How to Prepare for the SAT

The SAT refers to the Standardized Achievement Test that is used by colleges in the U.S. as a way to determine a student’s qualification for admission and it is in every applicant’s best interest to know how to prepare for the SAT. Developed by the College Board, this test is administered by the Educational Testing Service. It should be understood, however, that not all colleges and universities in the U.S. require SAT scores from students applying for college admission.

The SAT is divided into three sections – reading, math and writing and can take about four and a half hours to complete. Each section has three parts. The primary goal is to find out if a student entering college for the first time is prepared for his tertiary education.

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To ensure that you do well in the test, advanced preparation is vital. There are free practice tests that you can use today on the internet. Many of them were developed by test prep professionals. Constantly doing these practice tests will help ensure memory retention of the important subjects included in the SAT.

Schools may also offer review sessions providing students with study guides. But this may require a certain fee.

The first step to take is to decide on the date you would like to take the test. The most ideal time is to schedule it at least six to eight months. With this time frame, you can have the proper preparation and be assured of some peace of mind that you won’t be cramming for the test.

Do your research as well about the SAT and understand the test pattern. You may visit the official website of the test at www.collegeboard.com. Learn about the sections and the types of tests involved.

If you could get a study guide, that would be a plus. Make sure it has detailed sections and must have five to six sample question papers.

Another option is to enroll in an online course or in a coaching institute. You should be able to obtain study materials and practice questions from this SAT prep course.

When you study, it’s best that you provide a specific schedule for each section. This will help you concentrate on the details and not get mixed up.

Read and understand carefully every concept and the sample questions. Understanding the rationale behind the correct answer will also be helpful.

If there are sections or questions that you don’t understand very well, do not hesitate to ask from your course teachers. It’s always good to ask questions to clarifying things or details that are vague to you.

After you’re done with the prep course, you can start taking the practice tests available online. Don’t forget to time yourself. Gather all your cores and evaluate your performance. If possible, do get comments from people you know who have taken the SAT.

The day before your test, make sure to prepare all your required documents and put them in an envelope. Experts recommend not studying the night before your exam to free your mind.

On the day of your SAT test, rise early and eat well so you’re well prepared for the exam.

Now that you know how to prepare for the SAT, good luck!

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