Do Not Let a Test Define You by McKenna

Do Not Let a Test Define You by McKenna - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

My school project has been a very personal goal I set for myself in order to achieve in all of my classes. Since middle school, I have struggled with achieving on tests. When I was in middle school, I looked up to my brother’s high school friends. I had heard many of them say that they just weren’t good at taking tests. This resulted in not pursuing honors or AP classes, having lower grade-point-averages, struggling with SAT and ACT scores, and having an overall diminished view of themselves. I knew as a freshman that this would be the most important project affecting my entire high school career.
The first thing I did was try to balance my class load for each semester. I contacted my counselor and asked for advice. I also requested that only one honors class be assigned to any given semester. She was extremely helpful and would become an invaluable resource to me.
Another strategy I used was getting friends together in each class and setting up study sessions before tests. Regularly we would meet at a local coffee shop. Having Wi-Fi capabilities, we would bring our laptops and iPads which gave us access to class Moodle sites. We would spend up to three hours together in preparation for upcoming tests.
Upon completing my first year of high school, I had a B average. After evaluating each class, it was obvious that I needed to do more. In many of my classes, I was achieving an A average in classwork. My scores were suffering once again because of test scores. While I knew it wasn’t an awful grade point average, it wasn’t good enough for my long-term goals.
As a sophomore, I decided to do more. I kept all of my previous strategies intact. Although I hadn’t achieved as well as I wanted, they had helped. That year I asked my teachers if they offered any tutoring sessions. My Honors Chemistry teacher set up sessions at one of the local coffee shops for any students interested. Whenever a teacher offered a study session to students, I made it a priority to attend.
After my second year of high school, I had increased my average to a B+. Again I evaluated my performance, and once again it was my test scores that negatively affected my overall score. Once again, I had to develop better and more diverse strategies. I consulted with my counselor, and she gave me the name of a teacher who offered individual tutoring. Going into my junior year, I knew I needed to pursue this avenue.
As a junior, having a tutor who worked with my teachers and understood the curriculum was essential. I met with him weekly to address everything I had learned in my classes. This strategy proved to be my very best yet! My grade point average jumped to an A!!!
As I prepared to take the ACT and SAT, I determined to use everything that I had learned in my previous three years to achieve. In addition, I ordered hard-copy study manuals and previous tests to practice. I enrolled in an online course. Having a class offered at my high school, I enrolled in that as well. I also did an online search at a local university for additional class offerings. For the next three months, I would register for tests offered monthly in an effort to practice actual test taking skills. Lastly, I went to my counselor to see if she knew anyone who specialized in this type of tutoring. Once again, she supplied a contact. Every time I’ve taken the ACT and SAT, I have managed to increase my score. I am anxiously awaiting my last test scores now.
As I move onto college, I now understand how essential continuing these strategies will be to me. They have allowed me to have a good understanding of evaluating test questions, analyzing potential answers, being aware of how I process information, and ultimately choosing the most constructive way to solve a problem. I have dreams of becoming a doctor, and these test-taking strategies will set the foundation as I prepare to take the MCAT.