SAT Success Secrets: Your Ultimate Guide to Passing the Exam!

Introduction

Are you looking to prepare for and pass the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)? Besides, you may also be interested in other information that other students are researching all over the internet to discover about SAT exam. I will also share detailed information that can help you succeed on this exam. I am glad you found this article useful to begin with as you prepare for your advanced academic journey.

The SAT exam is a standardized test for admission into US and Canadian universities. These colleges use the student result to determine their math, writing and evidenced based reading skills. Annually between 1.5 to 2.2 million students apply to take this exam so that they can be qualified for college placement.

Besides US and Canada, there are other countries that utilize the SAT score in their applicant consideration for admission. Countries like Australia, UK, India, and few other countries in Europe.

What’s On the SAT Exam?

Most students are always curious about what to expect on the SAT exam, so they can have a plan of action to prepare very well and pass. The administrative process of applying and registration will be discussed later.

The SAT exam is typically divided into four main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Math (with a calculator), Math (no calculator), and the optional Essay. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing focuses on reading comprehension and sentence completion.

The reading comprehension questions come from a wide variety of literature genres, and you will see multiple choice questions testing your comprehension, vocabulary, and interpretation skills. On the other hand, the sentence completion asks fill-in-the-blank questions checking your vocabulary knowledge and contextual understanding.

There are two sets of math tests; one that allows you to use calculator and the other that do not allow the use of calculator. The math test without a calculator takes twenty-five minutes to complete for twenty questions. While the one with a calculator takes fifty-five minutes for thirty-eight questions. Overall, the math test for both sets takes eighty minutes; that is, totals one hour and twenty minutes for fifty-eight questions.

The fourth set is the essay. You may write one essay. This is how this works; you will be given a passage to analyze and respond to. Your essay should demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, and effective writing skills. Just as FYI, this section is optional.

Additionally, the SAT exam may include experimental sections that are not scored as part of your final grade. The SAT examiner will not notify you about these types of questions. These sections are used to test new questions for future exams, and you won’t know which section is experimental during your test. You are expected to answer all the questions as if your grades depend on them.

In total, the SAT exam contains 154 questions without the essay. The time duration for the main sections is one hundred and eighty minutes if you exclude the essay. But if you add the essay, it would be two hundred and thirty minutes. In other words, three hours, and fifty minutes for everything. But without the essay, it will only take you three hours.

What Else Do I Need to Know About this Exam?

There is more you need to know about the SAT exam for you to be fully prepared. The SAT exam score ranges on the 1600 scale point. The sum of the two section scores ranges from 400-1600. The maximum possible total score for the SAT exam is 1600 (Reading & Writing = 800 & Math = 800), and the optional essay is scored separately on a scale of 6 to 24.

As you may have realized, to establish a clear strategy for your preparation, you need to know the total number of questions from each section and the time allowed to complete them. I have provided the table above for your planning purposes. For the reading test, you have fifty-two questions to complete in sixty-five minutes. The writing and language test has forty-four questions, and you have thirty-five minutes to complete them.

My area of interest is math. You must complete fifty-eight questions in eighty minutes with and without the use of a calculator. The next question that comes to mind is do students pass this SAT exam? The affirmative answer is yes. The secret is in the preparation.

The SAT exam is designed to test your problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and reasoning abilities. There would be no need to memorize facts and think this would prove useful on the test. You want to prepare for this exam using the official practice tests and study materials. This would give you a better idea of what to expect on the test and you can be more prepared.

On average, to perform very well on the SAT exam, you need at least three months or twelve weeks of preparation. I will encourage you to avoid the “fire-brigade” approach in your preparation. Read widely and check all your mistakes during this preparation phase. Review my ten-step strategy below to succeed on this exam.

What About this Optional Essay?

If you decide to attempt the essay, you will be given fifty minutes to plan and write one essay. In most cases, you will be presented with a passage written by an author based on a topic passionate to them. It could be a social issue, ideology, scientific argument, or government policy, whatever it may be. As part of your preparation to write this essay, you will need to analyze how the author arrives at her position through the presented argument. What is missing in this argument, what needs to be improved. You want to keep in mind that your opinion or personal feelings should not necessarily reflect in this essay; the examiner is testing your ability to analyze details and reason on the presented matters.

Let’s Talk About the Math Section

It is true that reading and writing or with the essay; these may be easy for most students, the concern has always been with mathematics. That is why I would like to devote this section to pull back the curtains and outline what math topics you need to study to be ready for this SAT exam.

Quite a few of the questions on the SAT Math test may look unfamiliar to you, be rest assured that all the math topics tested on the SAT Math test are taught in your typical high school pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra 2, geometry, trigonometry, and pre-calculus classes. This is to reassure that your math section should not become a dread, if many have passed it, you are next in line to repeat this feat. That is why I am providing all this information ahead of time to help you prepare.

The math section will test your knowledge of algebra, advanced mathematics, data analysis and problem-solving and trigonometry and geometry. Most of these questions are related to linear functions, linear equations in one variable, linear equations in two variables, linear inequalities in one or two variables, systems of two linear equations in two variables, ratios, probability, area and volume, circle, lines, and triangles.

If you are planning the areas of focus out, focus on five areas: algebra 1, algebra 2, data analysis and problem solving, geometry and trigonometry. The last time I checked, algebra 1 and algebra 2 will be thirty-five percent each of the math test. Data analysis and problem-solving fifteen percent of the questions while geometry and trigonometry are on the same scale of fifteen percent as well.

At Practical Math Academy we have prepared materials that will help you in these areas to build a solid foundational understanding of all these areas and be confident for your exam. You can check out the 10-Day Math Challenge or the Algebra Intermediate Skills or the Algebra Advanced Skills math programs as you prepare for your math test. At least when fully combined will help you in your preparation. You can also become a member so you can have full access to all the math modules for the duration of your exam preparation.

Just as another FYI, students are permitted to use calculators throughout the math test.

How Do I Apply for This Exam?

Let’s get down to the business of preparation right away. I will leave you with the administrative part of this exam, I am talking about applying and registering for this exam. You can go to the College Board web portal to start your registration and application for this exam. You will also be notified of dates and deadlines when you can take this exam. You can also locate a test center near you.

There is a lot of information on this College Board web portal you want to be familiar with, perhaps if you are an international student and you need all the necessary information to prepare for this exam. The website will provide you with the exam fees and if you plan to change your registration details. The web portal will also provide you with information on what to expect on the exam day, what you can bring and how to access your score after the exam. Please visit this website for more information.

How Do I Prepare to Pass the SAT Exam?

In view of my past experiences taking matriculation exams and professional certifications. I would like to recommend these ten step strategies you need to start following for the next three months as you prepare for your SAT exam.

Before I layout these steps, I want you to promise that you will not be afraid of this exam. Also promise that you will follow all the steps without deviating from them, because everyone that has followed these ten steps has always come out successfully passing this exam. Now that I have your promise, shall we start…. oh, I think you also need pen and paper to keep these details for future reference.

STEP 1: Understand the SAT Exam Format and Contents

Obtain an official SAT Syllabus (Exam Objectives). You can get a copy of this on the College Board web portal when you are applying for this exam. You also need to obtain an official SAT Practice Tests; you can purchase the latest copy or borrow one from your school or local library. Review what the multiple-choice questions look like under different sections, check the instructions, the timing, and the types of questions.

STEP 2: Set Clear and Specific Goals

With the completion of step one, you can now understand what you are up against and start knowing what to expect and how to prepare based on your strengths and weaknesses. Gradually improve your study schedule and test practice. Your goal is to understand all the exam objectives and score 85 – 95% on the test, this is just my suggestion. What do you think?

STEP 3: Create a Study Schedule

Now you need to establish a study schedule. How many hours a day for study preparation? How many days during the week? Where do I study – stay at home or go to the library? Remember, consistency is very important. Start gradually until you are consistent, a week is enough to build a routine that will last three months. Your determination to succeed should be the motivating force here. You need to plan these three months out. If you are taking the test in August, you should start from April to July for the August test date.

STEP 4: Adopt High Quality Study Materials

If you go on Amazon or eBay today, you will come across tons of past practice tests on SAT exam. My recommendation, please use the Official SAT practice tests and reputable study guide. When you use these types of materials for your test preparation, it means there is a total alignment in your exam objective study with the test preparation. You will notice a positive outcome as you review your mistakes from these body of contents for your test preparations.  You can borrow these Official SAT Practice test prep materials from your school or local library.

STEP 5: Identify Your Areas of Weakness & Focus on Improvement

Depending on how you study, you can complete the materials before starting your test preparation or do both side by side. Keep taking diagnostic tests early in your preparation. This will reveal your area of weakness and focus on improving. Whether it is algebra, reading comprehension or grammar keep improving those skills. Avoid using words like “I hate” instead, use “I will improve in the (area where you have observed a weakness)”. Your goal is to develop your confidence and competence. There is no turning back. Achieving success in this test is a must.

STEP 6: Establish and Keep Reviewing Your Test Taking Strategies

You have three hours to pass your SAT exam. Do you need all these times? You need to establish based on your strength a test taking strategy. How do I manage my time when the test starts? How do I select the correct answers from the multiple-choice questions? How do I quickly eliminate the wrong choices. When you have established a test-taking strategy, you will see a significant boost in your test score. Keep tweaking this strategy until you see one that works perfectly well for you. In the end, you will be more confident in your test taking and your grade will improve.

STEP 7: Seek Support and Guidance

Progressive students always seek guidance where and when necessary. It is not a sign of weakness; it is a mark of strength. In your search for success, you stumbled on this article. Teachers, Tutors, peers, parents, and experienced friends can prove helpful when it comes to SAT-related questions, tips suggestions and what may have helped them in the past. You will have a wealth of knowledge that will help in your preparation. Practical Math Academy is rooting for your success, that is why a roadmap like this was carefully researched and posted for your use.

STEP 8: Attempt Full-Length Practice Test Regularly

Six weeks into your preparation, you should incorporate attempting full length practice test into your schedule. Put yourself under exam condition for the duration and complete a set of SAT test and grade yourself. One, it will build your endurance. Two, it will help you improve your test taking strategy. Lastly, you will notice an improvement in your test scores. Besides these benefits, you will also detect your area of strength and weaknesses. Please, when you do, work at improving your area of weaknesses. At least before your real exam, you should have completed more than ten to fifteen sets to give your insight into where your focus should be in terms of confidence and goals should be targeted for each section.

STEP 9: Stay Healthy and Manage Stress Well

The word “test” or “exam” is enough stress for any student, not to talk about the SAT exam. You need to maintain your mental and physical well-being during this period. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in physical activities that will help you reduce stress. Drink a lot of water too, avoid junk food and drinks. Relax your mind. When your mind is healthy, you will be able to absorb more information and you will be able to stay focused.

STEP 10: Test-Day Strategies and Boost Your Confidence

Remember that you have invested more than twelve weeks preparing for a three-hour exam. You need to establish a strategy to succeed. Just like a sporting coach for his team. Rest very well a night to your test. Practice some relaxation techniques that work for you to help you manage test-day jitters. Get all the materials you need for the exam ready a few days before the test day. On the morning of your exam, eat a good breakfast rich in protein and carbohydrates. Trust me, you will need food to burn those mental calories. Arrive early at the test center. Trust all your preparation for the past twelve weeks, your practice test score is proof of your hard work. Stay positive throughout. Read and follow all the test instructions carefully. Apply all your test strategies one by one. Tackle your test with confidence.

Let’s Conclude Here

Remember, preparing for the SAT exam is a journey, and it’s normal to face challenges along the way. Celebrate your progress, stay committed to your goals, and believe in your capabilities. With commitment, hard work, and these ten steps as your guide, you’ll be well on your way to crushing the SAT exam and unlocking exciting opportunities for your future.

Leave me a comment or send an email on how I can be of help. Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions relating to this exam. When you are done with your exam. At the Practical Math Academy, we would like to celebrate your achievement.

I know you’ve got this! All the best in your SAT exam.