you'll find information about the most common standardized tests for high school students, including the SAT, CLEP, SAT subject tests, TOEFL, PSAT, AP exams, ACT, GED, and ASVAB.

If you're looking for some quick and easily accessible test prep, be sure to take a look at the free practice tests for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT available here at Peterson's.

Here are some articles on the basics of the most common tests:

Test Prep Tips

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Looking for some generalized tips on how to take standardized tests? We've got you covered!

There are lots of tips and tricks that are applicable to standardized tests of all types. Learning them can be a major boon to your test taking strategies, and can leave you well prepared for any of the possible tests you might take. Look over these tips here to get yourself started on your test prep.

Take a look at topics including:

Practice Tests

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If you're preparing for any of these undergraduate examinations, then you'd do well to check out the Peterson's practice tests on these different subjects. They'll provide you with firsthand experience in test-taking, as well as strategies to ace the real test.

SAT

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The SAT. It's in the future of most college students, one way or another. It's a mountain looming in the distance. But you know what? We've got the tools you need to climb that mountain like a pro.

The SAT is ultimately just another standardized test, and between all the tips we have for you and the multiple test taking opportunities you'll have, you can rock it. You've just got to put in the time and the effort to study and prep properly.

Take a look at these articles for more:

ACT Test

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The ACT test is a standardized achievement test that many high school students will take in preparation for applying to colleges. It's sometimes seen as an alternative to the SAT. Many schools will accept the ACT instead of the SAT, and some will accept both. Students need to make sure of which tests the colleges to which they will apply accept.

If you're planning on taking the ACT, then you'll want to prepare for it, just like you would for any other standardized test. The ACT has its own tips, tricks, and strategies which will help ensure your success.

Read up on these tips, tricks, and strategies with these articles:

AP Exams

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The Advanced Placement exams are offered by College Board, and are exams meant to allow students pursuing college-level courses in high school to earn college credit before they enter into college. AP exams are always offered in the spring, all across America.

Not all AP exam scores are accepted by all colleges and universities, so you might want to investigate whether the colleges and universities you apply to are going to accept the AP scores for the exams you might take. Regardless, though, you'll want to do as well on your AP tests as possible; even if your college of choice won't give you credit for that test, it can still look good with your application.

Here are a few articles with what you need to know about the AP exams:

PSAT Test

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The Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, is a test that many high school students wind up taking in an attempt to prepare themselves for the SAT further down the road. The PSAT is most important for the National Merit Scholarship, as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses it to determine viable candidates.

Bottom line, the PSAT isn't something that you should stress out too much about. It's still a good idea to prep, and it's still a good idea to try your hardest, but part of the point of taking the PSAT is that it will leave you with a good idea of what you need to work on and improve for the actual SAT.

If you want some good info on the PSAT and tips for acing the test, check out these articles:

SAT Subject Tests

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There is a whole array of SAT subject tests covering all the myriad subjects which a high school student might have knowledge of. SAT subject tests are in some cases required by colleges and universities, but even when they aren't, they can be useful for students who want to distinguish themselves from the pack.

If you want to find out all about SAT subject tests and how to conquer them, then look no further. We've got the resources you need, including practice tests and sample questions.

For more information on SAT subject tests, take a gander at these articles:

CLEP Test

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The CLEP, or College Level Examination Program, test is designed to measure the amount of college level knowledge held by high school students. Many students will take the CLEP test for various subjects in order to obtain college credit for those subjects before they even matriculate.

The CLEP test will obviously vary substantially depending upon which particular subject test you're taking, but there are still some tips and advice that it's worth knowing ahead of time. We also have some resources that can prepare you well for many different subjects.

Look to these articles for more information:

TOEFL Test

Books stacked in piles

The TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It's a test which is designed to measure the English reading and speaking abilities of students for whom it's not their primary language. It's often required by American universities for international students to take the TOEFL and submit their scores.

If you're an international student who doesn't speak English as your primary language, you'll want to be prepared for taking the TOEFL. We have information on the tips and strategies to get you through, the difference between the TOEFL and IELTS, and more. Check it out and get prepped for the TOEFL today!

Here are a few articles on the TOEFL that might help out:

GED® Test

Diploma.

The GED®, or General Educational Development, test is a way for students to earn their General Equivalency Diplomas. A General Equivalency Diploma (also called a GED®) is the equivalent of a high school diploma, and thus will give its holder the same essential status as a high school graduate, without requiring the holder to have attended and graduated from high school.

The GED® test is comprehensive, covering English, science, math, and other subjects which might have been covered in high school. Studying for the GED® test before taking it is very important. With adequate preparation, you can conquer the test and earn your diploma!

If you want to know the best routes to be prepared, check out these articles:

Military Tests (ASVAB)

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The ASVAB, or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is a multiple choice test which is used to determine a taker's eligibility for military service in the United States military. Test-takers must achieve certain minimum scores on the ASVAB test, specifically on the Armed Forces Qualification Test portion of the ASVAB, in order to be able to enlist in particular branches of the United States armed forces.

ASVAB scores are also important for determining your eligibility for particular fields in the military and the opportunities that will be open to you, so if you're thinking of enlisting, you'll want to do as well as you can on the ASVAB.

Peterson's offers a number of book resources which can help you ace the ASVAB, including: