Students weigh in on what study habits work for them when preparing for the SAT
Students all around Timber Creek’s campus are starting to prepare for the upcoming SAT on October 16. The SAT is a reading, writing, and math-based test that’s primarily used for college admission. It has a 1600 point grading system. Many students can feel overwhelmed with the amount of pressure riding on the exam. It can also be stressful for students when trying to find an effective way of studying. It’s hard to find a good way of studying for such a broad test.
However, many TC students have study tips for those who need it!
Firstly, don’t procrastinate! Procrastinating is one of the worst things you could do when studying. It’s better to start studying at least a few weeks before the exam, so it will be easier to retain information. Cramming isn’t beneficial because by the time test day comes around, it will be difficult to remember information. Whereas studying ahead of time will make the questions on test day even easier. This is especially helpful when studying for math. You will have time to practice problems and equations and correct mistakes or misunderstandings along the way.
Next, use your resources! There are so many available study guides and videos to specifically help you study for the SAT. Khan Academy is a great option if you want to test your skills and see which areas you may need some improvement. Khan Academy uses mixed practice tests to determine what your strengths and weaknesses are. SAT study guides curated by College Board are also available online and at local libraries. Students find these useful because they mimic real SAT patterns and questions. There are also channels on Youtube that can aid with SAT prep. Channels such as Bozeman Science, Study to Success, and SuperTutorTv all have great videos for SAT prep and review.
Another helpful tip is to study with a partner! It can be difficult to find the motivation to study alone, but studying with others often increases a person’s motivation to study. There are countless benefits from studying with multiple people. For example, if you don’t understand a concept or a problem, you could get an explanation from a different perspective that could help you understand the problem; vice versa. Studying with a partner will keep you accountable for not only your study habits, but your partners as well. Luz Garcia, 12, says that studying with a partner is really effective. “Personally, I am able to focus more on studying when I have others around me who will be able to motivate me. We are able to help each other along the way. It makes the whole SAT studying process less stressful,” says Garcia.
The night before test day is always important. Senior Haley Rodriguez recommends a good night’s sleep before SAT day. “It’s nice to be able to give the test your undivided attention and not be thinking about how tired you are,” she says. “You’ll be in a better mood on the day of the test and it will definitely influence your performance on the SAT.” Other recommendations for a better performance on the SAT include reviewing notes and other study tools, setting an alarm, and eat a healthy breakfast the day of the test. Following at least a few of these tips should make the upcoming SAT less stressful, making students better prepared for the exam.