Are you a high school sophomore, junior, or senior — of the parent on one — who is getting ready to take your very first SAT test? If so, College Planning Experts has some important information to share with you.

College Planning Experts is a company dedicated to helping students and their parents plan for success with choosing the right college, selecting the perfect major, and preparing to pay for school in a way that doesn’t jeopardize anyone’s financial future.

We know that good test scores aren’t the only factor in successful college planning, but they sure do help. So today, we’re looking at some tips and tricks for preparing for the SAT.

For help with anything outside of test prep, contact our office, or schedule yourself to attend one of our free college planning workshops in your local area.

 

Be Ready For The Test

The most important part of successful test preparation is, well, preparation. But you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a test prep academy to do it. You just need to make some common sense decisions that will help improve your baseline score.

 

  • Practice. Get help wherever you can. Ask teachers for sample problems, pick up an inexpensive test prep book, or review your answers from your PSAT test. Knowing what to expect will help you work faster and reduce your anxiety about the test.
  • Adjust your sleep schedule. Most people think one good night of sleep will do the trick. You’re actually better off keeping your sleep schedule unless you’re willing to start making adjustments about a week ahead of time. Plan on taking it easy and getting to bed early the week of the test and you’ll see the difference.
  • Eat like it matters. What you put into your body will help improve what your brain can put out. Eat a good, healthy meal the night before, and choose simple, nutrient-rich foods for breakfast while not overdoing it on liquids like coffee. We recommend foods like smoked salmon, peanut butter, and fruits.
  • Be ready to go the night before. Instead of rushing around looking for your stuff, get your test-approved calculator, pencils, and other materials in order the night before. Also, make sure you know where you are going.

Know What You’re In For

Not exactly sure what you’re going to be tested on or how long you will have? Sounds like a good way to get stressed and make mistakes. Check out the chart below and create a strategy accordingly.

Test Breakdown Time Limit # of Questions Time per Question
Reading 5 sections, 52 questions 65 min 52 48 sec
Writing & Language 4 sections, 44 questions 35 min 44 47 sec
BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK
Math (no calculator) 15 multiple choice, 5 grid 25 20 1 min, 15 sec
Math (calculator) 38 multiple choice, 8 grid 55 38 1 min, 26 sec

 

Schedule Multiple Tests

Many students perform the worst on their first SAT test. For this reason, we recommend that you schedule two to three total tests over the course of your college planning span, making sure to practice on your weak areas between each one.

 

For All Your Non-Test Prep Related Questions, Contact College Planning Experts

With these simple tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be better prepared than many of the students in the room with you. To gain an edge in all of the areas of successful college planning that don’t have to do with the SAT, such as financial planning, college selection, and choosing a major, talk to the team at College Planning Experts today.

(Visited 81 times, 1 visits today)