Introduction
SAT Preparation Overview
- Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT exam is a standardized test that is widely being used to provide college admissions in the United States of America.
- The exam was earlier known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Like its name, its scoring has also changed numerous times.
- Acing the SAT means getting a score of over 1400. In simple words, a score of over and above 1400 would mean that the candidate is competitive to get admission in the vast majority of colleges.
- However, for some of the selective colleges, candidates have to score 1550 or above 1550 to seek admission.
- Irrespective of the target one has fixed, candidates will need to improve and determine the improvements they require to achieve the desired goal.
Study Session
SAT Preparation Overview - Length of Study Session
The length of the study session shall depend upon the starting point (i.e., the present score), and the target one wants to achieve.
The table below shall reveal a rough estimate of how long the candidates need to study to achieve improvements.
| Improvements in Points | Hours to Reach the Goal |
|---|---|
| 0-30 | 10 |
| 30-70 | 20 |
| 70-130 | 40 |
| 130-200 | 80 |
| 200-330 | 150+ |
Best Ways
SAT Preparation Overview - Best Ways to Study
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1. Use of official practice question: SAT is a competitive exam and has a unique format. The practice questions present in most books are either harder or easier than what candidates can do.
It is advised that candidates rely on official practice problems and good resources to prepare.
2. Focus on Weaknesses: Candidates may attempt tonnes of practice questions and may still not be able to figure out any improvement in the scores.
It is advised that candidates should use their study time to improve their weaknesses. It becomes essential to know how correctly candidates answer the question and the concepts that they could not grasp well.
3. Content study: SAT examins candidates on various concepts that relate to reading, writing, and mathematics.
It is crucial for candidates to identify the specific types of questions that they have a problem and the topic in which they shall need improvement. Besides, it is equally important to know the common topics that are being tested in the SAT exam.
4. Time: Most candidates have a struggle while finishing the SAT exam within the allotted time. On the other hand, if the candidates are finishing before time and making a lot of mistakes, then the candidates are rushing over questions.
It is advised that the candidates manage their time well by adopting quality test-taking strategies.
5. Strategy: Errors can occur when candidates fail to understand the content that is being tested. Such errors are known as strategy errors.
It is advised that candidates succumb some common SAT tricks to improve their knowledge and build an SAT strategy.
Resources
SAT Preparation Overview - Choosing the Right Resource Material
There are many books available for candidates to choose for SAT preparation. It is essential to differentiate the good ones from the bad ones.
Given below is a list of some recommended books that candidates may choose to use for the preparation of SAT exam.
| Name of the Book | Key Features | Amount (in USD $) |
|---|---|---|
| The Official SAT Study Guide, 2018 Edition | It is one of the best critical books that are available. The book dedicates many pages to explaining the examination pattern, the basic test strategies, and explanation to answer. | 15 to 20 |
| Best Overall SAT Prep Book: Kalli’s SAT Pattern Strategy | The book consists of a six-full length practice test. The book shall give step-by-step answer explanations for each question. | About 30$ |
| SAT Prep Black Book Second Edition | The book is the best guide to learn about the structure, format, and tricks of the exam. It is useful for students irrespective of their levels. However, the book is not a powerful resource for reviewing the concepts and contents. | 20 to 25 $ |
| McGraw-Hill Education SAT 2019 | The book provides massive details in terms of the number of questions, concepts, and tricks. It consists of five full-lengths of SAT practice tests. | 10 to 15 $ |
| Barron’s SAT, 29th Edition | In addition to two full-length online practice test, the book provides the opportunity to buy four full-length practice tests. However, it lacks some focus on algebra, which is a significant component of the exam. | 20 to 25 $ |