Training for the Big Test: SAT Preparation
June 11, 2009 | StudentStuff Staff
It was once called the Scholastic Aptitude Test and now, over eighty years after the first test was administered, it is known only as the SAT. These are the three letters that strike fear into the hearts of high school students with an eye on college. Created by the College Board and scored by the Electronic Testing Service, the three-part test is given seven times a year and lasts three hours and forty-five minutes. It is broken up into three sections: writing, mathematics, and critical reading. Each section is scored within a range of 200 to 800 and the essay is scored from 1 to 6. Although not all colleges require the test for admissions, it is becoming increasingly more accepted as a means for judging the critical thinking skills of college-bound high school seniors. According to the College Board, nearly 1.5 million students in the class of 2007 took the SAT. So what can you do to prepare for this all-important exam?
Get Time on Your Side
You definitely want to keep your options open when it comes to studying for the SAT. Make sure you pick a date to take the test early on and start planning immediately–it definitely pays off. Though most of the students who take the SAT are seniors in high school, a rising number are starting in their junior year. Kaplan, Inc., a leading provider of educational and career services, reports that the number of enrollments in their preparation courses is running higher for students entering their junior year than those entering their senior year. The company attributes this shift to the recent changes to the SAT, which affected the time of the test and the contents of the writing section.
Services and Books
There are a plethora of services available to help you prepare for the SAT. Companies like The Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Accolade offer resources designed to support the preparation process and test you through the use of practice exams. Kaplan has several different programs to help students prepare. For about a $1,000 you can get yourself enrolled in a 12-session prep course that comes with a money-back guarantee. Basically, if you don’t score higher on the SAT following your work with Kaplan, you can study with them for free, or get a full refund. The Princeton Review offers a similar program with about 14 sessions. Both companies have online courses, private tutoring, and small group tutoring.
Kaplan also sells a variety of study materials, including a fiction book: The Ring of McAllister: A Score-Raising Mystery. The book features 1,046 SAT vocabulary words. “According to national statistics, high school students are spending a growing percentage of their classroom day on math while the amount of time devoted to English language arts and grammar is dwindling,” says Seppy Basili, VP at Kaplan. This book offers students a unique way to build their vocabulary. Even the maker of the SAT, the College Board, offers their own prep materials. You can prepare with a personalized online course, featuring lessons and quizzes, immediate essay scoring, and six practice tests for about $70, or pick up their “Official Study Guide” for $20. They even have a calendar with an SAT question for each day.
In the Days Before
It’s recommended that you drive to the location a few days before, just to ensure you don’t get lost on the day of the big test. Removing any potential obstacles that could cause stress is essential to keeping your mind on your goal. The College Board offers their own list of dos and don’ts for the night before your test, including the need to be well-rested, packing a snack, and having plenty of number 2 pencils. Stress is another great reason to take the test earlier than later–if you have more opportunities to take the SAT, you will likely be more comfortable and focused come test time.
DIY SAT
For all you do-it-yourselfers out there, studying on your own for the SAT takes discipline. If you can keep your eye on the ball, than save yourself the money you would spend on a prep course, pick up some study guides, and go to town. Start by taking a practice test without studying. This will help you get oriented to the test and give you a good feel for what areas you’re going to need to focus on. Take a few timed tests throughout your preparation to continually measure your performance.
Conclusion
Whatever your course of action, any action is better than none at all. The more serious you take the test, the more you will see a reward for your effort. Getting a high score on the SAT provides you with more options when it comes to choosing a college or university. And when you’re deciding where you’re going to spend the next 4 or more years, being in the driver’s seat is a powerful place to be.
