Taking the SAT on Saturday. How do I study?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>I know I’m procrastinating with studying for the SAT, but time has gotten away from me with all my classes and extracurriculars. I’m really nervous about this SAT because the schools I apply to are going to depend on this score. </p>

<p>My score from March was an 1840 (CR: 610, M: 550, W:680). I just took a practice exam and received a 1990 (CR: 670, M: 640, W: 660). They went up, but I was wondering how accurate the Official SAT Practice Test is in predicting a score? How can I improve my score to being above the 2000 mark? How should I study the questions I got wrong or skipped? Do I have a chance of getting my actual SAT to reach my goal?</p>

2

<p>Lol… starting early and studying regularly… too late for that now, though. Practice tests are not real tests, you can’t really count on them giving you an accurate read. </p>

<p>Studying consists of taking practice tests, marking the ones you got wrong, and figuring out why they are wrong. Ask someone else if you aren’t really sure what you missed (although you are a little short on time for that step). Make flash cards of the concepts/problems you missed that you can study off of. </p>

<p>It is generally easier to raise your math score than reading/writing scores, although one of my kids got a pretty decent jump in their writing score just by doing a few practice essays, and having me review and give feedback after each one. She got the hang of the timing and format through that process.</p>

3

<p>I spent two weeks studying in August before school started, and I do the daily practice problem on the College Board website, but I haven’t had time for much else. I’m dropping all of this week’s homework, with exception to the major projects, so I have more time to study. I think math needs most of my attention, with critical reading also needing a little boost. I think I can do it.</p>

<p>If I have a few practice tests completed, would you suggest taking the questions I still don’t understand to teachers by Thursday? That would give me Thursday evening and Friday to review, and I know most of the content, it just needs to be refreshed. </p>

4

<p>I am not a good person to ask about how to cram for this, my kids spent months preparing. But yes, seeing your teachers about what you don’t understand would be a good move if they have time to help you. </p>

5

<p>intparent is right. I am a good person to ask how to cram for the test, but his advice is perfect.</p>

<p>It is too late for me to even give you strategies since it will take time to assimilate them and you should not try anything radically different this close to the test. </p>

<p>The good news is that you’re within about 20 points so you can try to pick up an extra right answer or two by doing exactly what he said, learn from your mistakes. However, do NOT try to stay up late studying for this test. You can go from being 10 points shy of a 2000 to 100 points shy of it (or more) if you do that.</p>

<p>I’ll give you some other very important advice. After the SAT, if you do not get the score you want, you really should look at how to prioritize your time. I understand how busy you are, but if you look at how many colleges weight the SAT, it’s often between 20% to 30% of your entire application. This means it is often worth more than one year of your college GPA. If you are only devoting one or two weeks to something worth that much, you should readjust your time. You don’t have that far to go to reach your target score, so it will not be too bad, but you have to give yourself more than a week. You might get over a 2000, but you are leaving it to chance.</p>

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<p>I am a “she”. But that is okay. :slight_smile: One more tip…my kid did a little better on tests if she had a little caffeine (not a lot, just one coffee drink) the morning of the test. </p>

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<p>Red Bull gives you wings!</p>

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<p>I’m hoping that adrenaline will kick in while I’m taking the exam. I usually do better under pressure. On practice tests for the last SAT I took, I was scoring 1500s and 1600s and scored an 1840 on the actual test. Same with AP exams, I usually score an entire point lower on practice exams. I don’t know if pressure causes more resourcefulness or a false sense of confidence, but I tend to do better with some stress, which I don’t feel while practicing.</p>

<p>And yes, caffiene is my best friend on test days. I plan on buying coffee almonds, which are almonds coated in an expresso powder, to eat during the breaks. They worked pretty well as a quick pick me up last spring during AP exams.</p>

<p>I’ve also accepted my self-constructed fate and began researching more test optional schools as an option.</p>

9

<p>I would just study for it and take it again if you are not happy with your scores. Because there are not that many ranked test-optional schools, you will find that test-optional schools are often harder to get into since you have to compete against the very best of everyone who is not happy with their SAT scores. Better to buckle down and study for a few months. You can lock in a score you’ll be happy with since you are so close to your target in less than a month, but you might as well go for something a little higher just to give yourself a cushion in case you have any weaknesses in your application.</p>

<p>@intparent – sorry about the gender confusion. You just reminded me of a great parent that I work with who is a dad, but very involved with his child’s education, so that is why I inadvertently referred to you as a “he.”</p>

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<p>If I’m unhappy with my score, would I want to take the December SAT and have the College Board send out scores as soon as they’re available? Should I switch my admission plans for more competitive schools, even test optional schools, from early action to regular decision so the newer SAT scores could be considered? </p>

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<p>There are actually some very good test optional schools, and more join the ranks every year. Wesleyan just switched over this year. </p>

<p>Regarding retaking in December, I will be blunt. You didn’t find time to study for October. Why think it will be any different in December? Plus, I think EA students do have a bit better chance of admission. Your app isn’t in quite as big a pile as the RD pool, the admissions officers are still fairly fresh because it is early in the season, and they see that you got your act together and are interested enough to apply EA. All good things. But if you scores aren’t good (say 50% mark or better), then I suppose you could apply RD and take another shot at the test in December.</p>

12

<p>You should wait until after Saturday to think about this. The best thing you can do for yourself now is get some sleep and eat a good breakfast tomorrow morning. Whatever you do, do not try to “cram” the night before the test.</p>

<p>@NotSteveBuscemi‌ - intparent makes a good point. If EA is an important part of your plans then you really have to be honest with yourself. The October test was, all things being equal, the easier test to make time for since you had the summer. I have seen students change their attitude towards the SAT, but I have also seen students make the same mistake again. Statistically, students are more likely to make the same mistake again. </p>

<p>Here is the (potentially) good news – Since you said you want a score over 2000, I am guessing that, if the other portions of your application meet or exceed their standards, your target schools are not going to look the other way because of a difference of twenty points. If the difference is that minor, you don’t necessarily need to radically alter your college plans, so long as the rest of your application is solid.</p>

<p>@intparent’s comment - “There are actually some very good test optional schools, and more join the ranks every year. Wesleyan just switched over this year.” </p>

<ul>
<li>I agree that there are great test-optional schools, but when I say there are not that many, I am referring to the the oft-touted, but inaccurate, list of “800 test optional universities.” Many of the schools on that list are they are only of them are community colleges, rabbinical schools, many of which are fine institutions I’m sure, my dad even teaches at one of the community colleges, but many of them are not traditional four-year universities. There are some superb test optional schools on that list. However, if you compare the number of students who are not happy with their SAT scores, it means that there is no free lunch, and one still has to find a way to compete against the best and the brightest of students who have great transcripts but disappointing test scores.</li>
</ul>

<p>Again, do not read this until after the SAT, but there is a good article about it here: <a href=“When Colleges Do Nice Things, Watch Out – Experts Corner | Applerouth”>Page not found – Experts Corner | Applerouth;

<p>Here is the most relevant part for our conversation:
“By contrast, schools appear to be reaping significant benefits from moving to test-optional admissions processes. Belasco found these schools report higher average SAT scores. This finding makes sense, since students who perform poorly on the SAT will choose not to report their scores, while high-scoring students will still be motivated to report. The study also noted that test-optional schools saw a higher number of applications, increasing the colleges’ selectivity. Both test scores and selectivity factor into college rankings.”</p>

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<p>I think all of these are very good schools, and are at least to some extent test optional. There are also quite a few state universities that are test optional.</p>

<p>American, Bard, Bates, Bowdoin, Brandais,Bryn Mawr, Clark, Colby, Holy Cross, Colorado College, Connecticut College, Denison, Depaul, Dickinson, Earlham, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Goucher, Hamilton, Hampshire, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis & Clark, Mount Holyoke, Muhlenberg, NYU, Ohio Wesleyan, Pitzer, Smith, Trinity, Wesleyan</p>

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<p>I agree that they are great schools, I’m just warning them that they are probably more competitive now as other students who are not happy with their SAT scores, but who are otherwise wonderful students, will apply as well. Goucher is now even transcript-optional, which I do not agree with (but I digress).</p>

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<p>I think I’ll actually have more time to prepare for the December SAT because my summer was packed with non stop travel, volunteer work, and summer projects. I’m soon going to be finished with an activity that takes up just under 20 hours a week and runs from August to the end of October, and I don’t plan on entering the second season of it. I’m going to have 20 hours a week of free time, so SAT prep would be easier to fit in. I just don’t like waiting until the last possible month to take it.</p>

<p>I understand what you mean in that the test optional colleges will have more applicants and be more selective as a result. But I would have a better chance at more selective, test optional schools that selective schools that require test scores.</p>

16

<p>NotSteve, One thing to keep in mind at many test optional schools is that without the test scores, merit scholarship monies are not available. So while there are some very nice options in terms of possible test optional schools is your family prepared to write the check for the full amount? Best of luck to you! </p>

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<p>Yes, but some test optional schools are able to cherry-pick students with good test scores and have their school’s average test scores rise as a result. I am not saying you are incorrect, but I am saying that the SAT is a good investment of your time. A month is reasonable considering you are not going for a high score increase.</p>

<p>You don’t know your scores yet, so set a goal for yourself to have finished all of your long-term school assignments that you currently have by the you receive your SAT scores. That way, if you do need to study, you’ll be ready. If you can devote 20 hours a week to your last activity, try devoting all of that time to ensuring you get the score that you want, it will give you an insurance policy when you apply. Do you know which colleges you are interested in?</p>

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<p>I’ve already applied to Franklin & Marshall, Simmons, and Washington College, and I’ve been accepted to two other schools as back ups if necessary. I also plan on applying to Pitt, Dickinson, Elon, and Gettysburg yet. Most of those are close to home, so I am also expanding my list to get one or two more colleges that a little further away. My current SAT fits the needs of most of the colleges I am applying to. My new score will help me determine if I should apply anywhere else or keep my list mostly as it is. </p>

19

<p>I got a 2060 on the exam. Cr 730, m 580, and w 750. I’m really happy with My score without studying. Should I retake sat in November to get math score up? </p>

20

<p>I think there are some good reasons for you to stick with what you have:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You scored 80 points above your target. </p></li>
<li><p>You had trouble with motivating yourself to study last time. It’ll be probably harder now that you have SAT scores that you are satisfied with.</p></li>
<li><p>A significant number of schools will ask to see all your scores. I’m inferring from your comments that you would mostly (and perhaps only) study for the Math section. Test scores fluctuate somewhat between two exams where a student does not study. You may not happen to know as many of the words on the harder Sentence Completion questions, you may get an essay prompt you are not as prepared for. With CR and W scores in the 700’s, there’s less upside if you’re not planning to do some hard core studying</p></li>
<li><p>This is more like half of a reason. Just to see, I checked what the average SAT score was for one of the schools you intend to apply to (Dickinson). <a href=“Dickinson College: Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores”>http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegeprofiles/p/dickinson.htm&lt;/a&gt;. You’re above 75% of their other applicants for your two best sections. You are in the bottom quartile for Math, but I really do not think this will keep you from getting into a great school as long as the rest of your application is solid. </p></li>
<li><p>You did well. You have an amazing score for someone who didn’t study.</p></li>
</ol>