While every college admissions department evaluates applicants a bit differently, standardized test scores are a big piece of the equation at most schools. This means students will want to be as prepared as possible for their upcoming SAT.
Here’s how to get ready for this crucial exam:
Get equipped: A user-friendly calculator can save you precious time when every second counts, so gear up with a calculator that is classroom- and test-ready with features such as graph plotting, probability distribution, vector arithmetic, and spreadsheets, with programming capabilities. Also, be sure it is approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, and AP tests, and includes an exam mode setting to lock specific functionality for testing purposes.
Practice: Familiarizing yourself with the types of test questions you’ll encounter on the SAT is essential. When it comes to the Math section of the exam, you can lean on free online resources, like the sample exams found on Casio, to get prepared. The added bonus is that working through the sample questions will help you get comfortable with the calculator you’ll be using on test day. SAT prep courses are also a great option. Once out of reach for many families, today, a number of educational organizations offer them for free, leveling the playing field for all students. Be sure to leverage this resource to maximize your test readiness.
Read, a lot: From novels to biographies, and even the newspaper, read everything you can get your hands on. It’s one of the best ways to build your vocabulary and hone your reading comprehension. Building these skills can improve your chances of acing the Reading and Writing section of the SAT. Though there are many SAT vocabulary word lists out there, encountering these words in real contexts can be a more effective way to absorb definitions and usages than trying to memorize them.
The SAT can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, but it doesn’t have to. With the right tools and preparation strategies, students can walk into the SAT with confidence and achieve their best score possible.
Courtesy of StatePoint