Now that students are moving into their senior year and aiming to get into their dream college, the research and college application processes are on. Apart from this, the most popular college entry-level assessment, the SAT test is a factor which cannot be missed out on.

Diagnose your strengths and weaknesses early on. Even if you don’t plan to start your SAT prep right away, there is no harm in solving a SAT practice test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you are a freshman or a sophomore, then the best options is to take up the PSAT test which will familiarize with the SAT format and also give you a detailed description of how you’ve performed in each section along with explanations. The PSAT is designed like the SAT test in order to make students comfortable early on. There are various SAT practice tests available online which can show you where you stand in terms of your preparation. This will give a good head start to your SAT prep which can and highlight the areas needing more of your attention.

Start reading. This is an important aspect when it comes to the SAT test. A major part of the SAT test are these five dense and long passages which need to be understood within an hour. So the mind has to be tuned to reading and breaking down such passages within a stipulated time. It is best to start reading up on articles in newspapers and magazines, which are related to world affairs and general knowledge. Usually, most high schools are inclined towards fictional reading to keep students interested for longer; but for your SAT prep, nonfiction reading will be most useful as four of the five passages given in the SAT will NOT be related to fiction in any way. “Never underestimate the power of reading, for it will never go waste in any lifetime.”

Concept Cramming. This is a common mistake made by students who are in a hurry to complete their SAT syllabus. Studying for 10 hours a day and cramming 20 concepts isn’t counted as is not a productive study session. Students can enroll for SAT online courses to allow a schedule of maximum of 2-3-hours of studying at a stretch. This allows students to fully understand and absorb a few concepts, which can be committed to memory and retained when needed in the future. It is also important to take short breaks amid your study sessions to assimilate all that information.

Increase your vocabulary. This is an important aspect not only to write an impressive SAT essay but also help in comprehending the reading passages. A vast vocabulary definitely shows quality on your SAT exam. Try to start reading non-fictional books and articles. In case you come across new words, make a note of their meanings in a way you would remember. Make the College Board’s suggested reading list of articles and books a part of your online SAT prep. This could serve you well while reading passages or writing essays for the SAT exam. This skill shall benefit you not only in the SAT exam, but in all your future endeavors.

The magic of mental math. Preparing for SAT math can be a daunting and time consuming experience with the innumerable practice sheets. Practicing mental math and getting used to perform simple calculations mentally can save up a lot of time on the day of the test. This is because one of the two SAT Math sections does not allow students to use a calculator, so deriving equations during the test is a waste of precious time. There are various shortcut methods and example problems available on an online SAT prep course, to help you speed up your mental math.

Familiarize yourself with the details. During your SAT preparation, it is always better to familiarize yourself with the structure of the SAT exam, and also the type of questions usually asked. This can save you valuable time on the test which would otherwise be wasted reading and understanding instructions. Make sure you keep a tab of the time limit given for each section, and accordingly practice to complete questions within that time frame. This can help you increase your speed and accuracy when you attempt the assessment. Learn how to balance precision with speed from an online SAT tutoring service.

Find an SAT Test prep partner.The journey of preparing for the SAT test can seem to be a tumultuous and confusing one. So it’s always better to team up with one of your friends or classmates when prepping for the SAT. Exchanging notes, study tips and strategies can make it an exciting experience, as well as more effective. This can also help you keep each other accountable during your preparation. Even having the support of your family and friends can help you to pull yourself together during those difficult time periods, and prepare consistently. Often the question posed is ‘Is there a good SAT tutoring near me?’ For these students, seeking help from one of the online SAT courses for a higher SAT score is good option.

Use the correct SAT prep materials. Due to the popularity of SAT test prep, various SAT tutoring services are available online. It is better to identify the best type of SAT prep course for you depending upon your abilities and requirements. There are a lot of SAT content out there but not all would be pertinent. Hence it is better to check out a particular SAT test prep course before committing to it. Etutorworld provides a free SAT trial lesson that can help you identify the best action plan for your SAT prep, before paying for any of the SAT services provided. Free worksheets, guidance and counseling are available on the online SAT prep course along with Customized tutoring sessions at affordable prices.

Keep practicing. Even though you are confident with a particular concept, never give up revising and practicing it to keep it fresh in your memory. Set aside time to take full-length mock tests and use a timer, to test your combined speed and accuracy. After each SAT practice test, check your answers and make a mental note of the mistakes made. This does sound like a tedious task, but it will definitely pay off as you approach the SAT test. Because as it’s rightly said “Practice makes perfect.”

Do not sweat studying on the eve of the SAT. This does sound weird and impossible to do, considering how high the stakes are. But it is a best to be relaxed and well rested before attending the SAT. Last minute studying and cramming remaining topics can lead to stress and lower your confidence. What’s better is to spend some time with family and friends, or engage yourself in a fun activity, to take your mind off the test and make you feel rejuvenated. Because you’re most likely already prepared for the SAT after months of hardwork, and a few hours of extra sleep would be more beneficial than harmful.