By While any preparation is better than none, you may be making some mistakes that can hold your score back. Here are seven mistakes I made while studying for the SAT and how you can avoid them to study at your best.
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1. Wasting Practice Tests
If you’re going into a practice test with little anticipated effort, don’t take it.
Seriously.
Once you take a practice test, you’ll never forget those questions and answers. Taking a test twice could help you polish up the skills practiced and mistakes made, but taking the same test more than twice yields little to no benefit. I went through several practice tests without applying strategies, genuinely understanding my mistakes, setting aside distractions, or simply trying. By the time I had developed an actual strategical approach and understanding of my weaknesses, I only had a couple of tests left to genuinely test my skills. Approach each practice test like it’s the real thing! You’ll only realize how few tests you have left when it’s too late.
2. Skipping “Strengths”
What exactly defines a “strength” when it comes to the SAT? Is it a type of problem that you’ve never gotten wrong on a practice test? Is it the subject that you aced back in middle school? While it’s so important to dedicate time towards questions and subjects that are on your weaker end, if you only dedicate time towards these areas, you’ll likely lose ground in areas where you were already doing well. This goes especially for those who are retaking the entire test; be sure to incorporate regular practice in all areas because, after all, boosting a score means maintaining your strengths while improving your weaknesses.
3. Double-checking too early or too late
We’re always told about the importance of double-checking, but how exactly should we do it? Do we review the answers after we’ve finished every one, or should we double-check after each problem?
It depends on the person, so figure out what works best for you!
When I first began studying, I double-checked after I had finished the entire section. Needless to say, it didn’t work for me, and I wasted a LOT of time following this strategy. When I began double-checking after each individual problem, I found that having a clearer memory allowed me to clearly redo the problem. Experiment a bit to find out which process of double-checking works best for you! This is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the SAT in general.
4. Not understanding your mistakes
We’re often quick to look past our wrong answer and claim that “we made a silly mistake,” but it’s important to recognize that every mistake, silly or not, is an opportunity to reflect. Whether it’s writing a small note as to why you got a problem wrong or practicing similar ones over and over again, the more you reflect, the less likely you are to mess up that problem again! Words can’t describe how great the feeling of understanding your mistakes is; when you come across a similar problem, the confidence and satisfaction you feel knowing you’ve grown from it is unparalleled.
5. Spending too much time on one question
We’re human; sometimes, our brains stop working for too many reasons. Maybe it’s the last question in the section and you’re exhausted, or maybe it’s even the first question and you’re nervous. Either way, if you find yourself staring blankly at a problem or reading a question several times without comprehension, MOVE ON!
Put a giant question mark next to the question and come back when you have extra time. Sometimes, looking at other problems and giving yourself a break from that particular question can help you clear your head up. After all – many SAT questions are designed to have you overthink yourself.
In the case that you don’t have extra time to review the question, just be sure to put down an answer for that question! There is no penalty for guessing on the SAT, and it’s a much better investment to move on from an extremely time-consuming problem and instead dedicate that time towards problems that you can solve with more quality.
6. Valuing quantity > quality
Cramming might have worked a couple of times in high school, but when it comes to such high-stakes testing, it’s one of the least productive things you can do. Taking the SAT is analogous to marathon training: are you going to be running 2 marathons EVERY SINGLE DAY leading up to the actual one? Of course not! Your body needs rest, and similarly here, your brain needs time to recover.
Now, this doesn’t mean skipping every single study session for the sake of “recovery,” but it does mean shifting your focus on the effectiveness of your sessions as opposed to their lengths. Back when I started SAT prep, I burned through 1-2 practice tests every single day. Do I recommend it?
Absolutely not.
Like I mentioned in tip one, each practice test is extremely precious! I wasn’t learning anything from doing two tests a day, and as a result, I was burned out. If you’re studying for hours a day but seeing little progress, use it as a sign to switch things up! Focus on sections one at a time, slow down your pace, and implement regular breaks and rest days into your regimen; it’ll allow your head to clear up and your brain to reflect.
7. Not personalizing your journey
There’s an abundance of SAT stories, tips, guides, blogs, and tutors out there, but remember: at the end of the day, your journey is yours and yours only! No matter how much you copy somebody else’s routine, it’s very unlikely that you’ll get the same results. Utilize those advice videos, use as many outside resources as possible, but also remember to use them with a purpose. Experiment with what works best for you, and create a plan that will allow you to study for the SAT in the most sustainable and efficient way possible.
Conclusion
Everyone’s test prep journey is going to look different, but these 7 tips are key to ensuring a productive and effective test experience. Some may apply to you and others may not, regardless, recognize that your time leading up to the big test is valuable and treat it as such!
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