How to Study for the SAT General Exam

Your score on the SAT could mean the difference between getting into your first or your third choice of college. The SAT is designed to test skills you already have, but nearly everyone prepares for it. Following these steps will help you to study for the SAT general question exam.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Review the Subjects Covered by the SAT

1. Use your favorite search engine to learn about writing a persuasive essay. One part of the SAT gives you a topic and two arguments. It's your job to pick a side and argue why your side is the right one. The side you choose will not get you the points. You will be scored on organization, grammar, and competence, which includes the amount and types of evidence you use to support your argument.
2. Review grammar. For the writing section of the SAT, you will complete multiple choice questions. These questions will test your knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and paragraph organization. You should know about noun/verb agreement, different forms of verbs, using prepositions, and avoiding double negatives.
3. Review formulas from geometry and basic rules of algebra. For the math section of the SAT, you will need to find the area and volume of different objects. You will also need to know how to solve equations for a variable. Make sure you review how to do these things.
4. Read short articles. The reading comprehension part of the SAT will ask you to read short articles and answer questions about them. The only way to improve your understanding while reading is to read more. Choose short stories or articles. This will help you to improve your speed and understanding. Also, as you finish articles quickly, you will remain focused and interested.

Find and Try Practice Problems

5. Get a practice book from your local bookstore or library. These books will have multiple choice questions in math and writing. You will be able to focus on one topic, math or writing, at a time so that you can practice only certain problems after you reviewed.
6. Ask your teachers if they have practice questions you can try. Math teachers will probably have be good sources of practice math questions. Writing and English teachers probably have sources of writing and reading questions.
7. Search online for practice items. Many websites are devoted to posting math, reading and writing questions to help you get ready for the SAT. All you have to do is look.
8. Search online for practice prompts for persuasive essays. Practice choosing a side of an argument and organizing your thoughts into a five-paragraph essay.

Try a Timed Test

9. Book stores and libraries have computer CDs that have timed practice tests. These let you work independently, without the need for someone to time you. These practice SAT tests will give you some of every type of question, math, writing and reading.
10. Print a test from the Internet and ask a friend or family member to time you. If no one is available to time you, you can set an alarm on a stop watch or use a timer on your stove.
11. Sign up for a practice exam. Many school districts have practice SAT and ACT exams. If your school does not have one, ask your teachers if you can join another school nearby or if you can help organize one.

Tips & Warnings

• Sign up for an SAT review class. These classes will teach you about the different parts of the exam, give you test taking strategies and review all of the important information you need to know for the exam.
• Your local book store and library have books that give information on the SAT exam. These books are published by the same companies that run SAT review classes. Almost all of the information you would get by taking the class is are in these books.
• Not all people can learn well by reading a book. If you are the type of person that works best being taught or working in groups, make sure you sign up for an SAT review class or ask some of your classmates to be in a study group with you.