How To Prepare For SATs The SMART Way?
How To Prepare For SATs The SMART Way
Proper preparation is pivotal for getting good scores on the SAT exam. To perform well you should not only study harder but also smarter. A strategic approach can help you edge ahead of the other competitors. Here are some tips you can implement that will help you excel in SAT.
* Learn to do math in your mind
One area where many aspirants waste their time in the exam hall is by doing simple calculations on paper. As calculators are only allowed in one math session of the SAT, tuning up your mental calculator can be a lifesaver. Start with multiplication tables and other easy concepts. Later you can explore shortcuts that will make different arithmetic operations easier. However, make sure that you have an intuitive understanding of the concepts before attempting to learn the easy methods.
* Mix up your practice sessions
Most students select one subject for one SAT preparation session. Doing this often is sub optimal as the concepts you learn are in your short-term memory and solving the remaining questions with similar patterns will be a breeze. Switching topics every half hour or so will force your mind to solve the problems through reasoning, as opposed to pattern recognition.
* Start reading, a lot
The reading sessions of SAT are a nightmare to many. But this is only because they have not been explicitly practicing reading complex passages for comprehension. By reading plenty of materials outside of your curriculum to get used to similar text. It is best to focus on nonfiction works from authors, magazines, and newspaper who keeps a high standard in their diction.
* Amp up your memory
Even for math, which is known for logical reasoning and understanding, it is essential to memorize important formulas and equations to make up for the time factor of SAT exams. The same is true for expanding your vocabulary. If rote memorization doesn’t work for you look into techniques like mnemonics, memory palace, and spaced repetition. Intelligently experiment with different approaches and find one that suits your learning style.
* Work on your weaknesses
‘He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student’.
Do as many mock SAT exams as you can to identify where you score the least. This will help you prepare a plan that caters to your study requirements. Mark the question you have answered wrongly and revisit those laters after you have strengthened your understanding of the related contents.
* Squeeze in extra time
SAT exams take a lot of time and effort to prepare for. But you can make use of the various periods that you have to waste anyway like waiting in a queue or commuting from school to home. Use flashcard software like Anki if you are allowed to carry a phone around. You can also keep an SAT guide book and a rough note in your bag to learn and practice at every opportunity
* Acquaint yourself with SAT patterns
Most competitive exams follow their own pattern and style. Learn how SAT questions and scores are divided across different sections. This will save you a lot of time in forming a study plan and prioritizing subjects. By solving a lot of sample tests and mock exams you not be surprised by any curve ball that comes your way.
Originally published at https://www.1attempt.com.
