<p>Many of you college-bound kids are probably stressing out about the SAT. Good! Stress is actually a way to get your body to be well-prepared for the test, so on test day, you can perform flawlessly. So start studying, and get stressed! </p>
<p>But, if you really want to excel at this quite tricky standardized test, just follow some simple rules:</p>
<p>1) Don't take practice tests.</p>
<p>Practice tests only get you to hate the SAT even more than you do already. Studies have shown that in increase in SAT tests taken leads to loss of memory and loss of cognitive function in the brain. If you really want to excel on SAT day, make it the first time you've taken it. Heck, make it the first time you've ever seen the test. The more surprised you are, the more likely your brain will be more aware of pitfalls that the test makers create for your misery.</p>
<p>2) Vocab, vocab, vocab</p>
<p>Don't get tricked into thinking that the only way to prepare for sentence-completion questions is to study vocabulary, from the ENGLISH language. Those who really exceed go past this, and study languages from all over the globe. Study vocab in German, Italian, Russian, British, etc. Want to be more prepared? Study words in Mongolian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and Manganese. Why, you ask? If you study vocabulary from a variety of languages, rather than just one language, you'll be more than prepared to know words on the test that would not even make sense to your neighbors. Have a passage on ancient Czech civilization and their heritage? No problem! Have a passage on the superstar football player in Zimbabwe, Sean Hamzehee, no problem! The key to acing the test, is to crack down on vocab!</p>
<p>3) Ok fine, maybe take ONE practice test</p>
<p>For some people that I work with, not taking any practice tests at all makes it difficult for them to succeed on the real test. Basically, they panic. If you are one of those panicky students, I have another strategy just for you! Lets say your practice is at 8 AM in the morning on Saturday. One thing that many of my students find useful is taking a practice test that morning. Try to get as much sleep as you can the previous night, and then on the morning of the test, take a practice test, say, from 3 AM to 7 AM. Then rest, and go to the real test. Not only will you be in the right mindset to take the test, but you'll have the confidence and focus-power to really succeed.</p>
<p>4) Got a 2400? So what?</p>
<p>Many students fall into the trap that getting a 2400 once is "all right". It's not. If you can do it once, you can do it again. After getting that perfect score, try your hands at getting it again. It's fun, and it's a great way to meet new people in your testing center. </p>
<p>Closing Statement:</p>
<p>After taking the SAT, make sure you come to College Discussion to talk about the SAT. You'll feel relieved when you let out your inner-anger, and you'll feel better after discussing your answers to the test. Finally, post a "what's my chances" thread on collegeconfidential. Though there are not many posts in this section, this is a good way to figure out exactly what your chances are to certain colleges. If people tell you "dang you suck, you only have a 2390? I got a 2400 sixteen times in a row while juggling hamsters", don't apply to college. Chances are, they're right: maybe you shouldn't be going to college.</p>
<p>Good luck on all your college-bound and standardized testing aspirations!</p>