You’ve done everything you can to prepare for the SATs, now it is time to take them. Knowing the material on the SATs, however, is not the only thing you can do to improve your scores. There are also strategies to taking it that you might find helpful.
There are some general rules that apply to all the multiple choice sections of the SATs. The questions are split into what the SATs consider to be easy, medium, and hard (you may have heard the term The Good, The Bad, The Ugly). The questions in each of the multiple choice sections begin easy and get progressively harder. Generally the last 10 questions are the most difficult part of each multiple choice section.
You want to get all (or at least almost all) of the easy and medium questions right. All the questions are weighted the same, so there is no reason to guess at the harder questions if you do not know the answer because you think that they might be worth more. They’re not. Remember, though, that the SATs are, in a certain sense, curved. If there is a question that 99% of the test takers in the country get right (or wrong) it is likely that this question will be removed. Therefore, you want to try the hard questions, especially if you think you can get them right.
Another thing about multiple choice questions is when you should guess and when you should not guess. A right and wrong answer are not worth the same thing on the SATs. A wrong answer in a multiple choice section takes away 1/4 of a point. Therefore, there are certain times when just randomly guessing is to your favor. Mathematically, it is worth it to guess if you can eliminate just 1 of the 4 choices in a question. (When I say mathematically I mean this: hypothetically you have 4 questions, none of which you know the answer to, but you can eliminate 1 choice in all 4 questions. Now you have 3/4 choices for each question. Therefore, odds dictate that you will get 1 right and 3 wrong. Since 1 right is worth 1 point and 3 wrong is worth -3/4 points, you gain 1/4 point over all.) However, personally I will never guess unless I can eliminate 2 choices. This is a personal preference, but I feel more comfortable guessing when I have a 50/50 chance. The thing on eliminate choices, though, is that you have to be absolutely sure that the choice you’re eliminating cannot be correct.
There are also a few specific things for each section that you should know:
Verbal
In the reading comprehension part of the verbal make sure to pay attention to any words that they underline or italicize. Also, it would be a good idea as you’re reading to underline what you think is the most important sentence in each paragraph. This will help you later on when you have to answer questions. Also make notes of any other items that stick out (odd words, quotes, important ideas, etc.)
Math
Part of the math section is comprised of grid-in questions where you have to write your answer in and then bubble in the corresponding numbers. Never leave these blank. You do not lose any points for incorrect answers on these, so always put something in. Hopefully you have more than just a wild guess, but even if it is just a wild guess write something in the blank.
Writing
Writing a good essay is not just about your ability to write. The way the essay writing portion goes is you will be given some type of prompt – many times it is a quote from someone famous or something like that – and you are asked to take a stance. What the SAT graders are looking for, besides your ability to write a good essay, is that you pull in outside resources. They want you to talk about things that are going on in the news, things that you’ve read in other books, quotes from other famous people, etc. They want you to show your ability to converse through writing. Make sure that your essay follows some of the conventions of a typical essay; meaning it has an intro and conclusion as well as body paragraphs that relate to whatever thesis you have decided on. You are not given a ton of time for the essay writing portion so collect your ideas and just start writing.
The most important thing about taking the SATs is to pace yourself, do not panic, and watch your time. I would suggest wearing your own watch, so you do not have to rely on the proctor telling you how much time is left. For the multiple choice sections make sure you answer as many questions as you can as quickly as you can. Don’t waste time on questions you have no idea how to solve. Don’t waste time on reading directions over and over again either. If you’ve taken the SATs or any practice SATs or the PSATs all the directions are the same – there is no need to waste time reading them again. Every second is precious, so don’t waste any.
If you don’t panic, though, and go through each section quickly but carefully and follow some of these tips I’ve outlined then you should do just fine.
