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As much as we don’t love to admit it, the SAT matters. Going to a good school requires a good score, which requires good study methods to achieve. There’s no one right way to prepare, unfortunately, but there are things you can do to help. If you’re a student in Greenville or the parent of a Greenville area student, but don’t feel you or your student are ready for the SAT, don’t fret. We at Mathnasium, offer SAT prep and math tutoring in Greenville, SC. Learn how to prepare for the SAT and follow these math tips to improve your score and ace your test!
Research shows that cramming for tests is often ineffective. Short-term study plans can help you pass tests you weren’t prepared for, but they don’t allow for great retention rates, meaning if you need to recall information later, you probably won’t be able to. Given the nature of mathematics and the need to dig up a dozen or more formulas based on a few symbols and a name – well, you can see where that might be a problem. When signing up to take the SAT, try to slot it into your schedule 2–3 months after you plan to begin studying for it. Across those months, block out small study sessions leading up to the exam, and during those sessions, take a few minutes to review what you went over previously. It often takes repetition for new information to set in, so a “read and review” strategy can help ensure you retain the information you need. The SAT covers a wide range of subjects, so play it safe, plan ahead, and prepare accordingly. Additionally, consider a prep program designed to help you succeed. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are crucial to test-taking success, but they take time to develop. That’s why Mathnasium’s math test tutoring programs in Greenville work with students individually to help them understand valuable math concepts that will build confidence on any test they take. Learn skills that will last a lifetime!
The SAT’s math portion consists of multiple-choice questions primarily spread across two sections: one where a calculator is permitted and one where it isn’t. The “No Calculator” portion of the test is shorter, with only 20 questions to be completed across 25 minutes, whereas the section in which a calculator is allowed is longer, with 38 questions across 55 minutes. Preparing ahead of time by simply knowing what to expect can be huge in helping you succeed in getting a good score on your Greenville SAT. Additionally, understanding that most of the questions you face will be multiple-choice may provide some relief. Guessing, while not encouraged, is a viable strategy to fall back on. The SAT no longer subtracts points for wrong answers, so understanding your subject matter well enough to eliminate possible answers may be all you need to get through on more challenging sections. Take your time, don’t leave an answer blank, and when in doubt, guess!
The SAT is a notoriously exhaustive exam. Even if you don’t find the questions particularly challenging, the process of continuous testing across a 3–4-hour period can be a lot to manage if you aren’t prepared. Like running a marathon, just because you can run a mile doesn’t mean you can run 26 of them. Endurance matters, so being able to stay focused over a long period of time will determine how well you do on the test. When blocking out time to study, make sure you have the time to take a practice test or two. Setting aside time to take one entire test continuously can help you get a feel for the process, even if math is your core focus of study.
One of the ways Greenville students get tripped up, not just with the SAT but with tests in general, is by wracking their brains for too long on a problem they don’t understand instead of leaving it and returning to it later. Good testing practices require a calm head, so when you find yourself up against a question you don’t know, move on and come back to it. This helps to keep you from getting frustrated, for one, but it also gives you time to look for clues in other questions that ultimately may help you with the ones you don’t know.
When it comes to test-taking, knowing yourself is a big part of helping you get better. It’s easy to gravitate toward our strengths, but spending too much time studying things we already know isn’t particularly helpful. Make time to review, sure, but focus on the areas you’re weak in. If algebra is your strong suit, plan to spend extra time on geometry or problem-solving. Strengthen yourself in the areas you’re weak to provide a better overall foundation. Don’t fret if you don’t know everything; no one does, and that’s fine. Instead, fill in the gaps where possible, and round out your overall knowledge to give you the best chance at success.
Preparing to take the SAT can be a challenging process that takes time, patience, and strategy to overcome effectively. Fortunately, Mathnasium can help! Whether you are a student at Mauldin High School, another Greenville area high school, or a Greenville parent just looking to help your child lay a better mathematics foundation, Mathnasium’s expert tutors can assess your needs effectively and help you meet your desired goals. Let Mathnasium of Greenville Five Forks, Mathnasium of Greenville Downtown, or Mathnasium of Simpsonville help you on your way to being an SAT mathematics champion!
