For many high school students, the SAT stands as a challenge that must be faced to apply to college. A lot of pressure comes with trying to do this exam right, however, fear not, young scholar! With a tactical approach to battle, one can make the preparation more of an empowering endeavour instead of a cause for fear of anything going wrong in the test room. Here are the top five strategies to boost scores in SATs:
1. Become a Master Strategist: Embrace the Power of Practice
- Review answer explanations: Understand why specific answers are correct and incorrect.
- Target weak areas: Dedicate extra study time to topics where you scored lower.
- Retake practice tests: Track your progress by retaking practice tests and aiming for improvement.
- Manage test anxiety: Practice relaxation techniques to stay calm during the SAT.
- Don’t be discouraged by weaknesses: View them as opportunities for growth.
2. Target Your Weaknesses and Sharpen Your Strengths
- Identify your struggle: Are you facing sentence construction, grammar rules, or punctuation issues?
- Utilise online resources: Websites like PrepScholar and StraighterLine offer targeted blogs and strategies for specific writing section challenges.
- Explore reading strategies: Learn effective reading techniques like previewing questions or using line references to improve comprehension (which helps with writing).
- Practice grammar and punctuation: Find blogs or exercises that focus on improving these areas.
- Write consistently: The more you write, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become with sentence construction and overall writing skills.
3. Build Your Vocabulary: The Rosetta Stone of Reading Comprehension
- Build vocabulary foundation: Invest in a good SAT vocabulary workbook or utilize free online resources.
- Go beyond memorization: Understand the nuances of each word, including context, synonyms, and antonyms.
- Context is key: Focus on how words are used in sentences to understand their meaning.
- Explore online resources: Use online dictionaries and websites offering in-depth word analysis.
- Active learning is best: Rote memorization is ineffective; focus on understanding word relationships and context.
4. Tame the Reading Beast: It’s About Comprehension, Not Speed
- Prioritize comprehension: Don’t rush, focus on understanding and analyzing the passage.
- Context is king: Use surrounding clues to decipher unfamiliar words.
- Sharpen your scanning skills: Learn to quickly locate specific information for answering questions.
- Master skimming: Efficiently grasp the main ideas of the passage.
- Seek expert guidance: Explore blogs with reading comprehension strategies to understand authorial intent.
5. Conquer Test Anxiety: Develop Your Inner Zen Master
- Develop relaxation techniques: Practice deep breathing and visualization to manage anxiety.
- Learn coping mechanisms: Read blogs about strategies for overcoming test anxiety.
- Practice relaxation during studying: Utilize relaxation techniques while reviewing notes to build resilience.
- Stay calm and focused: A clear head is essential for tackling the SAT.
- Target the root cause: Address underlying worries associated with standardized tests.
Bonus Tip: Consistency is Your Ally
- Focus on consistent effort: View the SAT as a marathon, requiring steady improvement over time.
- Develop a study plan: Allocate dedicated study time each week that fits your schedule.
- Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and reward yourself for progress, no matter how small.
- Practice consistently: Regularly take practice tests to track improvement and identify areas needing work.
- Positive mindset: Transform the SAT from a source of worry to a manageable step in your college application journey.