Just a Few Tips for SAT

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Some recommendations that I've learned help on the SAT:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Read some high-level novels, news magazines, etc. These usually contain vocabulary words that might appear on the SAT, and reading them in context helps. (A few of the words on my SAT I was familiar with from books.) Also, the more you read, the more you understand grammatical structure, which is a HUGE help on the writing section!</p></li>
<li><p>When you take practice tests, make absolutely sure you time yourself properly! Time can seem to fly by, and you should prepare yourself for this. I know it sounds cliche, but it's important to skip questions you can't understand or don't immediately know the answer to. Get back to those later. Try to leave enough time left to double-check your answers.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure you're prepared and comfortable at the testing center. Bringing a watch is a good idea, as you might not be facing a clock, but make sure all alarms are turned off. Have fresh batteries in your calculator as well. Bring water and snacks: you can eat during breaks, and it will keep your energy up. Finally, wear layered clothes and comfortable shoes. When I was taking the SAT subject tests, I was literally freezing. Don't let that happen to you!</p></li>
<li><p>Work fast, but relax. Being nervous and tense could hinder you more than help. Remember, it's just a test, and it's not the end of the world if you don't score as high as you wanted. Good luck! :)</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>Thanks for the reminders.</p>

<p>About the books, I’m always trying to read a good book. Do you have any suggestions for fiction books that would be good for SAT prep/something that would be good for me?</p>

3

<p>Yes, I covered all of this and much more in my guide: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html&lt;/a&gt;. I do disagree with the first tip, however. Reading is a great habit, but it is not very efficient in the short term for the SAT.</p>

4

<p>@getacar: Any book is good, really–just make sure that you write down, look up the definition for, and memorize any words you don’t recognize. If the test is just a few weeks away, though, you might want to try out a vocab list: [url=<a href=“1000 most common sat words - Google Search”>1000 most common sat words - Google Search]1000</a> most common sat words - Google Search<a href=“download%20the%20first%20one”>/url</a> is the one I used.</p>

<p>@silverturtle: And I disagree with that. I read a book a day from third to seventh grade, and it improved my vocabulary and my understanding of the English language a lot, especially since I was not a native English speaker. That, in turn, helped me a lot when it came to the SAT.</p>

5

<p>lidusha,</p>

<p>If you read my post carefully, you’ll notice that I said “in the short term.”</p>

6

<p>Well obviously if you read all your life it will be highly beneficial. I think he was referring to reading as a study technique. If you are a junior and have not read your whole life, reading a couple of novels probably is an inefficient way of studying.</p>

7

<p>^ Yes, you have correctly read what I wrote.</p>

8

<p>That’s my critical reading skills at work ;)</p>

<p>And I posted at the same time as you. Sorry for the repetition.</p>