Ritalin & the SAT

<p>Legend has it that popping a couple Ritalins before the SAT will raise the average joe's score by about 100 points.</p>

<p>So-is this B.S.?</p>

<p>Ritalin = Bad.</p>

<p>That assertion is probably true, since there are already people who take it just to boost their test scores in school. However, what they're doing is illegal unless they have ADHD and have a prescription for it. Its basically like steroids, but for your brain.</p>

<p>It doesn't work. I know someone who tried it twice on his SATs and did terrible, and then didn't for the ACTs and did awesome.</p>

<p>Although, that may have been because they used Concerta, the strongest form.</p>

<p>i took nyquil. i actually think it helped.</p>

<p>that stuff psychs me out.</p>

<p>Ritalin doesn't do anything for me whatsoever. I don't recommend it. Not worth the money or the risk that it'll make you skittish. Of course, if you're used to using it (either on or off prescription) and it works for you, go for it. Someone mentioned Concerta; that and Adderall seem to be much, much more effective in creating a mental difference (whether that is helpful or detrimental on a standardized test depends on your personal reaction. I never took standardized tests with these things so I can't tell you).</p>

<p>But obviously, there are ethical issues. They're for you to decide...I personally didn't/wouldn't, and I don't think you should take standardized tests with those sorts of things. Cheating is uncool.</p>

<p>dude...ritalin is awesome....although ive nevr used it. My bio teacher said that when u use ritalin u ware at ur peak. U are just SO focused. u can do stuff that would take 3 hours in like 1 hour or less. Especially on standardized tests, u can just rip through them. but supposedly some med students are addicted to that stuff--i mean, its soo good, and their tests are sooo hard....i dont blame them. ur gonna have sweet results on the stuff, but dont get addicted...</p>

<p>What if you really want to take Ritalin to help focus yourself, not just to raise your scores and whatnot? Is it really bad to take it just to get your homework done maybe once or twice? I've never used it and haven't heard much of its usage around where I am.</p>

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dude...ritalin is awesome....although ive nevr used it.

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<p>Um, good job.</p>

<p>Ritalin is overrated. Don't bother--not worth the trouble.</p>

<p>Well, first of all, it's a terrible idea to take medicine that you don't need, and as MallomarCookie says, it's ethically not right either. But, since people have asked, I know kids who took Adderall during the SAT/ACT's, and it did make them focus more--in fact, they focused so much that they would become fixated on any little thing instead of being fixated on the test. Don't do it--it won't help you improve your scores, and it's just like abusing any other drug.</p>

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I know kids who took Adderall during the SAT/ACT's, and it did make them focus more--in fact, they focused so much that they would become fixated on any little thing instead of being fixated on the test.

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<p>That is very very accurate. Expect to spend 20 minutes concentrating powerfully and easily...on one sentence. That's a good description of my experience, at least. It's useful if you're revising a paper or writing an essay in a time crunch, but I don't think it would be very strategic for tests. (I did not take the SAT under the influence but can comment on the effects in other general contexts.)</p>

<p>they are actually supposed to have the opposite effect on people who don't have add, so you may just be sabotaging yourself.</p>

<p>c00kie, your bio teacher is an idiot.</p>