Success in standardized testing situations has become a necessary skill for the 21st Century student. While the individual may have excellent, or even, superior talents, these abilities may not transfer to stressful testing situations. Each standardized test, whether it is the ASVAB, certification, ACT, SAT, high-school entrance or GRE, follows patterns. By both familiarizing the student with the pattern (in order to decrease anxiety) and focusing on rusty academic skills, the individual can minimize anxiety and produce results commensurate with his or her abilities. In addition to test anxiety and skill reinforcement, students need to learn test strategies peculiar to individual standardized tests. Test preparation aids students in the competitive academic world.