Competition for College: New Stress for Today's Teens
(NewsUSA) - To compete in the global workforce, students must earn college degrees. But getting into college has become increasingly difficult.
According to the latest research from the U.S. Department of Education, college enrollment grew 16 percent between 1985 and 1995. The number of graduating high-school seniors is expected to peak in 2011, with 67 percent trying to gain college admission.
"New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools, which increases the competition, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the institutions and colleges that were once seen as 'safeties,'" says Rusty Greiff, vice president of Sylvan Learning College Prep.
What does this mean for students? A well-rounded application, including strong SAT and ACT scores, is critical.
New college admissions rules now allow students to take the SAT or ACT as many times as they want, but educators suggest taking the tests no more than two or three times. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring, offers the following advice to ensure students properly prepare STRESS-FREE for their college entrance exams:
- Studying for the SAT or ACT takes months of review. Don't try to cram overnight.
- Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts. Never leave an easy question blank.
- Read the questions and answers critically.
- Easy questions have easy answers.
- Stop and check. Every few questions, ensure the question number on the answer sheet corresponds with the booklet.
- Save time. Make sure you have enough time to answer as many questions as possible, so you can rack up more points.
- Focus on what the question is really asking. If you don't fully understand the question, finding the correct answer is going to be tough.
- Rushing only hurts you. Keep track of the time remaining for each section.
- Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two incorrect answers, make an educated guess.
- End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit the questions you didn't answer.
To obtain proven test-taking strategies that give students the confidence to raise their test scores, visit the "SAT and ACT Prep" section of www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.