SAT Tips

Take as many practice tests as you can. Have a friend or family member time you so that you are taking them under the same time constraints as the real test.

Remember to get a full 8 hours of sleep the night before taking the SAT’s. You don’t want to be so tired that you start to drift off while taking the test. Also remember to eat a large healthy breakfast so that you are not starving half way through the test.

Read each question carefully. Answer the ones that are easiest for you to answer first. Then go back and spend the time on the harder ones.

Before completing the test look over it for two things. First, that you have answered every question, and second that you have answered every question to the best of your ability.

If you are using an answer sheet that you have to fill in the corresponding bubble (with a #2 pencil), make sure you are filling in the right bubble beside the right question number. You don’t want to have to waist time trying to figure out where you filled in the wrong one, and you don’t want something like this to mess up your final score.

Don’t rush yourself to make a selection. Consider the possibilities, and eliminate the choices that don’t first. After you have ruled out what will not work you can guess if you are not sure. You can’t loose points.

If you have narrowed your choices from four down to two and you are not sure, go with your gut and first instinct. Don’t second guess yourself and risk getting it wrong.

For the written section – keep it simple and do not use slang unless you have a legitimate reason to do so.

Make sure you know where you are going on test day. You don’t want to end up at the wrong place because of bad directions. Make sure that you arrive at least 30 minutes early so that you can check in. Don’t forget any paperwork necessary, and your photo ID.

For the math section, take the time to work out the problems in either the test booklet or on scrap paper.

You can write in your test book. You can use it to figure out math problems. Or figure out the correct spelling of a word. You can also mark your answers so that you can, right before finishing, check between what you have circled in the book and what you have on the answer sheet.

If you feel you didn't do well on your exam, don't be afraid to take it again! Many students will take the exam more than once, since after the first time they've taken it they will feel as if they will be more prepared, and better know what to look out for during their second examination.

Consider the following statistic before deciding to spend money in enrolling your child in SAT prep courses. Because the SAT's are an important factor which often determine admission to prestigious schools, tuition for these prep courses are very costly, if not inflated:

Studies have shown that SAT prep courses only increase the average score by 30 points. This minute extra boost can be achieved by studying at home, with an SAT prep book.