SAT prep/advice?

• Claudia wrote on 2012-02-13 03:23
  After it came to my attention that the first SAT is March 10th, I was like, crap, better get moving...
  
  So, to all of you prospective and former SAT test-takers, what advice do you guys have to prepare? I know a lot of vocabulary and my reading comprehension is pretty good, but math is probably my weakest point, but I figure it's good to brush up on everything. I signed up for CollegeBoard.com and i'm going to take a practice SAT online (as I couldn't take the PSAT at school), but what else should I do that's preferably free?
  
  Plus, any other advice would be awesome!
• Retard wrote on 2012-02-13 03:35
  Depends on what grade you are in. For me I'm frosh and I'm planning to study from May through summer then through until the next test date in Soph year.
  
  Hopefully Ill get a 2200+ and get it over with...
  
  Check out SAT books at the library. Im not terribly sure, but the SAT should be like any other test. Practice makes perfect. Do a few practice tests from the books each day (but be sure to learn from your mistakes). Do it until you get comfortable with it.
• Chillax wrote on 2012-02-13 03:35
  Do a lot of practice tests and time yourself. Memorize an essay format and some sentences that can fit into any prompt, and be able to write fast.
• Milk wrote on 2012-02-13 03:37
  I say practice up your math.
  The SATBis more of a test of speed more than anything else.
  
  Just take a few practice test & get a feel for the test there is no way to study for it.
  
  Try to expand your vocabulary, and I hope your a pretty quick reader :3.
  I think i got like 60 points from perfect on my math
  
  The math section is pretty simple (all multiple choice so the answer is right in front of you-
  
  Just practice and do your best.
• Sayoko wrote on 2012-02-13 03:38
  Pretty much practice tests and more practice tests. The courses are kinda worthless.
  
  Sadly, SAT words seem so pointless in real life. Never seen 99% of the SAT words throughout my undergraduate career.
• Retard wrote on 2012-02-13 03:39
  Aside from all this good advice my sister always is telling me to read up on test taking strategies for the SAT.
  
  I hear that can raise your score a few points here and there also.
• Claudia wrote on 2012-02-13 03:43
  Yeah, i've been doing Question of the Day and some practice questions in each section, but I don't think i'm ready to take a full-fledged test. I balked when I saw the essay question and was like "****, I have to write this in 25 minutes?"
  It takes me about 45 to write a decent essay, which is worrying, but i'll work on that.
  
  I'm a junior, btw.
• Rin wrote on 2012-02-13 03:44
  Time yourself. That's an absolute must. You need to have enough of pacing to be able to answer questions consistently (even if they're wrong) before the section's time is up.
  
  Math, just need to practice that. Get the basic high school math concepts down with some practice thrown in, and you'll be good.
  
  Writing was my weak point, so I had to practice writing out previous essay prompts with doable structure. Might not be too bad for you, depending on the prompt.
• Milk wrote on 2012-02-13 04:08

  Quote from Claudia;772756:

  Yeah, i've been doing Question of the Day and some practice questions in each section, but I don't think i'm ready to take a full-fledged test. I balked when I saw the essay question and was like "****, I have to write this in 25 minutes?"
  It takes me about 45 to write a decent essay, which is worrying, but i'll work on that.
  
  I'm a junior, btw.

  
  
  
  Go with your first thought and write simple and direct. They grade you on how well you got your point across If i recall correctly.
  
  Use the 5 - 4 paragraph format.
• Sayoko wrote on 2012-02-13 04:10
  Something to think about:
  
  Using Orwell's 1984 as an example works in almost every SAT essay topic/Standardized Test topic.
  
  I used that even in my PCAT exam (for entrance to pharm school)
  
  When I googled SAT essay prompts, this is the first one that came out. 1984 works awful well for it...as expected
  
  

  
  
  Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
  
  Most people tend to trust others too readily. To avoid being taken advantage of, however, it is generally wise to be doubtful and suspicious of others' motives or honesty. Many people would agree that if you find yourself doubting other people's sincerity or questioning their intentions, your instincts are probably correct. You are less likely to regret being cautious than being too trusting.
  
  Assignment: Is it wise to be suspicious of the motives or honesty of other people, even those who appear to be trustworthy? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

• Claudia wrote on 2012-02-13 04:13

  Quote from Milk;772800:

  Use the 5 - 4 paragraph format.

  
  
  what
  
  

  Quote from Sayoko;772803:

  Something to think about:
  
  Using Orwell's 1984 as an example works in almost every SAT essay topic/Standardized Test topic.
  
  I used that even in my PCAT exam (for entrance to pharm school)

  
  
  Never read it. <:
  
  I get such terrible writer's block bleeeeh. How many points is the essay on the whole thing?
• Sayoko wrote on 2012-02-13 04:14
  It's worth quite a bit....
• TA wrote on 2012-02-13 04:16
  I went to a Preparatory school. That's pretty expensive though...
• woohoohelloppl wrote on 2012-02-13 04:20
  I hated the SAT. In my opinion, the SAT tests how well you know the test. The ACT, on the other hand, tests how well you know the material.
  
  I'd recommend taking the ACT as well and retaking the one you like better/ do better on. The ACT has no vocab and some people find it easier.
  
  If your GPA is really high and you don't want a perfect score, studying isn't necessary IMO. Make sure you have a watch on test day, time yourself, and review some SAT test-taking strategies.
  
  High GPA + decent SAT/ACT score > low GPA and high SAT/ACT score.
  
  If your GPA's high and you want a high SAT score, look up lists of vocab words that love appearing on the SAT. Review your Alg I , Alg II, and Geometry if your math isn't strong.
  
  Kaplan has some free ACT/ SAT practice tests and online classes every now and then. Keep an eye out on them.
  
  If you plan on taking the ACT as well, look up some strategies for the science section. The math, reading, and writing sections on the ACT are pretty straight-forward.
  
  The SAT contains 8 sections IIRC. It's somewhere between 7 and 10. You'll get a lot of breaks in-between and the questions aren't as straight-forward as the ACT IMO. The ACT contains four sections with the essay being last if you signed up for it. You get one break, which means you're out of the place about an hour earlier compared to the SAT.
• Totoro wrote on 2012-02-13 04:23
  [FONT="Arial"]^ Haha I just took the ACT :) The ACT is a lot easier than SAT, but there's so many questions that it might tire out your brain (like it did mine @___@) The science portion isn't bad either, it just requires analyzing graphs and diagrams. I haven't taken science in 2 years, so I was a bit rusty on that part. XD [/FONT]