By Natalie Kilgore
When students turned in their answer sheet and test booklet for the ACT, they thought they were finished taking aptitude exams. However, for students choosing to go on to post graduate studies, the test taking is not over.
With tests like the LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, GRE and DAT, the list of acronyms and the tips for conquering these exams are endless.
Whether students want to get into law school, medical school, business school or graduate school, the most important piece of advice BYU students offer is to start studying early.
There are different strategies for preparing for the test depending on which test the student is taking.
For those wanting to go to law school, Isaac Sutphin, a law student from Rock Springs, Wy., said law-school hopefuls should start studying for the LSAT, the Law School Admissions Test, early.
“I would start studying at least six months in advance,” he said.
Law student Nate Jeppsen from Mantna, Utah, made a last-minute decision to take the LSAT. Jeppsen advises students to take official practice exams from the LSAT board.
Julie Edwards, a law student from Las Vegas, advises students to take a prep course. Edwards said a prep course gave her an incentive to study.
“Since I paid so much money to take the course, I definitely had the motivation to study,” she said.
Edwards also said the prep course helped to schedule her study time.
“The prep course helped me to know how to attack the test. It’s all about knowing how to play the game,” Edwards said.
Students can sign-up at the Kaplan Educational Center for a prep course for a variety of these post-collegiate tests.
The courses can range anywhere from $899 to $1,299, said Shelly Bennion, a manager at Kaplan.
At $1,299, the MCAT, the Medical College Admissions Test, is the most expensive course offered by Kaplan. The DAT, the Dental Admission Exam, is the cheapest, costing $899.
Each course differs in amount and regularity of classes.
“Students registered for the MCAT can choose to take the 24 sessions over a two-month period or a four-month period,” Edwards said.
Jason Eddy, 24, a senior from Watkins Glen, NY, majoring in psychology, is studying to take the GRE, the Graduate Records Exam, is a couple of weeks.
Eddy’s advice is to become familiar with the exam.
“Brush up on the stuff you know is going to be on the test. I’ve been reviewing simple math concepts, like algebra and geometry,” Eddy said.
Alissa Harman, 21, a senior from Park City, Summit County, majoring in history, took the MCAT this summer.
Harman advises to take the studying serious from the beginning.
In addition to other advice such as getting a good night’s sleep and eating a healthy breakfast, Harman offered one more piece of advice.
“Pray. It can’t hurt,” she said.
