Now that students
are moving into their senior year and aiming to get into their dream college,
the research and college application processes are on. Apart from this, the
most popular college entry-level assessment, the SAT test is a factor which
cannot be missed out on. Most students wanting a college education have to face
the daunting fact of giving the SAT test and securing a good score. The chances
of getting accepted into a good university become bleak if the SAT test isn’t
taken seriously. We all know that the SAT can test a child’s mental abilities
in various ways, from quantitative aptitude to vocabulary and grammar. Hence it
is always better to start your preparation a few months before hand. Here are a
few steps which can be taken in order to kick start your SAT preparation and
get through it with ease:-
Diagnose your strengths and weaknesses early on. Even if you don’t plan to start your SAT prep right away, there is
no harm in solving a SAT practice test
to identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you are a freshman or a
sophomore, then the best options is to take up the PSAT test which will
familiarize with the SAT format and also give you a detailed description of how
you’ve performed in each section along with explanations. The PSAT is designed
like the SAT test in order to make students comfortable early on. There are
various SAT practice tests available
online which can show you where you stand in terms of your preparation. This
will give a good head start to your SAT prep which can and highlight the areas
needing more of your attention.
Start reading. This is an
important aspect when it comes to the SAT test. A major part of the SAT test
are these five dense and long passages which need to be understood within an
hour. So the mind has to be tuned to reading and breaking down such passages
within a stipulated time. It is best to start reading up on articles in
newspapers and magazines, which are related to world affairs and general
knowledge. Usually, most high schools are inclined towards fictional reading to
keep students interested for longer; but for your SAT prep, nonfiction reading
will be most useful as four of the five passages given in the SAT will NOT be
related to fiction in any way. “Never underestimate the
power of reading, for it will never go waste in any lifetime.”
Concept Cramming. This is
a common mistake made by students who are in a hurry to complete their SAT
syllabus. Studying for 10 hours a day and cramming 20 concepts isn’t counted as
is not a productive study session. Students can enroll for SAT online courses to allow a schedule of maximum of 2-3-hours of
studying at a stretch. This allows students to fully understand and absorb a
few concepts, which can be committed to memory and retained when needed in the
future. It is also important to take short breaks amid your study sessions to assimilate
all that information.
Increase your vocabulary.
This is an important aspect not only to write an impressive SAT essay but also
help in comprehending the reading passages. A vast vocabulary definitely shows
quality on your SAT exam. Try to start reading non-fictional books and articles.
In case you come across new words, make a note of their meanings in a way you
would remember. Make the College Board’s suggested reading list of articles and
books a part of your online SAT prep.
This could serve you well while reading passages or writing essays for the SAT
exam. This skill shall benefit you not only in the SAT exam, but in all your
future endeavors.
The magic of mental math. Preparing
for SAT math can be a daunting and time consuming experience with the
innumerable practice sheets. Practicing mental math and getting used to perform
simple calculations mentally can save up a lot of time on the day of the test.
This is because one of the two SAT Math sections does not allow students to use
a calculator, so deriving equations during the test is a waste of precious
time. There are various shortcut methods and example problems available on an online SAT prep course, to help you
speed up your mental math.
Familiarize yourself with the details. During your SAT preparation, it is always better to familiarize
yourself with the structure of the SAT exam, and also the type of questions
usually asked. This can save you valuable time on the test which would otherwise
be wasted reading and understanding instructions. Make sure you keep a tab of
the time limit given for each section, and accordingly practice to complete
questions within that time frame. This can help you increase your speed and
accuracy when you attempt the assessment. Learn how to balance precision with
speed from an online SAT tutoring service.
Find an SAT Test prep partner.The journey of preparing for the SAT test can seem to be a
tumultuous and confusing one. So it’s always better to team up with one of your
friends or classmates when prepping for the SAT. Exchanging notes, study tips
and strategies can make it an exciting experience, as well as more effective.
This can also help you keep each other accountable during your preparation.
Even having the support of your family and friends can help you to pull
yourself together during those difficult time periods, and prepare
consistently. Often the question posed is ‘Is
there a good SAT tutoring near me?’ For these students, seeking help from
one of the online SAT courses for a higher SAT score is good option.
Use the correct SAT prep materials. Due to the popularity of SAT test prep, various SAT tutoring
services are available online. It is better to identify the best type of SAT
prep course for you depending upon your abilities and requirements. There are a
lot of SAT content out there but not all would be pertinent. Hence it is better
to check out a particular SAT test prep course before committing to it. Etutorworld
provides a free SAT trial lesson that can help you identify the best action plan
for your SAT prep, before paying for any of the SAT services provided. Free
worksheets, guidance and counseling are available on the online SAT prep course along with Customized tutoring sessions at
affordable prices.
Keep practicing. Even
though you are confident with a particular concept, never give up revising and
practicing it to keep it fresh in your memory. Set aside time to take
full-length mock tests and use a timer, to test your combined speed and
accuracy. After each SAT practice test, check your answers and make a mental
note of the mistakes made. This does sound like a tedious task, but it will
definitely pay off as you approach the SAT test. Because as it’s rightly said “Practice makes perfect.”
Do not sweat studying on the eve of the SAT. This does sound weird and impossible to do, considering how high the
stakes are. But it is a best to be relaxed and well rested before attending the
SAT. Last minute studying and cramming remaining topics can lead to stress and
lower your confidence. What’s better is to spend some time with family and
friends, or engage yourself in a fun activity, to take your mind off the test
and make you feel rejuvenated. Because you’re most likely already prepared for
the SAT after months of hardwork, and a few hours of extra sleep would be more
beneficial than harmful.
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