SAT Introduction
SAT Introduction
200-800 Math
200-800 Reading-Writing
Percentile Marking: what percentage of students you scored THE SAME OR
BETTER
EX: a 60th percentile score means you’ve scored better than 60% of all test
takers
SAT average composite score is 1050
Math-521
RW-529
SAT score you need is based on the schools you are interested in.
Arizona State Uni (av. SAT 1245)
GPA + SAT
Take the time to do same research on schools you might want to attend first so
that you can have a realistic SAT goal score to have a more accurate target score
On universities’ websites click on SAT scores and GPA page or (admission
requirement)
The 25th and 75th percentile composite SAT scores (strong application) Topla
ikiye böl average
Find the highest SAT score in the 75th percentile among the most competitive
school on your list
Baseline point
Score you’d get on the SAT without any preparation
+ official tests
• + quiet room
• + SAT-approved calculation
• + official section time limit
Current score-target score
Subtract your baseline from goal score
0-30 point improvement: 10 hours
30-70 point: 20h
70-130: 40h
130-200:80h
200-300:150h
+Good SAT scores for popular schools list
College Board, the maker of the SAT, is introducing changes to both the content
of the test and how the test is administered in order to better fit the needs of
students and educators. Most notably, the test will transition from being taken
with paper and pencil to being administered via a digital assessment platform
accessed by computer.
While the transition to digital will bring a number of student- and educator-
friendly changes, many important features of the SAT Suite will stay the same.
The SAT Suite will continue to measure the knowledge and skills that students
are learning in school and that matter most for college and career readiness. The
digital SAT isn’t simply a digital version of the current paper and pencil test—it
will be easier to take, more secure, and more relevant.
The transition to the digital version of the SAT will occur gradually over the
next two years:
Starting in spring 2024, the digital SAT will be taken by all students (both
international and within the US).
The new test will be taken on a laptop or tablet using Bluebook, a testing
platform developed by College Board to provide a more convenient and secure
testing experience.
The new test will also be shorter, about two hours instead of three, and will
include new question styles designed to better test underlying skills within the
digital format, including shorter reading passages and you'll be able to use a
calculator on the entire math section.
While the transition to digital will bring a number of student and educator
friendly changes, many important features of the SAT will stay the same. The
Digital SAT will continue to measure the knowledge and skills that students are
learning in school and that matter most for college and career readiness.
The Reading and Writing section of the digital SAT is designed to test students
on reading comprehension, rhetoric, and language use by having them engage
with academic and literary texts. Skills on the Reading and Writing test can be
split into the following four categories:
The SAT Reading and Writing test has seen substantial changes in the transition
to digital. Changes include:
• One test for Reading and Writing: While the pencil-and-paper SAT
tested Reading and Writing in separate test sections, the digital SAT
combines these topics.
• Shorter passages (and more of them): Instead of reading long passages
and answering multiple questions on each passage, students taking the
digital SAT will encounter shorter passages, each with just one follow-up
question.
• New question types: With its greater number and variety of passages, the
digital SAT includes new types of questions, with new prompts requiring
new strategies.
With the transition to the new digital version, the number of passages and
questions per passage on the SAT Reading Test have changed. The DSAT will
contain shorter passages that follow the one-question-per-passage format
instead of a set. Despite these changes, the question types and the skills assessed
remain the same. Each MCQ prompts you to comprehend the evidence,
understand the context of words used in the text, or draw inferences.
1. Big Picture
These questions ask about the main ideas of a passage. You must
understand the text in its entirety to answer these questions
accurately, as they are designed to evaluate your overall
comprehension. Complete these questions last to give yourself
plenty of opportunity to examine details, functions, and
connections within the passage.
2. Evidence Support
Information and
Ideas Close reading, citing textual evidence, determining central ideas and th
Summarizing Understanding relationships, interpreting words and phrases in context
SAT Reading Passages will draw from U.S. and World Literature,
History/Social Studies, and Science. One set of History/Social Studies or
Science passages will be paired. History/Social Studies and Science passages
can also be accompanied by graphical representations of data such as charts,
graphs, or tables.
SAT questions are not arranged in order of progressive difficulty on the paper
exam.
On the Reading and Writing section of your SAT, some questions will introduce
a claim about an unfamiliar subject. The question will then ask you to identify
the piece of evidence that most strongly supports that claim.
Jan Gimsa, Robert Sleigh, and Ulrike Gimsa have hypothesized that the sail-like
structure running down the back of the dinosaur Spinosaurus
aegyptiacus improved the animal’s success in underwater pursuits of prey
species capable of making quick, evasive movements. To evaluate their
hypothesis, a second team of researchers constructed two battery-powered
mechanical models of S. aegyptiacus, one with a sail and one without, and
subjected the models to a series of identical tests in a water-filled tank.
Which finding from the model tests, if true, would most strongly support Gimsa
and colleagues’ hypothesis?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
• (Choice A)
The model with a sail had significantly less battery power remaining after
completing the tests than the model without a sail did.
• (D
The model with a sail took significantly less time to complete a sharp turn
while submerged than the model without a sail did.
Check
[Answer explanation]:
"the sail-like structure running down the back of the dinosaur Spinosaurus
aegyptiacus improved the animal’s success in underwater pursuits of prey
species capable of making quick, evasive movements"
• Choice A does focus on speed of movement, but finds that a sail on the
back = slower movement. This is the opposite of what we want to
support. We can eliminate this choice.
• Choice B focuses on water displacement, not the speed of movement. We
can eliminate this choice.
• Choice C focuses on the "power" needed to move, not the speed of
movement. We can eliminate this choice.
Choice D focuses on speed of movement, and finds that having a sail made
sharp turns take "significantly less time". In other words: sail on back =
quicker movements. This supports the hypothesis made by the
scientists. Choice D is the answer.
How should we think about textual evidence questions?
There are two types of textual evidence questions, and we need to think about
each type a little differently.
Scientific evidence
This task should remind you of your science classes, in which you've likely
needed to confirm or refute a hypothesis based on the outcomes of an
experiment.
Literary evidence
We don't need any previous knowledge of the literary work under discussion.
What we will need is the ability to evaluate whether the content of each
quotation serves as direct evidence for the argument identified in the question.
This task should remind you of your English classes, in which you've likely
needed to pull quotations from a text to support your arguments in an analytical
essay.
While these two types of questions might seem quite different, the skills we
need to succeed on them, and our approach to finding the answer, should
be quite similar for both.
For instance, in the example question at the start of this article, you can identify
the following hypothesis: "the sail-like structure running down the back of the
dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus improved the animal’s success in underwater
pursuits of prey species capable of making quick, evasive movements".
Once you've identified the argument you want to support, you should rephrase
that argument in the simplest terms possible.
Once you find a choice that makes the same argument as your test phrase,
you've found the answer. You can select that choice with confidence.
Top tips
Stay specific
Don't stray beyond the focus of the passage. Eliminate choices that broaden or
blur the argument you're meant to be supporting. And look out for small twists
and turns that make a choice seem relevant when it actually changes the focus of
the argument.
[Hide explanation]
Be strict
Remember, we're looking for the strongest and most direct evidence. If a
choice "almost" or "kind of" feels like evidence, you can likely eliminate it. If
you need to connect too many dots to make the evidence match the argument,
then it's probably not strong evidence.
[Hide explanation]
In our example question, choice C introduces the idea of "battery power
remaining".
Now, if we made a whole bunch of extra leaps, we might be able to connect the
idea of "battery power" to the main argument about "speed". You could say:
The sail used up more power, so maybe it's more powerful, and that might mean
that the sail makes the dinosaur swim faster"
But this type of extended, indirect reasoning isn't what we want when we're
looking for strong support.
See how you had to use the word "might"? "Maybe" isn't strong enough, and it's
a good indication that there's not enough evidence in the passage to support this
choice. For example, the additional power consumption also might imply that
the sail is inefficient.
Your turn
A
“He carried himself always as if he were passing under his own triumphal
arch.”
• (Choice B)
“The grey Prince Albert was scrupulously buttoned about his form, and a
shiny top hat replaced the felt of the afternoon.”
• (Choice C)
“It was a beautiful day in balmy May and the sun shone pleasantly on Mr.
Cornelius Johnson’s very spruce Prince Albert suit of grey as he alighted
from the train in Washington.”
First we need to focus in on the claim our evidence needs to support:
exaggerated self-importance
AI QS
Passage 1:
A) Patients who took the new drug had lower cholesterol levels than those who
didn't. B) The drug was tested on a small group of patients. C) Cholesterol
levels remained unchanged in all patients. D) The drug had no side effects. E)
The drug's cost was significantly lower than existing cholesterol medications.
Passage 2:
Question 2: What research outcome would most strongly support the scientists'
hypothesis about the adaptability of the plant species?
Question 3: Which of the following research findings would best support the
hypothesis about education and poverty?
Passage 4:
Question 4: What research outcome would provide the strongest evidence for
the researchers' hypothesis about natural light and productivity?
A) Employees who had access to natural light were more productive than those
who didn't. B) The company implemented flexible working hours. C) The office
environment was kept at a constant temperature. D) A new coffee machine was
installed in the breakroom. E) Employees reported feeling happier in their
workspaces.
Passage 5:
Hypothesis: Biologists propose that a certain species of fish can regenerate lost
body parts.
Question 5: Which research result would best support the biologists' hypothesis
regarding the regenerative abilities of the fish?
A) After tail fins were amputated, the fish regrew them over time. B) The fish
were observed in a laboratory setting. C) Other species of fish also have similar
coloration. D) The fish lived in a river with fluctuating water levels. E) The fish
are commonly used in the pet trade.
Passage 6:
Hypothesis: Economists suggest that lowering taxes on small businesses will
stimulate economic growth.
Passage 7:
Passage 8:
Question 8: What research outcome would offer strong support for the
geologists' hypothesis regarding the impact of volcanic eruptions on climate?
Passage 9:
Hypothesis: Nutritionists propose that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the
risk of certain diseases.
Passage 10:
Hypothesis: Historians suggest that the fall of empires is often associated with
economic decline.
Question 10: Which research finding would best support the historians'
hypothesis regarding the relationship between empire falls and economic
decline?
Passage 11:
Passage: Recent research suggests that children who engage in regular reading
activities tend to have more advanced language skills than those who do not.
This finding has significant implications for education and child development.
Question 11: What does recent research suggest about the relationship between
regular reading and language skills in children?
A) Regular reading activities have no impact on language skills.
Passage 12:
Question 12: What is the primary reason for scientists' excitement about the
newly discovered plants in the remote rainforest?
Passage 13:
Passage: A recent debate has emerged about whether raising the minimum
wage would have a positive or negative impact on employment. Economists
who support an increase argue that it could lead to a decrease in unemployment
rates.
Question 13: What is the main point of contention in the debate about raising
the minimum wage?
A) Whether increasing the minimum wage is necessary.
B) Whether raising the minimum wage will have a positive or negative impact
on employment.
Passage 14:
Question 14: What is the focus of the geologists' studies in the earthquake-
prone region?
Passage 15:
Passage: The decline of the once-mighty empire has long been a subject of
historical inquiry. Some historians argue that the empire's downfall can be
attributed to a series of internal conflicts rather than external factors.
Question 15: According to some historians, what is the primary cause of the
decline of the powerful empire?
B) Economic challenges.
E) Advances in technology.
Passage 16:
Question 16: What has piqued the interest of biologists regarding the newly
discovered species of birds?
Passage 17:
Passage 18:
Passage 19:
Hypothesis: Nutritionists propose that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can
lead to improved overall health.
Passage: Nutritionists have long advocated for a diet that includes plenty of
fruits and vegetables. They argue that such a diet can lead to improved overall
health and well-being.
Passage 20:
Question 20: What do educators believe about the use of technology in the
classroom?
Passage 11: Question 11: C) Children who read regularly tend to have stronger
language skills.
Passage 12: Question 12: D) The plants may have unique medicinal properties.
Passage 13: Question 13: B) Whether raising the minimum wage will have a
positive or negative impact on employment.
Passage 14: Question 14: D) The causes of the seismic activity, including
underground tectonic activity.
Passage 16: Question 16: D) The potential for unique mating rituals.
Passage 18: Question 18: B) The potential for more frequent storms and higher
temperatures.
A) All four types of soil resulted in plants of equal height. B) The plants in soil
type A were significantly taller than those in the other soils. C) The plants in
soil type B had more leaves than those in soil type C. D) The plants in soil type
D had yellow leaves.
A) Both sets of plants grew at the same rate. B) The plants in the dark room
grew taller than those exposed to natural sunlight. C) The plants exposed to
natural sunlight had healthier green leaves than those in the dark room. D) The
plants exposed to natural sunlight had less water than those in the dark room.
A) All three plots had the same crop yield. B) The plot with fertilizer X had a
significantly higher crop yield than the others. C) The plot with fertilizer Y had
more pests than the others. D) The plot with fertilizer Z had a different crop
than the others.
Experiment 5: In an experiment exploring the impact of music on
concentration, students were divided into two groups—one that studied in
silence and another that listened to classical music while studying. Which
finding, if true, would provide strong evidence that listening to classical music
improves concentration during studying?
A) Both groups achieved the same test scores. B) The group that studied in
silence performed better on the test. C) The group that listened to music had
higher test scores than the other group. D) The group that listened to music took
longer to complete the test.
A) Both the before and after heart rates were the same. B) The heart rate after
exercise was significantly lower than before. C) The heart rate after exercise
was significantly higher than before. D) The heart rate remained constant
throughout the experiment.
A) All three cooking methods resulted in vegetables with equal nutrient content.
B) The boiled vegetables had a higher nutrient content than the fried vegetables.
C) The steamed vegetables had a lower nutrient content than the fried
vegetables. D) The steamed vegetables had a higher nutrient content than the
boiled and fried vegetables.
A) Both groups had the same reaction times. B) The group that consumed
caffeine had a slower reaction time. C) The group that consumed caffeine had a
faster reaction time. D) The group that consumed caffeine experienced
dizziness.
A) All fabrics were left with visible stains. B) The fabric treated with cleaning
agent X had the least visible stains. C) The fabric treated with cleaning agent Y
had a different type of stain than the others. D) The fabric treated with cleaning
agent Z was damaged.
Explanation: If the plants in soil type A were significantly taller than those in
the other soils, it provides strong evidence that one type of soil is more
conducive to plant growth, supporting the hypothesis.
Experiment 3: Question: Which finding, if true, would support the hypothesis
that light exposure positively affects plant growth? Answer: C) The plants
exposed to natural sunlight had healthier green leaves than those in the dark
room.
Explanation: If the plants exposed to natural sunlight had healthier green leaves,
it indicates that light exposure positively affects plant growth, supporting the
hypothesis.
Explanation: If the plot with fertilizer X had a significantly higher crop yield, it
provides strong evidence that one fertilizer promotes higher crop yield,
supporting the hypothesis.
Explanation: If the group that listened to music had higher test scores, it
suggests that listening to classical music improves concentration during
studying, supporting the hypothesis.
Explanation: If the heart rate after exercise was significantly higher than before,
it supports the hypothesis that exercise increases heart rate.
Explanation: If the steamed vegetables had a higher nutrient content than the
boiled and fried vegetables, it provides strong evidence that steaming retains
more nutrients, supporting the hypothesis.
Experiment 8: Question: Which observation, if true, would provide strong
evidence supporting the hypothesis that specific pH levels promote better plant
growth? Answer: B) The plants watered with a pH 7 solution grew taller than
those with pH 5 solution.
Explanation: If the plants watered with a pH 7 solution grew taller than those
with pH 5 solution, it suggests that specific pH levels promote better plant
growth, supporting the hypothesis.
Explanation: If the group that consumed caffeine had a faster reaction time, it
supports the hypothesis that caffeine consumption improves reaction time.
Experiment 10: Question: Which result, if true, would best support their
hypothesis that one cleaning agent is more effective at stain removal than the
others? Answer: B) The fabric treated with cleaning agent X had the least
visible stains.
Explanation: If the fabric treated with cleaning agent X had the least visible
stains, it provides strong evidence that one cleaning agent is more effective at
stain removal, supporting the hypothesis.
In "The Great Gatsby," the author describes Jay Gatsby as a mysterious and
enigmatic character. Which quotation from the novel most effectively illustrates
this description?
A) "Gatsby, with his extravagant parties and opulent lifestyle, was the talk of
the town." B) "Gatsby's past was shrouded in secrecy, and nobody knew where
he had come from." C) "The green light at the end of Daisy's dock seemed to
symbolize Gatsby's unattainable dreams." D) "Gatsby's car, a shining yellow
Rolls-Royce, attracted the attention of everyone he passed."
In "To Kill a Mockingbird," the character of Atticus Finch is known for his
strong moral compass and sense of justice. Which quotation from the novel best
exemplifies Atticus Finch's character?
A) "Atticus always taught us to treat everyone with respect, no matter their
background." B) "Atticus was a well-respected lawyer in town, known for his
impressive courtroom skills." C) "Atticus rarely expressed his emotions, but his
actions spoke volumes about his integrity." D) "Atticus believed in the
importance of defending those who couldn't defend themselves."
In "Pride and Prejudice," Mr. Darcy is initially perceived as aloof and proud.
Which quotation from the novel best illustrates this characterization?
A) "Mr. Darcy was a man of few words, and his reserved demeanor often
misled others." B) "Mr. Darcy's wealth and status set him apart from the rest of
society." C) "Mr. Darcy's refusal to dance with Elizabeth Bennet offended many
at the assembly." D) "Mr. Darcy seldom engaged in idle conversation and
preferred to observe from a distance."
A) "Captain Ahab was known for his single-minded determination to find and
conquer the white whale." B) "Ahab's relentless pursuit of Moby Dick led his
crew on a perilous journey across the seas." C) "Ahab's cabin was adorned with
harpoons and trophies from previous encounters with the elusive whale." D)
"Ahab's obsession with Moby Dick blinded him to the dangers and
consequences of his quest."
A) "The creature's appearance was so hideous that it struck fear into the hearts
of those who beheld it." B) "The creature, shunned by society, longed for
companionship and acceptance." C) "The creature's actions, driven by loneliness
and rejection, led to tragic consequences." D) "The creature's creator, Victor
Frankenstein, was horrified by the monster he had brought to life."
A) "In this society, technology was harnessed to eliminate pain, discomfort, and
individuality." B) "The citizens of this world relied on a drug called 'soma' to
maintain their contentment." C) "Technology allowed for the conditioning and
control of individuals' thoughts and behaviors." D) "The omnipresent
surveillance cameras ensured that no one could deviate from societal norms."
In "1984," the government exercises total control over its citizens through
surveillance and censorship. Which quotation from the novel most effectively
portrays the oppressive nature of the government?
A) "Big Brother is always watching, and even our thoughts are not safe from the
Thought Police." B) "The government's propaganda machine worked tirelessly
to rewrite history and control the narrative." C) "Winston's diary, a symbol of
his rebellion, was a dangerous act of defiance against the Party." D) "The
citizens lived in perpetual fear of being labeled as 'thoughtcriminals' and
disappearing."
In "The Scarlet Letter," the scarlet letter itself is a symbol of shame and
punishment. Which quotation from the novel effectively conveys the symbolism
of the scarlet letter?
A) "The townspeople regarded Hester Prynne's scarlet letter as a mark of her sin
and disgrace." B) "Hester's scarlet letter, embroidered with gold thread, was an
exquisite work of craftsmanship." C) "The scarlet letter served as a constant
reminder of Hester's illicit affair with Reverend Dimmesdale." D) "Hester's
daughter, Pearl, often played with the scarlet letter, unaware of its significance."
A) "Odysseus used his physical strength to overcome the obstacles in his path."
B) "Odysseus devised clever strategies to outwit his enemies and achieve his
goals." C) "Odysseus relied on the gods to guide him safely home." D)
"Odysseus's journey was marked by luck and chance encounters."
Explanation: This quotation reflects Atticus Finch's strong moral character and
his emphasis on treating others with respect.
Explanation: This quotation highlights the creature's loneliness and desire for
acceptance, portraying his tragic nature.
Explanation: This quotation illustrates how the scarlet letter is viewed by the
townspeople as a symbol of Hester's sin and disgrace.
Passage 10: "The Odyssey" by Homer Question: Which quotation from the
epic poem best exemplifies Odysseus's resourcefulness and cunning? Answer:
B) "Odysseus devised clever strategies to outwit his enemies and achieve his
goals."
Passage: Jane had always been a strong-willed and determined individual. From
her early years at Lowood School, where she endured hardship and
discrimination, to her time as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she faced
uncertainty and adversity, Jane never wavered in her pursuit of self-sufficiency
and personal growth.
A) "Bilbo's journey was marked by countless challenges, but he faced each one
with newfound bravery." B) "Bilbo's initial reluctance to join the quest gave
way to a fierce determination to protect his companions." C) "Bilbo's encounters
with dragons and trolls revealed the depths of his courage and resourcefulness."
D) "Bilbo's decision to confront the dragon Smaug showcased his
transformation from a timid hobbit to a heroic figure."
In "The Grapes of Wrath," the Joad family represents the struggles of migrant
workers during the Great Depression. Read the following passage from the
novel and choose the sentence that most effectively conveys the challenges
faced by the Joad family and other migrant workers:
Passage: The Joad family, like countless other migrant families during the Great
Depression, experienced a harsh and unforgiving reality. Their journey
westward was marred by poverty, hunger, and the relentless search for work in
a land that offered little respite.
A) "The Joad family's journey was marked by poverty, hunger, and the constant
search for work." B) "The dust storms that swept across the land symbolized the
harsh conditions endured by migrant families." C) "The Joads, like countless
others, faced exploitation and injustice as they sought a better life in California."
D) "The Joads' determination to survive and preserve their dignity in the face of
adversity resonated with other migrant families."
A) "Holden's cynical view of the world led him to question the authenticity of
human relationships." B) "Holden's encounters with 'phonies' and hypocrites
intensified his sense of alienation from society." C) "Holden's inner turmoil and
search for authenticity made him an outsider in a world he found insincere." D)
"Holden's longing for a world of innocence and genuine connections set him
apart from the superficiality of society."
In "One Hundred Years of Solitude," the magical realism genre is used to depict
extraordinary events in a seemingly ordinary world. Read the following passage
from the novel and choose the sentence that most effectively illustrates the
blend of magic and reality:
In "The Lord of the Flies," the novel explores the descent into savagery of a
group of boys stranded on an island. Read the following passage from the novel
and choose the sentence that most effectively portrays the boys' descent into
chaos and violence:
Passage: As the days on the island stretched into weeks, the boys' civilized
behavior deteriorated, giving way to chaos and brutality. The conch, once a
symbol of order and democracy, became a shattered relic as the boys
succumbed to their primal instincts.
Passage: Odysseus's encounters with mythical creatures and gods showcased his
remarkable intelligence and adaptability. His decision to use the Trojan Horse to
enter Troy demonstrated his strategic brilliance and cunning.
Passage: Pip's yearning for social status and his guilt over his humble
beginnings created inner turmoil. His interactions with the enigmatic Miss
Havisham and the mysterious Estella fueled his aspirations.
A) "Pip's yearning for social status and his guilt over his humble beginnings
created inner turmoil." B) "Pip's interactions with the enigmatic Miss Havisham
and the mysterious Estella fueled his aspirations." C) "Pip's struggles with his
own identity and his ambivalence towards his benefactor's expectations were at
the heart of his journey." D) "Pip's journey from the marshes to London
reflected his ambition to rise above his lowly origins and become a gentleman."
In "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne bears the burden of a scarlet letter as a
symbol of her sin. Read the following passage from the novel and choose the
sentence that most effectively conveys the symbolism and impact of the scarlet
letter:
Passage 16: "The Lord of the Flies" by William Golding Answer: B) "As the
days on the island stretched into weeks, the boys' civilized behavior
deteriorated, giving way to chaos and brutality."
The online SAT will be whittled down from its current three sections (Reading,
Writing and Language, and Math) to two: Reading and Writing is the first while
Math is the second. Each section will be further divided into two parts,
called modules.
You’ll answer questions in the first module before moving on to the second.
But the questions in the second module will change for each test taker
depending on how they performed on the first module.
Thanks to this new adaptive format, the digital SAT will be more tailored to your
individual needs and improve how precisely the exam assesses your skills.
Are there shorter options for a diagnostic test? We highly recommend taking a full-
length SAT as your diagnostic test to give you the most accurate results, but if you
really can’t find the time to do this, Khan Academy does offer short diagnostic
quizzes for the SAT on its website. There are four quizzes for SAT Math and four for
SAT Reading. Each quiz is ten questions long. You won’t be able to translate these
results into an estimated score for the SAT since the format is so different, but they can
be used to help you figure out which areas you need to improve the most in.
Grade your diagnostic test (all official practice tests include instructions on how
to do this), then think about the following questions.
This is the key question. How far are your diagnostic test results from your
SAT goal score?
If you’re close to your target score, great! You may not have to do much studying
beyond some quick review and taking a few more practice tests.
If you’re farther from your SAT goal score, you’ll probably have to put some
more time in, but that’s why you took the diagnostic test, to figure this out early
so you have plenty of time to develop an SAT study plan. Keep reading for tips
on how to figure out exactly where you can improve and what you can do to
raise your score.
Now, look at each of your section scores. How do they compare to one another?
Is your Reading score pretty good but your Math score far from where you want
it to be? Then you know to focus more of your study time on math.
Students often divide their study time equally between each of the SAT sections
or read entire prep books all the way through to make sure they’re learning
everything they can. However, if your section scores vary widely, this isn’t the
most efficient use of your time. You want to concentrate more on the
section(s) where you need to make the biggest improvement. That’s the way
to raise your score a significant amount.
Now go one step further. If you’re unhappy with your Math score, look more
closely at which types of questions you answered incorrectly. Did you ace the
algebra questions but struggle with geometry? Did the grid-in questions throw
you for a loop?
The more detailed your analysis is, the more it’ll help you develop a study
plan that effectively targets your weaknesses and helps you raise your
score. To help you with this, here are guides that explain every type of question
you’ll see on SAT Math, Reading, and Writing. They’ll help you categorize the
questions and figure out which ones you’re missing.
Finally, did you struggle with the time limits on the SAT? Did you run out of time
on any of the sections? Do you feel like you could have gotten a higher score if
you’d had more time? The SAT expects you to answer a lot of questions in a
short amount of time, and many students struggle with completing the test
within the time limits.
If you feel you knew most of the information being tested but simply didn’t have
the time to answer all the questions completely, working on your timing skills
will be key to improving your score. We explain how to do this in the next
section.
After you looked at the overall patterns in your diagnostic score results, it’s time
for a more detailed analysis. To do this, you should go through every
question you answered incorrectly and figure out why you got it wrong.
This may seem time-consuming and boring, but don’t be tempted to skip it!
Going over the answers you got wrong is the absolute best way to understand
where you’re making mistakes and what you can do to correct them. Otherwise
you’ll just keep repeating those same mistakes and not make improvements.
For each question you answered incorrectly on your diagnostic, think about why
you got it wrong. There are generally four reasons people make mistakes on
exams:
• Question Comprehension Issue: You had the knowledge to get the right
answer, but the question was too complicated, you weren’t exactly sure
what was being asked, or you were tricked by the question.
• Careless Error: Often the most frustrating mistake, this is when you knew
exactly how to get the right answer, but you made a silly mistake that
caused you to choose the wrong answer.
Time Issues
To figure out if you have time management issues, take a timed practice test
(under realistic conditions). If you run out of time to answer all of the questions,
continue answering questions, but mark the questions for which you needed the
extra time.
How many questions did you get right with the extra time, compared to the
number of questions you answered correctly within the official time limits? If
your scaled scores differ by more than either 50 points on any section of the
SAT, then you have a time management problem.
We have guides specifically on how to stop running out of time on SAT Math
and SAT Reading, but below are a few key tips for helping you manage your time
on the SAT better.
• Know how long you have for each question: Having an idea of how long
to spend on each question will help you plan out your time better and
make it easier to stay on track.
This issue is especially common with people who read questions quickly in
hopes of saving time. Even though you’ll be pressed for time on the
SAT, spending an extra few seconds to figure out exactly what a question is
asking you is well worth your time.
Many students underline key parts of a question to make sure they’re not
missing any important information when they read it. It may also help you to
write out the info a question gives you in a simpler form to help you understand
it. This can be especially helpful with math questions that dump a lot of info on
you in the question.
Procedural/Comprehension Issue
Both of these issues can be solved by building up your knowledge of what the
SAT tests and how it tests it. For procedural problems, the best way to improve
is to answer lot of practice questions so you become familiar with what SAT
questions look like and the ways they ask information. Prep books can also give
you insight into how to solve questions.
For comprehension issues, you can brush up on the content the SAT tests by
using class notes, textbooks on the material, an SAT prep book or a complete
prep program like PrepScholar.
Careless Error
The best way to overcome careless errors is to stop and think about why
you’re making them. Were you pressed for time? Then improving your time
management skills will help. Did you get tripped up by one of the SAT’s common
tricks, like only solving for x when you were supposed to give the answer for 3x?
Then taking more practice tests will help you identify these tricks more
easily. Leaving yourself a few minutes at the end of each section to go over your
answers can also help you avoid careless mistakes.
https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-diagnostic-test-free
PSAT8/9
PSAT10
SAT
The Difference Between the SAT and the PSAT: Names
“PSAT” stands for “Preliminary SAT” but has no meaning on its own as there is no
single test, but rather three PSAT-related assessments: the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
See upcoming SAT test dates, which include anticipated test dates and
SAT registration deadlines.
The primary test day for the PSAT/NMSQT is in mid-October, with an additional
Saturday date and alternate test date a bit later.