Know the SAT Exam
The key to winning the SAT exam is knowing the exam inside out! Before you dive deep into your SAT preparation, here are some quick facts about the exam-
- It is a standardised test required by universities across the USA and other countries like Canada, UK, and Singapore for admission to bachelor’s programs.
- Top Indian universities have also started accepting SAT scores as part of their admission process.
- It is a 2-hour and 14-minute long exam divided into two sections:
- Reading and Writing
- Mathematics
- Both the sections are scored out of 800 each, taking the total SAT score to 1600.
- Download SAT syllabus PDF and learn what’s exactly on the exam.
Take an SAT Diagnostic Test
We’ll start this one with a warning: ‘Don’t stress out if you do not do well in your SAT diagnostic test’. Taking a diagnostic test early on in your SAT preparation journey will help you figure out where you stand right now. In our three decades of being a part of thousands of SAT journeys, we have rarely met students who scored 1500+ on their first diagnostic test.
1200 is the most common score we’ve seen students get on their SAT diagnostic test. This is not because the SAT is a challenging exam but because it is different from your school exams. It’s true that the SAT is testing you on your high school syllabus, but rather than testing your knowledge directly, it is testing your skills to apply that knowledge to solving questions.
Stick to an SAT Study Plan
Students start their SAT preparation with a lot of motivation but often lose momentum due to a lack of habit. Dedicating a few hours daily to your SAT prep will turn a ‘mammoth’ task into an everyday routine. We understand you might be burdened with school exams, projects, or other personal commitments on some days, but on others, make sure to turn up at your study table with that SAT book.
A common feedback that most of our 1400+ SAT scorers give is that studying 2-3 hours every day helped them more than studying once or twice a week for, say, 10 hours. To help you break down your SAT preparation into achievable goals, our mentors created an effective SAT Study Plan divided into week-wise study modules. Following this study plan would put you on track to practise every day, which is crucial when preparing for the SAT exam.
Also read:
SAT exam 2023 dates and registration deadlines
Analyse SAT Practice Tests Deeply
SAT practice tests are a great way to improve your performance on the final SAT exam. We always recommend our students review each and every practice test they undertake. Did you lose marks because of a silly mistake or lack certain conceptual clarity? If you’re stuck on a question, revisit it with a fresh mind a few hours later or even the next day. You’ll be surprised to find the number of times study fatigue gets the better of you.
Next, while analysing your SAT practice tests, make a section-wise list of your weak areas. These are the red flags of your SAT preparation and need to be paid extra attention to. Turn to a mentor or SAT trainer to get a better understanding of these areas. Practise these concepts till you get a stronghold of them. With every mock test, aim to perform better and make fewer silly mistakes on the SAT exam.
Start Your SAT Preparation Early
The SAT exam is a crucial part of your undergrad college application, and colleges track your academic history as early as the 9th grade. So, when students come up to us asking, ‘when is the right time to prepare for the SAT’ we tell them the sooner they start, the better it is. Starting your SAT preparation earlier means you don’t have to rush your preparation. You also get time to retake the SAT exam if you’re not satisfied with your SAT score.
If you are aiming for the top 20 US universities, your SAT preparations should start from 9th grade onwards. This gives you ample time to work on your overall academic profile. Remember, the college admissions committee looks at more than your SAT score. Jamboree’s Dream College Program (DCP) is a personalised mentoring program designed to help students build an academic profile for top universities, starting from class 9th to class 12th. Our DCP students have won admits from top universities and Ivy Leagues, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Cornell.
Bonus Tip: Earn college credit points while you’re still in school with APs!
A large number of students also come to us from 11th grade onwards, and we work equally hard with them to secure excellent SAT scores and build Ivy-league-worthy profiles. Book a free session with our expert counsellor and get the roadmap to your dream college!
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