More than 1 million students take the SAT each year as a requirement for admission to colleges. One of the most crucial recommendations for achieving a high SAT score is to prepare mainly for the exam, which is especially useful for determining your college preparation level. Considering the approaching SAT dates, one should concentrate on a few test preparation strategies to avoid making mistakes.
Experts often advise against depending on last-minute SAT recommendations and suggest that most of your SAT preparation should be done months in advance. Any day-of practice should center on arriving at the exam location promptly and feeling ready for the demanding day ahead. The top SAT Study Tips from professional tutors and test-prep experts have also enlisted nine excellent tips to follow for the upcoming SAT preparation.
1. Create an SAT Study Schedule
Create a detailed study plan that outlines what you need to study, when you need to learn, and how you will check. Then, stick to your plan to stay on track.
Even though it may seem apparent, studying for the SAT will increase your score. Many students finish their coursework by taking a few practice exams. However, a timetable might help you stay on course and make sure you constantly study.
Selecting an SAT date is the first step in creating your study program. Then, plan regular study sessions once you know when the exam will be given. Plan to spend at least two to three hours every week studying. You want to avoid being exhausted before the exam day and keep the subject fresh in your mind.
2. Use Quality Prep Materials
The SAT study tools you choose can impact your score and how well-prepared you feel on test day. Your first stop should be the College Board website. You may access practice questions, full-length sample exams, answer explanations and advice, and download the free SAT Study Guide.
A partner of the College Board, other test prep platforms also offer hundreds of official SAT practice questions and video explanations. High-quality SAT prep books, apps, online programs, and private instructors are other resources.
3. Increase Your Reading Speed
The ability to read questions rapidly and adequately is crucial on the SAT. You want to go through lengthy sections quickly in the Reading section without missing any essential details. You’ll have more time to think about the answers if you read the questions and passages on the exam more quickly.
The more you practice reading, the faster and more efficient you’ll become. Make time to read various materials daily, including news articles, books, and magazines. When reading, focus on the passage’s main idea and ignore extraneous details. This will help you read faster and retain more information.
4. Target the Mistakes You Can Control
Although you can’t plan for or prevent not knowing the answer, there are other possible faults you can, such as time constraints, question understanding, and accidental blunders.
Due to the pressure of the SAT, many students need help understanding. You can become used to the pace and pressure by taking a timed practice exam. Set a timer for your time on when taking practice exams.
By timing each question, you may practice improving your efficiency. In addition, you’ll be less prone to make foolish mistakes if you get used to the time constraints.
5. Come to Test Day Prepared
Make sure you get enough sleep and exercise to help you stay focused and energized during your test prep. Manage stress on test day by eating a healthy breakfast, dressing comfortably, and arriving at the testing center with enough time to relax and get centered.
A quick review of test-taking techniques or arithmetic concepts will help to jolt your memory. On the SAT test, cramming too much studying. Additionally, allow extra time to travel to the exam venue in case of traffic or other delays.
6. Answer the Questions You Know First
Going through the current section of the exam and answering all the questions you are familiar with first is a frequent test-taking technique. Then, you’ll have more time to go through the questions you need clarification on if you can answer the ones you know promptly.
Remember to return to a question later and mark it in your exam booklet if it takes you longer than a few minutes to grasp it.
7. Eliminate Incorrect Answers
Take as many practice tests as possible to get a feel for the examination and to identify areas where you need to improve. Get to know the test format, including the types of questions you’ll be asked, the time limits for each section, and the scoring system.
Try removing responses you know are inaccurate when working on SAT problems for which you are still determining the reaction. Your chances of making the correct guess rise if you can rule out some of the four potential answers.
8. Don’t Leave Any Questions Blank
Try your best to respond to every question. If you run out of time, feel free to start filling in the blanks. Budget time to go back to any questions you skipped.
You should hazard a guess, even if you don’t know the response. Incorrect answers won’t lower your score; instead, the sum of all correct answers will. This implies that if you guess, there is a 25% chance that your score will be accurate; however, if you leave it blank, there is no possibility that you will receive any points.
9. Take the SAT More Than Once, If Possible
The SAT is typically viewed as a one-time event you take, and then you’re done. However, the truth is that many students take the exam at least twice. Why? Retaking the SAT can increase scores, according to research.
Perhaps because you are more prepared the second time, you spent more time working on your deficiencies and studying for the test.
Regrettably, retaking the SAT requires paying the entire test cost once more. But you could be eligible for a fee waiver if you fulfill the College Board’s standards.
The SAT is fantastic because you have a lot of time to prepare for it (all the test dates are posted online). Additionally, you are free to use it as often as you choose. So begin preparing by following the nine suggestions!