The SAT is nothing to be nervous about. Whether the big day is next Fall or right around the corner, the following tips are offered in hopes that the student will confront and overcome this longer test the same way that he or she would take on its everyday, shorter counterparts.
The SAT is nothing to be nervous about. Not that the test isn’t immensely valuable to the initial stages of a student’s career, but every SAT-prep guide will agree that the subjects and analytics of the test itself are nothing new to your student’s abilities.
Whether the big day is next Fall or right around the corner, the following tips are offered in hopes that your student will confront and overcome this longer test the same way that he or she would take on its everyday, shorter counterparts.
Take a Break
The 24 hours leading up to the SAT are not the time for cramming; the hard work is all behind you. The smartest thing you can do the evening before the test is to get a full night’s sleep. It’s time to relax and get your game face on: do your best to be calm, rested, and composed, and the confidence will come. It’s nothing you haven’t dealt with on prior occasions.
Cover Your Bases
The night before the SAT exam, be sure to round up every basic requisite for entry to the test: an admission ticket, a government issued photo ID, several freshly-sharpened #2 pencils, an admissible calculator, a watch, and a high-energy snack.
Dress for Any Condition
Just because most tests are offered indoors, do not assume the room won’t be stuffy as the local sauna at 6pm. Considering that comfort is just as big of a role as preparation did up until this point, come prepared to settle into arctic temperatures or stifling heat without qualm. Be ready for both extremes and everything in-between.
Guess Intelligently
If high school has taught you anything, it should be to make educated guesses. If you don’t know an answer, don’t leave the space blank or cast the dice. Unlike the ACT, students on the SAT will be penalized for guessing randomly.
Regardless of that ¼ point reduction from your total score, eliminating even one wrong answer is enough reason to trust your gut the SAT. Work backwards from what could not possibly be true, and place your best foot forward.
Don’t Spend Too Much Time on One Question
No question is worth more than others, and any decent strategy should fall back on this as a mantra. Don’t let possible easy points slip away by getting hung up on difficult questions. A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than a couple minutes on any one question before moving on from it, and avoid penalizing yourself.
If the answer is still escaping you, come back at the end of the test, after your subconscious has had an opportunity to work it out in the meantime.
Keep Track of Where You Are in a Section
The designers of the SAT are aware that it’s a marathon, and their potholes are generally near the end of every section to take advantage your weariness. Don’t let your fatigue get the best of you: when nearing the end of a section, second-guess every “obvious” answer. That way you’ll be vigilant enough to avoid the booby traps.
Double-Check the Answer Grid
Whenever you skip an answer in order to spend more time on the others, don’t forget to pass over the empty space on the Scantron sheet as well. Believe us, it’s a massive headache to have to go back and erase an entire section because you filled the wrong bubble.
Relax!
As we have hashed out in subsequent articles, taking your time and ignoring stress levels are the most effective mechanisms for success. It may feel like the longest four hours of your life, but there are many opportunities to retake the test should you be less than satisfied with the outcome. Standardized testing is completely based on what you have already been taught over the years. Don’t sweat the details.
