Becoming an Expert at Standardized Tests
Tackling Big Exams
Standardized tests are unique. They don't just test what we know but how well we can take the test itself. For example, studying for the SAT isn’t just about knowing high school subjects but understanding the SAT itself. The same goes for AP/IB Tests, GMAT, MCAT, NCLEX, NREMT, USMLE, TOEFL, CSET, LSAT, etc.
Here’s a guide to mastering standardized tests:
Know the Test
Learn the Format
Understand the test's format. Know the types of questions, the number of sections, and the time allotted for each part.
Understand the Scoring
Learn how the test is scored, whether there are penalties for wrong or blank answers, and how much each section is worth.
Study Strategies
Focus on Content
Identify the subjects we need to study. Use high-quality study materials that cover these subjects well.
The best study materials are made by the people who create the test.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Take full-length practice tests. This helps us get used to the test day experience. I don’t recommend taking a full-length test every time. I would start with a full-length test to get an idea of what needs to be studied, then do a full-length every so often to assess growth.
After each practice test, examine the results to find patterns and improvement areas.
Learn Strategies
Develop strategies for answering different types of questions. Practice time management so we can finish all sections on time.
The strategies will differ for each exam and question type.
Psychological Preparation
Build Confidence
We need to believe in ourselves and our ability to succeed. Rather than imagine all the things that can go wrong, imagine succeeding and conquering this obstacle.
Manage Stress
Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. Make sure to get enough sleep, especially the night before the test.
Use Anxiety
Many people experience higher levels of anxiety when preparing for a standardized test. I recommend seeing the anxiety as proof that we want the test to go well rather than a sign that it won’t. Additionally, we can see excessive anxiety as a sign that we are underprepared. If we truly did all the preparation we could, our anxiety levels would be easily manageable.
Resources and Tools
Study Guides and Books
Use reputable study guides specific to the test we are preparing for. As I mentioned, the best study material comes from those who wrote the test.
Online Resources
Use online platforms and apps that offer practice questions and tests. Join forums or study groups to share tips.
Tutors and Classes
Consider hiring a tutor or joining a prep course if needed. Not everyone can afford these options, but we can still get high scores without spending much money.
General Tips
Have a Regular Study Schedule
Establish a consistent study routine. Consistency decreases the amount of willpower needed to get started. Break the study sessions into manageable chunks to avoid burnout.
Use Active Learning Techniques
Use flashcards, summarize information in your own words, and teach concepts to someone else.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to keep our brains working well.
Make a Game Plan
Commit to a Test Date
Set a date for the test and stick to it. Only reschedule if necessary. Many try to study until “they feel prepared,” then set a study date. This is not a good strategy; Parkinson’s law and procrastination can take over, and we risk never taking the exam. Setting the test day needs to be the first step so we can prioritize the correct actions.
Plan Based on the Date
Create a study plan that fits the schedule up to the test date. Use spaced repetition to help retain information. Ensure there is enough time to prepare adequately.
Use the Best Resources
The best study materials are often created by those who made the test. For example, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) wrote the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), so the best materials are from the AAMC.
However, it can be helpful to use other materials. A lot of information can be explained in many different ways, but to get the best idea of what an exam will be like, in terms of topics and syntax, the best materials come from the test’s authors.
Execute (Open to Goal & Finisher Soup)
Show up for the scheduled sessions and complete the goals of each session. We can plan all we want, but without execution, it is for nothing.
There are two principles that I keep in mind when I try to execute ideas:
Open to Goal
I have a friend who runs gyms, and he tells his personal trainers that they are open until they reach their goal. He calls this open to goal. They can go home once they reach their goals, but they must stay there until they do. When it comes to studying, I recommend making a goal of understanding a particular topic or series of concepts. For example, in a scheduled session, the goals can be to review all incorrect questions from the session before and write the glycolysis mechanism from start to finish without help. If those goals can be completed in an hour, then the session is finished. If the goal takes all day to complete, it will take all day. This is only possible when there are no other outside commitments.
Clearly define the goal of the session.
Work until you complete the goal.
Finisher Soup
When I first heard this, I thought it was cheesy, but it was a foundational idea of my life. The idea is simple: winners always have their finisher soup. When something is started, a winner finishes even if they fail. Failure is not losing: failure is not following through on what we said we would do. This is different from not having things go according to plan - it is okay when things don’t go as expected - we need to be able to pivot. Pivoting is a way we can stick to our plans when things don’t go our way. Pivoting is not a sign of failure.
Jonny Kim is an amazing example of what it means to finish what you start and stick to your plan. By the age of 40, he became a Navy SEAL, a Harvard-trained surgeon, and a NASA astronaut. Jonny Kim shows us that by making a plan and sticking to it, even when it's hard, you can achieve great things. In an interview he said that he didn't think he was special; he just worked hard, made plans and stuck to them. Sticking to our plans is a rare skill, but fundamental to finding success.
Winners always finish their plans.
When things don’t go our way - we need to be able to pivot.
The only failure is not finishing what you set out to do.
Making a plan and sticking to it might be all that we need to find unreasonable success.