--- title: "Mentally Preparing for Your Test-Prep Summer | Elite Prep" description: "Heading into a summer of SAT/ACT prep? Here's why early scores shouldn't worry you, how weekly lessons outweigh test review, and how to trust the process." url: "https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/6/20/mentally-preparing-for-your-test-prep-summer/" image: "https://media.eliteprep.com/Elite%2BBlog%2BImage%2BTest%2BPrep%2BSummer-webp-card.jpg" language: "en" datePublished: "2017-06-20T16:03:50.000Z" source: "eliteprep build" --- [Test Prep](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/test-prep/) [Study Tips](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/study-tips/) # Mentally Preparing for Your Test-Prep Summer June 20, 2017 [Stephen P.](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/6/20/mentally-preparing-for-your-test-prep-summer/#about-the-author) 3 min read [Explore Digital SAT® Prep](https://eliteprep.com/programs/sat-prep/) ![Mentally Preparing for Your Test Prep Summer](https://eliteprep.com/media/Elite%2BBlog%2BImage%2BTest%2BPrep%2BSummer-webp-w800.webp) This post is 9 years old. Test formats, deadlines and admissions policies may have changed since it was published. [See newer posts about Test Prep](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/test-prep/) Whether you’re enthusiastic or despondent that you’re about to spend a summer preparing for the SAT/ACT, it’s important that you go into the process with a plan of attack. Your teachers and administrators will, of course, guide you through the process, but genuine learning always begins with a degree of self-guidance. Here are some tips to get you in the right mindset for a summer of test prep: ## **Don’t Fixate on Scores Early in the Summer** If you’re enrolled at Elite, you’ve signed up to spend the summer learning. Standardized test scores encourage students to become overly goal-oriented. But preparing for standardized tests is a marathon, not a race (an idea I discussed in [a previous post on why cramming does not work](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/2/25/the-science-of-cramming-or-how-to-prepare-for-standardized-tests/)). If you put in the work this summer, you will see significant improvement over time. But you’re not likely to see much of an improvement right away—don’t expect a week of test prep to revolutionize your SAT score. For those enrolled at Elite, you will take a test each week, and this regular practice will make your chosen standardized test feel very, very familiar in due time. But what you gain in practice you will likely sacrifice in gratification—your test scores will improve gradually, though not right away (your score might even regress from one week to the next, a normal sequence of events for students taking so many tests in such a short period of time). Don’t worry too much about your early test scores. To truly thrive this summer, you’ll need to adjust where you get your academic satisfaction. Most students are in love with grades and scores. You need to fall in love, instead, with the process of learning—only then will your scores get where you want them to be. ## **Learn Each Lesson, One at a Time** Most Elite students are test-centric: they want to spend the majority of class time reviewing each practice test so that they can learn why their incorrect answers are wrong and how they can get similar questions correct on the next test. Test review is a very important part of your curriculum this summer, but it is not the most important. Test review points students in many directions at once. On the Writing & Language section, a test review section will have you thinking about subject-verb agreement one minute, verb tense the next, and logical progression of ideas the minute after that. Test-review class sessions cover many principles in a short timeframe. There are advantages and disadvantages to this method. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of issues covered on the SAT/ACT, but you will not be able to sufficiently concentrate on any one issue. The most important part of your summer curriculum is your weekly lessons. Each lesson provides in-depth coverage of a single concept. If you come to each of these lessons ready to absorb new information, you will learn the skills needed to transform your standardized test scores. Give these lessons at least as much attention and care as you give your weekly practice tests. ## **Trust the process** Take each practice test seriously. Enter each class ready to learn and participate. Be rigorous with your test corrections. Take your time completing each lesson so that you can absorb new information slowly. In other words, put your head down and work through the process. If you do, not only will you improve your chances of getting into your school of choice, but you’ll develop the habits necessary to be a star student once you get there. [Back to top](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/6/20/mentally-preparing-for-your-test-prep-summer/#top) About the author ## Stephen P. Stephen P. is a writer and teacher based in Los Angeles. He has taught literature and writing courses at several universities and has taught writing and reading at Elite Prep Los Angeles since 2010. [All articles by Stephen P.](https://eliteprep.com/blog/author/stephen-p/) ## Free Tools for This Topic - [SAT/ACT score conversion](https://eliteprep.com/sat-act-score-conversion/) - [Test dates](https://eliteprep.com/test-dates/) ## More on This Topic [All posts in Test Prep](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/test-prep/) ![The Science of Cramming, or How to Prepare for Standardized Tests](https://media.eliteprep.com/how-to-prepare-for-standardized%2Btests-webp-w400.webp) [Study Tips](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/study-tips/) ### [The Science of Cramming, or How to Prepare for Standardized Tests](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/2/25/the-science-of-cramming-or-how-to-prepare-for-standardized-tests/) February 25, 2017 Stephen P. ![A row of worn hardcover books standing upright, seen close-up from their page edges](https://media.eliteprep.com/unsplash%2Bbooks%2Bworn%2Bpages-webp-w400.webp) [ACT](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/act/) [SAT](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/sat/) ### [306 MORE Vocabulary Words You Must Know for the SAT & ACT](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2026/9/14/306-vocabulary-words-you-must-know-for-the-sat-and-act/) Having a strong understanding and ability to use a wide range of words accurately is important for students to achieve outstanding scores on standardized… September 15, 2026 Julian Chou ![5 Ways a Test Prep Class Can Help You](https://media.eliteprep.com/Elite%2BBlog%2BImage%2BTest%2BPrep%2BClasses-webp-w400.webp) [Classes](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/classes/) [Study Tips](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/study-tips/) ### [5 Ways a Test Prep Class Can Help You](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/1/6/test-prep-classes-can-help-you/) With so many required school classes and extracurriculars, the idea of taking on test prep classes might feel overwhelming. January 6, 2018 ![6 Ways to Stay Engaged in Class](https://media.eliteprep.com/image-asset-186-webp-w400.webp) [Study Tips](https://eliteprep.com/blog/category/study-tips/) ### [6 Ways to Stay Engaged in Class](https://eliteprep.com/blog/2017/5/12/6-ways-to-stay-engaged-in-class/) May 12, 2017 Kiley A. ## Test Dates - Next: SAT: December 5, 2026 · Registration closes November 20, 2026 [See all test dates →](https://eliteprep.com/test-dates/) ## Ready to Study This with an Instructor? Review what the program covers, or find the center nearest you and ask its staff about current class schedules. [Explore Digital SAT® Prep](https://eliteprep.com/programs/sat-prep/) [Browse programs](https://eliteprep.com/programs/)