The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardised test widely used in the United States for college admissions. It is designed to assess a student's readiness for college by measuring their skills in reading, writing, and math.

The SAT consists of two main sections: the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Mathematics section. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section includes questions on reading comprehension, sentence structure, and grammar, while the Mathematics section covers algebra, geometry, and some advanced math topics. There is also an optional essay, sec allowing students unity to demonstrate their writing skills.

The SAT is offered multiple times throughout the year at testing centres nationwide. It is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors, although some students may choose to take it earlier or later, depending on their circumstances.

Colleges and universities use scores on the SAT as one factor in their admissions decisions. A high score can help a student stand out among other applicants and increase their chances of being accepted to their desired college or university.

The SAT is an important test that can significantly impact a student's future. Preparing for the SAT and doing well on the test can open up many educational and career opportunities.

When should you start preparing for the SAT?

One effective strategy for improving your score on the SAT is to start your preparation as early as possible, ideally during your sophomore year of high school. This can help you better understand the test and provide more opportunities for improvement before the pressure of senior year and college applications sets in.

During your sophomore year, you will likely have less academically challenging coursework, giving you more time to focus on SAT prep. This is especially important because, as you move into your junior and senior years, you will likely have more schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and other commitments that can make it harder to find time to study for the SAT.

In addition to starting your preparation early, it's important to consider how you approach your studies. Several "SAT hacks" can help you make the most of your prep time and increase your chances of success on the test. Some examples of these hacks include setting specific study goals, breaking your study sessions into smaller chunks, or using practice tests to familiarise yourself with the format and content of the SAT.

Overall, starting your SAT preparation early and implementing effective study strategies can help you build a solid foundation for success on the test. By being proactive and taking a strategic approach to your studies, you can improve your score and increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice.

List of Essential SAT Tips And Strategies

Look for wrong answers instead of right answers.

One effective strategy for improving your score on the SAT is to use the process of elimination when you're unsure about an answer. While it's normal to feel unsure about some questions when taking a test, the process of elimination can help you increase your chances of guessing correctly.

Here's how it works: each question on the SAT has four possible answer choices, and you aren't penalised for guessing incorrectly. Therefore, it's always a good idea to guess, even if you don't know the correct answer. If you can eliminate even one of the answer choices as incorrect, your chances of guessing increase significantly. For example, if you can eliminate one incorrect answer out of four, you now have a 1 in 3 chance of guessing correctly.

To give you an idea of how this can impact your score, let's say you encounter nine questions where you use the process of elimination to eliminate one incorrect answer before guessing. Statistically, you will guess correctly on three of those questions and incorrectly on six. 

That means you just earned yourself three points! While the process of elimination won't guarantee a correct answer, it can certainly increase your chances of getting a question right and ultimately improve your overall score on the SAT.

Know your order of difficulty

One important thing to remember when preparing for the SAT is that the questions on the test need to be arranged in order of difficulty. You encounter easy, medium, and hard questions throughout the test. It's essential to identify the questions that you find easy or hard and to adjust your strategy accordingly.

For example, if you find a question easy or of medium difficulty, it's a good idea to slow down and ensure you get it right. On the other hand, if you encounter a question you don't understand or think is too difficult, it's still important to make an educated guess. Remember, you are not penalised for incorrect answers on the SAT, so it's always a good idea to guess, even if you have to choose an answer randomly.

Overall, the key to success on the SAT is being well-prepared and approaching the test with a strategic mindset. By focusing on the questions you are most likely to get right and making an educated guess on the rest, you can maximise your score and increase your chances of success on the test.

Own your test booklet

A critical aspect of SAT test-taking is effective scratch work, or making notes and working out problems in the margins of the test booklet. Scratch work can be especially helpful on the SAT because it helps you keep your mind focused and can help you avoid careless mistakes.

There are a few specific strategies that can be helpful when it comes to scratch work on the SAT:

Mark up geometry diagrams: If you're working on a geometry problem, it can be helpful to mark up the diagram directly in your test booklet. This will help you keep track of your work and avoid careless mistakes.

Cross out eliminated answer choices: When you use the process of elimination to eliminate a wrong answer choice, be sure to cross it out. Leaving it there can confuse you if you have to choose between two remaining answer choices.

Circle or mark questions you need clarification on: If you answer a question but need more confidence in your choice, it can be helpful to circle it or put a big question mark next. That way, if you have time to go back to the end of the section, you can find the question easily and quickly.

Overall, practical scratch work can be a powerful tool on the SAT, helping you to stay focused, avoid mistakes, and manage your time effectively. Feel free to personalise your test booklet and use the margins to help you succeed on the test.

Set A Goal Score:

Nothing tops the feeling of accomplishment and boost of confidence a student gets when they hit their goal score on a practice test (and ideally on the exam as well!).

Setting a goal score is one effective way to motivate yourself to study and do your best on the SAT. Having a specific target to aim for can help you stay focused and motivated and help you think about the test in more manageable terms.

The goal score that you choose will depend on your own academic goals and expectations for yourself. Some students aim for a high score of 1600, while others aim for the median SAT score of a particular college they are interested in attending.

No matter what score you aim for, it's important to remember that the SAT is one-factor colleges and universities consider when making admissions decisions. Other things, such as your grades, extracurricular activities, and personal statements, are also important.

One of the benefits of setting a goal score is that it can help you measure your progress and see how you are doing as you study for the SAT. If you're using practice tests as part of your preparation, it can be incredibly satisfying to hit your goal score (or even surpass it) on a practice test. This can boost confidence and a sense of accomplishment that can help motivate you to keep working hard.