SAT Exam Preparation

SAT Exam Preparation - Hot tips for SAT Exam preparation

 

The SAT exam measured to be challenging in most parts of the world, thanks to its well-researched structure, stress on reasoning skills, and strong competition. Students writing the SAT frequently. Find them under stress. Even a full length SAT practice test can make a student worried.

During high school, the most challenging job for a student is to get ready for the SAT to secure a seat in a good college. The number of test takers is increasing every year, leading to increased competition. This has resulted in mushrooming of learning centers for test preparation.

Let us see how a learning center for test prep works. Typically, the situation would be like this- one tutor addressing a group of students. During a class, students would work jointly to resolve math questions and verbal problems. Currently, if the session takes place twice or thrice a month, it would result in more students per teacher. Not considering the teacher-pupil ratio, the teacher would complete the course outline in the specific period by conducting SAT prep practice tests, and covering plans to build educated guesses.
SAT exam takers also buy expensive prep books. Most of these books include practice questions. However, not every student is responsible and disciplined to stick to the book regularly. This is where the private-tutoring model comes into picture. A private tutor inculcates control in the child, and provides guidance to grip the difficult questions on the SAT.

The final model we would talk about here is online tutoring. Principally, a structure of web-based learning, this model of tutoring incorporates learning tools with pedagogy. Web-based tutoring can assist students get ready for the SAT while reducing concern. It involves a tutor using the Internet to convey knowledge to the student using a range of tools and techniques- whiteboard, multimedia and so on. An online tutoring plan would consist of numerous SAT prep practice tests, SAT test study plan, and normal online classes.
Now that we have talked about the three models of SAT test study program, let us compare these three using the following parameters:

Convenience

You cannot(in most cases) ask a learning center or a private tutor to teach your child according to your expediency. Learning centers have fixed timings. A private tutor might come to your home throughout the day. However, what if you are way from home and you would like to monitor your child's progress? Online learning eliminates these matters by allowing you to fix your own schedules to study for the SAT. Moreover, it does not need a student (or the parent) to commute through heavy traffic.

Customized SAT Exam Program

A learning center would not modify a SAT test study program for a student; it would quite be interested in developing a program that addresses the needs of the whole group. The same goes with a private tutor. It is not likely for a tutor at a learning center to answer every single question of each student in a class of say 10-12 students. An online tutoring program, however, would first access the student's weaknesses, and then plan a tutoring program for the student. Web-based tutoring even customizes SAT prep practice tests for every student. Talk about tailor-made stuff!

Cost of SAT Exam preparation

The cost of SAT Exam study program with a learning center would cost you a few thousand dollars (feel free to check the websites of popular learning centers). A private tutor, would cost you less in comparison to a learning center, 50$ onwards per hour. Online classes, however, would give you the best value for money. Moreover, with online tutoring, you do not have to invest in expensive SAT practice test books.
The goal of all the three methods (learning center, private tutor, online classes) of SAT test study is the same- to work on the weaknesses of a student, and help him/her fetch high SAT scores. The education of your child is the more important than all other things. As a parent, you should provide your child with the best tutoring program.

Back to top | Read More

 

How to Study for SAT Exam

 

Students generally take the SAT during their junior year at high school so that the test results are released to the colleges by the time of admission time limit and so they have the time to take the test again. The scores theoretically symbolize the knowledge base of students and their skill to resolve problems and communicate.
Each section of the test is scored on a scale from 200-800 and there are two writing sub-scores. The test is administered some times each year depending upon your state and the testing centers in your area. Students are also presented with a 25-minute section of the test that is not scored but is used to make sure that the test remains suitable and fair. This portion of the test does not count toward the score and it can be a reading, math or writing section.

Altogether, there are 10 testing sections. The first section is always a 25 minute essay and the last section is always a 10 minute multiple choice writing section. Most other sections are 25 minutes in length and the order may vary. Some testing centers also give students who are sitting in close immediacy tests which have different content between the tests so that there is less of a chance of copying between students.

A perfect score for the SAT test is a 2400. The math section will test geometry, algebra, statistics, probability and data analysis. The writing section tests grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

Students have the chance to take the SAT test another time. Colleges have the opportunity to take the best overall test score or mix and match the best sections to compile the best score between two tests. The report will also include percentiles and ranges which are used to evaluate the scores because no single score tells all about the test.

The SAT test is scored differently than the ACT. The ACT gives each student 1 point for a correct answer and does not take off points for incorrect answers. The SAT will take points off for incorrect answers but does not take off for skipped questions which means that students should not guess on their questions.
The SAT test should evaluate your knowledge of the subjects which means that you should have an intimate knowledge of the subject matter. But the test questions are also usually the same type so get some practice tests and practice, practice, practice.

Review your class notes in language arts and math. Concentrate on reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. The math sections will test geometry, algebra and arithmetic so be sure you have covered all of these topics in math before you go in and sit for the test.

For the last several practice tests do them as a timed test so you have a good feel for how the test is developed. Do not spend too much time on any one question and go back and finish any questions you have not finished before the end of the time. Study for the test for a month or several months but once the night before arrives do not crack a book and get to bed early. Get up early, arrive at the testing center early and be sure to bring all allowed supplies. Do not forget additional batteries for the calculator!

Eat a good breakfast the morning of the test to help your brain wake up and get moving. You will need that nutrition to keep yourself focused during the 3.5 hour test and to get the best possible score.
The SAT test is a giant in the process of admission to college. Students must take the testing process seriously, study for a month or so before the test and consider taking it again if they are not satisfied with their score.