SAT

Best SAT Tips and Tricks You Must Know

Level Up Your Prep: Powerful Tips and Tricks for Digital SAT Success

The SAT exam got a digital transformation and now become a  new standardized test format for college admissions in the US. It's entirely taken on a computer, replacing the traditional paper and pencil version. Here's what you need to know:

  • Structure: It's divided into two sections: Reading & Writing (combined) and Math. The total testing time is about 2 hours and 14 minutes.
  • Shorter and Adaptive: Compared to the old format, it has fewer questions (98 vs. 154) and uses adaptive questioning. This means the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance. Do well on the initial questions, and you'll face tougher ones (worth more points) later.
  • No penalty for guessing: There's no downside to attempting an answer, so it's always best to give one even if you're unsure.
  • Faster Scores: You'll receive your results in days instead of weeks, allowing for quicker college application decisions.

Here's a quick comparison of the old and new formats:

Feature Old SAT Digital SAT
Format Paper and Pencil Computer-based
Number of Questions 154 98
Question Difficulty Fixed  Adaptive
Guessing Penality YES NO

Some Key Features :

  • Students belonging to the age group of 17 to 19 appear for the SAT exam in maximum numbers.

  • For USA students, the Digital SAT exam is applicable by 2024 onwards, that is, March, May, June, August, October, November, and December but the number of attempts is limited to 5.

  • The knowledge skill of students is tested on the basis of the CriticalReading section,Mathematics section and Writing section.

  • Earlier The SAT questionnaire was designed for the time duration of 3-4 hours but now Digital SAT is of 2 hours 14 minutes.

  • The range of scores varies from 200 to 800 on each of the 2 sections , i.e., you can get a minimum score of 600 and maximum score of 1600.

 

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SAT Test – Taking Tips and Strategies

Stage Tips Detail
Before the Test Know the Test
  • Understand the format of the Digital SAT( number of sections, question types, time limit).
  • Familiarise yourself with the content areas covered in Reading, Writing and Math sections.
Before the Test Practice Makes Perfect
  • Take full-length practice test under timed conditions to simulate the actual test experience.
  • Analyze your performance to identify areas of improvement.
  • Use practice test to build stamina and get comfortable with the pressure of timed testing. 
Before the Test Target Your Weakness
  • Analyze your practice yest result to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Dedicate study time to areas where you consistently struggle.
  • Consider using targeted practice resources or enrolling in a prep course for specific sections. 
Test Day Stay Clam & Focused
  • Get a good night sleep before the test.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast to stay energized throughout the test.
  • Arrive at the test center early to avoid last- mintue stress and allow time to settle in.
  • Take some deep breaths and positive self-talk to manage test-anxiety.
Test Day Strategic Answering
  • Don't waste your time on difficult questions. 
  • Use process of elimination to rule out answer you know are wrong.
  • Focus on the most likely choices remaining after elimination.
  • It's better to guess strategically than leave an answer blank. 
Test Day Time Management
  • Budget your time wisely according to the number of question and alloted time per section.
  • There's no penality for guessing , so prioritize answering the easy and medium questions first.
  • Leave time to review your answers and address any harder questions you may have skipped.
Test Day Read Carefully
  • Many mistakes stems from misread passages or questions. Read each passage and question carefully, paying attention to details. 
  • Underline key points in the passage or questions to improve comprehension.
  • Double-check your work before bubbling in your answers to avoid careless mistakes.

General Tips

  • Focus on mastering the test, not memorizing answers. The SAT tests your reasoning and critical thinking skills, so it's more important to understand the concepts being tested than to try to memorize every possible answer
  • Take practice tests under timed conditions. This will help you get used to the pressure of the test and learn how to manage your time effectively.
  • Get a good night's sleep before the test. Being well-rested will help you focus and perform your best.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the test. This will give you the energy you need to concentrate for several hours.

Reading Section Tips

  • Preview the passage before you start reading. Skim the passage to get a general idea of the main topic and the author's point of view.
  • Pay attention to the signal words in the questions. Signal words such as "because," "however," and "therefore" can help you identify the key information you need to find in the passage.
  • Don't be afraid to skip difficult questions and come back to them later. If you're stuck on a question, move on and come back to it if you have time.
  • Read all of the answer choices carefully before selecting one. The answer choices on the SAT are often very similar, so it's important to read them all carefully before making your selection.
DIGITAL SAT EXAM STRUCTURE
Section Reading and Writing
Test length Module 1: 25 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
Module 2: 25 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
Time per module Module 1: 32 minutes and Module 2: 32 minutes
Number of questions 54 questions
Total time 64 minutes

Writing and Language Section Tips

  • Know the grammar rules that are tested on the SAT. The College Board provides a list of the grammar rules that are tested on the SAT on their website.
  • Practice writing essays in the SAT format. The SAT essay is a timed writing, so it's important to practice writing essays in the 50-minute time limit.
  • Focus on clarity and conciseness in your writing. The SAT essay is not graded on creativity, so it's more important to write a clear and concise essay that demonstrates your understanding of the prompt.
  • Proofread your essay carefully before submitting it. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors in your essay.

Math Section Tips

  • Learn the math formulas that are tested on the SAT. The College Board also provides a list of the math formulas that are tested on the SAT on their website.
  • Practice solving math problems under timed conditions. This will help you get used to the pressure of the test and learn how to manage your time effectively.
  • Don't be afraid to use estimation to check your answers. Estimation can be a helpful way to check your answers and make sure they are in the ballpark.
  • Review your mistakes after you take a practice test. This will help you identify your weaknesses and work on improving them.

 

DIGITAL SAT EXAM STRUCTURE
Section Mathematics
Test length Module 1: 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
Module 2: 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
Time per module Module 1: 35 minutes and Module 2: 35 minutes
Number of questions 44 questions
Total time 70 minutes

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of getting a high score on the SAT. Remember, the most important thing is to stay calm and focused on the task at hand.

Guidelines For the Students For Applying Digital SAT

There are 2 sets of guidelines are there to consider for the digital SAT: Applying and taking the test. Here's a distinguish:

Applying for the Digital SAT:

  • Eligibility: The digital SAT is currently only available for US high school students.
  • Registration: You'll register through College Board's website just like the traditional SAT.
  • Testing Dates: The digital SAT is offered multiple times throughout the year. Check the College Board website for specific dates and registration deadlines.
  • Device Requirements: You can use your own laptop or tablet for the test in some cases, but there are specific requirements. Review the College Board's website for details on operating systems, battery life, and other specifications.
  • School-managed devices: Some schools may provide devices for students to use during the test.

Taking the Digital SAT:

  1. Test Day Essentials: You'll need a valid ID, your admission ticket (accessed through the Bluebook app), a fully charged device with the Bluebook app downloaded, and pencils for scratch work (proctor will provide scrap paper). Check the College Board website for a complete list of what to bring and what not to bring.
  2. Test Center Regulations: Standard test center rules apply, such as arriving on time, no talking or unauthorized materials during the test.
  3. Digital Testing Regulations:
  • No switching between programs or applications during the test.
  • No going back to previous sections once you've moved on.
  • Only use the authorized on-screen calculator (or your approved handheld calculator) on the Math section.
  • No unauthorized communication or leaving the testing area without permission.

SAT eBook

It is very important to know minor to major facts when starting your preparation for an aptitude-based exam like SAT, with updates that can help with your SAT preparation. We are pleased to announce the release of TestprepKart's free SAT study guide for the new SAT. This free SAT ebook gives you everything you need to know about the test, from content to content mastery, among the top practice goals you need.

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