Are you gearing up to take the big SAT test soon? Feeling a bit apprehensive about it? Relax! I’ve put together some SAT tips that will make studying for the SAT a little less stressful. Whether you’re a first-time test-taker or retaking it in hopes of a better score, my SAT tips will help you prepare, study, and stay calm on test day.
What Is The SAT?
I’ve been helping students prepare for the SAT test for years. The SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a test used by colleges to evaluate a student’s readiness for college-level work. The test is mostly multiple-choice and is currently taken digitally. Junior and senior high school students across the U.S. take the SAT, typically in the spring of their junior year or the fall of their senior year, as part of the college application process.
Digital SAT Overview and Structure
The test is administered by the College Board. On the digital SAT, students are tested on two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math. The SAT evaluates students’ critical reading, writing, mathematical, and analytical skills. The questions included on the SAT are meant to measure college readiness. In addition to standardized test scores, most colleges and universities consider high school transcripts (including GPA), extracurricular activities, and personal statements.
Holistic Admissions Criteria
These materials help admissions officers understand applicants’ well-roundedness and how successful they might be as college students. The digital SAT aims to provide a fair and standardized assessment of students’ academic abilities and readiness for higher education.
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Structure Of The SAT
The digital SAT is composed of two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Each section is divided into 2 equal-length modules, and there is a 10-minute break between the Reading and Writing section and the Math section.
Adaptive Question Modules
The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on how students perform on the first module, the second module of questions will either be more difficult or less difficult. Compared to the ACT®, the SAT provides 68% more time per question. Most of the questions are multiple-choice, though some of the math questions ask you to enter the answer rather than select it.
Reading and Writing Section Structure
The entire Reading and Writing section on the digital SAT is 64 minutes long with 54 multiple-choice questions. Each module is 32 minutes long with 27 questions. On all questions, there’s no penalty for guessing: if you’re not sure of the answer, it’s better to guess than leave the response blank.
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25 Effective Tips For SAT You Must Know About
1. Take several practice tests.
Before you begin the work of studying, take a free practice test online to get a sense about your natural strengths, and to better understand where you should focus your efforts. For example, if you feel confident about your vocab based on your practice test but didn’t do as well as in the non-calculator math section, then you may want to spend more time studying math and less time reviewing vocab.
2. Review your mistakes.
With your practice test and any subsequent practice tests you take, take time to review your mistakes and note what happened: Did you run out of time? Did you not understand the question or how to find the answer? Or did something else happen? Knowing what went wrong can help you avoid similar errors on the day of the SAT, and can help point out areas where you should spend more time studying.
3. Use The Process of Elimination (and Guess if You Don’t Know)
This is one of the most important rules to remember. On the SAT test, every question has only one correct answer. There can never be two correct answers. If you don’t know the correct answer, start by eliminating the improbable options based on your knowledge. The answer may become obvious using this method or you might find you have at least a 50/50 chance of getting it right.
You also won’t be penalized for guessing incorrectly. It’s much better to guess than to leave a question blank on the SAT!
4. Read Strategically
Reading passages can take up a lot of time. Did you know that it’s a good idea to skim the passage first and then give it a full read? By skimming first, you allow yourself to get the main idea of the writing and likely won’t have to give it a second full read later on. When you need to check details to answer questions, you’ll likely know exactly where to find it after your skim and full read.
Unless you’re pressed for time, never answer the questions based on skimming.Many questions are designed to have answers that look correct on the surface, but are actually incorrect once you truly understand the text.
5. Learn To Identify Connotation and Context
This is an extension of the previous step. Once you learn to skim through the passages, learn to identify words like rather than’, ‘except’ etc. and other strong adjectives, which helps establish a negative connotation or context. The presence of these words can drastically alter the meaning of the next sentence, which, if read in isolation, can present a different picture entirely.
This is a great skill to have while answering the reading section and can single-handedly help you eliminate the most incorrect options.
6. Don’t Ignore Passage Introductions
Some people have a tendency to ignore the italicized sentences before the reading passage. These introductions contain important information about the setting or the context of the passage which can help save valuable time in understanding the passage and answering questions. It is always better to spend a couple of seconds on this rather than going through the entire process once again when you realize that you are missing some information at the end of the passage.
7. Pay Attention to Keywords
Keeping track of keywords and context is an effective SAT tip to help you better understand the question. Make sure you carefully analyze the keywords in the question and passage in both the Reading and Writing sections. Look for clues that indicate the main idea, tone, or purpose.
Similarly, in the Math section, pay attention to the specific wording of the problem to understand what is being asked. Context is crucial for determining the correct answer and avoiding common traps.
8. Manage Your Time Wisely
Wisely managing your time is a crucial SAT strategy that can significantly impact your performance. With limited time for each section, effective time management ensures you can complete all questions and review your work within the allocated time frame.
Start by setting time goals for each section and stick to them. Pace yourself throughout the test, ensuring you don’t spend too much time on a single question. If you encounter a challenging question, it’s better to make an educated guess and move on than to get stuck and waste valuable time. By maintaining a steady and efficient pace, you can maximize the number of questions answered and increase your chances of earning a higher score on the SAT.
9. Review the instructions.
When the day of the test arrives, don’t rush past the instructions to get to the questions, even if you’ve taken several practice tests and think you know what to expect. Make sure you understand what you’re being asked to do. Oftentimes, instructions may even contain helpful information to frame the way you should approach a question.
10. Start by answering the questions you know.
As you tackle each section of the SAT, answer the questions you know first. This can be a really effective time management strategy given that you have limited time for each section. Make a light mark next to the questions you don’t know and return to them once you’ve worked your way through everything you do know. Note that questions typically get harder toward the end of each section.
11. Increase Your Reading Speed
A big part of the SAT is reading the questions quickly and accurately. On the Reading section in particular, you want to get through long passages fast without losing track of key points. By decreasing the time it takes you to read questions and passages on the test, you’ll have more time for contemplating the answers.
“On reading-based questions, around 80% of what you are tested on comes from around 20% of what you read,” explained Sapir. “Being a more efficient reader means you have more time for critical thinking and answering questions.”
Reading through and practicing SAT questions will help you become more familiar with the question structure and language. You can also research ways to increase your reading and comprehension speed. For example, you might try a technique like word-chunking or practice limiting the impulse to reread sentences.
12. Review Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary is a big part of the SAT. Rather than attempting to memorize lists of heady terms, a helpful hint is to work on understanding the Greek and Latin roots of words.
For instance, once you understand that phil comes from the Greek word “to love,” you’ll have an easier time recognizing words such as philanthropist or philosopher. This approach will help you build your vocabulary and tackle those pesky words-in-context questions. Reviewing these roots also contributes to better general reading comprehension in general. That’s why it’s one of the most popular SAT tips and tricks out there.
13. Memorize Formulas
Although the SAT math section does provide you with a list of formulas, you’ll lose time and momentum by constantly turning back to reference them. It’s best to have all the formulas memorized beforehand. Check out our article on the formulas you need to know for the SAT Math section to make sure you’re prepared.
That when you’re finished with the SAT, you’re scored on the number of questions you answer correctly, not the number of questions you complete. Therefore, if you’re not sure of an answer, then guess. You won’t be penalized for guessing, and it’s possible you just might guess correctly.
14. Guess on questions you don’t know.
That when you’re finished with the SAT, you’re scored on the number of questions you answer correctly, not the number of questions you complete. Therefore, if you’re not sure of an answer, then guess. You won’t be penalized for guessing, and it’s possible you just might guess correctly.
15. Learn how to use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator
And take time to understand what information is included on the reference sheets in Math. If you’d prefer to bring your own approved calculator, practice with it ahead of time.
16. Don’t rely on answer choice probability or patterns
Any question could have the answer A, B, C, or D. You may have 10 A’s in a row, or no A’s at all in any set of question answers. Use the option eliminator tool to cross off options that you know are wrong to narrow down to the best choice.
17. Memorize Grammar Rules
The SAT Writing section has a specific standardized approach to grammar, so it’s useful to memorize the rules to reduce confusion. Even if you think you’re pretty good at grammar, it’s not always enough to just go by what “looks right” to you.
If you’re not used to some of the more archaic grammar rules tested on the SAT, you should memorize them. This will prevent you from accidentally choosing NO CHANGE for phrases that have errors according to the SAT’s formal grammar guidelines. Check out this article for a review of all the grammar rules you’ll see on the SAT!
18. Be Careful with NO CHANGE Answers
If you notice that you’re answering NO CHANGE for lots questions on the Writing section, you should go back and double-check your answers. NO CHANGE will only be the answer for 25 percent or less of the questions where it’s an option. If you’re choosing it more than that, you might be missing something. Be sure to verify it again before you commit.
On the flip side, you also shouldn’t be overly worried about choosing NO CHANGE. It will inevitably be the correct answer a few times, so don’t get too caught up in second-guessing yourself.
19. Always Fill Content Gaps
No matter how many tips you utilize to improve your comprehension and speed up your work, if you lack subject knowledge, you may never see any major improvement. This is especially true when it comes to Math.
Try and identify the areas you have issues dealing with and focus on clearing up your concepts and learning these topics. Once this is done, you can focus on practicing your speed and comprehension.
20. Mark Key Points in Questions
Sometimes, the questions in your SAT can have multiple subsections or even convoluted questions spanning several lines. Make it a point to highlight which value you need to solve for or any part of the question which indicates what you need to find. This helps you keep track of the process and ensures that you don’t waste time-solving for the wrong value or repeatedly having to read a large question to understand it.
21. Take the SAT More than Once
It’s not “Take the SAT test once and that’s the score you get!” You are welcome to take the SAT as many times as you would like (or can fit in before your college applications are due). In fact, it’s recommended that you take it more than once. This will help you calm your nerves and improve your score each time you take it.
If you want to score well on the SAT, it is going to require time, effort, and dedication. Most students aren’t going to score high without proper preparation and studying. Taking practice tests, studying, and learning from your mistakes are among the best ways to improve your SAT score. Many colleges and universities in the United States look for certain SAT and ACT scores from their students. Knowing this number can give you direction on your own SAT prep. See how you stack up against accepted students using College Match today.
22. Double-Check Your Answers
While it’s tempting to take a rest if you have extra time at the end of an SAT section, you should always double-check your answers first. When you initially make your way through each section, circle questions that you’re unsure about so you can double-check strategically.
If you have lots of extra time, you might even go through and check every single one of your answers. This way you’ll pick up on any careless mistakes you might have made if you were rushing or missed a key word in a question.
23. Watch Out for Unit Swaps
When taking the SAT Math section, watching out for unit swaps is important. Unit swaps occur when the units of measurement change within a problem or between the given information and the answer choices. These swaps can be tricky and lead to incorrect answers if not carefully considered.
Pay close attention to the units mentioned in the problem and ensure you use the appropriate units throughout your calculations. Take note of conversions between units, such as inches to feet or minutes to seconds, and make the necessary adjustments to maintain consistency. Also, double-check that the units in the answer choices match the units requested in the problem. Being mindful of unit swaps can help you avoid simple mistakes and ensure that your calculations align with the information.
24. Read It Out Loud
Reading out loud is a helpful technique when tackling the SAT Writing section. Reading the passage or the question prompt aloud engages both your visual and auditory senses, enhancing your understanding and comprehension of the text. Reading aloud allows you to hear the rhythm and flow of the sentences, making it easier to spot errors, awkward phrasing, or inconsistencies. It can also help you catch punctuation mistakes and improve your overall grasp of the writing conventions.
Reading out loud can aid in identifying missing or misplaced words, as well as clarify the meaning of complex sentences. It is a useful strategy to ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, and conveys your intended message effectively. Incorporating this practice into your SAT Writing preparation can sharpen your editing skills and improve your overall performance on the exam.
25. Get Ready the Night Before
On the morning of the test, you’ll inevitably be nervous. There’s a lot of stuff you need to bring to the SAT, and you don’t want to forget something at the last minute while you’re distracted by your nerves.
Here’s a checklist to ensure that this doesn’t happen:
- Admission ticket
- Photo ID
- #2 pencils and eraser
- Calculator
We also recommend that you bring snacks and water as well as a watch to monitor your pacing. Just put everything in your bag the day before. Don’t procrastinate!
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What Is A Good SAT Score?
A good SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college that you want to go to. The average SAT score is around 1050. Any score above that would be above average. A score of 1350 would put you in the top 10% of test takers and help make your application competitive at more selective schools.
Choosing the Right College
In choosing colleges to apply to, consider factors such as the cost of tuition and availability of financial aid, location, and campus atmosphere. Also consider whether the college offers academic and extracurricular programs that interest you. To set your target SAT score, first explore a range of colleges that can offer you the mix of things you want.
Then, look at the average SAT score for an admitted first-year student and use that as your target. The College Board college planning website BigFuture contains all of this information and is an excellent resource for researching colleges.
Emphasize Other Factors on Your Application
Your SAT score is only one factor among several on your application. Your grades, application essay, and extracurriculars also shape admissions officers’ perceptions of your application.
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Studying new material isn’t easy but tedious, time-consuming, and repetitive. Conch steps in so you can focus on learning. With Conch, you can upload your course material (Upload class notes, documents, lectures, videos, and more) and generate studysets live (Record your lectures, meetings, presentations, or interviews to watch notes and flashcards generate live).
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