SAT Questions

c_kayak_fun says:

Read. A lot. Books, news magazines, anything, including the test study workbooks. Read every sentence (no skimming) and try to really focus on what is being said. And do it in a quiet area, without distractions (no Ipod, no TV in the background, etc.) Your best bet with the SAT is to get in the practice of staying focused, reading quickly and absorbing as much and as attentively as possible.

Expanding your vocabulary and your sense of the subtle differences in word meanings helps with the verbal portion/ You can do that by reading moderately sophisticated news and literary publications (New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, the New Yorker.) Keep a good dictionary handy and look up any word with which you are unfamiliar.

Keep up regular math reviews, especially basic algebra, quadratic equations, geometry, trig and graphing of variables. High scores on the math and analytical sections have been shown to be much more important factors in a student’s being accepted to the most competitive colleges than their verbal scores (unfortunately, I think.)

I’ve read conflicting reports as to whether tutoring really has enough benefit to be worth the expense of time and money. My personal feeling is that it is NOT worthwhile.

Most important, stay cool and relaxed about the test. Don’t get rattled if you hit a question that stumps you at first — skip it and come back when you’ve gone through the rest of the section and answered all other questions. if you come back and are still really stumped, trust any hunch, pick an answer and move on.

I think it helps to remember that you CAN take the tests again (though you will have to pay for each re-test — ETS loves to take your money.) Typically your score will rise each time you re-take them, if only because you have become familiar with the testing process. Keeping that in mind (that the test is not a "do or die" single shot) can help you avoid panic and the deadly brain freeze. I took the SAT’s 4 times, twice in my junior year and twice again in my senior year of high school. I eventually brought up my test scores by almost 15% (120 points.)

I just took the GREs (the graduate school version of the SAT) last week for the second time, after being out of school for over 25 years. I probably should have brushed up on my math a little more, but I went in relaxed and did just fine (740 verbal and 660 math.)

Based on how clearly and concisely you wrote your question, I have no doubt you are intelligent enough to do well on the tests, regardless of what means of study you choose.