Kids Are Our Future

What is SAT?

SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a student’s academic potential by testing his or her familiarity with what he or she learned in high school as well as his or her test taking skills.

The SAT is a multiple-choice exam in which each correct answer adds points to the student’s score and each incorrect answer subtracts from it.

The SAT does test how well a student has prepared. Preparation for the SAT can make a big difference in the student’s scores, and where he or she goes to college.

What Represents a Good SAT Score?

The SAT has three sections, which are Writing, Math and Critical Reading and each on a scale of 200 to 800.

The average total score is approximately 1,500 points. An average score is acceptable for most colleges and universities. However, some of the top schools require an SAT score of 2,100 of more. A score above 2,100 puts the student into top 10% of test takers.

The statistics shows that approximately only 20 of 1,000,000 students who take the SAT get a perfect score, which is 2,400 points.

How to Best Accomplish the SAT?

Go prepared

Long-term preparation should stress the importance of taking challenging classes and reading more as possible as the student can, this will pay off on the SAT Verbal section and help him or her throughout college.

When get closer to actually taking the SAT, by preparing for the test, the student will know how much time he or she has to work on each question. Good preparation let the student move steadily and carefully through the test to achieve a good score.

Set Goals

Find out what the college the student desires to attend requires. What is the minimum SAT score or the average score for admitted freshman. The student can get this information by either calling the school’s Admissions Office directly or by looking at a book in a local book store, library or on the Internet.

Things a Student Needs

• College Guides
• College Catalogs
• SAT Study Guides
• SAT Software
• Dictionaries
• Calculators
• Timers
• Pencils
• Index Cards

Study options

Options include use of the ETS-provided study guide, commercially produced SAT preparation books, software, SAT study classes, and tutors.

Recommends

• Use the free SAT guide.
• Use an SAT preparation book and or software.Software is good for those students who feel comfortable with computers, use a book if the student just likes to learn by reading.
• Use vocabulary flashcards.Vocabulary is a key to succeed in the SAT. If the test taker doesn’t know the words, there’s a limit to how far a great guessing strategy he or she can use.
• Take the test early.Many schools look for the best score a student presents. By taking the test during the junior year, students will have an opportunity to re-take the test before admissions deadlines arrive.

How to Study for the SAT?

Concentrate on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and usage, geometry, algebra and arithmetic.

In order to use time efficiently, use the SAT Diagnostic Test to find out what are the student’s weak parts.

• Increase SAT VocabularyAlmost half of the questions on the SAT test the student’s vocabulary, testing how well he or she understands the meaning of words in some form. It is very important to increase the student’s SAT vocabulary focusing on difficult words that appear most frequently on the SAT.
• Review What Learned on Math SkillsThe other half of the SAT tests the student’s math skills, ranging from Arithmetic through Geometry and Algebra II. Make sure to remember what have already learned and build on the math skills already have.
• Learn and Use SAT Test Taking StrategiesTest taking strategies help the student transform what he or she already know into higher SAT scores.
• Practice on Real SATsIn order to practice what the student has learned, to practice on real SATs is a really good way. A student can get a copy of a real, full SAT from the High School Counselor’s office and can order Real SATs directly from the College Board.

Tips for Preparing SAT

• Start from the easiestStart to answer the easy questions and leave the hard ones later on.
• Understand the question thoroughlyMake sure understand the question correctly and then answer the question being asked.
• Focus on what you knowIf the student does not know exactly how to solve a question, he or she can get started with what he or she does know, then may figure out the problem, or at least move on towards the solution.
• Use elimination approachIt is best to eliminate one or more wrong answer choices, make a guess if needed and move on to the next question.
• Be a smart guesserLeave a question blank neither adds nor subtracts anything. If the student can eliminate two answers as definitely wrong, guess between the remaining two choices. If completely lost on a given question, skip it. Move on to the next question.
• Take a short note while readingWhen dealing with a difficult passage, it is important to summarize the main idea of each paragraph. It is helpful to quickly notate a three- or four-word summary in the margin of the test booklet.
• Review if have timeIf finish before the time is up, go back and work on any questions skipped, or review the completed answers.

How to Register for the SAT?

• Make sure to plan ahead. Do not miss important SAT deadlines. Contact the high school guidance counselor early in junior year, and get all the information regarding when, where and how to take the SAT.
• Decide when to take the SAT.
• Get the application forms and read carefully. Pay close attention to deadlines, and register early.
• The SAT administers offer to send test scores to up to three schools without additional charge. However, if the student wants to know his or her scores before submit, he or she may prefer to wait and have them sent later though need to pay a small fee for the service.
• If the student does not receive a confirmation letter within four to six weeks, call to make sure that his or her paperwork was received.

How to Prepare the Evening before the SAT?

Do not study, relax.

Organize all necessary materials, and put them into the backpack.

• Maps for directions to the testing location
• Identification Cards
• Test Center Admission Tickets
• Calculators
• Snacks
• A Watch
• Number-two pencils
• Erasers

Choose clothes and shoes for testing day.

Get a good night’s sleep.

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