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How Long Should You Prep Before Taking the SAT?

Your test scores play a huge role in which schools accept you as well as the types of programs and scholarships for which you'll be eligible.

By Carlos FoxPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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How Long Should You Prep Before Taking the SAT?
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

For high school students who plan on going to college, standardized tests are an integral part of the college admissions process. Your test scores play a huge role in which schools accept you as well as the types of programs and scholarships for which you'll be eligible.

You attend high school for four years, and SATs are a culmination of your entire academic experience at the secondary level compiled into an exam. No pressure, right? Performing well on your standardized test will require you to put time into learning different test-taking methods as well as refreshing your knowledge. Continue reading to learn more about preparing for the SAT.

What is the SAT exam?

The SAT exam is one of two major standardized exams used by colleges to determine a student's eligibility for entry into their school and financial aid. How much your test scores weigh on your chances of acceptance varies from school to school as each university has its own standards.

The SAT exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is comprised of two parts, those being math and evidence-based reading and writing. There is also an essay portion that is optional, but some colleges require applicants to complete the essay.

The math isn't hard, but you should study anyway

The math portion of the SAT isn't as advanced as you may think. If you're preparing to take the SAT, then you're already advanced in math beyond what the exam will test. The math portion of the test covers geometry, algebra, and data analysis.

Even though you'll be familiar with the math on the SAT, you still need to thoroughly re familiarize yourself with it. Most of what's covered in the SAT will be stuff that you haven't studied in years, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to get rusty.

You may even want to find a tutor to help you to brush up on your math skills. Having a tutor will motivate you to take more seriously material that you're already familiar with.

Don't let the English portion scare you

Many people are wary of the English portion of the SAT exam, and not without reason. In the past, there have even been suspicions that the test used language that many students wouldn't understand, possibly even due to cultural or economic reasons.

The good news is that the SAT has been changed to address possible disparities in testing results due to cultural language barriers. No more words that you've never seen or heard before the exam and likely never will again for the rest of your life.

Furthermore, the English part of the test is based on comprehending what you read, and being able to communicate what you interpret from the material. Your SAT prep book will have short stories and scholarly articles that you can read as well as questions to help develop your comprehension skills.

In New York, there are plenty of qualified tutors — like those at Zinc — who can help you to further develop your writing and reading comprehension skills. Visit Zinc.nyc to learn more about their SAT prep program and "REAL Learning" philosophy. With the help of a tutor to bring the material to life, you may even discover a love for reading and writing that you didn't realize was there before.

How much time should you spend prepping before taking the exam?

Did you know that professional football players spend up to 30 hours every week preparing to play a game that will last for roughly 3.5 hours? That's the kind of commitment it takes to excel at anything in life, and your SAT is no different.

Per the rule of thumb, you should spend about 40 hours over a two-month period of time studying for your exam. That's 40 hours of preparation for a critical 3-hour and 15-minute test.

Working with a tutor like those at Zinc may be essential to help maintain your focus throughout your preparation period. Acing the exam will require a sustained effort — cramming the last week before the test will not help you achieve your goal. If you're thinking about taking the SAT and haven't begun prepping yet, then now is a great time to get started!

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