Top Tips For SAT Test

SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test, is one of the most common tests among high school students worldwide. The test is quite tricky, and the first-timers always have many doubts that confuse them through the process. So we shall discuss everything you need to know about SATs in this blog that leaves you with no doubts. Plus, we will provide you with the best tips for SAT to prepare even better and ace the exam!

What is SAT?

SATs are usually taken by high school students willing to pursue undergraduate college courses in renowned universities. As the name says, the Scholastic Aptitude Test helps colleges understand students' abilities who wish to enroll in their courses. SAT taking has become a mandate, especially for the students who dream of becoming professionals in today's world.
SATs were started in the US and managed by the non-profit entity College Board. But eventually, colleges across the globe, prominently in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, started accepting the scores in student applications.

SAT tips and tricks

General Tips

1. Familiarize yourself with the test format: The SAT has four sections namely, Reading, Writing and Language, Math (with calculator), and Math (without calculator). Knowing what to expect in each section will only help you in managing your time effectively during the test.
2. Develop a study plan: Creating a study schedule and sticking to it goes a long way for success. The ideal moment to start preparing for the SAT is several weeks or even months before the actual test date. Practicing using official SAT practice materials, such as those available on the College Board website.
3. Focus on your weaknesses: Take practice tests to identify weak areas, you will know what areas to focus on. For example, if you struggle with math, spend more time practicing math problems. You can always find official SAT practice sets available online!
4. Practice good time management: During the test, it's important to manage your time effectively as there are multiple questions and categories to go through. Learning how to pace yourself throughout each section is one of the top tips for SAT.
5. Eliminate incorrect answers: Use the process of elimination to eliminate answers that you know are incorrect. This can help you narrow down your options and improve your chances of your answer being right. 

Writing tips

You do not need to know so many words by heart. Apart from learning how to derive word meaning from the context, it is much easier to spend some time learning word morphology. It deals with word formation, prefixes, suffixes, etc. Doing this will get easier to guess the meaning of the word. Learning the basics will take about 3-4 weeks, depending on your time, but it will be completely worth it when you see your linguistic skills developing at a commendable rate. This skill will help be efficient in the reading, writing, and essay sections of the SAT.

1. Learn grammar rules: The writing and language section are there to test your knowledge of grammar and its usage, so it's rather important to have a strong understanding of the grammar rules. Review grammar rules and practice using them in writing.
2. Look for errors: Pen on paper is the best way to learn. Write loads and inspect your wok. Look for grammatical errors, usage, punctuation, or even the  sentence structure. Making sure that the text is clear, concise, and grammatically correct is a one of the few tips for SATs that needed to be thoroughly implemented.
3. Use context clues: Using context clues to help you answer questions about vocabulary and sentence structure is another top SAT tricks. This involves looking at the words and phrases around the unknown word or sentence to infer its meaning.
4. Manage your time: The writing and language section is timed, so it's important to manage your time effectively. Don't spend too much time on one question or passage,  move on to the next question if you're unsure about the answer.
5. Revise and edit: Once you've completed a passage or finished with the whole writing section, review your answers and revise as necessary. Look for any errors and implement changes where necessary.

Reading tips

In the Reading section, we often start with reading the passage first. Being quite a competitive test, the text is quite challenging at times. We tend to ignore the context and misinterpret words. To avoid this, you can:

1. The essay section wants you to read and analyze an argument. Before you start writing, see what the passage is talking about. Scrutinize the passage from all aspects possible and then write with a fixed perspective. Again, the passages in the reading and writing sections are tricky, so make sure you understand them thoroughly.
2. Read actively: As you read each passage, underline or highlight important information, and take notes in the margins to help you remember important details and answer questions more accurately.
3. Structure of the passage: Understanding how a passage is structured can help you answer questions more efficiently. Segregate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
4. Use the questions: It does not take much time to glance at the questions, and you would know what exactly to look for in the passage. This will help save time and energy.
5. Be familiar with different types of questions: There are different types of questions on the reading section, including main idea, detail, inference, and vocabulary. Be sure to practice each type of question so that you're comfortable with all of them.

Maths Tips

You have to master this section, primarily if you aim for technical courses, as basic math is used almost everywhere in science and finance fields. There are plenty of SAT math practice tests, both on the official website and on the internet to get you acquainted with it.

1. Don't skip the instructions: Be sure to read the instructions carefully for each section. The instructions may contain important information about how to answer the questions or how much time you have for each section.
2. DO NOT SKIP ANY TOPIC in the math section. It might be a complex subject for you, just like many other students find it. There will be a no-calculator part in the math sections, so for that, you will have to do the calculations quickly. Try understanding the topics thoroughly; explore the actual life implementations of topics. Learn tricks for mental arithmetic for fun, and know the formulae and how they are actually derived. And don't see this as torture. 
3. Review the basics: Make sure you have a strong understanding of the fundamental math concepts which includes algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
4. Memorize formulas: The SAT doesn't provide a formula sheet, so it's important to memorize the formulas that you may have to use during the SAT. Making flashcards or a formula sheet to help you memorize them is another one of the top tips for SAT.
5. Show your work: It's important to show your work to others when solving math problems as it will help you avoid silly mistakes.
6. Use your calculator wisely: The calculator may be a useful tool, but it's important to use it wisely as there is only one section where you can utilize it. Make sure you know how to use your calculator to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
7. Read the question carefully: Make sure you read each question carefully, including any instructions or diagrams. This can help you avoid misunderstandings and mistakes.

Test Day Tips

The new SAT pattern does not have negative markings; we already know that. So there is no harm in attempting all the questions. While you do that, don't randomly mark them. Try the elimination method and narrow the options down; it will increase your chances of scoring more. Here are some more top tips for SAT to implement on the eve and day of the SAT. 

1. Get a good night's sleep: Getting plenty of rest the night before the test makes sure that you are alert and focused during the test.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast: Eating a healthy breakfast can help you stay active and energetic during the test. Avoid heavy or sugary foods, which can make you feel sluggish or sleepy.
3. Arrive early: Plan your commute in such a manner that you arrive at the test center early so you have time to check in, find your testing room, and get settled before the SAT starts.
4. Bring the right materials: Make sure you have your valid photo ID, admission ticket, and any other materials required by the College Board for your testing!
5. Dress comfortably: Wear comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the testing environment while keeping you relaxed for a long duration of testing.
6. Stay calm: One of the tips to SAT is maintaining your cool, take deep breaths, and reminding yourself that you're prepared for the test. Hard work always pays off! Don't let anxiety or stress distract you from doing your best.
7. Manage your time: Pace yourself during the test, and make sure that you have enough time to complete each section.
8. Stay focused: During the test, stay focused on the questions in front of you. Don't worry about how other students are doing or how much time is left. In the end, it's about YOU.
9. Review your answers: Once you've completed the test, review your answers carefully to make sure that you haven't made any silly mistakes.

With all the information and these essential tips in mind, it will be a good start for your SAT prep. Practice the mock tests and sample questions a lot before day 0. This being said, all the best for your SAT journey!