ABOUT
This site is based on the fact that the SAT is a very predictable test. With the right tools, it can be studied for, and you can dramatically increase your score!
Where to begin
If you haven’t already taken the SAT, take a practice test under timed conditions. You can find a practice test in the College Board booklet provided by your school. You can also purchase The Official SAT Study Guide written by the makers of the test, which includes eight full-length practice tests. Better yet, take their online SAT practice test. It provides detailed feedback on the problems you missed.
Once you’ve taken the test, you’re already familiar with the format. Being familiar, though, is not enough. You need to know the test. For example, in the critical reading section, is it OK to base an answer on what is implied in the passage instead of what is stated? Or in the math section, if a figure does not state whether it’s drawn to scale or not, can you assume it is?
Many students light up when they learn the SAT gives them math formulas. In reality, most students would be better off if the formulas were not provided. You’re wasting precious time if you need to flip back to those — memorize them! By the way, the answers to both questions above are “yes.”
There are three components that will help you increase your score on the SAT:
Master the basic skills. The skills required for the math section are laid out clearly in Spark Notes’ SAT skills. Learn these skills and more importantly, master them. You can find skill-based practice problems in Peterson’s Guide to the New SAT.
Learn test-taking strategies. There are six essential SAT strategies. One of them, along with examples and video solutions, is covered in detail in SAT math strategies.
Set your pacing plan. Many people think they need to finish a section in the given time in order to maximize their score. That’s what they say to do in school, right? Unless you’re shooting for a 2400, there is no reason for you to answer every question. (By the way, you can still get a “perfect” 2400 if you miss or skip a few because they “curve” it.) For a detailed description of how to set your optimal pacing plan, view day 1 in my free five-day e-course.
You can obtain the same score in a given section two ways: by rushing through the entire section at the expense of making careless errors, or by slowing down and knowingly omitting the harder problems. Visit SAT preparation to help you develop a target score and pacing plan.
Where to spend your study time
After you’ve mastered the basic skills, learned new SAT strategies and come up with a pacing plan, it’s time to practice, practice, practice. Don’t fall into the trap of simply taking timed test after test. That would be like playing four-hour baseball games over and over when you need to improve your hitting. Go to the batting cages! Practice what you need to improve.
It’s great to take timed tests as part of your study plan, but get more specific in your practice if you really want to score higher on the SAT. Focus on the problem types you get wrong in your practice tests. Only once you’ve learned and practiced new skills, as well as strategies, should you invest more time in taking another timed practice test.
Comments»
hey! i am a 7th grader looking to improve my SAT scores. i took a practice SAT test about 8 months ago, and got about 1650. I’m pretty sure these are horrendous scores for someone my age. I am looking to get into a university such as harvard, stanford, etc. I will be taking pre-Calculus next year as an eight grader. I did algebra 2 over the summer. I’m going to take a practice test at the end of summer(September 1) to see my improvement. As well as the algebra 2 concepts, i’ve been studying flashcards(vocab), fine-tuning grammar skills, and also reading magazines such as national geographic to improve my critical reading. Do you think what i’ve been doing is helping? Will i get a better score? I got 570 in math and critical reading, and 510 in writing.
Okay,so I took the SAT on April, 2010 in Palm Beach County which was actually accounted as the March SAT. I had been in this country for only two months then, and I got 1860 on that. My parents keep telling me its okay, but I really want to go to University of Florida. Even though my score is in the median range, I want to guarantee a spot in UF. my weakness definitely is CR, on which I got 580. math 670 and Writing 610. I saw that I made 17 mistakes on reading. If i just skipped those answers instead of guessing, how much do you think I might have got?
Mia,
It depends how far apart your math and CR scores are as well as what major you’re thinking about. Join my member area, post your scores from each section and I’ll tell you which to focus on as well as email you an e-book that lays out how to maximize your score in each section.
Regards,
Jason
Hello my name is Mia. I got a 1760 on my SAT, and I am taking it again in 2 days. My goal is to receive a 2000+. SHould I focus on my weakness(CR) or my strength(Math)? If so what should I do?
Thanks so much!
Anna,
550-point gain is not impossible but will take a lot of work. Anyone that tells you otherwise is crazy. Ignoring your lowest score is NOT the way to reach your goal. Try my member area if you’re serious about getting started.
Regards,
Jason
I just took my practice SAT online and scored a 1650. My goal is a 2200+. Is this possible. My lowest score is in math. Should I focus on writing and critical reading and forget about the math. Anna
I strongly recommend to start of by studying for the sat a section at a time. Take a practice section then review that section until you understand why each correct answer is the correct the answer. If you keep doing this…. testing and reviewing your score will definitely improve
Gabrielle,
I’d start with your lowest two sub scores first. You need a good guide. I provide my premium members with one that has all you need to know as well as forum support with videos showing easy solutions to real math problems. If you haven’t already, sign up for my free e-tips. After that, try the member area and you’re sure to see improvements.
Regards,
Jason
My name is Gabrielle, and I really need help improving my SAT scores. I got a 1590 on the PSAT and just recently discovered that I earned a 1540 on the SAT. I guess it is not so bad for a first try, but I wanted to do better. In critical reading I got a 480, math:500, and writing:560. My reading and math skills just aren’t as good as I want them to be. I’m hearing that many colleges do not even pay attention to the writing portion of the SAT, which scares me because the writing section makes up a great deal of my overall score. I wish to attend the University of Florida, but my scores are not where they need to be. What can I do to improve?
Hello Ramesh,
I sent you an email, be sure to let me know if you have any questions by replying to my email or posting them to the member area!
Regards,
Jason
Hello Mr. McDonald,
I became a member on this site today, and I would like to send you my essay, but i know how to send you the essay?
Can you please help me?
Thank you.
Glad to, Brendan! Be sure to include the prompt question.
I just recorded videos to your math questions so check the member area for them soon.
Hi Jason,
I have the essay I wrote for the may 2009 SAT. I was wondering if I emailed it to you, if you could tell me what i should have done to get a 12?
Thanks