Top 7 SAT Tips for Success 2024
Did you know that every year, over a million high schoolers like you take the SAT? While some universities, including Yale and Cornell, have gone test-blind or test-optional, there are still plenty of institutions, such as MIT, that still require SAT scores. So, if you鈥檙e eyeing those top-notch schools, it鈥檚 wise to ace the SAT.
Most of your SAT prep should happen months in advance. Experts say that last-minute cramming is a recipe for disaster. Instead, focus on spreading out your study sessions and making them consistent. This way, you鈥檒l have time to master the material and avoid that pre-test stress.
Get ready to rock that test and ace your way to college success with these 7 epic tips, and you鈥檒l be thanking us later.
7 Best Must-Follow Tips for SAT
1. Make your study sessions productive
The College Board website is your one-stop shop for all things SAT. Download the free SAT 51成人导航 Guide, practice questions, full-length practice tests, answer explanations, and tips. Khan Academy, a partner of the College Board, also offers hundreds of official SAT practice questions and video explanations.
Don鈥檛 just stare at your textbooks all day long. Make your study sessions more fun and engaging by using practice tests, flashcards, or online resources. And don鈥檛 forget to take breaks! 51成人导航ing for hours without a break is a recipe for burnout.
2. Prepare a study schedule
It might seem like a no-brainer, but the more you study for the SAT, the better you鈥檒l do. Most students just cram a few practice tests before the big day and hope for the best. However, creating a study schedule and sticking to it is way more effective.
To get started, pick an SAT test date and work backward from there. This will give you a clear deadline to work toward. Aim for regular study sessions, maybe 2-3 hours a week. This will help you keep the material fresh in your mind without totally burning out. Remember, it鈥檚 a marathon, not a sprint!
3. Efficiently manage time
Ever felt like you鈥檇 totally nailed an SAT question, only to realize later that you made a silly mistake? It happens to the best of us. While we can鈥檛 control whether or not we know the answer, we can definitely control other factors that lead to these careless errors.
One of the biggest culprits is time pressure. When you鈥檙e rushing to finish, it鈥檚 easy to make mistakes. To get used to the test鈥檚 speed and pressure, take timed practice tests just like you would on the real thing. Set a timer for the exact amount of time you鈥檒l have on test day, and practice working through the questions quickly but carefully.
Another way to reduce errors is to work on your efficiency. Try timing yourself on individual questions to see how long you鈥檙e spending on each one. If you find yourself taking too long on certain types of questions, practice strategies to tackle them more quickly. The more comfortable you are with the time limits, the less likely you are to make careless mistakes.
4. Start with the easy stuff first
When you鈥檙e taking the SAT, don鈥檛 stress about trying to tackle every question right away. Instead, scan the section and answer all the questions that feel familiar and easy. This will help you build up your confidence and save time for the trickier ones later.
If you find yourself spending more than a couple of minutes on a question, just mark it in your test booklet and move on. You can always come back to it later if you have time.
Remember, the goal is to get through the entire section and answer as many questions as possible. So don鈥檛 let a few tough ones slow you down.
Read Also: When to Take the SAT Exam
5. Don鈥檛 leave any questions unanswered
Take an educated guess at every question, even if you鈥檙e not sure of the answer. The SAT doesn鈥檛 penalize you for guessing but leaving a question blank guarantees you won鈥檛 get any points. Think of it like a guessing game: you have a 25% chance of getting it right, and even if you don鈥檛, you鈥檙e no worse off than if you hadn鈥檛 tried. So, don鈥檛 let any points slip away; give every question a shot. You might just surprise yourself!
6. Don鈥檛 let the wrong answers trick you
Stuck on an SAT question? Don鈥檛 panic! Instead of trying to figure out the right answer right away, why not focus on getting rid of the ones that are definitely wrong? This way, you鈥檙e narrowing down your options and increasing your chances of guessing correctly.
Read More: 11 Hardest SAT Math Questions in 2024
The SAT is full of tricky answer choices that might seem convincing but are actually wrong. So, instead of searching for that 鈥榝lawless鈥� answer, try to spot the flaws in the other options.
7. Chill out on the test day
The day before the SAT exam is all about getting your head in the game and fueling up for a big day of testing.
Make sure to get a good night鈥檚 sleep so you鈥檙e feeling refreshed and ready to ace the test. Start your morning with a healthy breakfast that won鈥檛 leave you too full, and maybe even treat yourself to your favorite coffee or tea.
A quick refresher on math formulas or testing strategies can help wake up your brain but don鈥檛 go overboard trying to cram everything in at the last minute. Trust in the preparation you鈥檝e already done, and focus on staying calm and focused. Remember, you鈥檝e been studying hard for this moment! Plan to arrive at the test center early to account for any unexpected delays. Just breathe, relax, and trust in your preparation. You鈥檝e got this!
From the Desk of 51成人导航
While the SAT has long been a major factor in college admissions, however, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to reduce the reliance on the SAT in college admissions. Some colleges have gone test-optional, allowing students to choose whether or not to submit their scores, and some have gone test-blind. So, if you鈥檙e taking the SAT, don鈥檛 stress too much about the final score. Engage with our experts to address your questions and concerns. Focus on preparing well, and you鈥檒l be in good shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How are SAT scores calculated?
Your SAT score is a combination of your scores in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section and the Math section. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800. Your total score is the sum of your EBRW and Math scores.
2. Can I retake the SAT?
Yes, you can retake the SAT as many times as you like. However, it is important to note that colleges will only consider your highest score when making admissions decisions.
3. When will I get my SAT scores?
Your SAT scores will typically be available within 10-15 days of your test date. You can access your scores online or by mail.