S A T
Most students in our school take the SAT in Grade 11 or 12. Seeing as you’re reading this, you’re probably considering taking it as well. Many questions and worries might be flooding your mind. When should I start studying? How many times should I take it? How do I get past that god-awful reading section? Don’t worry, we’ll answer all your questions and more to help you maximize your score.
When should I start studying?
As soon as possible. Many students go into the exam on their first try without studying, which is exactly what you shouldn’t do. It’s best to start studying 2-3 months before your test, especially if it’s your first time. Although everyone studies differently, one thing is proven with SAT: the more practice the better.
How many times should I take the exam?
Even though you can do the exam an unlimited number of times, it’s best to take it 2-3 times. It could look bad on your university application if you take the SAT more than 3 times, and it could interfere with your schoolwork or extracurriculars.
Is the SAT harder on some test dates than others?
Contrary to popular belief, the SAT’s difficulty does not vary depending on the month you do it. While the exam could be harder, a more lenient curve would make up for it. You should choose the date of your SAT based on your readiness for the exam.
How do I study for the math section?
The math section could be your saving grace or downfall to getting your dream score. Here are some tips to ensure you’ll score 700+ in the math section.
Master the 25 concepts. The chances of you getting 100 on a calculus exam without ever studying calculus are near 0. The same thing applies to SAT Math. Khan Academy’s official SAT Practice covers all 25 essential concepts. If pen and paper’s more your style when studying, then we recommend this book.
You should take every practice test as seriously as the exam. This goes for every section, but especially the math section since even one careless error can bring your score down by 20 points. Double or even triple-check your answers and use all the time you have.
Understand all your mistakes. Once you’ve taken your first practice test make sure you know exactly why you got a question wrong. Did you not know the concept at all? Did you just underestimate the question and didn’t read a keyword? Whatever the reason is, we recommend that you take the extra step and write down on a sticky note or notebook what you did so that you avoid making that same mistake again.
Our suggestion is to start preparing for SAT with the math section since, for most, it’s the easiest section to increase your points in. And if you’re still struggling with it we’re going to link some resources here:
- An in-depth article.
- Essential formulas.
- A YouTube channel with recordings of solving the official practice tests and some past exams.
How do I study for the Reading section?
The reading section is arguably the hardest section of all. Most people struggle with this part the most, which is why you should practice this section the most. When doing a practice test, pay very close attention to what you struggled with. The most common problems are:
Timing: There is a total of 65 minutes and five passages in the Reading section, which gives you about 13 minutes to complete each passage. If timing is a problem you struggle with, then try to do one text at a time (or a quiz on Khan Academy) and time yourself on each one. If you’re a beginner, don’t put a timer, put on a stopwatch, so that you don’t rush yourself and end up getting too many questions wrong. Focus on how much time you took, and if it’s under thirteen minutes (and you didn’t get too many wrong) then great! And if it’s way over the limit, you’ll need to practice on improving your reading speed without ruining your comprehension of the passage. Keep in mind that going one or two minutes over the limit isn’t a big deal, as you may be faster in some passages than others and it’ll even out.
Concentration: If you have a very small attention span (like many of us do), then focusing on the SAT may be difficult for you. A good trick is to chew gum while taking the test, it’s scientifically proven to boost your brainpower. Also, never skim the passage. Don’t let your mind drift away while reading the passage, it wastes your already limited time and causes gaps in your understanding of the passage.
Understanding: Even if you’ve got your timing and concentration down, sometimes your vocabulary just isn’t enough. Don’t worry though, there’s a simple solution: reading. Without needing to explain myself, it just makes sense that reading books makes you good at reading. Here’s a list of recommended books to get better at reading. If you’re caught up on time though, don’t worry! Here’s a list of some commonly used words in the SAT.
With enough time and dedication, you can get 350+ on the reading section, no matter where you started from. We’ll also share our most recommended SAT reading prep book here. One more thing, don’t forget to take practice tests under the correct conditions: phone shut off, a timer on, and the correct amount of time for breaks during sections (10 minutes after Reading, and 10 after Math No Calculator).
How do I study for the Writing section?
We would consider SAT Writing to be much simpler and more straightforward than Reading. Although they’re not necessarily hard with practice, the Writing section has a straightforward list of concepts much like the Math section. Just follow the same guidelines we instructed for the Reading section and you’ll be set for a 350+ Writing score.
What should I do on test day and the day before?
Taking care of yourself mentally and physically leading up to your test is often overlooked but crucial to performing your best on test day. Here are some tips and guidelines to follow on the day before your SAT:
Don’t do a practice test the day before. Taking a full-length practice test can be extremely draining to your mind and body. You can do light revision on the day before like memorizing formulas or doing short quizzes on Khan Academy, but it’s best to stay away from SAT and mentally prepare yourself for the exam.
Prepare yourself the day before. You don’t want to be stressing yourself out even more by having to make sure you aren’t forgetting your pencil, calculator, etc… Lay out your school uniform, ticket, ID, pencils, calculator, and snacks the night before on your desk.
Make sure to get enough sleep. It is a very bad idea to do a 3 hour exam on only a few hours of sleep, for obvious reasons. In the weeks leading up to the exam, make sure you consistently sleep at 9-10 pm.
When you wake up, make sure not to go on social media. Instead, go straight into wearing your school clothes and making breakfast. For exam day breakfasts, we suggest a high carb and protein breakfast such as oatmeal with banana or apple and eggs. Don’t forget to drink water as well, not too much as you wouldn’t want to be needing the bathroom at the beginning of the reading section.
During the exam, you don’t want to fall under the stress and pressure the exam is designed to give you. We recommend you get chewing gum, chocolate, and any other snacks to distract your mind.
That’s all the SAT tips we have for now! If you have any other questions you’d like us to answer (or maybe some tips of your own you’d like us to add) then feel free to use the question box below. We wish you the best of luck in your SAT!
The Study Guide 