Preparing For SAT As High School & College Students

 Countdown to College SAT Prep

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an exam taken by millions of college hopefuls to ascertain their readiness for postsecondary education. Developed in the 1920s as a standardized way of assessing the core study skills needed to succeed in college, more than 1.7 million high school students now take the SAT each year. Used as a benchmark by college admissions offices and scholarship panels, the SAT is often a significant determining factor if a student is accepted to their top choice for higher education.

The following guide offers a host of community, professional and online resources while also providing glimpses of what to expect on the exam. Students who read this guide can also expect to gain expert guidance on acing the SAT from an admissions professional at the University of North Georgia.

SAT Scoring

Scores received on the SAT are one of the most important factors for many admissions department and scholarship panels as they demonstrate a student's likelihood for success under the demands of college. Many of the top schools in America have score standards for admittance, making it important for students with aspirations to attend competitive schools to research the scores they'll need to be considered.

Changes to the SAT

The new SAT, revamped in 2016, looks similar to the older version but with a few significant changes.

SAT Prep Timeline

Prepping for the SAT involves the right timing. Students who start too early are likely to experience burnout, while those who leave it until the last moment aren't likely to retain much of what they studied.

Choosing an SAT Prep Course

Selecting the best SAT prep course can mean the difference between whether a student gets to attend their first or second choice of college, so taking time to find the perfect fit is worth the effort. Whether opting for free services or a paid course, high school students should first assess their needs before ascertaining what the top programs offer. A few things to keep in mind when looking at prep courses include:

SAT Subjects

• Writing + Language

  The updated writing and language section of the SAT tests a student's mastery of the conventions of English through a series of multiple choice questions about everyday usage.

  Comprising 44 questions over 35 minutes, examinees are given four passages of approximately 400 to 450 words and then tested on questions ranging from word context and grammar to punctuation and vocabulary.

  Each passage includes 11 questions about the language and writing style contained within. Topics covered by these passages usually relate to careers, the humanities, science, or social studies, but knowledge of these disciplines is not needed to correctly answer questions.

  The goal of the writing and language section is to ascertain if a student's skills in this area will serve them well at the college level and in the professional world.

  Scored out of a possible 800 points (including the reading portion), the average for college-bound SAT examinees was 543 in 2017.

  In addition to providing eight practice tests for this section, College Board also has an answer key with explanations of why each answer is wrong or right to help students better prepare for similar questions in the future.

• Reading

  The reading section of the new SAT shares its score with the writing and language section of the exam, meaning students can score up to 800 points if they ace both sections. This portion of the test lasts 65 minutes and includes 52 multiple choice questions that test a student's ability to read college-level passages, comprehend the arguments being made and glean information from informational graphs.

  Some of the questions in this section ask straight-forward questions about a specific piece of information, while others ask examinees to dig into the implications of the author's words.

  According to College Board, students can always expect to find a few different types of passages, including:

  • A piece of classic or contemporary U.S. or world literature
  • One to two passages from a founding document of the U.S. or a text inspired by them within the Great Global Conversation. Examples include the Constitution or a speech by Nelson Mandela
  • A social science passage relating to economics, psychology, sociology or political science
  • Two science passages related to foundational concepts and/or developments within biology, chemistry, Earth science or physics

• Essay

  Unlike the previous version of the SAT, the new exam makes it optional for students to complete the essay portion. While some students take it regardless to showcase their skills in writing and analyzing text, most students who undertake the section do so because their prospective colleges require an essay score.

  Rather than multiple choice, students are given one passage of approximately 650 to 750 words that they must read, analyze, and craft a response to. The timer for this section is set for 50 minutes and in that time students must examine how the author uses facts or examples to support his/her claim, deploys reasoning to further develop ideas and connect them to evidence, and adds elements of style or persuasion to add power to the argument.

  Specific topics aren't released beforehand, but all passages have a few commonalities, including:

  • Written with a broad audience in mind
  • Makes an argument
  • Expresses nuanced views on complicated topics
  • Employs logic, reasoning, and evidence when making claims
  • Scrutinizes the arts and sciences and civic, cultural, and political life via ideas, debates, and trends

• Math

  Math on the new SAT is divided into two sub-sections: calculator and no-calculator. The 25-minute no-calculator section includes 20 questions focused on fluency, understanding of mathematical concepts, techniques and number sense. The calculator section lasts 55 minutes and includes 38 questions related to complex modeling and reasoning. The majority of questions are answered in multiple-choice format, but a few “grid-in” questions require students to find the answer on their own rather than selecting from a list of options. All math questions center around algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and quantitative literacy, regardless of their format. The average score in 2017 was 541 based on a sampling of college-bound examinees.

  Skills and knowledge needed for both sections are included in the table below:

  Needed Skills and Knowledge

  No Calculator	Calculator
  Simple math	Formulas
  Single equations and phrases	Creating linear equations or system of equations
  System of two equations	Modeling
  Square roots	Sine and cosine
  Number Powers	Creating, solving, and graphing non-linear equations

• Subject Tests

  SAT Subject Tests (previously called Achievement Tests) were introduced in 1939 as a way for promising students to demonstrate specific knowledge in subjects that either aren't covered at all on the general SAT or are not covered in depth. All subject tests are considered optional, but some college departments may require students seeking entrance to a competitive program to complete related subject tests. Students who are particularly skillful in singular areas may also elect to take a subject test to demonstrate further competency and interest.

  All subject tests last one hour and are comprised entirely of multiple choice questions, are offered six different times per year, and cost $26 per exam taken. The 20 tests currently available are divided into five disciplines:

  • Mathematics

    • Math Level 1
    • Math Level 2

  • Science

    • Biology E/M
    • Chemistry
    • Physics

  • English

    • Literature

  • History

    • U.S. History
    • World History

  • Language

    • Spanish
    • Spanish w/Listening
    • French
    • French w/Listening
    • Chinese w/Listening
    • Italian
    • German
    • German w/Listening
    • Modern Hebrew
    • Latin
    • Japanese w/Listening
    • Korean w/Listening

  SAT Disability Services and Accommodations

  Accommodations

  College Board makes available a number of accommodations depending on individual student needs. To meet eligibility requirements, a student must demonstrate that their disability impinges on their capacity to take the SAT and that accommodations are necessary to ensure a good test-taking experience. Students with short-term injuries or conditions that have not been diagnosed are not eligible to receive accommodations, but they may qualify for assistance under provisions for temporary medical conditions.

  Accommodations available are wide ranging and currently include:

  • Additional and/or Extended Breaks
    To qualify for this accommodation, students must demonstrate that additional breaks are needed for physical or medical disabilities requiring them to test blood sugar, take medicine, rest or visit the restroom. Students with ADHD may also be eligible. Examples include breaks between each test section or extended breaks lasting twice the usual time.
  • Four-function Calculator
    This type of calculator can be used even on the math section that disallows a calculator if students have a specific learning disorder that affects their ability to perform mathematical calculations or if they have dyscalculia.
  • Time Extension
    Examinees who require additional time due to a documented disability may receive time-and-a-half or double time based on their needs. Options are also available for extended time on individual sections.
  • Reading and Seeing Assistance
    Blindness, severe reading disabilities, or other visual impairments meet the requirements for students to receive these types of accommodations. Examples of available accommodations include readers, magnifiers, braille test booklets, large-print text and tests in audio format.
  • Use of Computer
    Students may be eligible to use a computer for short-answer responses and essays if they have documented physical disabilities limiting their ability to write, language-based learning disorders, or dysgraphia. Tools such as spell-check or grammar-check must be turned off during use.

  Approval Process for Accommodations

  Test takers with documented disabilities are eligible for the accommodations described above, provided they gain approval prior to the deadline. College Board suggests students with disabilities work with their schools directly to get approval as this will expedite the process and ensure it goes smoothly.

  Other tips from College Board, official administrators of the SAT exam, include:

  • Don't Request Accommodations if You've Already Taken a Test Previously
    Students who have already taken the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 or AP Exams and received approval for accommodations don't need to go through the steps again as approval for those exams carries over to the SAT.
  • Get Started Early
    Approval can take upwards of two months, so consider this timeline when picking an SAT testing day to ensure there will be enough time to receive confirmation of accommodations. College Board provides an accommodations request deadline calendar to make the process easier.

  Preparing for Test Day

  When testing day arrives, students who have used their study time wisely can walk into the exam room feeling confident and equipped – especially if they prepare for the day itself as well as they have for the test. Since all the hard work is done, students simply need to make sure they get lots of rest and eliminate any situations that may cause them stress or anxiety before picking up their pencils and getting to work.

  Checklist for D-Day

  DON'T	DO
  Stay up late the night before the test.	Try to go to bed a bit earlier than usual so you can wake up feeling refreshed and have time to get your brain going before the test begins.
  Go in on an empty stomach.	Students are allowed two short breaks during the exam to have snacks, but a solid breakfast will go a lot further in helping students focus on the exam rather than their rumbling bellies.
  Save packing a bag until the last minute.	College Board provides a list of approved items that can be brought into the exam room – including two No. 2 pencils, a calculator, erasers, a watch, clothes, water, and snacks – so lay these things out the night before so you won't be scrambling on the morning of the test.
  Forget to look at the schedule.	Testing centers across the country adhere to the same simple plan, so get to know it well. Doors are open between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., at which point students are given assigned seating. A proctor will go over all the rules and read procedural notes before the exam official begins at 8:30 a.m.
  Think you can go back to a previous section.	Once a specific section of the SAT has been completed and a new section started, students can't return to that section to answer more questions or make corrections – even if they have time left over at the end.
  Forget to take breaks.	The SAT is a long and strenuous exam, and College Board provides breaks for a reason. Take advantage of the two breaks (lasting 10 minutes and five minutes) to drink some water, stretch your legs, and clear your mind for the next section of the test.

  An Expert Weighs in on the SAT

  Emma Yenko

  Molly Potts is the director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of North Georgia and has worked in admissions for more than 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a Master of Business Administration in leadership development from Brenau University.

  Q. What are your best tips for preparing to ace this examination?

  Take the SAT at least once in your junior year to become familiar with the format and content. Also, be sure to review study resources and take practice examinations to be fully prepared. For those who don't feel they perform well on standardized tests, consider a prep class. If you require accommodations, be sure to secure those prior to your test date. Finally, relax! Thorough preparation can ease anxiety when you go to sit for the exam.

  Q. Is it worth a student's time and money to hire an SAT tutor or take advantage of paid services?

  Deciding whether to hire an SAT tutor is an individual decision. Many students who practice disciplined self-study and take advantage of free preparation resources, such as practice tests, are satisfied with their testing results.

  Q. When should students begin studying for this exam, and how much time should they devote to study guides?

  While students should really start to focus on studying for the SAT after the completion of their sophomore year, reviewing the material during the freshman and sophomore years is advisable. Taking a PSAT during sophomore year and comparing your results with the requirements of the institutions in which you're interested is also a good way to determine how much time you should spend studying for the SAT.

  Q. Why is it important for students to take the SAT in relation to college acceptance, scholarships, etc.?

  Many institutions have minimum test score requirements for students to be considered for admission. For those with a competitive admission process, standardized test scores are often a key factor in determining the competitiveness of a student's academic profile. Scores are also a factor taken into consideration for many merit-based scholarships.

  Student Help and Resources for the SAT

  Before logging onto the Internet and searching for apps and study guides, examinees would do well to see what is available in their local community. Students can often find assistance at community centers, local tutoring programs, colleges, and even possibly at their own high school. The options below are given as examples of programs that can likely be found in your community.

  Boys & Girls Club of America BGCA has partnered with Kaplan to provide free test prep scholarships throughout America to help college hopefuls gain admittance to the school of their choice. Students should check with their local chapter to see if these services are available.

  At School and the Community

  • Churches

    Numerous churches are expanding their missions to include preparing high schools students for higher education and now offer free or discounted SAT prep classes. New Life Church and West Angeles Church are just two examples.

  • Community Centers

    Sunnyside Community Services and Mosholu Montefiore Community Center offer examples of local community groups that provide SAT prep, college counseling, workshops and even free trips to local colleges as part of their College Bound programs.

  • Community Colleges and Colleges/Universities

    Two- and four-year colleges often provide SAT prep classes to local high school students at a discounted price – or even for free. Check out Montgomery County Community College and Montgomery College to see an example of what's available.

  • High School

    Many high schools now offer SAT preparation courses either free of charge or for a small fee, as evidenced by Archbishop Murphy High School in Washington. Even if your school doesn't have SAT classes, consider speaking with a guidance counselor to find out about other local resources.

  Online Practice Tests and Free Help

  Online SAT practice tests, available via many free providers, are valuable resources as they allow test takers a glimpse of the types of questions they'll encounter on exam day. Practice tests are valuable both in the early days, when students are assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and then when they're ascertaining how they've improved while studying. Students who want to mimic testing conditions can take the practice exams via pencil and paper while timing themselves to get a fuller sense of what they might expect on test day.

  • College Board

    CB oversees the administration of the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT exams and also provide a vast range of free resources to help students learn more about what to expect. The organization has several practice tests and examples of scoring.

  • Ivy Global

    A full practice test, diagnostic test, mini diagnostic test and an SAT guide can all be downloaded free of charge from Ivy Global.

  • Khan Academy

    In partnership with College Board, Khan Academy provides a full suite of free personalized practice exams, study plans and feedback to helps examinees do their best.

  • Prep Scholar

    A roundup of free practice tests and other resources can be found on Prep Scholar's SAT website.

  • The Princeton Review

    Whether looking for online help or free practice events near their home, students who use The Princeton Review can find many helpful resources at their fingertips.

  Apps

  The fast-paced nature of a typical student's school day means that, sometimes, studying may need to happen on the go. Smartphone and tablet apps are great resources to brush up on vocabulary, learn about math formulations, or review practice questions. Daily Practice College Board's free app provides a new SAT question each day with instant scoring and explanations of why a particular answer is the correct choice.

  • The Grading Game

    At a cost of 99 cents, this app is well worth the investment. Users play a “game” which involves spotting grammar and syntax errors in essays to sharpen their skills.

  • IntelliVocab

    Move over, flashcards. IntilliVocab uses artificial intelligence and algorithms to figure how users learn best and then tailor questions to their individual learning styles.

  • iPredict

    This free app allows students to answer 18 questions and then gauges their readiness for the SAT based on their current level of skills. Problem-solving strategies are also provided.

  • Math Brain Booster

    Another free app, MBB helps students improve their attention spans, reaction times, and mental acuity – all of which will come in especially handy on the SAT's no calculator section

  • Ready4

    Tons of lessons, virtual flashcards, diagnostic tests, and practice questions are available via Ready4's free app.

  • SAT Connect

    This all-around app includes more than half-a-dozen diagnostic tests, 4,000 vocabulary words and 1,000+ questions with full explanations on why answers are right or wrong.

  • SAT Score Quest

    Although The Princeton Review's offering costs a one-time fee of $9.99, this highly interactive tool provides a tutor, extra practice questions and a score report.

  • SAT Up

    The most frequently used app today, SAT Up provides daily questions, mid- and full-length practice tests, games and tutoring – all free of charge.

  • You Can Learn Anything

    Khan Academy's free offering includes more than 150,000 interactive exercises, a library of videos and progress reports.

  Paid Services and Courses

  Free services provide a range of base-level support to help students ascertain their readiness and prepare for the SAT, yet many of these services lack the personalized nature of a paid course. Students seeking more substantive support from a tutor or a guaranteed improvement of scores often elect to use these services. While the majority of paid SAT courses are legitimately provided by qualified professionals, students should do their homework before signing on the dotted line.

  • Kaplan

    SAT prep packages at Kaplan start at $299 for self-paced online courses, while the unlimited prep package costs $1599 and includes online and in-person tutoring, unlimited use of prep courses, and personalized testing advice.

  • The Princeton Review

    The self-directed online prep course at TPR costs $299 while the “ultimate” course includes an additional 140 lessons, 25 hours of live lectures, and three hours of one-to-one tutoring for $849.

  • Veritas Prep

    Depending on their individual needs, Veritas Prep provides a personalized prep package to help students strengthen their skills while reviewing materials in ways that suit their learning style best. Self-study and subject tutoring are also available both online and in-person.