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Strawberry juice and granola bars: my SAT strategyJun 13 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I never really studied for the SATs...I had always done well on standardized tests in school, so I figured this demon of the Educational Testing Service's design would be another piece of cake. Upon taking the PSATs, however, I realized that these tests do require strategy and a little bit of effort to master. Several of my friends took prep courses, but these were expensive (around $500) and did not substantially raise their scores. I took the do-it-yourself route instead, which basically had three parts. 1. READ, READ, AND READ SOME MORE! The verbal section of the SAT basically tests vocabulary and comprehension skills. I'd always loved language and writing, so this section was not as tough for me. If you aren't a big reader, though, I suggest you start. You don't have to read novels; most of my regular reading is Newsweek, the Sunday paper, the nutrition facts on cereal boxes, etc. Going online helps if you frequent actual content websites for research, these will increase your vocabulary as well. My older brother also has a large vocabulary, so being around him, it rubbed off on me a bit too. See if you know anyone who uses SAT words in conversation, and spend a little more time with them. 2. ADJUST TO THE TEST-TAKING SITUATION My SAT scores improved by 200 points from the first practice test I took to the last result I recorded at the end of my junior year, with no studying in between. I'm sorry to say that I didn't pull this off with "learning by osmosis," or sleeping with a Princeton Review book under my pillow. Instead, just getting used to taking the SAT did it for me. Take the PSATs starting in the fall of your sophomore year to see where you are, then take them again in the fall of your junior year. If your school offers practice SATs (mine did for a $5 fee), take them! That way you'll be prepared when the scores actually count. I took the real SAT twice, which is what's generally recommended by counselors (I think mine said 2-3 times is good). Still, you don't want your first time taking the test to be a trial...get the trial out of the way earlier. Colleges will take your highest scores, but they'll also see the low scores too, and registering for a test you'll bomb is just plain expensive anyway. If you want to be extra prepared and you aren't taking a course, check out "Ten Real SATs" or something like that from the library to get more practice. 3. GET PSYCHED UP ON TEST DAY By psyched up I don't mean hyper and bouncing off the walls...just know that you're prepared to do your very best. I had a tradition of bringing an Odwalla Strawberry C Monster juice and granola bars to each SAT I took; it was a good luck thing. Try to register early so you can take the test at a location near you. My high school didn't host SATs in my junior or senior years, so I picked other schools nearby that I could easily located...I got an extra kick from testing at a school lots of my friends had graduated from. (Another luck thing.) Just don't register late if you can help it...I did that once and ended up having to drive half an hour. It was a drag. Also, be early to the SAT, give yourself plenty of time to find the room you'll be testing in and locate bathrooms, drinking fountains, etc. Then, calm down, take a deep breath, and enjoy your morning snack...I really think the vitamin C in the Odwalla drink helped power up my brain! :-)  |
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