Whatever you decide to go with, make sure the test prep method you choose covers current test formats. Several tests have seen recent revisions and there's a good chance there are still items out there that haven't been pulled from the shelves — particularly in places like libraries. They'll probably still hit many of the main points, but they won't have the information you need on the new changes.

There are several options to choose from. Decide what fits your style so that you'll stick with it!

Freebies
Your counseling office, as well as the test agencies themselves, should have brief written materials available for free. Some are pretty good at covering basics like test-taking tips, prep strategies, and practice tests. This is stuff you need to know, but if you have weak areas you need to hone in on, they aren't enough to cover what you need.

Test preparation manuals
Walk into any large bookstore and you'll find an entire section devoted to test prep — it seems like there are books for every kind of test you can think of. Many of them are good, but you should look for manuals that include lessons as well as timed practice tests. Of course, just buying a book won't help a lick if you don't actually use it. Be disciplined!

Computer software
The computer age has resulted in interactive test prep technology that's available for just about any computer, and most of the big names in the college-search industry sell decent test-prep software. Both the SAT and ACT folks also sell their own materials. Make sure that whatever you invest in, it includes full-length practice tests and detailed explanations of answers.

Just as with books, though, you need to plant yourself in a chair and use the software. Fortunately, if it's interactive, it may hold your interest better.

Online assistance
Rather than bringing home another disc for your desktop clutter, you can register for and participate in a number of test prep options online, ranging from entire courses and practice tests, to helpful hints and sample questions. Many are free…and many are not. You know the old saying, though — "you get what you pay for." A small investment will likely get you better practice and maybe even better scores. After all, that's what you're shooting for, right?

Many of the online options offer immediate feedback, an analysis of your weak spots, and suggestions on where to focus your study time. Although they can be a little pricey, the beauty of online courses is they combine self-paced study with a structured course. The benefits are usually well worth the investment.  Try a free SAT test here.

School-based coaching courses
Unlike most commercial courses, classes offered by or at your school are typically inexpensive or cost-free. (You may also be able to sign up for similar classes at adult-ed programs or community colleges in your area). The quality of these courses can vary, depending on the content and the style and expertise of the teacher. However, it's not unusual for students to see their scores increase by at least 10 to 20 points by attending a class. Ask around and get recommendations on good courses to make sure you find a good one.

There are some in-school classes that are taught by the pros, either with their own trained instructors or by school staff they have trained to teach their certified course. One advantage of this form of test prep is that school districts often pick up the entire tab for these programs or offer them at a significantly reduced cost.

Commercial coaching classes
There are companies that devote a lot of time and effort to test preparation and, as a result, they know their business and understand their market. They stay on top of test changes and know how to keep you alert and engaged, even on a Saturday morning! Of course, this kind of expertise doesn't come cheap.

If you decide to go with a pricey prep class, research them first. Find out what companies are out there and investigate who has the best reputation — some commercial programs are regionally based and others are national. You'll have homework and you'll need to study, but one of the best advantages of these types of courses is they offer practice tests under conditions that better resemble the real thing. Be prepared, though — you should expect to pay $700 to $1,000 (or more) for 30 to 40 hours of instruction.

Et cetera
If you've already earmarked the family fortune for a coaching course, you might consider a private tutor instead. A guidance counselor or independent educational consultant can probably provide you with the names of reputable local tutors. If you go this route, choose someone who administers an actual test and uses it to zero in on your weak spots. What they offer will be individualized to you and will very likely produce results, but they won't come cheap. Tutoring fees range from $100 to $200 an hour for a 10 to 35 hour program.

There's a lot to choose from, but what you decide on depends on what you need and what you want — and of course, on what your parents can afford, assuming they're the ones footing the bill! To get the most out of your time and money, make sure that whatever test prep method you decide on has most (if not all) of these elements:

• A format that's user-friendly and keeps you interested. After all, there's more than one meaning to the old adage "you snooze, you lose."
• At least one (but preferably two or three — or more) full-length practice tests.
• Answers to the practice tests as well as explanations of the answers.
• Descriptions of the test structure and test-taking strategies for each part of the test.
• Advice on reducing test anxiety and stress.

Test Prep: Should You or Shouldn't You?

To prep or not to prep, that is the question — and an important one it is when your test scores and your wallet may be at stake. Shelling out hundreds of dollars may be worth it if it guarantees a perfect score and a surefire admission into the college of your dreams, but that may not always be possible. Watching winter reruns with a bowl of buttered popcorn probably won't increase your scores either, so you need to decide what you're going to do.

Even a little test prep is better than none, so you may want to ditch the TV for a pencil, some books, and a fresh cup of coffee.

Consider the basics
All kinds of test prep materials abound, but one of the best ways to continually prepare for college admission tests is by maintaining a challenging high school curriculum and staying on top of your classes. Reading, studying, and homework will keep your brain in top shape and probably help you outscore your peers who are reluctant to pick up a book or sharpen a pencil.

However, a little extra help is a good idea, especially if you need to review concepts that you may not have covered in a couple of years. Standardized tests cover a lot of material, so getting familiar with their layout and the subjects they cover is in your best interest. The best time to really get serious about test prep is in the winter of your junior year, before you take any tests for the first time.

There are no free lunches
In a market flooded with books, software, videos, courses, and flashcards, all promising to improve your scores, what's the best one to choose? They all have advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, what you choose may be dictated more by time, money, and personal preference than anything else.

However, to get what you need from them, they all come down to the same thing — you have to do the work. No test prep in the world can implant what you need to know directly into your head without you having to lift a finger. That would be nice, but it doesn't work that way.

Something is better than nothing
Choosing any form of preparation is better than choosing none, since anything you choose will boost your familiarity with the testing process and hopefully give you an extra shot of confidence. However, one of the most effective ways to prepare for a standardized test is to choose a form of test prep that includes full-length, timed tests that can help you zero in on your weak areas. Not all test prep methods offer this, so keep it in mind as you explore your options.

Read, read, and read some more
Test prep aside, one of the best things you can do to keep your mind sharp and open to learning is to read every day. Research has proven that regular reading, especially if started at an early age, makes people better learners. If you do nothing at all to prepare for your SAT or other tests — and we certainly don't recommend that — then at least pick up a good book. It doesn't have to be Shakespeare as long as you just make it a daily habit!

Article complements of Peterson's. Learn more tips about testing college entrance exams and take a free practice tests by clicking here.