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3 Preparation Strategies for the SAT U.S. History Subject Test

By U.S. News & World Report

The College Board offers 20 SAT subject tests. Of those, the U.S. history exam is one of the most popular. Not only is this subject covered in virtually all American high schools, but success on this SAT subject test can lead to valuable college credit.

Since so many students take the SAT U.S. history exam, a bit more work is required to stand out among your peers. Here are three strategies to help you succeed in this endeavor.

[Ask three questions to decide between AP exams, SAT subject tests]

1. Decide which content areas require the most concerted review: Before you begin to memorize key historical documents, first assess your foundation in the subject by completing a practice test. Recognizing what you do not know is one of the best ways to start planning your study regimen.

Next, review the official exam instructions and determine how much time you will have per question. Hint: The U.S. history exam has 90 multiple-choice items and is one hour long. Set a timer and then begin the practice test.

Your goal is to replicate the test-day environment as closely as possible. The College Board offers a selection of practice questions online, but there is no substitute for a full-length exam. Limit distractions, adhere to time limits and complete the test in one sitting.

Then use your exam results to refine your review plan. If you realize that you are consistently challenged by questions that focus on certain eras, for instance, then focus your studies on those key time periods.

[Know three things about SAT subject tests before you study.]

2. Revisit course materials and notes: W ith the knowledge you have gleaned from the practice test, revisit your U.S. history class notes.

As you review the practice exam, note capitalized words and vocabulary terms, as well as clear references to any big ideas that span eras. You won’t encounter even a fraction of the possible buzzwords in a single test, but this exercise will teach you to watch for certain concepts or words as you study.

Ensure you can define these key terms. Create flash cards, but do not simply flip the flash cards over to read the definitions — write each definition by hand. Research suggests that writing — by hand — may help you better understand information.

The SAT U.S. history subject test also includes quotations from influential thinkers. Write down the key figures in each era, and assemble a library of sayings.

[Learn the three questions to ask before taking SAT subject tests.]

However, do not memorize the quotations. Instead, learn to recognize patterns. Certain speakers are especially eloquent — such as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Others, like Mark Twain, are often humorous, and some are dry and wordy.

Practice q uestion 7 on page 9 is a great example. You may not know the quotations directly, but you could likely match quotation II to a more recent speaker by considering the word choices.

Between Dr. King and Malcolm X, you may infer that Malcolm X is more likely associated with such directly confrontational language. With that one observation, your answer choices are narrowed to B and E.

3. Familiarize yourself with exam graphics: Pay close attention to any graphics — such as cartoons or maps — as you review practice questions. Graphics often contain extra information that can help you in less obvious ways.

For example, in practice question 13 on page 10, you are referred to a map that includes a shaded region labeled Crux of Dispute. You are then asked under which presidency this conflict was resolved.

You may be so lucky as to immediately associate James K. Polk with the answer. If not, other clues in the map may help: The U.S. extends at least to the Rocky Mountains; Mexico still has possession of California; and the map shows the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes far to the north.

If you know which presidents served in which era, you will be able to narrow the possibilities dramatically. The latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes should also remind you of the slogan, “Fifty-four forty or fight!,” which was Polk’s campaign slogan.

Practice question 15 on page 10 refers to an image of a famous poster. You are told that it is from the 1940s, and you are asked what the poster refers to.

Even if you do not know the answer directly, you can tell from the woman’s outfit and the time frame that this poster likely refers to women, work and World War II. Only answer choice A addresses all of these points.

The SAT U.S. history subject test can be an excellent boost to your college application. Learn the exam, practice with real tests and pay close attention to clues in images and you will be well on your way to success.

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3 Preparation Strategies for the SAT U.S. History Subject Test originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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