Take a diagnostic test
There are many SAT books out there with countless SAT practice tests, but in my opinion the College Board practice tests most closely mimic the types of problems on the actual SAT. Try taking a test and correcting it to see where you need the most work, and to get a feel for the layout of the SAT. Then, you can go on to use books from companies like Princeton Review or Applerouth for more practice.
Set a goal
If you have some idea of the colleges you want to go to, do some research to figure out what the average SAT scores are for students who were admitted. Aim for a score in the upper 25th percentile of those students.
Learn what you don’t know
Many books will walk you through the steps necessary to complete various types of problems. Go through those carefully, and practice the types of problems you recently learned in order to get accustomed to them.
Practice, practice, practice
The best thing to do once you are familiar with all of the types of problems is practice. Try setting a schedule for yourself, whether it’s doing ten problems a day or one reading and one math section per day. Be sure to check every problem and understand what you got wrong. At frequent intervals, take full-length tests and time yourself within the constraints of the actual test. Check your answers and track your progress. Kahn Academy is also a great resource for online practice problems.
Basic math formulas to know
· You are provided with a list of geometry formulas—familiarize yourself with them and be sure you know what they mean
· Review your times tables up to 12x12 (flashcards)
· Right triangles—multiples of:
o 3, 4, 5
o 5, 12, 13
o 8, 15, 17
o 7, 24, 25
· Powers: squares up to 20, cubes up to 10, fourths up to 5, powers of 2 up to 2^10
· Quadratic forms—standard: y = ax^2 + bx + c, vertex: y = a(x – h)^2 + k
· Quadratic formula: x=2a−b±√b2−4ac
· Exponential standard form: y = ab^x
· Equation of a circle: (x – h)^2 + ( y – k )^2 = r^2
· Other formulas to know
Reading and Writing Strategies
· Although there is no longer a vocab section on the SAT, it is still a good idea to do some vocab practice, especially if you feel you don’t have as strong of a vocabulary as you would like to. Consider buying flashcards or using these online ones https://sat.magoosh.com/flashcards/vocabulary
· Khan Academy describes a five-step active reading method called SQ3R: “Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review.” Read more about it here
· Familiarize yourself with basic grammar rules and standard conventions:
o tenses (a sentence that changes tenses partway through will likely be incorrect)
o run-on sentences
o modifiers
o subject-verb agreement
o transitions
o punctuation
o find more here
Essay strategies
· The essay is no longer required in the new SAT, but it is a good choice for someone if you are applying to colleges that require an essay, or if you want to show extra dedication or academic prowess. It is generally highly recommended to opt in for the essay.
· You will be evaluated with sub-scores out of 4 for three categories: reading, analysis and writing.
· Read sample essays and pay attention to patterns—what did higher-scoring essays do more of? (https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/essay/1)
· Begin by reading the prompt or the passage carefully and construct a thesis
· Outline your essay. Be sure all body paragraphs address your thesis.
· Longer essays generally score higher, but try to make it as dense as possible. It will be obvious if you are using a lot of “filler” sentences and ideas.
· Leave enough time to edit. Although it’s handwritten, that shouldn’t stop you from going back to make changes.
Some other useful resources
· Find a tutor in your area or enroll in an SAT class
· This explanation of all the different areas of the test from College Board
· SAT practice strategies, problems, videos and explanations from Khan Academy
· Princeton Review book of 11 different practice tests
· Find flashcards for various topics on Quizlet
· Read a lot from reputable journals or periodicals such as the New York Times
On the day of the test
Relax! You have done all you can to prepare, so be confident that you can do well. Take deep breaths and try not to get too nervous. Good luck!
