Useful Tips On How To Crack The SATs

Formerly known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the SATs is a standardized test required by universities in the United States. The test is meant to measure a college applicant's literacy and writing skills to be able to succeed in his or her course work in the college they wish to attend. Here is a useful guide that will not only help you prepare for the test, but will also give you some insight on how to crack the SATs.

Understand the Test Before You Take It

Before you can even begin to prepare, you need to know what you are preparing for. You must learn how the SAT is scored and what type of questions you can expect:

• SAT tests are broken down into reading, math and writing questions. The test questions come in the form of sentence completion, reading comprehension, math multiple-choice, and student-produced responses. You need to study and master each section for the best score possible.
• SAT scoring differs from the tests you usually take in school. Correct SAT answers will earn you a point, incorrect answers in the multiple choice sections will cause you to lose one-fourth of a point and zero points are deducted for questions you don't answer. This is why it is recommended to skip questions you have absolutely no idea how to answer or cannot make an educated guess on.
• SAT tests include a section that does not count against your final score. These sections are used to help create questions for future tests and validates how accurately the test reflects a student's skills. Where these questions might appear varies.

Preparing for the Test

There are numerous study booklets and publications available to help you prepare for the SATs. While many of these publications can help, you can obtain materials directly from the College Board, the non-profit organization that administers the SATs. Be sure to utilize the SAT test prep material from CollgeBoard.org. Sample test questions, official study guides, online courses and SAT practice tests are available to help you prepare. SAT prep classes at private institutions or from in-home tutors may also be helpful, but come at a price and cannot guarantee high test scores.

One of the advantages of SAT prep classes is that it gets you involved with a group of peers who also wish to crack the SATs. If you do not attend an SAT prep class, find or form an SAT study group. Group study will not only open the doors to more shared information and test taking tips or secrets, but it will also help motivate you to commit the time to studying.

Studying for the Test

Some people start studying as early as junior high for the SATs. While you don't necessarily need to start worrying about the SATs at such an early age, the earlier you do prepare, the better. Unlike any other test you take in school, you need to be able to retain the vast amount of knowledge learned when studying for the SATs. For example, you'll need an extensive vocabulary to get you through the SATs, and often times, the vocabulary words from your English classes won't cut it. Find an SAT study guide or booklet with a list of words you'll need to know and create a ring of flashcards. In fact, make flashcards for every section of the SATs. Have the flashcards with you at all times and whip them out whenever you have down time.

One of the challenges of the SATs is finding time to study, especially when you have a lot of other obligations and school work to get through. Getting an early start and spreading your SAT preparation will get you more acclimated to an in-depth, SAT studying ritual, helping you retain the knowledge as if it were second-nature.

Test Day

Hopefully, you have spread out your SAT studies and aren't trying to cram everything in the night before. Cramming is one of the worst things you can do before the test. In fact, you should actually spend the night before the test doing something fun or relaxing to relieve stress and anxiety.

The day before the test:

• Try not to study or review.
• Spend time doing a fun and relaxing activity.
• Eat a light and healthy dinner that shouldn't affect you the next morning.
• Make sure you have all your test materials and supplies needed.
• Make sure you know how to get to the testing site and where you need to report.

On the day of the test:

• Again, avoid cramming if you can.
• Eat a light and healthy breakfast.
• Arrive at the test site early.
• Wear layered clothing in case the facility is cold. If you got hot, you can always remove layers.
• Bring a watch because there is no guarantee the facility has a clock or that it functions properly.

Tips for Taking the Test

• Answer all the easy questions first, then go back to the harder ones.
• Make educated guesses. If you can't, don't answer the question. For multiple-choice questions, an educated guess is when you can eliminate all but one or two choices.
• Mark any questions you skip, so you can get to them quickly later.
• Make sure you are placing your answers in the correct area.
• Provide only one answer per question.
• Keep track of your time. Don't allow yourself to get stuck on one question.
• Write all over the test book. Use it for scratch paper or to mark wrong answers.
• Always read the questions carefully. Sometimes the wording gets a little tricky, or you might confuse a question with something you saw on a practice test.