Preparing for the SAT

For many high school students taking the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is one of the most important steps in preparation for getting into a good college or university.
Think of the SAT as a marathon for the brain. No one would think of running a marathon without months of intense training, so, as you might imagine, SAT prep is a good idea. The SAT takes almost four hours so it's important that careful preparation be made so that the brain is operating at peak performance on test day. So what are some of the best ways to prepare for a day of SAT testing?
Practice Makes Perfect
One of the best ways to get ready for the
SAT is to take practice tests. There are many practice tests available either on the internet or in the many books available on the subject of SAT preparation. Set aside an hour everyday to practice taking these tests and then go back and evaluate the performance. How early should one begin practicing for the SAT? Consider about three months a good amount of time to get ready. If one practices for an hour every day, that is 90 hours of training for this invaluable college prep test.
Hire a Tutor, Take a Class
SAT tutors can help any student in preparing to take the SAT. A good tutor can help students make time and focus on taking the test. A professional tutor can also teach students strategies for coping with the stress and anxiety that some experience during test taking. There are also SAT test prep classes that encourage studying and can teach test strategies such as deductive reasoning.
Take the Test Twice
Many high school juniors choose to take the SAT a bit early so that they can take the test again as seniors in the hope of improving their score. Think of the first time taking the SAT as an excellent way of preparing to take it a second time. The prep test is a great way of dispelling anxiety about test taking, and it's great to know that the test can be taken again if the first scores are low.
The Weakest Link
The SAT tests students for critical reading, mathematics, and writing. Determine your weakest subject and focus on improving in that area. Even when not studying for the SAT specifically, take the months of preparation to spend extra time reading challenging books.
Remember: the SAT is a long and difficult written exam that effects every high school student who wants to go on to college and have a successful career. Prepare for the SAT so that you can achieve the high scores you need to be accepted at a good college.