SAT, which was short for Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a standardized test for admission into colleges in the United States of America. The SAT debut was in 1926, and over the years, the scoring method has changed. SAT examination could be pretty difficult as it contains tricky and technical questions that need the application of so much logic to answer properly and correctly. This examination is a compulsory requirement for students who intend to enroll in undergraduate programs. The multiple-choice test aims to measure high school students’ readiness and provide a common data point for colleges to assess all applicants. To gain admission into a college, you need to score a minimum of 400. This article offers tips on how to have a good SAT score.
How Do I Attain A Good SAT Score?
The regular and most cliché thing everyone says about the SAT is “study hard,” but you certainly have to do more than study hard due to its tricky and complex nature. Below is a list of things you should endeavor to do.
Build Up Your Vocabulary
This is a very important point because SAT is very big on words, and this is very obvious from the critical reading section to the essay writing. Before you enroll for the SAT, it is important to have an impressive lexicon. One of the best ways to find challenging words is by reading out and looking up any new word you come acro. It is important to look it up and memorize it.
You should also consider looking at previous SATs or engaging yourself with practice exams. By doing so, you might notice the frequency of some words instead of others; on a few occasions, the SAT likes to recycle words. Building up your vocabulary will not only help in breaking down those reading passages, but it will lend strength to your essays and help you throughout your college career as well.
Take Advantage Of Study Materials
Many books will give you a proper drill on how to ace the SATs. However, some are better than others. These top books offer unique value, such as topic-oriented examples, explanations, test-taking tips, full-sized practice tests, reading examples, essay prompts, and more. Of all the other types of resources out there, getting a few high-quality study books can make the difference in your SAT score. These books can be equipped with test-taking tips, practice questions. One thing you should consider when choosing an SAT prep book is your weakness and strength. Ensure that the book(s) covers the areas you’d like to improve. If you need more practice questions, you know you should get a book with more questions than examples and explanations.
Take Practice Tests
You should consider taking a practice test, whether it is through your school, SAT study book, or College Board. Just ensure that you take one or more practice tests if possible. These tests will always vary, hence a better experience and more insights. This will help you train your mind to focus and understand the nature of the test. By taking practice tests, you get an idea of how the SAT is structured, the kind of questions you are likely to encounter, and you also get to figure out problematic areas for you so that you can work on them later. The practice test scores can then be used to see what you’re doing well in and where you could improve.
Understand And Memorize Formulas
This point can be over-emphasized. Although a couple of these formulas will be provided for you at the beginning of the test, you could lose track of time when you keep flipping back and forth. It is advisable to have them down mentally. If you understand them, you’ll be able to apply them more confidently during the test day.
Don’t Cram And Don’t Stress
Try to take it easy on yourself. Pulling an all-nighter on the eve of the examination may not be beneficial in the long run. Last-minute cramming has more disadvantages than advantages, especially when taking the SAT. It is advised that you spread out your SAT study to understand, and it can sink in. And while asking you not to stress may not be 100% feasible, it is important to get a good night’s rest, eat well, relax, and come mentally (and physically) fit for the examination.
Consider The Counterarguments In Your Essay
It may come off as counter-intuitive to talk about the opposite side of what you want to argue, but you sound more mature and learned by acknowledging the other side’s existence. This is not asking you to agree or support the counter-point, though. Just point it out, acknowledge its existence, give it some merit, and then drive home your argument. A typical example is writing about how rewarding it feels to earn something you want yourself rather than handing it to you. Just before your conclusion, you could add that “Although it is a nice feeling being gifted what you long for, it feels better knowing that you earned it.”
Make The Test Work For You
90% of SAT questions are multiple-choice. The ball is in your court to use that to your advantage. Regarding math questions, you could use the elimination process to see which answers work in the equation and which don’t. The answer is certainly one of them. Read between the lines and check the potential answers to find a common theme when reading portions. This way, you’ll know if they are looking for grammar errors, proper punctuation, or any other thing. Having that in mind, you should read the prompt again and find the right answer. The answers will always be in the material. Use the test to your advantage. Look in the right places. Additionally, you should know that there are no penalties for guessing in the new SAT format. The wrong answers do not count against you. So you should attempt all questions. In a case where you have cycled through all your options and are still coming up blank, take an educated guess and move on.
Taking the SAT is a great step towards achieving your dreams and attending the college of your dreams. You need to do this properly and take the right steps to easily ace the examination. You might ask what a good SAT score is? Well, in 2018, the national average SAT score was 1068. However, a score of 1200 or better at Writing and Math is a good SAT score. With this score and a generally good application, you should be able to get into a decent state university. With a score of 1400, you can at least catch the interest of almost any school in the country.