How to Score Higher on SATs
The SAT, or Standardized Aptitude Test, is a must for every student who wants to go to college. Those three little letters have struck fear into the hearts of many high school seniors because they knew that getting into the college of their choice was riding on this test. You can do well, or for those who have taken their first SATs, do better, by learning a few different approaches and employing a few study skills.
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Instructions
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Use the Educational Testing Service which offers a single, full-length version of the SAT for free. These tests are just like the real thing, and you can see what your scores are without studying. If there's a testing center near you, they will have copies of these printed out to take home at no charge. The great thing about the test is that there's no pressure on you at all. You can take it in the 3-hour time limit at home and check your answers in the same day. Doing this should help you to relax about the real SAT ahead.
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Understand what the SAT is about. Nearly half of the test questions involve vocabulary either in understanding readings or being able to define words. Improving your vocabulary will get you higher scores. There is a VocabMaster program available at www.powerprep.com/vocabmas.htm. The rest of the SAT involves some kind of math skill. There also is a SAT Digital Trainer online geared to teach you the math skills you need to know for the SAT. Look it up at www.powerprep.com/prepsoft.htm.
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Get the free SAT test taking strategies program at www.powerprep.com/satstrat.htm. It will give you the various ways to select answers when you don't know what they are. This will give you a lot more confidence because you will have a game plan to deal with anything that stumps you. Knowing where your odds are best in choosing an answer will also help your scores.
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Check out the areas that you didn't do as well as you liked and develop a study plan. There are usually some things you will understand and some that lost on you in any section. Don't waste time going over anything you already know. Focus on those particulars within the sections that you did poorly on. Give yourself several months to study for this so that you aren't losing sleep and worrying while you're trying to learn.
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Take an SAT review course if you feel that your test scores really need a boost. This will help you study only the things that are covered on the test. The Stanley Kaplan is a very popular review course (see Resources below).
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Ease up. Lightly review your information the week before the test. Don't stress or cram. That will cause you to do poorly. Eat and sleep properly before the test. Go to bed early, and get up early enough to eat a high-protein breakfast that will keep you going.
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Take a deep breath when you begin the test. Have faith that you will do well, because belief helps performance. Make sure you read each question completely before you answer. Don't labor over an answer, but do all those you are sure of first. You can come back to the more difficult ones later. When you choose an answer, unless you are absolutely sure it was wrong, leave it alone. Your first impulse will almost always be the correct answer. Keep a watch on your time, and pace yourself as much as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the answer you started with, unless you are sure it's wrong. These are almost always right.
Don't study so much that you don't eat and sleep right. You will not do well if you're run down.
