2 Reasons Your Summer Test Prep Plans Will Fail: SAT and ACT Advice from a Boxing Trainer
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Mike Tyson
If you want to help your child maximize his or her test prep this summer, find your inner trainer and incorporate the two basic training principles described in this article. I’ve been boxing for the last five years and besides the great workout and life lessons, I’ve found these concepts are effective in improving SAT and ACT scores.
Reason #1. Plans fail. Regimens succeed.
When I speak to most families, their idea of a summer test prep plan goes something like, “We’re going to do some test prep over the summer and take the SAT or ACT in the fall.” That’s like saying, “I’m going to lose 20 pounds by the end of summer.” The statement is too abstract to lead to action. You have to have a daily regimen that has enough detail and granularity to be actionable every day. For a boxer, that could mean doing 10 minutes of jump rope, 200 situps, a 30 minute circuit, 20 minutes of shadow boxing, then 5 rounds of heavy bags.
Ok, so what does a test prep regimen look like?
Part 1: Sign up for the tests
It’s important to have a concrete deadline. If you need to take SAT Subject Tests and you haven’t already signed up for the June test, you’ll have to do it before the May 23, 2018 late registration deadline. As for the SAT and ACT, I think taking the August SAT or September ACT before the school year starts makes a lot of sense. It’s much harder to do test prep once classes kick in.
Part 2: Establish the daily regimen
I would set aside some time at the same time (if possible) each day for prep. If you don’t schedule the time in ahead, it will get pushed until the end of the day when either it will not get done or it will be done half-heartedly. I would allot 30 minutes to an hour, but even 15 minutes is better than nothing. Start with areas of weakness. After each exercise, correct it, and keep track of the number of problems missed and the type of question. The idea is to improve incrementally. It’s not going to happen all at once.
Part 3: Hire a pro if needed
Establishing a regimen is easier if you sign up for a class or hire a tutor because some of the structure will be built in, but once a week sessions aren’t enough. Meeting with a tutor or going to a class once a week will be more effective when combined with a daily regimen.
Reason #2. Lack of intensity
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” Muhammad Ali
The second principle that can be carried over from the world of boxing is to train with intensity. I can show my face in the gym everyday, but if I’m just checking myself out in the mirror I’m not progressing. I know I put in effort if I’m dripping sweat all over the floor. One of the reasons boxing workouts are so effective is that the intensity is high. If you half-ass it, you won’t get the same results. I remember my trainer would have me do three-minute planks as part of a circuit. The second he looked away, I would try to find ways to rest - I would raise my butt up or down or lay on my side. I was literally half-assing it.
Just as in boxing training, test prep is most effective when it’s approached with some intensity.
Attending a class and sitting there passively for a couple hours a week isn’t going to yield great results. Neither will carelessly working through review books or practice sections while browsing the web or logged onto social media.
Ask your child to show you the techniques he or she is learning from whatever resources they’re using and make sure your child practices the techniques. Don’t tolerate sloppiness in technique, laziness about showing work, or careless mistakes. Yes, you should be checking their work, or at least asking them questions like, “How many of the questions you missed were careless mistakes?” Use a timer and have your child practice sections under time pressure. The timer dials up the intensity.
Yes, all of this requires a lot of attention and you may want to consider hiring a tutor. But even incorporating a few of the tips (e.g. using a timer and not allowing cell phones during study time) will make the practice time more efficient and effective.
Helping your child set up a daily regimen and making sure he or she is approaching test prep with a serious attitude will go a long way in getting some great results.