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Getting high scores on the SAT is important. The higher your score, the better your chances of getting into more competitive colleges and qualifying for certain scholarship opportunities. The key to opening these doors is knowing how to improve SAT scores.
Before taking the test the first time, you may have known the theory on how to get a high SAT score. But the actual test scores may have fallen short of your expectations. If you’re planning on taking the test again, you may be thinking about how to improve your SAT score. So what is it you could do differently if you took the SAT again?
We’ve put together the top ten tried and tested strategies on how to improve SAT scores.
How to Improve SAT Scores: 10 Great Tips
1. Build Up Your Vocabulary
Getting high scores on the SAT is important. The higher your score, the better your chances of getting into more competitive colleges and qualifying for certain scholarship opportunities. The key to opening these doors is knowing how to improve SAT scores.
Before taking the test the first time, you may have known the theory on how to get a high SAT score. But the actual test scores may have fallen short of your expectations. If you’re planning on taking the test again, you may be thinking about how to improve your SAT score. So what is it you could do differently if you took the SAT again?
We’ve put together the top ten tried and tested strategies on how to improve SAT scores.
2. Read, Read, Read! Write, Write, Write!
Lots of tips on how to improve SAT scores focus on reading and writing. It’s such a simple idea that many students ignore it. That’s a mistake. We cannot over-emphasize the importance of reading and writing when you’re looking for how to improve your SAT score.
When you read a variety of materials, you’ll come across new words, new writing styles, and new ideas. These will open up your mind to new perspectives while also expanding your vocabulary.
So what exactly should you read to improve SAT scores? The answer is just about anything. Read things you enjoy. Read things you find boring. Read newspapers. Read scientific articles. Read anything you can get your hands on to really expand your critical skills.
After you’ve read a book, article, or even a movie review, practice summarizing it in your own words. This will get you thinking about what you’ve read and help you get some practice with expressing your thoughts. Doing this repeatedly will flex your writing muscles. Writing is a lot like working out, if you don’t use it, you lose it. On the other hand, when you keep writing, your writing skills will get stronger and stronger and you’ll find that the thoughts and words start to flow more easily.
3. Take Advantage of Study Materials
There are plenty of SAT prep books easily available. Some bookstores have entire sections dedicated to ACT and SAT books. These books include everything from test-taking tips and reading examples to practice questions, essay prompts, and more.
Many schools also hold SAT study sessions which is great not only for brushing up on certain areas but also for asking questions. Having trouble understanding some concepts or not sure how to answer an SAT question? Write your questions down and get the answers at these study sessions. Getting your questions answered can go a long way in helping you get over any obstacles that are keeping you from making progress. When you’re looking for how to improve SAT scores, you should make the most of your school’s SAT study sessions.
4. Take Multiple Practice Tests
Schedule a practice test a couple of months before the actual test day. Better still, schedule more than one practice test.
When you take multiple practice tests, you’ll get a feel for how the SAT is structured. You’ll get a better idea of what kind of questions you’ll encounter, and identify areas that are particularly problematic for you. This will give you a better idea of what you need to work on some more to improve your test score.
Another benefit of taking multiple tests is that it trains you to shut out external noises and focus on the test in front of you. There will always be variables during test day. The heating may be out and you’re freezing. A kid forgot to turn off their cellphone and it keeps buzzing and disturbing you. You feel a little queasy from something you ate or because you’re nervous. Things happen. As you do practice tests, you’ll learn to train your mind to tune out all disturbances and other variables and stay focused on your test.
5. Understand and Memorize Formulas
Sure, some of these will be provided for you at the beginning of the test, but precious time can be lost flipping back and forth. It’s better to spend some time understanding and memorizing formulas. And aside from saving time, if you understand these formulas you’ll be able to apply them more confidently come test day. A solid understanding of the basic formulas can play a significant role in helping you improve your SAT score.
6. Don’t Cram the Night Before the Test
Studying the night before will not help you get a high SAT score the next morning. The last-minute cramming will only stress you out. Even worse, it will prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. The stress and lack of sleep combined can make it even more difficult to do well on your test.
It’s better to spread out your SAT studying over a couple of months so it can sink in. On the day before the test, it’s more important to eat well, relax, and get a good night’s rest so you feel on top of your game come test day. Now that’s how you improve SAT scores!
These last three tips on how to improve your SAT score focus on actual test-day strategies.
7. Write out and Show Your Work
Stress levels can be a little heightened on test day, and if your mind is running in a hundred different directions, taking on a math question might lead to a tiny mistake that leads to a wrong answer. Slow down, take a breath, and write out your work. Even if you think it’s a simple mental-math problem, it never hurts to jot it down first and double-check. By writing things down, you’re more likely to catch any mistake before you make it.
8. Blanking on a Math Question? Write!
Sometimes you can come across a question that you can’t quite answer straight away. Instead of drawing a blank, panicking, and losing precious time, start writing. Underline parts of the question, label diagrams, or draw a clarifying image. Just keep that pencil moving because it will keep your brain moving as well and could help you get to the answer.
Sometimes writing can help us remember something that we had forgotten. Also, by visually breaking apart the question we can see patterns emerge where we didn’t see them before. Marking up the question and putting your thoughts on paper will help keep you engaged and get you closer to finding the answer.
9. In Your Essay, Consider the Counterargument
It might seem counter-intuitive to talk about the opposite side of what you want to argue, but by acknowledging the other side you sound more mature. That doesn’t mean you should necessarily agree with the counter-point, though. Just point it out, give it some merit, and then drive home your argument.
Example: Say you’re writing about how it feels more rewarding to earn something you want rather than just having it handed to you. Near your conclusion, you could say something like “While receiving something you desire as a gift is a nice feeling, it becomes more enjoyable knowing that you put time and effort into obtaining it. Earning a reward is immensely more satisfying.”
10. Make the Test Work for You
It might seem counter-intuitive to talk about the opposite side of what you want to argue, but by acknowledging the other side you sound more mature. That doesn’t mean you should necessarily agree with the counter-point, though. Just point it out, give it some merit, and then drive home your argument.
Example: Say you’re writing about how it feels more rewarding to earn something you want rather than just having it handed to you. Near your conclusion, you could say something like “While receiving something you desire as a gift is a nice feeling, it becomes more enjoyable knowing that you put time and effort into obtaining it. Earning a reward is immensely more satisfying.”
