SAT Tips & Techniques

General SAT Tips

Eliminate the Wrong Answers

• There is only one correct answer for each question
• Sometimes it's easier to use process of elimination than to figure out which answer is correct
• All incorrect answers are incorrect for good reasons

If you want to improve your score, you have to understand your mistakes; take the time to understand why you got a question wrong.

Mistakes usually fall into:

• Content weakness (do you not know that skill?)
• Time pressure (are you prepared to work fast?)
• Question comprehension issue (do you understand what is being asked?)
• Careless error

Practice makes perfect!
You can find practice tests online (or use Khan academy)

SAT Reading Tips

Connotation and Context

• Look for words that show positive or negative connotation (this helps with PoE)
• Look for contrast words such as "however", "rather than", or "still"
• Strong adjectives can also help you determine connotation
• During line # questions, make sure you look at the sentence before/after

Use the evidence questions to help you

Try different reading strategies

• skim the passage first
• skip to the questions first
• read the passage first
• change the order of passages

Don't skip the blurb

Engage with the reading material (make yourself believe it's interesting)

Find evidence: you'll always be able to find direct evidence to support the correct answer

If it can't be proven/backed up directly in the passage, then it is incorrect

SAT Math Tips

Work on content gaps/weaknesses

Re-solve missed questions before looking at the answer explanations (so the process is fresh)

Underline key parts of the question

Memorize formulas

SAT Writing Tips

Memorize Grammar Rules

Beware of NO CHANGE answers; these are the answer 25% or less of the time (but don't second guess yourself)

Skim the paragraphs

More than one answer correct? Choose the more concise one (fewer words are often the best choice)

Test Day Tips

Don't be afraid to skip questions; if you can answer 2 easy questions, skip the 1 hard question (go back later if you have time)

Finish early? Check your answers!

Eat food. Bring a snack. Dress comfortably in layers. Go to bed early. Wake up early. Stay calm.