For juniors across the country, ACT and SAT testing dates are rapidly approaching, bringing testing stress all around. Studying can be an extremely daunting task, especially considering that test prep books are often over 500 pages long. Prep courses can cost hundreds of dollars and have long, rigorous schedules. Between regular homework, test prep, and extracurriculars, this time of year can be overwhelming and many students may not know where to start. In this long and confusing process, there are no ways to go wrong, but there are ways that are considerably cheaper. Here are a few easy ways to help you prepare for college admissions exams that aren’t going to break the bank:
- Khan Academy
There’s a good chance you haven’t used Khan Academy since fourth grade math, but don’t write it off so quickly. In the last few years Khan Academy has partnered with the College Board to create an SAT prep course that includes explanations, videos, and tons of practice questions. The topics start simple and slowly build up to more complex skills. There are courses for both the reading and math sections as well as a general overview that helps you become familiar with the digital format.
The best part about this kind of review are the bite-sized lessons that you can spend as much or as little time on as you want. Choosing just one practice a day might take 5-10 minutes, which makes it a reasonable time commitment.
2. Used Bookstores
This may seem like a strange one, but not when you know the right places to look. Check out the reference section the next time you’re at a used bookstore. You’ll probably be able to find tons of ACT, SAT, and AP prep books. They may be one or two years outdated, but for most of these tests the content will remain mostly the same. The only difference that you may want to look into is whether or not the test has been digitized which may impact the formatting. But if you’re just looking for some content practice, these books are really helpful.
Half Price Books is a great place to find these books, and it’s a store that lives up to its name. If you live in Phoenix, Half Price Books has locations in Paradise Valley and Mesa, where completely unused ACT prep books were available for $20; half of the $40 starting point. If you live near a Half Price Books outlet store, the prices get even better. Books can be found for under $5 at these stores. Unfortunately, Arizona doesn’t have an outlet location and there are only four nationwide, with the closest in Waco, Texas.
Of course, used books do run the risk of being, well, used. Luckily, white out does the trick. If a practice test is filled in, simply erase the answers or even cover it up with a sharpie.
3. Finding Free Practice Tests
This might be the most important one of all. Taking practice tests is a great way to prepare for the test and may help improve your score. College Board offers updated practice tests on Bluebook, the testing application that is used for the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams. These tests are digital, and mirror the format that you will see on the test in the spring. The content and topics on the exam are also updated, with new practice tests coming out in February.
Ridge students are able to easily access the BlueBook application by signing out of their Chromebook and clicking on the apps tab in the bottom left corner. Bluebook is the platform used for College Board testing as well as some benchmark tests for the district.
If you want practice beyond these 6 tests, try googling other full-length SAT practice. Companies like the Princeton Review have put together unofficial practice that closely resembles the topics and types of questions found on the SAT. The ACT also offers free practice on their website where quizzes and practice questions are available
Whether you study better digitally or on paper, there are a lot of options out there that don’t require a huge investment. Hopefully, these ideas will help you feel more prepared in your testing journey this spring.
Bookstore Locations:
Paradise Valley – 4322 E Cactus Rd Phoenix, AZ 85032
Mesa – 6339 E Southern Ave Mesa, AZ 85206
Phoenix – 8034 N. 19th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021
Mesa – 1056 S. Country Club Dr Mesa, AZ 85210
Phoenix – 300 West Camelback Rd.
Tempe – 6428 South McClintock Drive
