1. Wasting Practice Tests<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you’re going into a practice test with little anticipated effort, don\u2019t take it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Seriously.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Once you take a practice test, you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll only realize how few tests you have left when it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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<\/p>\r\nQuality studying is more than just removing distractions!<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2. Skipping “Strengths”<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat exactly defines a \u201cstrength\u201d when it comes to the SAT? Is it a type of problem that you\u2019ve never gotten wrong on a practice test? Is it the subject that you aced back in middle school? While it\u2019s so important to dedicate time towards questions and subjects that are on your weaker end, if you only dedicate time towards these areas, you\u2019ll likely lose ground in areas where you were already doing well. This goes especially<\/em> 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Double-checking too early or too late<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re always told about the importance of double-checking, but how exactly should we do it? Do we review the answers after we\u2019ve finished every one, or should we double-check after each problem?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It depends on the person, so figure out what works best for you!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When I first began studying, I double-checked after I had finished the entire section. Needless to say, it didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Not understanding your mistakes<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re often quick to look past our wrong answer and claim that \u201cwe made a silly mistake,\u201d but it\u2019s important to recognize that every<\/em> mistake, silly or not, is an opportunity to reflect. Whether it\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019ve grown from it is unparalleled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.testgeek.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/frustrated-student-1024x683.jpg\")
\r\nWe know. Mistakes are frustrating, but use them as learning opportunities!<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5. Spending too much time on one question<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re human; sometimes, our brains stop working for too many reasons. Maybe it\u2019s the last question in the section and you\u2019re exhausted, or maybe it\u2019s even the first question and you\u2019re nervous. Either way, if you find yourself staring blankly at a problem or reading a question several times without comprehension, MOVE ON!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In the case that you don\u2019t 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\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
6. Valuing quantity > quality<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCramming might have worked a couple of times in high school, but when it comes to such high-stakes testing, it\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Now, this doesn\u2019t mean skipping every single study session for the sake of \u201crecovery,\u201d 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?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Absolutely not.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
7. Not personalizing your journey<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThere\u2019s 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<\/em>, and create a plan that will allow you to study for the SAT in the most sustainable and efficient way possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What exactly defines a \u201cstrength\u201d when it comes to the SAT? Is it a type of problem that you\u2019ve never gotten wrong on a practice test? Is it the subject that you aced back in middle school? While it\u2019s so important to dedicate time towards questions and subjects that are on your weaker end, if you only dedicate time towards these areas, you\u2019ll likely lose ground in areas where you were already doing well. This goes especially<\/em> 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We\u2019re always told about the importance of double-checking, but how exactly should we do it? Do we review the answers after we\u2019ve finished every one, or should we double-check after each problem?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It depends on the person, so figure out what works best for you!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When I first began studying, I double-checked after I had finished the entire section. Needless to say, it didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We\u2019re often quick to look past our wrong answer and claim that \u201cwe made a silly mistake,\u201d but it\u2019s important to recognize that every<\/em> mistake, silly or not, is an opportunity to reflect. Whether it\u2019s 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\u2019t 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\u2019ve grown from it is unparalleled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We\u2019re human; sometimes, our brains stop working for too many reasons. Maybe it\u2019s the last question in the section and you\u2019re exhausted, or maybe it\u2019s even the first question and you\u2019re nervous. Either way, if you find yourself staring blankly at a problem or reading a question several times without comprehension, MOVE ON!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In the case that you don\u2019t 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\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cramming might have worked a couple of times in high school, but when it comes to such high-stakes testing, it\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Now, this doesn\u2019t mean skipping every single study session for the sake of \u201crecovery,\u201d 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?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Absolutely not.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There\u2019s 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<\/em>, and create a plan that will allow you to study for the SAT in the most sustainable and efficient way possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n2. Skipping “Strengths”<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Double-checking too early or too late<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Not understanding your mistakes<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n5. Spending too much time on one question<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
6. Valuing quantity > quality<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
7. Not personalizing your journey<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.testgeek.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/students-studying-together.png\")
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