Seven Tips for Acing the SAT

How Can You Ace the SAT? Here are Seven Tips for You:

1. Test Day Checklist. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Be sure you arrive at the SAT prepared with the right tools. See TEST DAY CHECKLIST. Be sure to bring a protein snack, a watch, and an approved calculator.
2. Consider Using Score Choice. Consider waiting to send your scores until you see them. You can send them to selected colleges later.
3. Guess. There is no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT or ACT meaning that the most important strategy is to answer as many questions as possible. Eliminate as many answers as possible, then make a calculated guess. It won’t hurt your score. If you see that time is running short on a section, use the last minute to fill in as many bubbles as you can – you can add a few points to your score by simply guessing one more right answer.
4. Brush up on Algebra 1 and 2. The SAT emphasizes Algebra, with some Algebra 2 and Trigonometry. Not much Geometry. The math section includes many word based problems.
5. Pace Yourself. Remember you have two sections to do: Evidence based Reading and Writing, and Math. The optional essay section is at the end of the test. The test is three hours if you are not doing the essay section and three hours and 50 minutes with the essay.
6. Prepare for an Analytical Essay. The SAT essay is 50 minutes long, optional, and focused on analyzing content. Gone is the persuasive essay. Prepare to support your analysis in your writing.
7. Relax. This is just a test. It shows your ability on a single Saturday. It does not define the rest of your life.  You will have a chance to retake it or take the ACT. You have been going to school for over 10 years. You know more than you realize.

Take Action

Review your testing schedule and keep track of test registrations. Create a file on your computer called Testing Schedule and add all your spring tests to the file.

Registration links:

ACT
SAT

Ask at your school about taking a practice SAT or ACT test.