what is the best way to study for the sat?

Question

i'm using the book McGraw-Hill's SAT I 2nd edition
i only have 20 some days to study before the test. how should i break down the sections in this book?

Answer 1

Congrats on planning to put in some study time! I did that too. My first practice SAT was a 1250, but I worked it up to a 1480 on the actual test (I know the scores have changed now, so I don't know what that's equivalent to now...I got a 790 on the verbal and a 690 on the math sections).
The best way is to start by taking a full-length SAT practice test. Take it like you're taking the real thing--time yourself, take it at a desk with as few distractions as possible. Then look back at your scores and the questions you got wrong. Ask yourself these questions:
1) Which sections did I score highest/lowest on?
2) How much higher is my highest score than my lowest one? (For instance, did you make a 500 on the math and a 700 on the verbal--that's a big difference!)
3) Most important: what types of questions did I get wrong? This will tell you if, for instance, there's a particular math concept that you don't quite understand. Maybe you got most of the geometry-related questions wrong. That's important info.
4) Finally, try to figure this out: Why did I miss those questions? Some questions people miss because they never learned the material needed to answer them--these questions are most often in the math section. Some questions people miss because they couldn't figure out the question's wording--what it was asking, for example. These questions are more often in the verbal/reading comp sections. Finally, some questions people miss simply because they are nervous--maybe you know the answer but mark the wrong circle on your scantron. Or maybe you make a simple mistake in a math problem--like adding 2+2 wrong. These mistakes will improve with test-taking practice AND with making sure that you're as relaxed as possible the day of the actual test. Finally, there will be some questions, depending on your IQ, that you will not be able to answer. They're just to damn hard. That's okay. The SAT is designed to be like that. It's important not to get hung up on those tough/impossible questions: focus on answering the ones that you know how to.

After you take this first practice test, spend some time studying the specific problems and/or sections that give you the most difficulty. Work the problems over and over, and make sure you know what went wrong when you check them and find out you got the wrong answer. Always time yourself, because it's important to get used to working against the clock. If you can't answer all of the questions in the time you're allowed, that's okay. Most people can't, especially on the math section.

As the day of the actual test gets closer, work some more practice, full-length tests so that you'll be comfortable with the testing atmosphere when you take it. This can make a big difference. For me, when I went in to take the SAT, I was not nearly as nervous as some of the other students because I had taken so many practice tests that it didn't feel like anything special--I just pretended that I was taking another practice test.

Finally, the day before the test: don't study! Give your brain time to rest. Get to bed early so that your brain will have time to process all of the information that it needs to and be prepared to work hard the next day. DO NOT stay up late studying. It will only hurt your score! Studies have shown that our brain uses sleep to establish connections between new ideas (between our brain cells, so it's a little like our brains are growing while we sleep!). Eat a good breakfast, something with some protein. Protein is what your body uses for endurance and strength. Wear comfortable clothes, and bring a sweater in case the room is cold (it often is). Then just relax! Walk in confidently, even if you don't feel confident. Your brain will pick up on your body's confident posture and relax in response. Arrive early, so you know where to go and can pick a good seat (especially if you're left-handed. If you're left-handed like I am, demand a left-handed seat if necessary. Taking a test in a right-handed desk is very uncomfortable and tiring. No need for that!)

Hope some of that helped. Don't worry, because 20 days can make a big difference. You'll do fine! That book sounds like a good one to use, too--I think I may have used that one. Any book is good, really. It's the practice that counts. Good luck! :)

Answer 2

Kaplan offers really good SAT prep courses. You could also get SAT prep books from either your local library or a bookstore.

Answer 3

Take an SAT class