The pressure is on.  To compete in today’s global economy, which includes international students attending North American colleges in record numbers, teenagers must obtain university degrees now more than ever.  According to the latest research of the U.S. Department of Education, U.S, college enrollment grew 16 percent between 1985 and 1995. Between 1995 and 2005, enrollment increased at a faster rate (23 percent), from 14.3 million to 17.5 million.  The number of graduating high school seniors is expected to peak in 2011, with 67 percent trying to gain admission to an institution of higher learning. 

What does this mean for students with college aspirations?  Acing the college entrance exam is critical.  Most students applying to competitive universities now take the SAT/ACT more than once, and as early as sophomore year.

"Our growing global economy has made it necessary for more students to attend college in order to obtain good paying jobs.  New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools - which increases the competition.  Thus, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the top institutions and colleges that were once seen as ‘safeties,’” says Rusty Greiff, vice president of Sylvan Learning College Prep.

With students reaching for their “dream” schools, many realize increasing their scores on their college entrance exams is critical. More students and parents today are learning the secret that top universities have known for years - systematically preparing for the SAT/ACT gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT/ACT scores.  

New university admissions rules now allow students to score their best by taking the SAT/ACT as many times as they like, 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 for their college entrance exams in June – Sylvan’s 10 Steps to Reduce the Stress and Ace The Test!

1. Studying and preparing for the SAT/ACT takes weeks, even months, of review. Don’t try to cram overnight. 
2. Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts. Never leave an easy question blank.
3. Read, read, read. Read the questions and answers critically.
4. Easy questions have easy answers. 
5. Stop and check. Every few questions, ensure the question number on the answer sheet corresponds with the question being answered in the booklet.
6. Save time. Don’t spend too much time on any single question. Make sure you have enough time to answer as many questions as possible, in order to rack up as many points as possible.
7. 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.
8. Rushing only hurts you. Work at a good pace and keep track of the time remaining for each section.
9. Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two incorrect answers, make an educated guess.
10. End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit the questions you didn’t answer.

It’s never too early – or too late – to begin preparing for college and lifelong economic success.

Sylvan Learning is a one-stop-shop for navigating the college prep process by offering interactive tools that provide superior test preparation and programs teaching academic life skills needed for university classes.

Sylvan Learning offers targeted, individualized SAT/ACT programs that will help students improve their test scores. In fact, a majority of students in the Sylvan College Prep program increased their scores an average of 160 points or more for the SAT and up to 5 points for the ACT.  Offered in small group settings, these classes are five to eight weeks in length. Students take a practice exam before the classes begin, at the halfway point and at the end of the classes. The programs focus on the exact skills needed to successfully answer test questions and offer specialized instruction in specific subject areas such as college prep writing and advanced reading.

Preparing for these tests can be a daunting and stressful task. Sylvan can help alleviate some of the anxiety by equipping students to be fully prepared prior to test day.

To obtain proven test-taking strategies that give students the confidence to raise their test scores, visit the “College Prep” section of www.SylvanLearning.com.

Is your teenager preparing or starting to think about college?  Attend a FREE, interactive seminar – Test Stress: A Parent’s Real Guide to College Test Prep – to obtain advice from leading college admissions experts that will help you navigate through the test-taking season while developing an action plan to ensure your student is college ready. Contact your local Sylvan Learning for seminar details.