 |
There are a number of reasons why Indian students frequently experience "specific difficulties with the SAT and ACT exams." Many of these difficulties stem from differences between the Indian education system and what these standardized tests are meant to measure, as well as difficulties with resources and logistics. The key issues are clearly broken down as follows:
- Mismatch in Emphasized Skills:
The SAT and ACT, on the other hand, place a greater emphasis on critical thinking, reasoning, and the application of concepts in new contexts than the Indian school exams do. Students may be proficient in factual knowledge and formula-based math, but they struggle or are unfamiliar with inference-based reading, grammar precision, and conceptual math problems.
- Problems with Language and Reading:
Reading comprehension and English language sections on the SAT and ACT frequently feature cultural contexts or nuanced language to which many Indian students are less exposed. Under pressure, this can make timing and interpreting passages more difficult.
- Under Pressure to Manage Time:
Students frequently need to "practice specifically" their ability to "pace through complex sections" on both exams, which are both "strictly timed." This is a problem for many Indian students because the tests they take at school don't have the same timed, high-stakes format.
- Differences in Curriculum and Education:
In Indian education, fundamental skills like grammar rules, deep reading comprehension, and some types of problem-solving aren't always given the attention they need to succeed on the SAT/ACT. Its possible that students who do well on traditional Indian exams don't have the same test strategies, like avoiding incorrect answer choices or coping with adaptive test formats like the digital SAT.
- Access to high-quality preparation resources:
Performance gaps can widen because not all students have equal access to high-quality preparation materials, coaching, or practice tests.
- Cost and logistical obstacles:
It can be expensive to register for the SAT or ACT in India (higher fees than in the United States when you factor in travel, score reporting, and other costs), and fee waivers may not always be available or difficult to obtain.
Students may have to make extensive preparations in advance and sometimes travel to take the exam because there are fewer test center options and fewer test dates.
- Pressure and mentality Stress:
Which can have an impact on performance, is brought on by the current "pressure to get high scores" for competitive international admissions. Even though this isn't unique to SAT/ACT preparation, it makes things harder.
My opinion and advice on SAT and ACT exams: To prepare for national and international exams, one needs to have a good understanding of the English language as well as the respective subjects. To compete in this competitive world, it is best to take long-term coaching. This is my opinion. Thank you.