How to SAT and GRE PREP

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By tedw1ll1ams
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The goal of this article is to offer suggestions for properly preparing for the GRE and SAT,

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Princeton Review or Kaplan Prep Book
Several Vocabulary Books
A Dictionary
Practice Test Book/CD
Plenty of Paper
Pens/Pencils

Step 1

In order to be successful in raising you score on the SAT or GRE, you must be willing to devote at least a month to consistent study. It is recommended that you study for 3 hours a day, permitting, splitting it up between two sessions that include at least an hour break.

Purchase all materials and keep them in one organized place and label it well.
Step 2

During the first week, simply read through your guide book, spending, one verbal and one math section a day. Remember to take notes as you go along. Do not do the exercises. Day one should not be more than the introductory chapter about the test and the book. For the remainder of your time each day, complete one chapter of the vocabulary book, including the exercises. I recommend making vocabulary cards to be able to study on the go, and repeatedly quiz yourself.
Step 3

During the second week, re-read the book, excluding the introducory sections about the book. But now after reading each section apply it to the skill challenges at the end of each chapter. Again, keep it to one verbal and one math section per day. Continue with the vocabulary exercises.
Step 4

In the third week you should begin taking practice tests. This will still only take three hours of your day. It is important that practice the test the way in which you will take it. If you are taking a computer based test, practice the computer based test. The same goes for the written exams. ONly complete the sections that are multiple choice, ignore the essay portions for now. The goal of the first test is simply to see where you stand. Circle what problems you got wrong for review the next day. The following day review the problems you got wrong, if a detailed explanation is not available, look it up. Following this, practice the essay question(s) that accompanied that test comparing your essays with those suggested in the book. Keep practicing vocabulary.

If you encounter words in the practice tests you do not recognize, use a dictionary to look them up and add them to your list.
Step 5

Continue this process for roughly 4-5 complete tests. Any more than that, and you won't change much. The point is to become familar with the test structure and the question format without over stretching youself. No test should be taken within 2 days prior to the exam.
Step 6

The day before the test, review your notes regarding test structure and the chapter about the the test to make sure you understand what will be asked of you on the test day. You should also complete one practice session of math and verbal, just to keep your brain thinking about the test. Do not do a full test. Your vocabulary should be stronger by now, and any further study there won't help you further.
Step 7

The day before the test drive yourself to the test site, leaving at the time you will leave the next day. It is important to know when to leave, how long it will take you, and where you should park, etc. Do some more light problems, roughly ten verbal and ten math. Get to bed a reasonable hour.
Step 8

On the day of the test. Have a normal breakfast, treat the day as any normal day. you want to be calm and collected for this experience in order to achieve the best results. DO some light math to get your brain working, about five (5) questions. Leave fifteen(15) minutes earlier than expected to account for traffic or any other delay. It never hurts to arrive early. If allowed, bring a bottle of water. If taking a written test, bring extra pencils.

Comments

mackenzielock said

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on 9/18/2009 u know what...while preparing for my SAT..i refered to this site http://www.examville.com/...it helped me loads ...it has many mock tests...where you can go and practice ...and for ur preparation..it has subject wise topics of study along with their powerpoint presentation...its an interesting way to learn...you should check it out as well....good luck....