How to Self-Proctor a Practice ACT or SAT
Practice tests are very valuable tools. They help assess your starting point and your progress with your prep. In addition, they help simulate the conditions under which you will take your official test. Familiarity with the test procedures, instructions, and timing may help alleviate some test day anxiety.
Therefore, I recommend that you try to simulate a true test as closely as you are able at home. Clear a quiet space and have only the materials you will have with you on test day. Time yourself accurately by setting a timer for each section as you work through it. It may also be helpful to familiarize yourself with the instructions your test proctor will use that day. Information on these aspects of each test are listed below.
Things to remember for both tests:
You may use only No. 2 soft-lead pencils. Bring several, as you may not sharpen them during the test. Mechanical pencils, colored pencils, or highlighters are not allowed. Stray marks may be misinterpreted by grading machines, so mark carefully.
Once each section’s time is finished, you may not go back to that section.
You may not look ahead to future sections.
No cell phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices are allowed during your test, even during the break.
You may not eat or drink during the test; you may only eat and drink outside of the classroom during the break.
Self-Proctoring an ACT Practice Test
Practice test link: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf
You will take the paper version of this practice test.
For this practice test, you will not take the writing portion of the test.
Print out p12-51 along with the bubble sheet on p64.
You may use a calculator for the entire Math test.
Even if you don't finish every section (which is typical), you should stop working when the time is up.
Allot 3 hours and 10 minutes for this practice test. The timing of the test is as follows:
English: 45 minutes
Math: 60 minutes (calculator active)
—10 minute break—
Reading: 35 minutes
Science: 35 minutes
You may score this yourself with the scoring keys at the end of the file.
Some important information before test day:
This manual is the official proctor’s guide to giving the ACT. All official test rules and instructions are listed here just as you will hear them on test day.
When you take this test with a proctor, you will be given very specific instructions by the proctor. It may be helpful to know what you will hear in the testing room on the day of your test. Begin reading on p. 45 to get a sense of the rules and instructions you will hear in the classroom.
The manual also contains a list of what you may bring, what behaviors and materials are/are not allowed, etc. Make sure you read and follow these rules on test day or your results may be invalidated.
Self-Proctoring an SAT Practice Test
Practice test link (there are several on this site; choose one you haven’t done before): https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/full-length-practice-tests
You will take the paper version of this practice test.
For this practice test, you will not complete the essay portion of the test.
You will download a zip file containing the bubble sheet, test material, and answer key/score scale. Print the bubble sheet and test material.
Note that section 3 does not allow a calculator, but section 4 does.
Even if you don’t finish every section (which is typical), you should stop working when the time is up.
Allot 3 hours and 15 minutes for this test. The timing of the test is as follows.
Section 1: Reading test: 65 minutes
Section 2: Writing and Language: 35 minutes
––10 min break ––
Section 3: Math, calculator inactive: 25 minutes
Section 4: Math, calculator active: 55 minutes
You may score this yourself with the answer key/score scale.
Some important information before test day:
This manual is the official proctor’s guide to giving the SAT. All official test rules and instructions are listed here just as you will hear them on test day.
When you take this test with a proctor, you will be given very specific instructions by the proctor. It may be helpful to know what you will hear in the testing room on the day of your test. Begin reading on p. 21 to get a sense of the rules and instructions you will hear in the classroom.
The manual also contains a list of what you may bring, what behaviors and materials are/are not allowed, etc. Make sure you read and follow these rules on test day or your results may be invalidated.