<p>I just realized I will be taking the SAT in a year from now. I feel TOTALLY unprepared. I have taken the PSAT and the PLAN (pre ACT test). I got not so good scores on both. I am a bad test taker, especially on tests with times sections. when I took the ACT i barely got through half of the reading before having to stop and switch to the next section. I know that you can't spend to much time on a question, but if I can answer a question, I feel like I should since I would gain points. here are my questions about the SAT/ACT</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What is the essay like? do they give you a prompt? or do you choose your own topic? How long is it? Do have time to write a lot? How specific do you have to get? does the topic have to academic? Or can it be about anything?</p></li>
<li><p>How tough are the math questions? Are they long? do they take a long time to solve?</p></li>
<li><p>Are the reading passages like the english EOC? Are those long? do they take a while to read? Are the questions really analytical or mostly about grammar?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the vocabulary a lot? Or is it like 10 words that pop up anywhere?</p></li>
<li><p>And lastly, I'm a terrible test taker, how can I better prepare myself for the SAT? Is it worth paying like $70 for an online course? or is a book ok?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks so much!!</p>