Big Tests, Busy Brains, and a Smarter Way to Prepare
How Encore Psychology Helps You Outsmart the ACT, SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT & BAR Exam?
Standardized tests have a personality.
They’re the kind that show up confident, demand your full attention for hours, and somehow make time move faster than it should. The room gets quiet. The clock feels aggressive. And even people who know their stuff suddenly find themselves thinking, “Why is this harder than it should be?”
If you’re preparing for the ACT or SAT, planning your future with the GRE, aiming for law school with the LSAT, taking on the MCAT, or preparing for the BAR exam, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken.
You’re just human. And your brain has opinions about pressure.
At Encore Psychology, we help make sure your test score reflects your abilities, not your stress level.
The Real Reason Testing Feels So Hard
Contrary to popular belief, standardized tests are not just measuring knowledge. They’re also quietly testing:
• How long you can sustain focus
• How quickly you process information
• How your brain handles time pressure
• How anxiety shows up when it’s least invited
For some people, this looks like:
• Running out of time—even when you know the material
• Rereading questions multiple times
• Losing focus halfway through the exam
• Feeling mentally exhausted long before the test ends
None of this means you’re unprepared. It means your brain is doing exactly what brains do under stress.
That’s where psychological testing becomes a game changer.
What Psychological Testing Actually Does
At Encore Psychology, psychological and psychoeducational testing helps us understand how your brain works in testing environments—not just what you know.
Dr. Colman conducts comprehensive, individualized evaluations for exams including:
• ACT & SAT
• GRE
• LSAT
• MCAT
• BAR Exam
Testing looks at areas such as:
• Attention and executive functioning
• Processing speed
• Memory and comprehension
• Emotional factors like anxiety and stress response
Think of it less like “being tested” and more like getting a user manual for your brain.
Working with Dr. Colman: Expertise Without the Intimidation
One of the things clients appreciate most about working with Dr. Colman is that the process feels supportive, clear, and human.
Yes, she’s highly trained and detail-oriented—but she also understands that testing can feel overwhelming. Feedback sessions aren’t about jargon or labels. They’re about:
• Making sense of results
• Highlighting strengths (there are always strengths)
• Explaining challenges in a way that actually makes sense
• Creating a plan that feels doable
Clients often leave feeling relieved—finally understanding why certain things have always felt harder and what to do next.
Accommodations: Fair Support, Not Special Treatment
Let’s clear this up: accommodations are not shortcuts.
They’re designed to remove barriers so individuals can demonstrate their true abilities. Depending on the results, testing may support accommodations such as:
• Extended time
• Reduced-distraction testing environments
• Additional or structured breaks
Encore Psychology helps guide clients through this process by providing:
• Thorough, exam-aligned evaluations
• Clear and well-supported documentation
• Recommendations that align with testing board standards
In other words, we help level the playing field—without lowering the bar.
Tools, Strategies, and Real-World Recommendations
Testing at Encore Psychology doesn’t end with a report.
Clients also receive practical tools and personalized recommendations, including:
• Test-day strategies to improve focus and endurance
• Ways to manage anxiety before and during exams
• Study approaches that match learning style
• Recommendations for tutoring, coaching, or therapy when helpful
The goal is not just to survive testing—but to feel more confident walking into it.
Why Encore Psychology?
Because testing shouldn’t feel like a mystery—or a personal failing.
Clients choose Encore Psychology because:
• We specialize in high-stakes testing
• Our evaluations are thoughtful, individualized, and thorough
• We combine clinical expertise with warmth and humor
• We focus on understanding the whole person, not just the score
• We genuinely care about helping clients move forward
And because working with Dr. Colman means having someone in your corner who understands both the science of the brain and the reality of testing stress.
Final Encore
Standardized tests may be unavoidable—but unnecessary struggle isn’t.
At Encore Psychology, we help clients:
• Understand their brains
• Advocate for the support they need
• Walk into testing feeling prepared, supported, and confident
Because success isn’t about forcing yourself to fit the test.
It’s about making the test work for you.
Reach out today to learn more about the process 248-452-6669 or email us at admin@encorepsychology.com
