---
name: test-prep-coach
description: |
  Standardized test preparation covering SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT strategies, question type analysis, time management, practice test analysis, score improvement plans, test anxiety management, registration timelines, and section-specific strategies.
  Use when the user asks about test prep coach, or needs help with standardized test preparation covering sat, act, gre, and gmat strategies, question type analysis, time management, practice test analysis, score improvement plans, test anxiety management, registration timelines, and section-specific strategies.
  Do NOT use when the request requires professional specialized advice or falls outside the scope of test prep coach.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "study-skills academic-writing guide"
  category: "education"
  subcategory: "academic-skills"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "none"
  difficulty: "intermediate"
---

# Test Prep Coach

## When to Use

**Use this skill when:**
- User is preparing for a standardized test (SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
- User needs test-taking strategies specific to an exam format
- User wants a structured study timeline for an upcoming exam
- User needs practice with specific question types or test sections

**Do NOT use this skill when:**
- User needs tutoring on subject matter -- use personal-tutor or domain-specific skills
- User wants flashcards made -- use flashcard-creator
- User needs general study habits -- use study-planner

## Process

1. **Step 1:** Identify target exam, test date, current score or baseline, and target score
2. **Step 2:** Diagnose strengths and weaknesses by exam section
3. **Step 3:** Build study plan with time allocation weighted to weakest sections
4. **Step 4:** Teach section-specific strategies: timing, elimination, question patterns
5. **Step 5:** Schedule practice tests with score tracking and adaptive plan adjustments

## Purpose

This skill helps students prepare strategically for standardized tests by providing test-specific strategies, time management techniques, practice test analysis, score improvement plans, and anxiety management tools. It emphasizes smart preparation over brute-force studying.

---

## Questions to Ask the User First

1. **Which test?** SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, or other?
2. **Test date:** When is your test scheduled (or when are you planning to take it)?
3. **Target score:** What score do you need? (For what schools/programs?)
4. **Baseline score:** Have you taken a practice test? What was your score?
5. **Previous attempts:** Have you taken this test before? What was your score?
6. **Strongest sections:** Which test sections do you feel most confident about?
7. **Weakest sections:** Which sections do you struggle with most?
8. **Study time available:** How many hours per week can you dedicate to prep?
9. **Prep resources:** What do you have? (Official practice tests, prep books, courses, tutor)
10. **Test anxiety:** On a scale of 1-10, how anxious do you get about standardized tests?
11. **Budget:** Do you have a budget for prep materials or courses?

---

## SAT Strategies

### SAT Structure Overview (Digital SAT)

```
SAT STRUCTURE (2024+)
======================
Section 1: Reading and Writing (64 minutes)
  Module 1: 32 minutes, 27 questions
  Module 2: 32 minutes, 27 questions (adaptive difficulty)
  Question types: Information and Ideas, Craft and Structure,
                  Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions

Section 2: Math (70 minutes)
  Module 1: 35 minutes, 22 questions
  Module 2: 35 minutes, 22 questions (adaptive difficulty)
  Calculator allowed on entire math section
  Question types: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem Solving and Data Analysis,
                  Geometry and Trigonometry

Total time: ~2 hours 14 minutes
Score range: 400-1600 (200-800 per section)
```

### SAT Section Strategies

```
READING AND WRITING STRATEGIES
================================
1. Read the passage carefully first (it's shorter in digital SAT)
2. Identify what the question is ACTUALLY asking
3. Eliminate clearly wrong answers first
4. Evidence-based: the answer must be supported by the text
5. Vocabulary in context: re-read the sentence with each answer choice
6. Grammar questions: identify the specific rule being tested
7. Transitions: the answer must logically connect the ideas
8. Time target: ~75 seconds per question

SAT MATH STRATEGIES
====================
1. Read the question completely before starting calculations
2. Use the built-in calculator strategically (not for every problem)
3. Plug in numbers for abstract algebra problems
4. Plug in answer choices (backsolve) when possible
5. Draw diagrams for geometry problems not already illustrated
6. Estimate to eliminate clearly wrong answers
7. Check units and what the question is actually asking for
8. Time target: ~95 seconds per question

KEY MATH TOPICS TO MASTER:
  - Linear equations and systems (30%+)
  - Quadratics and polynomials
  - Ratios, rates, and proportions
  - Percent and percent change
  - Statistics (mean, median, standard deviation concepts)
  - Right triangles and trigonometry basics
```

---

## ACT Strategies

### ACT Structure Overview

```
ACT STRUCTURE
==============
Section 1: English (45 minutes, 75 questions)
  5 passages with underlined portions to correct
  Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, style, organization

Section 2: Math (60 minutes, 60 questions)
  Pre-algebra through trigonometry
  No question groups; each question is independent
  Calculator allowed

Section 3: Reading (35 minutes, 40 questions)
  4 passages (Literary Narrative, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science)
  10 questions per passage

Section 4: Science (35 minutes, 40 questions)
  6-7 passages with charts, graphs, experiments
  Data representation, research summaries, conflicting viewpoints

Optional: Writing (40 minutes, 1 essay)

Total time: 2 hours 55 minutes (3 hours 35 minutes with writing)
Score range: 1-36 composite (average of four section scores)
```

### ACT Section Strategies

```
ACT ENGLISH (45 min, 75 questions = 36 seconds/question)
=========================================================
PACE IS CRITICAL. This is the fastest section.
1. Read the full sentence (not just the underlined portion)
2. "No Change" is correct about 25% of the time
3. When in doubt, the shortest answer is often correct
4. If two answers say the same thing differently, both are wrong
5. Read the question -- some ask about the passage as a whole

ACT MATH (60 min, 60 questions = 60 seconds/question)
======================================================
Questions go from easy to hard (roughly).
1. Do NOT spend more than 2 minutes on any one question
2. Skip hard questions and come back
3. First 30 questions should be quick (aim for 90% accuracy)
4. Last 10 questions are the hardest; budget extra time
5. Guess on any blank before time runs out (no penalty for guessing)

ACT READING (35 min, 40 questions = ~8.5 min per passage)
=========================================================
The tightest time section for most students.
1. Strategy A: Read passage first (3-4 min), then answer (4-5 min)
2. Strategy B: Skim passage (2 min), then refer back for each question
3. Strategy C: Read questions first, then scan passage for answers
4. TRY ALL THREE in practice to find your best approach
5. Start with your strongest passage type

ACT SCIENCE (35 min, 40 questions = ~5 min per passage set)
============================================================
This is a DATA INTERPRETATION test, not a science knowledge test.
1. Don't read the passage first -- go straight to the questions
2. Questions will tell you where to look in the data
3. Read graph labels and units carefully
4. For conflicting viewpoints: identify what each scientist claims
5. You rarely need outside science knowledge
```

---

## GRE Strategies

### GRE Structure Overview

```
GRE STRUCTURE (2023+ shorter format)
======================================
Section 1: Analytical Writing (30 minutes)
  1 essay task: Analyze an Issue

Section 2: Verbal Reasoning (~23 min, 12 questions x2 sections)
  Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence

Section 3: Quantitative Reasoning (~26 min, 15 questions x2 sections)
  Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis
  On-screen calculator provided

Total time: ~1 hour 58 minutes
Score range: Verbal 130-170, Quantitative 130-170, Writing 0-6
```

### GRE-Specific Strategies

```
GRE VERBAL STRATEGIES
======================
TEXT COMPLETION:
  1. Read the sentence and predict the blank BEFORE looking at answers
  2. For two/three blanks: start with the easiest blank
  3. Look for contrast words (however, although, despite) and support words

SENTENCE EQUIVALENCE:
  1. Find TWO answers that create sentences with the SAME meaning
  2. If two words are synonyms, they are likely both correct
  3. The correct pair must make the sentence mean the same thing

READING COMPREHENSION:
  1. Read for structure and main idea, not detail
  2. The correct answer is always supported by the passage
  3. Extreme language (always, never, completely) is usually wrong
  4. "The passage suggests" = inference (go slightly beyond the text)

GRE QUANTITATIVE STRATEGIES
=============================
1. Use estimation aggressively
2. Plug in numbers for variables (especially quantitative comparison)
3. Quantitative comparison: try at least two different values
4. Make sure you're answering what's asked (not what you calculated)
5. The on-screen calculator is slow -- mental math is often faster
6. Data interpretation: read ALL graph titles, labels, and footnotes
```

---

## GMAT Strategies

### GMAT Structure Overview

```
GMAT FOCUS EDITION (2023+)
============================
Section 1: Quantitative Reasoning (45 min, 21 questions)
  Problem Solving only (no Data Sufficiency in quant section)
  Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems

Section 2: Verbal Reasoning (45 min, 23 questions)
  Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning only
  (No Sentence Correction in new format)

Section 3: Data Insights (45 min, 20 questions)
  Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretation,
  Two-Part Analysis, Table Analysis

Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Score range: 205-805
```

---

## Time Management Framework

### Test-Day Time Strategy

```
TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
========================
For any test section:

1. KNOW YOUR PACE
   Total minutes / Total questions = seconds per question
   Set checkpoints: at 25%, 50%, 75% of time, you should be at
   25%, 50%, 75% of questions.

2. THE TWO-PASS STRATEGY
   Pass 1: Answer every question you can do quickly and confidently
           Mark harder questions for review (flag them in digital tests)
   Pass 2: Return to marked questions with remaining time

3. THE 90-SECOND RULE
   If you've spent 90 seconds on a question with no progress:
   - Mark it, make your best guess, move on
   - Return only if time permits
   - A guess has a 20-25% chance; leaving it blank has 0%

4. TIMING CHECKPOINTS (example for 60-min, 40-question test)
   15 min mark: should be on question 10+
   30 min mark: should be on question 20+
   45 min mark: should be on question 30+
   Final 15 min: 10 remaining + review flagged questions
```

---

## Practice Test Analysis

### How to Review a Practice Test

```
PRACTICE TEST REVIEW PROTOCOL
===============================
DO NOT just check your score and move on. The review is more
valuable than the practice test itself.

STEP 1: SCORE AND CATEGORIZE (30 min)
  Total score: ____
  Section scores: ____
  For each wrong answer, categorize the error:
    [ ] Content gap (didn't know the material)
    [ ] Careless error (knew it but made a mistake)
    [ ] Time pressure (ran out of time)
    [ ] Misread the question (comprehension error)
    [ ] Guessed (had no idea)
    [ ] Fell for a trap answer (eliminated wrong choices poorly)

STEP 2: ERROR ANALYSIS TABLE

Question # | Section | Topic        | Error Type     | Could I get this right? | Priority
-----------|---------|------------- |----------------|------------------------|----------
__________ | _______ | ____________ | ______________ | Yes / With study / No  | H/M/L
__________ | _______ | ____________ | ______________ | ________________       | ___
__________ | _______ | ____________ | ______________ | ________________       | ___

STEP 3: IDENTIFY PATTERNS
  Most common error type: __________
  Weakest topic areas: __________
  Sections losing the most points: __________

STEP 4: CREATE ACTION PLAN
  Top 3 topics to study: __________
  Strategy adjustments: __________
  Next practice test date: __________
```

---

## Score Improvement Plan

```
SCORE IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK
=============================

CURRENT BASELINE: __________
TARGET SCORE: __________
GAP: __________
WEEKS UNTIL TEST: __________

PHASE 1: DIAGNOSTIC (Week 1)
  [ ] Take full-length timed practice test
  [ ] Complete error analysis
  [ ] Identify top 3 weak areas
  [ ] Gather study materials for weak areas

PHASE 2: CONTENT BUILDING (Weeks 2 - [halfway point])
  [ ] Study 1-2 weak topics per week in depth
  [ ] Do untimed practice on weak topics
  [ ] Review and practice 20-30 problems per topic
  [ ] Take section-level timed practice (not full tests)

PHASE 3: STRATEGY AND TIMED PRACTICE (Weeks [halfway] - [2 weeks before])
  [ ] Take full-length timed practice tests (one per week)
  [ ] Analyze every practice test thoroughly
  [ ] Refine time management strategy
  [ ] Work on question types where you lose the most points

PHASE 4: FINAL PREP (Last 2 weeks)
  [ ] Take 1-2 final practice tests under exact test conditions
  [ ] Review weak spots but don't try to learn new material
  [ ] Practice test-day routine (wake time, breakfast, travel)
  [ ] Focus on mental readiness and confidence
  [ ] Light review only in final 2-3 days
```

---

## Test Anxiety Management

```
TEST ANXIETY TOOLKIT
=====================

BEFORE TEST DAY:
  [ ] Over-prepare: Anxiety decreases with preparation
  [ ] Simulate test conditions: Take practice tests in realistic settings
  [ ] Visualize success: Spend 5 min daily imagining calm, confident test-taking
  [ ] Prepare logistics: Know the location, pack supplies the night before
  [ ] Sleep: 8 hours for 3 nights before the test (not just the night before)

TEST DAY MORNING:
  [ ] Wake with enough time (no rushing)
  [ ] Eat a balanced breakfast (protein + complex carbs)
  [ ] Light physical activity (walk, stretching)
  [ ] Avoid caffeine if you don't normally use it
  [ ] Brief review (10-15 min of key formulas/concepts only)
  [ ] Arrive 15-20 min early

DURING THE TEST:
  [ ] Box breathing before starting: Inhale 4 sec, Hold 4, Exhale 4, Hold 4
  [ ] If anxiety spikes: pause, close eyes, take 3 deep breaths (10 seconds)
  [ ] Positive self-talk: "I prepared for this. I know this material."
  [ ] Focus on ONE question at a time (not the whole test)
  [ ] Skip questions that spike anxiety and return later
  [ ] Physical: unclench jaw, drop shoulders, relax hands between sections

COGNITIVE REFRAMES:
  Thought: "I'm going to fail"
  Reframe: "I have prepared. I will do my best. One test doesn't define me."

  Thought: "Everyone else finds this easy"
  Reframe: "Everyone is focused on their own test. Comparison doesn't help."

  Thought: "I don't know this question"
  Reframe: "I'll use elimination and make my best guess. One question won't determine my score."
```

---

## Registration Timelines

```
REGISTRATION PLANNING
======================

SAT:
  Test dates: ~7 times per year (Mar, May, Jun, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec)
  Register: 4-5 weeks before test date
  Scores released: ~2-3 weeks after test
  Cost: ~$60 (fee waivers available)

ACT:
  Test dates: ~7 times per year (Feb, Apr, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct, Dec)
  Register: ~5 weeks before test date
  Scores released: ~2-8 weeks after test
  Cost: ~$68 without writing, ~$93 with writing

GRE:
  Test dates: Continuous (by appointment at testing centers)
  Register: Schedule at prometric.com, available year-round
  Scores released: ~8-10 days after test
  Cost: ~$220
  Can retake: After 21 days, up to 5 times in 12 months

GMAT:
  Test dates: Continuous (by appointment at testing centers or online)
  Register: Schedule at mba.com
  Scores released: Unofficial immediately; official in ~3-5 business days
  Cost: ~$275
  Can retake: After 16 days, up to 5 times in 12 months
```

---

## Output Format

When coaching test prep, provide:

1. **Test overview** -- Structure, timing, and scoring for the specific test
2. **Baseline assessment** -- Analysis of current score and weak areas
3. **Study plan** -- Week-by-week schedule with specific topics and activities
4. **Section strategies** -- Tailored tactics for each test section
5. **Time management plan** -- Pacing strategy with checkpoints
6. **Practice test schedule** -- When to take practice tests and how to review them
7. **Anxiety management** -- Personalized techniques based on anxiety level
8. **Score projection** -- Realistic target score improvement with timeline
9. **Resource recommendations** -- Specific books, courses, or tools

## Example

**Input:** "I am taking the GRE in 8 weeks. My practice test scores are: Verbal 155, Quant 148. I need at least 160 on both for my target programs."

**Output:**

## GRE Prep Plan: 8 Weeks

**Current:** Verbal 155, Quant 148 | **Target:** Verbal 160+, Quant 160+
**Primary gap:** Quant needs +12 points (significant); Verbal needs +5 (moderate)

### Time Allocation (20 hrs/week = 160 hrs total)
| Section | Hours | % of Study | Why |
|---------|-------|-----------|-----|
| Quant | 90 | 56% | Largest gap, highest ROI |
| Verbal | 45 | 28% | Moderate gap, build on strength |
| AWA (Writing) | 10 | 6% | Template practice, low effort |
| Practice tests | 15 | 10% | 5 full tests (3 hrs each) |

### Quant Strategy (148 to 160+)
**Weeks 1-2:** Core concept review
- Algebra, number properties, geometry fundamentals
- Do 30 problems/day from ETS Official Guide, sorted by type

**Weeks 3-5:** Pattern recognition
- GRE quant has ~15 recurring problem patterns
- Drill: quantitative comparison (learn the "pick numbers" strategy)
- Drill: data interpretation (learn to read charts fast -- 2 min per question max)

**Weeks 6-8:** Timed practice
- Full quant sections under time pressure (35 min, 20 questions)
- Review every wrong answer: was it concept gap, careless error, or time pressure?

### Verbal Strategy (155 to 160+)
- Learn 300 high-frequency GRE words (use flashcard-creator skill for Anki deck)
- Practice "text completion" with elimination strategy: cover answer choices, predict the word, then match
- Reading comprehension: read the first and last sentence of each paragraph first, then the questions

### Practice Test Schedule
| Week | Test | Purpose |
|------|------|---------|
| Week 2 | PowerPrep Practice Test 1 | Baseline after initial study |
| Week 4 | ETS Practice Test | Mid-point check |
| Week 6 | PowerPrep Practice Test 2 | Progress check |
| Week 7 | Third-party test | Stamina practice |
| Week 8 (3 days before) | Light review only | No new material, confidence building |

## Edge Cases

- **Incomplete information:** Ask clarifying questions before proceeding. Do not assume details the user has not provided.
- **Out of scope requests:** Redirect to appropriate professional resources when the request exceeds educational guidance.
- **Conflicting requirements:** Present trade-offs clearly and let the user decide priorities.
