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10 Terrific Test Taking Tips To Achieve A High SAT Score

Home > Blog > 10 Terrific Test-Taking Tips to Achieve A High SAT Score

10 terrific test tips for a high SAT score
10 terrific test tips for a high SAT score

10 Terrific Test-Taking Tips for a High SAT Score

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is a popular, paper-based entrance exam administered by the College Board since 1926. According to the U.S. News & World Report, around 2.2 million high school students take the SAT test each year. The three-hour exam evaluates college readiness with multiple-choice questions in two sections: critical reading and math. The SAT also has an optional, 50-minute essay section to judge writing skills. High school juniors and seniors can register for SAT test sessions seven times yearly. For 2019-20, the SAT cost ranged from $49.50 to $64.50 based on the chosen format.

Are you planning to take the SAT test? If so, it’s normal to feel anxious. There’s so much pressure to achieve a high mark on the 400-1600 scoring scale. SAT scores are factored into the admission process at most four-year U.S. colleges. The College Board has over 6,000 member institutions globally that accept SAT scores. Superior SAT scores are a necessity to get into top universities like Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, and Northwestern. Studying at least one month before the SAT exam is key. The SAT isn’t a test to underestimate or cram for overnight. Here are 10 terrific test-taking tips for achieving a high SAT score.

  1. Take Free SAT Practice Tests Online

Finding online SAT practice tests is the best way to learn the lay of the land. Practice tests make you aware of the types of reading and math questions asked. The College Board recommends creating a free Khan Academy account for SAT preparation. Always use a timer when taking SAT practice tests. Budgeting the right amount of time for each section, such as 80 minutes for math, is important. Online mock exams will teach you deductive reasoning and time management skills.

  1. Identify Your Test-Taking Weaknesses

Everyone has their unique weaknesses when taking exams. Don’t feel ashamed when you mess up. Use your mistakes as teachable moments to better your test-taking ability. After you’ve graded a few SAT practice tests, take stock of your frequent errors. Perhaps you struggle with algebra questions. Maybe you’re skimming the reading passages too fast. Whatever the case, hone in on your weak spots. Brainstorm fixes, such as rereading textbook chapters on stumbling subjects.

  1. Master the Art of Educated Guessing

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll know every SAT answer. Sometimes, you’ll simply need to take a stab at it. The College Board doesn’t penalize SAT takers for guessing. There’s no sense in leaving the harder questions blank. You have a 25 percent chance of picking the right response. Your odds increase if you’re able to eliminate one or two wrong answers. Educated guessing is like requesting the 50-50 lifeline on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Using the process of elimination can help you guess correctly.

  1. Have SAT Vocabulary Flashcards Handy

The SAT is notorious for using big words to test students’ vocabularies. Nobody knows which elongated words will be pulled from the dictionary for the SAT reading section. However, you can prepare by studying frequently used SAT words. Print out online vocabulary lists that define these supersized terms, such as “surreptitious” and “aberration.” Make flashcards on index cards to test yourself during free periods. Download mobile vocabulary apps and games to practice on the go.

  1. Exercise Your Mental Math Muscles

Relying on a calculator for every SAT math question is too time-consuming. Plus, there’s one SAT subsection where calculators aren’t allowed. Doing basic math calculations in your head will save you time and work. Leave the paper and pencil for figuring out tougher formulas. Practice doing simple arithmetic like 48 + 8 mentally. Run drills with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. Learn mental math tricks, such as rounding up to 10 when multiplying by nine.

  1. Highlight Key Points in the SAT Test Booklet

The College Board forbids the use of highlighters during the SAT test. Nonetheless, your shiny yellow #2 pencil works just as well. Use your pencil to mark the important points of wordy, convoluted SAT questions. Underline parts of the directions that signal what you must do. Circle meaningful parts of reading passages for reference later. Make marks on diagrams, charts, or graphs for math questions. Highlighting relevant info will point you toward the right answers for high SAT scores.

  1. Create a Clear SAT Essay Outline

Have you decided to take the SAT essay section? Then, you’ll be given a brief nonfiction passage and asked to explain the author’s argument. Avoid jumping right to the writing process. Devote 10-15 minutes of the 50-minute session to outlining a cohesive essay. Outlines prevent you from rambling, skipping around, and going off-topic. Map out a strong essay from the introduction to the conclusion. Always link back to the passage with quoted facts. Also, budget enough time for proofreading and making edits.

  1. Brush Up on English Grammar Rules

High SAT scores require a solid understanding of proper English grammar. Nearly 50 percent of the reading section deals with grammatical rules. SAT essays riddled with grammar mistakes won’t perform well either. Ensure you know the right punctuation usage and sentence structure. Refresh your memory with online grammar quizzes and games. Review free internet resources, such as the Purdue Online Writing Lab and Grammar Monster. Editing software like Grammarly can also help check your practice SAT essays.

  1. Go With Your Gut Instinct

SAT takers tend to overthink questions and second-guess their answers. However, your initial inkling is usually correct. Listen to your gut instinct. Be confident in your knowledge and abilities. Stick with your first responses unless you’re 100 percent positive you messed up. Once you mark your answer, move to the next question without looking back. Mulling over your answers will waste precious minutes. Repeatedly changing your mind could hurt your answer sheet too. Stray erasure marks may throw the scoring machine off.

  1. Arrive at the SAT Center Ready and Rested

Once your SAT test day rolls around, it’s time to stop studying. Last-minute studying will only exhaust your mind. Have faith in your many hours of practice. Use the night before and the day of your SAT test to decompress. Get energized with some mild to moderate physical exercise. Whether sketching, swimming, or singing, do your favorite form of stress relief. Feed your stomach and brain healthy, balanced meals. Head to bed early for at least eight solid hours of sleep. Pack your bag with pencils, a charged calculator, a photo ID, and snacks too.

Are you unhappy with your first SAT score? Don’t panic, because retakes are permitted. In 2018, the College Board reported that 63 percent of second-time SAT takers earned a better score. Most students take the SAT exam at least twice to reach their targeted score. Colleges will only weigh your best composite SAT score. Admission committees won’t penalize you for having a less-than-stellar first showing. Use the above 10 terrific test-taking tips to boost your chances of improvement and a high SAT score.

About The Main Line Tutor

With over 30 years of experience tutoring high school and college students our tutors specialize in mathematics and general chemistry. Our founder, Dr. Chesloff, holds a Doctorate in Higher Science Education and has developed an education curriculum that engages the student and enhances their learning and thought process to help raise their scores and improve performance.

We offer nationwide tutoring via video teleconference in PSAT/SAT preparation (math, critical reading, writing), ACT test preparation (Get step by step instructions, mock tests and more so you know exactly what to expect with the real thing), chemistry (General Chemistry (including AP), Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry), algebra I/II, geometry, and trigonometry.

Our Mission is to target the specific needs of our students, college and high school, particularly in the area of standardized test preparation.

Our Tutoring allows for flexible hours 7 days a week nationwide via videoconference.

The Main Line Tutor
We Raise Score & Improve Performance
www.themainlinetutor.com
Tel: (610) 324-8359
e-mail: drchesloff@themainlinetutor.com

Should I Take the SAT or the ACT?

Home > Blog > Should I take the SAT or ACT?

Should I take the SAT or ACT?

Test Background

The ACT is operated by, and takes its name from, American College Testing, and first came to the fore in 1959, predominantly in Southern and Midwestern schools. Administered by the College Board, the SAT, on the other hand, was introduced in 1926 and was traditionally the favored test in East and West Coast schools. While many of its takers assume that SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test, the acronym no longer has an assigned meaning. Despite the original geographical distinctions, students across the States are free to take either test. In fact, in 2011 the ACT overtook the SAT as the most popular choice for high school students.

ACT Basics

The ACT includes four components, English, Mathematics, Reading and Science, with an optional fifth Writing section. In total, the five-section test lasts 3 ½ hours. Although the Writing section is optional, many colleges require candidates to take it. Students can receive a maximum score of 36 in each section, with an overall average taken to obtain the final test score. If a student takes the Writing section, the essay score is incorporated into the average of the English section. Students taking the Writing section complete the essay at the end of the test.

SAT Basics

The SAT is divided into Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing sections, with the entire test taking 3 hours and 45 minutes. Each section is scored out of 800, for an overall score of 2400. The first item in the test is a 25-minute essay, which is incorporated into the Writing section score, and represents the only part of the test graded holistically. All the other answers are entered on a bubble sheet and graded electronically.

Significant Differences

In the English section, the ACT tests knowledge of punctuation, including commas, apostrophes, and colons, while the SAT places a heavier emphasis on usage. The ACT Mathematics section tests knowledge of concepts in trigonometry, Algebra I, II, geometry and standard arithmetic. The SAT, on the other hand, does not include trigonometry. Notoriously, the SAT Critical Reading section includes a significant number of questions that test vocabulary, meaning that students typically prepare by memorizing extended lists of sometimes obscure words, often without grasping their essential meaning. The ACT, by contrast, tests knowledge of vocabulary in context only.

One of the most common criticisms of the SAT across all sections is that its 140 questions tend to be abstruse and unnecessarily complex. Although the ACT extends to 215 questions, the wording is significantly more straightforward. The greatest difference, however, is that the SAT penalizes wrong answers in an attempt to curb guessing, whereas the ACT awards points only for correct answers.

Key Changes

In order to address criticism, the SAT test has changed significantly during recent decades. From spring 2016, the test will undergo a further metamorphosis. No longer will students be required to learn lists of suggested vocabulary; instead, vocabulary questions will focus on context, in the same vein as the ACT. Likewise, the Critical Reading and Writing sections will include data analysis, and students will have to cite evidence from reading passages rather than simply selecting a multiple choice option.

The Mathematics section will focus on a narrower set of topics and the use of calculators will be prohibited for some sections, unlike the existing SAT where calculators are allowed throughout. Crucially, points will no longer be deducted for incorrect answers. The much-maligned essay will remain, but will be optional, and 50 minutes will be allowed instead of 25.  

Which Test is for Me?

Since the ACT is more closely aligned with material on the high school curriculum, it panders to the strength of students who already have a firm grasp of their existing subjects. Because it also tests knowledge of Science, but offers Writing as an option, the ACT also appeals to students whose writing is comparatively weak. This advantage will no longer apply once the 2016 SAT is introduced, however.

Students who are good at simple test taking, who have a longer attention span, and who have a lower-than-expected GPA will find the SAT comes to the rescue. In theory, a student with a low GPA could ace the SAT on strong reasoning skills alone and somehow compensate for poor performance in subjects tied to Common Core Standards.

To give themselves the best possible college application, students to take practice tests in both the SAT and ACT, either by taking PSATs or simply by accessing free online practice tests. In the junior year, there is no impediment to taking both tests, and students can then choose which scores to send to colleges. In some cases, the disparity in scores could be significant. 

About The Main Line Tutor

With over 30 years of experience tutoring high school and college students our tutors specialize in mathematics and general chemistry. Our founder, Dr. Chesloff, holds a Doctorate in Higher Science Education and has developed an education curriculum that engages the student and enhances their learning and thought process to help raise their scores and improve performance.

We offer nationwide tutoring via video teleconference in PSAT/SAT preparation (math, critical reading, writing), ACT test preparation (Get step by step instructions, mock tests and more so you know exactly what to expect with the real thing), as well as in chemistry (General Chemistry (including AP), Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry), algebra I/II, geometry, and trigonometry.

Our Mission is to target the specific needs of our students, college and high school, particularly in the area of standardized test preparation.

Our Tutoring allows for flexible hours 7 days a week nationwide via videoconference.

The Main Line Tutor
We Raise Score & Improve Performance
www.themainlinetutor.com
Tel: (610) 324-8359
e-mail: drchesloff@themainlinetutor.com