Are you a homeschooled student, really have not taken standardized tests, and are a little leery of how well you can do? You should know the information below because it can help you with a little sanity to the process.

First, take a deep breath. Homeschooled students tend to do better than public schooled students (as well they should; fewer students should achieve better results) on the SAT. This is big. There are a number of reasons why this is true and much is related to the typically larger amount of reading that homeschoolers do, but also to the entire process. Public schools rarely have money for field trips. All good homeschooling families know and take advantage of the library, museums, and much more. This interacting with the learning world around them is really powerful.

Second, consider taking the PSAT in what would be your junior year of high school. This can really help you focus on those areas where you might need extra help. In some states you are allowed to take it at your local public high school, but you will want to check with them and with the College Board to make sure of the rules for your unique situation.

Third, consider using one of the many study guides out there. However, here is the caveat: Only if this is a way that you learn. Some people know and appreciate study guides, and some have no interest whatsoever. Know which kind you are can be helpful for more than just the SATs.

Fourth, there are always, in most big cities, programs by Kaplan and others, that teach you how to do better on the test. While I am not necessarily a big fan of shelling out large amounts of money for test preparation, these programs do what they purport to do and that is to raise your test score. It is no mistake that the typical teacher for one of these courses did very well when they took it.

And finally, fifth, while it is anethema to homeschoolers, there are some states that allow you to sit for the state proficiency tests. Clearly, this is your choice, but it's not necessarily a bad thing to have sat through one standardized test in twelve years of education. The insider knowledge you gain can be invaluable. Now, is that insider information any different than if you you took one of the practice tests in the back of a test prep book? My instincts say yes because it is done in a true testing environment. However, choose whatever fits into your homeschooling philosophy.

The biggest point is that you already have many of the skills precisely because you have been homeschooled and have been taught in a certain way. Now you may just need the application part of the equation.