How to effectively study for the SAT

Soylent Joe · 01-11-2011, 12:53 AM

I'm taking the SAT on March 12, so I've got about 2 months to prepare for it.

The ACT I'll take on April 8, but I think the SAT studying will be enough prep for the ACT, and the SAT will be like a huge practice test for it.

So, what are some things that you (successful SAT test takers) have done to prepare for it?

I don't really want to buy any materials, but if there is some phenomenal prep book I can look into it.

twilyth · 01-11-2011, 12:59 AM

First, the SAT is no aptitude test. The more you've studied and the more you've learned, the better you will do.

Do as many problems for each part of the exam as you can. Focus on any types you know will be on the test. IDK if they still have sections that they swap in and out. The more practice you have answering the types of questions they will have the better you will do.

I would pay for a prep course, but if that's not an option, get every SAT prep book and do as many problems as you can.

Soylent Joe · 01-11-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twilyth

if that's not an option, get every SAT prep book and do as many problems as you can.

The amount of SAT & ACT prep books is innumerable

twilyth · 01-11-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soylent Joe

The amount of SAT & ACT prep books is innumerable

Then be selective I suppose. I took the Kaplan course for the LSAT's and my score went up by one std deviation. They have people who take the test and report back. There's no substitute for that. But going through at least 2 or 3 prep books will definitely help you. It's a lot of work, but the question is, how important is a good score to you? If you're happy with your "safe" schools, then fuck it. If not, then you have to put in the time. There's no secret formula - which I'm sure you know.

mlee49 · 01-11-2011, 01:12 AM

Weekly practice exams. Take it right now with no studying. Schedule another practice exam in 3 weeks and yet again in 3 weeks.

Invest as much as you can(within reason) in your SAT's and ACT's. You'll not only get into better schools, but some will pay your way to go there!

Trust me, the one single thing I wish I could have done better was to focus on my grades better and actually take the ACT's(and score well). Scholarships are waaaaay underratted, trust me education costs will increase and the government's federal loan/grant limits have not changed within a couple years.

Perhaps a study software program? Definitely a book for focus areas like math, science, and english/literature.

WhiteLotus · 01-11-2011, 08:57 AM

Anki is a useful study tool.

Soylent Joe · 01-11-2011, 02:55 PM

I'm going to this college for either the first two for a transferring degree thing, or for all four years. GA HOPE scholarship, if received, pays 100% tuition and some fees for any in-state college.

This is all I could find on what they want for your scores:

Quote:

Submit your official SAT or ACT scores. Students scoring a minimum of 430 SAT Critical Reading or 17 ACT English will be exempt from completing COMPASS placement testing in English; Students scoring a minimum of 400 SAT Math or 17 ACT Math will be exempt from completing COMPASS placement testing in Math.

From what I've heard and seen, they take practically anyone.

Fourstaff · 01-12-2011, 04:15 PM

Do the Asian style and crunch through pass year papers 10 hours a day!

From what I have heard, Sats questions are pretty "generic", so you can get use to their style of questions easily through lots of practice. But of course, I am an Asian, so my views are skewed...

Soylent Joe · 01-12-2011, 07:26 PM

I kind of wish studying wasn't allowed for the SAT. It's an aptitude test right, to see what you know. Just take it out of the blue, with no prep besides what you've learned in and out of school over the years. If everyone did that, although the scores would be lower, they'd be a more accurate representation of a someone's cognitive ability. Anyone with an ounce of willpower can study to get a higher score.

twilyth · 01-12-2011, 07:41 PM

It's easy to say that, but I guarantee you'll find a million other things to do besides study before you even crack one of those prep books.

That's another nice thing about a course. You know it's costing hundreds of dollar so you make damned sure you get your ass to class. And since you have to take practice exams and show how you're improving, you also have more incentive to study.

Some people can say, 'I'll do it on my own' and they actually do it. I'm not one of them and I don't think most people are. But if you can do it, my hat is off to you. You're a better man than I am - which, you know, probably isn't really saying much, but . . .

Soylent Joe · 01-12-2011, 10:01 PM

Do you have to do good on or even take the SAT and/or ACT if you're heading to a trade school?

mlee49 · 01-12-2011, 11:48 PM

Depends, what trade? Automotive repair or Dental Hygenists?

Soylent Joe · 01-13-2011, 02:15 AM

Something like A/C installation & repair, general electrician, or construction with the City/County.

01-11-2011, 12:53 AM	#1
Soylent Joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 1,069 Thanks: 830 Thanked 376 Times in 195 Posts Dislikes: 9 Disliked 6 Times in 3 Posts	How to effectively study for the SAT I'm taking the SAT on March 12, so I've got about 2 months to prepare for it. The ACT I'll take on April 8, but I think the SAT studying will be enough prep for the ACT, and the SAT will be like a huge practice test for it. So, what are some things that you (successful SAT test takers) have done to prepare for it? I don't really want to buy any materials, but if there is some phenomenal prep book I can look into it.

01-11-2011, 01:12 AM	#5
mlee49 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,835 Thanks: 933 Thanked 1,031 Times in 460 Posts Dislikes: 6 Disliked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Weekly practice exams. Take it right now with no studying. Schedule another practice exam in 3 weeks and yet again in 3 weeks. Invest as much as you can(within reason) in your SAT's and ACT's. You'll not only get into better schools, but some will pay your way to go there! Trust me, the one single thing I wish I could have done better was to focus on my grades better and actually take the ACT's(and score well). Scholarships are waaaaay underratted, trust me education costs will increase and the government's federal loan/grant limits have not changed within a couple years. Perhaps a study software program? Definitely a book for focus areas like math, science, and english/literature. __________________ Dont forget to bring a towel

01-12-2011, 11:48 PM	#12
mlee49 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,835 Thanks: 933 Thanked 1,031 Times in 460 Posts Dislikes: 6 Disliked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Depends, what trade? Automotive repair or Dental Hygenists? __________________ Dont forget to bring a towel

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01-11-2011, 12:59 AM	#2
twilyth Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,280 Thanks: 7,402 Thanked 5,579 Times in 3,287 Posts Dislikes: 165 Disliked 124 Times in 107 Posts	First, the SAT is no aptitude test. The more you've studied and the more you've learned, the better you will do. Do as many problems for each part of the exam as you can. Focus on any types you know will be on the test. IDK if they still have sections that they swap in and out. The more practice you have answering the types of questions they will have the better you will do. I would pay for a prep course, but if that's not an option, get every SAT prep book and do as many problems as you can.

01-11-2011, 08:57 AM	#6
WhiteLotus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,655 Thanks: 422 Thanked 1,672 Times in 1,026 Posts Dislikes: 31 Disliked 52 Times in 46 Posts	Anki is a useful study tool.

01-12-2011, 04:15 PM	#8
Fourstaff Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 792 Thanks: 37 Thanked 236 Times in 174 Posts Dislikes: 1 Disliked 1 Time in 1 Post	Do the Asian style and crunch through pass year papers 10 hours a day! From what I have heard, Sats questions are pretty "generic", so you can get use to their style of questions easily through lots of practice. But of course, I am an Asian, so my views are skewed...

01-12-2011, 07:26 PM	#9
Soylent Joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 1,069 Thanks: 830 Thanked 376 Times in 195 Posts Dislikes: 9 Disliked 6 Times in 3 Posts	I kind of wish studying wasn't allowed for the SAT. It's an aptitude test right, to see what you know. Just take it out of the blue, with no prep besides what you've learned in and out of school over the years. If everyone did that, although the scores would be lower, they'd be a more accurate representation of a someone's cognitive ability. Anyone with an ounce of willpower can study to get a higher score.

01-12-2011, 07:41 PM	#10
twilyth Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,280 Thanks: 7,402 Thanked 5,579 Times in 3,287 Posts Dislikes: 165 Disliked 124 Times in 107 Posts	It's easy to say that, but I guarantee you'll find a million other things to do besides study before you even crack one of those prep books. That's another nice thing about a course. You know it's costing hundreds of dollar so you make damned sure you get your ass to class. And since you have to take practice exams and show how you're improving, you also have more incentive to study. Some people can say, 'I'll do it on my own' and they actually do it. I'm not one of them and I don't think most people are. But if you can do it, my hat is off to you. You're a better man than I am - which, you know, probably isn't really saying much, but . . .

01-12-2011, 10:01 PM	#11
Soylent Joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 1,069 Thanks: 830 Thanked 376 Times in 195 Posts Dislikes: 9 Disliked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Do you have to do good on or even take the SAT and/or ACT if you're heading to a trade school?

01-13-2011, 02:15 AM	#13
Soylent Joe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunswick, GA Posts: 1,069 Thanks: 830 Thanked 376 Times in 195 Posts Dislikes: 9 Disliked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Something like A/C installation & repair, general electrician, or construction with the City/County.

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