The placement exam can be one of the most important parts of the college, and it should be taken seriously. Don’t take it lightly – take it seriously! If you don’t take the placement exam serious, then you won’t get the real world experience you’re looking for in college. Not just any college, mind you, but a good college – an institution where you can really grow as a person. You need to be able to demonstrate real-world competence before you even think about applying to that college.
Take your time when you’re studying. Don’t rush through anything. In general, the longer it takes you to get through a section, the more likely you’re going to get a bad grade. The same goes for answering a question. When you’re in a group, there’s usually somebody there to make sure you get a correct answer, so you don’t have to worry about giving the wrong answer.
Prepare in advance by figuring out what kind of questions you’ll be getting in every college major. For example, take a math exam in calculus if you’re taking one in Calculus. There are hundreds of types of math tests out there and knowing which ones you’ll be up against will prepare you greatly for college. This is something you should plan ahead of time so that you’ll have plenty of time to prepare, but also so that you know which type of math you’re up against so that you can create strategies for defeating it.
Prepare by taking college course preparation tests. These exams are designed with the sole purpose of giving college students a big surprise. They’re the same kind of exams you’d take in high school, only they will cover college topics. Some examples include AP subjects (which cover American English, European languages, chemistry, and others), CLEP exams (which cover American history, law enforcement, and others), and others. It doesn’t matter what type of college major you’re in, these exams will give you the knowledge you need to ace any college exam.
Make sure you know what kind of questions you’ll be getting in each one. If you’re taking an SAT test, for example, you’ll be familiar with the kinds of questions you’ll be asked. If you’re taking a CLEP exam, you’ll probably know exactly which types of questions you’ll be faced with. Make sure you’re ready for both.
Make sure to study often. Most college exams are written from scratch, so it’s very likely that the day you decide to take the test, you’ll find yourself cramming. Take the time to study and get educated before hand. This way, you’ll know you’re ready to ace the exam.
Finally, practice. It’s a fact of life that no one gets a second chance at anything, including college. Make sure to practice often. You may even want to consider taking practice tests during the semester where you’re taking the placement. That way, you know you’re as prepared as possible.