Study Hacks: How Small Changes in Your Routine Can Lead to Big Academic Gains 

‘Well-planned is half done,’ they said. It is a sign from the universe that a structured strategy offers a clear roadmap to victory. Careful and detailed planning has been the go-to formula of triumph for people since time immemorial. Be it any field, success comes close to those who make a sound plan. Especially for students, perfect planning helps them organize their time, prioritize tasks, and overcome potential roadblocks. If you want to experience success in standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, you must make a well-defined plan and equip smart study habits. One should not have to change their entire lifestyle to see improvements in their test scores, but small, consistent changes to daily routines can tremendously impact academic performance. Here, we explore some study hacks with which students can optimize their preparation and progress significantly on their SAT and ACT scores. 

1. Familiarize with Format 

• Get a clear picture of the exam structure.  

• Dedicate time for personalized practice. 

• Strategize your study plan according to the exam format.  

• Learn at your own pace. 

• Try different strategies and approaches. 

2. Follow a Daily Routine 

• Allocate time for each section – Reading, writing, math, and more. 

• Focus on grammar rules.  

• Improve writing and language skills. 

• Practice Math concepts 

3. Access Resources 

• Choose the right online and other resources based on your learning. 

• Access practice papers, study guides, expert tips, interactive tools, and more to make learning effective.  

• Prioritize learning and practice resources. 

4. Active Learning vs Passive Reading 

• Engage yourself in active learning rather than passive reading.  

• Summarize concepts in your own words, share them with your squad, and visualize the connection between ideas.  

• Active learning works as both retention and builds critical thinking, a much-needed skill in SAT and ACT success.  

5.  Prioritize TIME 

• Imbibe yourself in short yet focused study sessions and take little breaks after every session.  

• Time management prevents exhaustion, improves concentration, and enhances retention. Breaking time into small chunks helps students prepare for the SAT and ACT effectively and improves overall productivity.  

6. Practice with Past Test Questions 

• There’s no substitute for practice and smart work.  

• Collect previous year’s test questions and practice until you gain confidence.  

• Practice will familiarize students with questions, help them adhere to time constraints, and avoid common mistakes. It will also precisely analyze the positives and negatives and help them overcome shortcomings.  

7. Stay Positive and Maintain a Growth Mindset 

• Set small and achievable goals to begin with. 

• Remember the big goals and motivate yourself. 

• Stay positive and approach mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve.  

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses. 

• Always maintain a learning mindset and believe in improving.  

• Reward yourself every time you perform well.  

• Students can make a significant difference in test performance through constant effort and innovative study. 

8. Review Real Test Conditions 

• To reduce anxiety, practice tests under actual conditions, such as completing them within the allocated time.  

• Review study materials regularly.  

• Track your progress to check the SAT and ACT vocabulary, formulas, and grammar.  

• Develop strategies based on test conditions to improve academic performance.  

9. Design Strategic Test-Taking Approach 

• Different sections need different strategies, so plan accordingly. Your ability to answer questions correctly depends on how well you develop different SAT and ACT preparation strategies.  

• Students must devise plans to maximize their scores, from eliminating wrong answers and identifying common trap choices to skimming reading passages and skipping questions. 

Achieving higher SAT scores is not a challenging task. Accessing right resources, such as study guides, practice tests, and informative videos. A well-structured study plan allows students to take control of their SAT preparation. 

Conclusion

The effective way to approach the SAT is through strategic thinking. Focusing on strategic thinking guides students to navigate the exam with greater confidence and success. Since success is a series of small victories, with positivity and the right approach, any student can excel on these exams and reach their college admission goals. 

Once you crack the SAT, choose the best college by considering your academic interests. Ensure that the college offers your chosen field easy access to the location, affordable cost, high placement opportunities, top faculty, inclusive campus life, and a focus on extracurricular activities, accreditation, and financial aid prospects. Visit the campus to feel the vibe. Practice these simple steps and make your dream come true.