Achieving an excellent score in the SAT is a vital element of any successful application to a US college.
Now that summer has arrived, you have the opportunity to fine-tune your approach to the SAT without the distraction of scheduled classes and assignment deadlines. Read on to find out how to best utilise the free time you have to study for the test without interrupting all the summer fun.
Set realistic expectations for yourself
You aren't going to master every skill that the SAT will test on the first day of the summer holiday.
You need to establish which aspects of the papers are most challenging for you, then devise a schedule that allows you to address each of these in turn. Be as specific as possible when identifying these areas. Rather than simply writing 'AM: Math Section' in your schedule, instead write: '9.00 – 10.15am: revising linear functions; 10.30 – 11.30am: conditional probability questions.' The more targeted your practice, the more effective it's likely to be.
Don't deviate from your schedule. If you're struggling with a topic, it's better to return to it on another day, rather than overwhelming yourself by ploughing through more practice-questions on the same theme. All skills develop incrementally.
Remember that the effectiveness of your preparation can't be measured in hours so be honest with yourself about what you can achieve in the course of a day. Trying to follow an excessively intensive practice-regimen often results in disappointment when the student finds it too onerous to maintain. Pace yourself.
Also remember that you're not alone: there's a wealth of material available to help you rise to the challenge that the SAT presents, as well as many dedicated tutors who are there to support you. Ask for help when you need it.
Create a dedicated study space
It's important that you find an environment that helps you to focus on the task in hand.
Find a quiet, comfortable and well-lit space in your home and eliminate distractions: leave your phone in another room and close all unrelated tabs on your browser. Make sure that you have all the materials that you need before you begin working so you can study without interruption.
Let your family and friends know when you'll be studying so that they can give you the space you need to concentrate.
Use a variety of resources
You'll never be short of resources to help you hone your skills.
A-List's Book of Knowledge offers a comprehensive guide to the strategies and tactics necessary to excel in the SAT, as well as over 900 practice problems. You can also access our free SAT Question Bank with detailed answers.
Using this invaluable resource, as well as the sample questions and past SAT papers on the College Board website, gives you plenty of opportunity to develop your exam technique through practice.
Take practice exams
The SAT not only tests your intellect, but also your ability to manage your time efficiently. It's therefore imperative that you grow familiar with its unique format.
Before devising your schedule, take a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses, then structure your preparation programme to target the weakest elements of your skill set. This will give you an idea of the size and nature of the task in front of you.
It's essential that you complete regular practice papers as part of your preparation: ensure that these are as closely modelled on the actual SAT as possible.
Remember that these papers will only benefit you if you devote time to reflecting on the specific reasons why you struggled with particular questions, including those which you answered correctly. This period of reflection will likely take longer than it did to complete the paper itself: make sure that this time is incorporated into your schedule.
It's also useful to keep a record of the questions which took you the longest to answer (there are many online practice papers which log this automatically). Knowing which questions took up most of your time will allow to reflect on how you might speed up the process of answering them in future tests.
Don't neglect your well-being
Think of preparing for the SAT as a set of strategic and tactical exercises rather than an endurance-test.
It is, however, important to stay physically healthy as you prepare.
Taking regular exercise will not only improve your brain's cognitive function, but also help to alleviate any symptoms of stress or anxiety that you might be feeling. Doing so also facilitates healthy sleep which is essential to effective study.
Psychologically, it can be useful to take some light exercise before beginning a day of study, especially if this involves leaving the house. Ensure that your schedule contains regular short breaks for exercise, rest and other activities. Ultra-intensive study programmes are seldom effective so taking time out to meet up with friends, go to the gym, cook a meal or visit the theatre will help you maintain a healthy balance between study and leisure. Likewise, if you find your concentration wavering, it's preferable to take some unscheduled time away from your SAT prep rather than force yourself to persevere.
To optimise the efficiency of your prep, it's important to be clear in your own mind when you're working and when you're at leisure. For example, if you're on vacation with your family, you might want to schedule two hours of targeted practice every other morning and spend the rest of your time enjoying yourself. Similarly, if you have a part-time job, allow yourself a few hours of rest at the end of your working day before your thoughts turn to the SAT.
Maintaining this clear distinction between work and leisure will make preparing for the SAT a more pleasurable and manageable experience. Also make sure that, every evening, you have a cut-off point at which your preparation stops. (Students who work late into the night often find their sleep-patterns disrupted which can have a detrimental effect on their ability to focus.) Rewarding yourself for a day of effective study is an important way of staying motivated during this period.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Begin by taking a practice-paper to diagnose your specific areas of weakness
- Draw up a manageable, targeted study schedule that allows you to address those areas
- Make sure that you complete full-length SAT papers regularly
- Dedicate time to understanding why you made mistakes in those papers
- Incorporate breaks into your schedule
- Take plenty of exercise
- Be clear as to when you're working and when you're at leisure.
Our final piece of advice is to make sure that you begin SAT prep as soon as possible: delaying this process only creates stress later in the summer. The sooner you identify the skills which you need to improve, the more quickly they can be addressed.
SAT preparation with A-List
For almost twenty years, A-List has guided thousands of students to achieve their highest potential on SAT exam through SAT courses and personalised tuition. Our tailored approach and expert coaching have enabled countless students to meet and surpass the stringent requirements of top US universities.
Our SAT Preparation Courses are being held both online and in-person throughout the summer - our upcoming August courses only have a few spaces left! Contact our Client Services Team today to begin your preparation journey.
