Preparing for SAT test can seem like a tedious task. As there’s a lot of pressure of admissions, getting into the right college, making the right choice, etc. Indian/NRI Students have one and only goal in mind, to get through the admissions process successfully. However, the first question they always have is, if I want to appear for SAT, when shall I start my preparation? Days before the test or months before the test or years before the test? So, Mock tests are the key to unlocking your dream college. They pinpoint weaknesses, build confidence, and prepare you for the SAT's format and pressure.
Conquer the SAT: Why Mock Tests Are Your Secret Weapon for College Dreams
The SAT: a three-letter code that can unlock the door to your dream college. But acing this crucial exam requires strategic preparation. Here's where mock tests, your secret weapon, come in.
Mock Tests: Your Path to Preparedness
Think of mock tests as a dress rehearsal for the SAT. They provide a realistic simulation of the actual exam, complete with the same format, time constraints, and question styles. This allows you to:
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Diagnose Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Mock tests act as a diagnostic tool, pinpointing areas where you excel and those that need extra focus. This targeted approach ensures your valuable study time is spent on maximizing your score.
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Master Time Management: The SAT is a race against the clock. Mock tests help you develop time management skills, teaching you to allocate time effectively across different sections. You'll learn to prioritize questions and avoid getting bogged down.
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Boost Your Confidence: Performing well on mock tests builds self-belief in your abilities. This newfound confidence translates to the real SAT, reducing test anxiety and allowing you to think clearly and perform at your peak.
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Demystify the Format: Mock tests familiarize you with the specific format and question styles of the SAT. You'll no longer be surprised on test day, allowing you to tackle different question types with a strategic approach.
Beyond Practice: The Psychological Edge
Mock tests offer more than just practice. They provide a psychological edge by:
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Reducing Test Anxiety: The more familiar you are with the SAT format and time pressure, the calmer you'll feel on the actual test day. Mock tests help you desensitize to the test environment, leading to a more focused and relaxed approach.
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Building Exam Stamina: The SAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking mock tests builds your mental stamina, preparing you to concentrate for extended periods.
So, the next step is clear: Embrace mock tests! Utilize them as a springboard to elevate your preparation and unlock the door to your dream college. Remember, with mock tests on your side, you'll approach the SAT feeling confident, prepared, and ready to conquer your academic goals.
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Upsides of Mock Test before Taking SAT Exam:
Tip 1: Your SAT Target Score:
Each college has a certain criteria where they set a certain limit on the SAT scores while shortlisting students for admissions. Now, if you want to check your top choice college’s scores, just Google it. You should find the 75th percentile score for that college. Post that your goal or target score is to be anything above that 75th percentile mark.
Tip 2: Practice SATs Will Help:
It's always advisable to attempt a few practice tests in between your study schedule. These tests help a student by providing a baseline score they might get when appearing the actual SAT test. Basis these practice tests you would know your abilities and weak spots before you begin studying. And you'll be able see where you need to make improvements to reach your target.
Tip 3: When To Take Actual SAT?
If you ask me, I'd always advise you to take the first attempt to SAT during the fall of your Junior year. However, it still depends on you when to take based on your preparedness. If you get started early on with regards to SAT, you'll have more potential and more options, in terms of dates, at hand. If you don't perform well in the first attempt, you can reappear for the test. This is only in the case where you're starting out early. And scenarios where you have waited until the end of senior year, you’ll have very less options in that case. So, it’s simple, the lesser the time, the more the hours you’ll have to put in the preparation.
Tip 4: How Many Hours Do I Actually Have to Study?
It clearly depends on your target score. Practice SATs or an early SAT will give you your target score. Every 30 points gain requires approoximately 10 hours of study. If you want to improve your score by 90 points then you’ll have to chip ini 30 hours of study. This is a rough estimate. We all are different ahd have different abilities and study habits. Hence, the required time may vary person-to-person.
Tip 5: How To Make a Study Schedule Based On Your Time Constraints And Studying Style:
In a normal circumstance, you will have at least six months or so before the test. And as discussed earlier, not all students are the same, the time taken for preparation may vary person-to-person. Ask yourself how much of an improvement you want to make and then consider what is manageable.
If You Want to Improve by 70-130 Points, and You Have Other Commitments
For you, the recommended time is an hour or two every week for however much time you have before the test. If you start at least a few months beforehand, you won’t be burdened with yet another commitment.
If You Want to Improve by Around 200 Points, and You Have the Summer to Study, but you’re not Sure Where to Start!
Unstructured time is hard to manage. However, this means you have your choice in terms of chosing the time you’re most comfortable and least distracted. If you schedule out a few hours each week where you will focus on studying, a couple months can be enough to improve your scores. Let’s say if you have three months to study, that comes out to about five hours a week.
Tip 6: Factors That Increase or Decrease Study Time:
Some people should study for more or less time based on their past experience and time management skills.
You'll Need to Study Longer, in cases of:
- You see no improvement even after studying too much. This means, there’ll be time involved in switching strategies in addition to studying more.
- Distraction kills creativity and dedication. If you're easily distracted, you’ll always waste the crucial time in hand. Try scheduling out more time, and put your phone away while you're studying.
- If you’re a slow learner, then taking practice tests overtime will help you understand your mistakes and accordingly, plan out your studies.
You Might Improve in Less Time If:
- There’s a saying, if you haven’t tasted the waters yet, there’s a better chance that you might even like it. Similarly, if you are new to the SAT, you are going to see larger score gains in a shorter amount of time.
- You are a super focused studier, make sure you do not overdo your studies. This will result in test fatigue.
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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