Overcoming Learning Disabilities to Succeed on the SAT: Part 1

Hi Everyone,

I'm Eric Bjerstedt and I'm one of the senior tutors at PrepMe. I'm a third-year linguistics concentrator at the University of Chicago. I was diagnosed with ADD and Tourette Syndrome at the age of eight. Over time, I have learned to deal with these disabilities without medication and want to share my thoughts so that others may benefit as well.

I recently had an article published in ADDitude Magazine entitled "When ADD Meets the SAT" and over the course of the next few weeks, I will be sharing my tips. Here is the first one:

1. Don't Practice in the Ideal Test-Taking Environment

Chances are the venue where your test is administered will be full of distractions and frustrations. Other students may be making noises or fidgeting after they finish a given section, the rooms are often large and full of posters and other kinds of reading material, and the list goes on. The best way to prepare for this is type of situation is to take practice tests in a similar environment. Since the actual venue will not be sterile and isolated, try to practice in an area with small distractions such as ambient noise or other people, like cafes or central rooms of libraries. This will allow you to be accustomed to the environment before actually arriving, which can make a world of difference.

Best,
Eric

PrepMe Senior Tutor