3 Tips for Doing Well on the SAT

Do you need an excellent SAT strategy?

I can relate to your fear, the SAT is an incredibly complicated and stressful test. It is also quite important. I’ve already given my take on the SAT – why it’s around, what you should do to prep, and what it actually is – but today, I’m going to give you some quick tips to really advance the way you think about the SAT.

I am NOT going to give sample problems – not yet at least. Instead, I am going to help you “think” about the SAT in a way that will change the way you take tests, and hopefully, change the way you score. This is SAT strategy in a very clear and easy-to-understand manner.

My hope is to help you score more points on the SAT. I will do this by demystifying a lot of what you are doing.

1) Stop looking for the right answer

The SAT is a multiple-choice test. The advantage of a multiple-choice test is that one of the 5 options HAS to be correct. The problem is that you only have a 20% of guessing correct. With that said, there is an initial 80% chance of finding a wrong answer. So, why are you trying so hard to find things that are hard to find, when you could EASILY find things that are EASY to find? That’s not smart SAT strategy.

From this day forward, spend your time looking for WRONG answers. (easier said than done ) As you work through your problems, you will eventually be left with two choices – a 50% chance. Now those are good odds!

I recommend getting access to a sample SAT, specifically the Official Guide, and working as hard as you can to do every problem in this way. Be left with the right answer.

If you spend your time looking for wrong answers, you will be left with the right answer.That is smart test-taking.

2) Stop answering the questions in order

Each SAT section is timed. It is true that there is a general order of difficulty on the SAT. Generally speaking, the test begins with an easy question, moves to medium questions, and ends with a hard question. With that said, the SATs understanding of easy, medium and hard ignores individual order of difficulty preferences. It’s just silly SAT strategy to start with 1 and end with 18 (or 20, or 24…)

For example, if you are terrible at geometry, it doesn’t matter if the SAT says that the geometry question is easy, for you it is hard. In addition, if your algebra is excellent, the hardest algebra question on this section may be easy for you.

Why on earth, then, would you spend your time on the first geometry question and risk getting it wrong when you could be spending your time on the easier for you algebra questions.

If you spend your time answering questions that you are good at first, you will increase your chances for a high score because you will have a higher accuracy and more time for questions you can do.

I know this gets pretty confusing, especially when you are working on practice tests. Whenever I work with students, we use a stop-watch. These help you keep time at home without having to constantly look at your watch, the wall, or a computer. Pacing is essential for the SAT, especially if you are going to skip around. Get a stop watch and get that peace of mind.

That is very smart test-taking.

3) Stop answering every question

Unless you are looking to earn a 2400, you do NOT need to answer every question. In fact, doing so will hurt you rather than help you. I’m not the only one to say this.

As you should know, each wrong answer subtracts 1/4 of a point from your total raw score. (This will change in 2016). What you might not have considered is that each wrong answer also takes your concentration and time away from working on other questions.

If you can identify the score you need, then you can identify the number of questions you must attempt. Only attempt those questions. Doing so will ensure your high score by giving you more time to answer hard questions and less time wasted on questions you’d get wrong anyway.

Answering every question is really poor test-taking, but entering the SAT with a plan to NOT answer every question is really smart test taking.

Putting all of this together, then, gives you a strategy to both identify what you are good at AND what you are bad at; letting you ignore the questions you are bad at and spend more time on the questions that you are good at. It also involves assessing each question using a thorough process of elimination.

That, my friends, is SAT strategy that will put you right in line to scoring higher than you ever have before.
Now, go prepare for your SAT, score well, fulfill your dreams. And if you try and fail… consider hiring a tutor. I hear they are smart, capable, and very, very funny.