By Laura Whitmore
Are you stressing the SAT coming up this weekend? With the November test just around the corner, I wanted to share a few last-minute strategies that can make a real difference on test day. Whether you’re a student looking for that extra boost or a parent looking to help them succeed, these tips are designed to keep stress low and performance high.
Not up for reading? Watch my YouTube video instead!
1️⃣ Try a New Time Management Strategy for English
If time management is a challenge in the English section, especially in Module 2, consider this strategy: start with questions 1-10, skip ahead to question 15 and go to the end, then return to questions 11-14. This method breaks the reading passages into two chunks of five questions each, which is much less overwhelming. Practice this on a mock test to make sure it feels comfortable before the real thing.
2️⃣ Approach Comparative Text Questions Wisely
Comparative text questions often test a reader’s ability to spot subtle agreements or disagreements between authors. A helpful hint here: if a question asks about the perspective of “Text 2” on something in “Text 1,” focus on how the two passages disagree. Unless the question specifically asks where they agree, assume it’s a disagreement and choose an answer that shows that.
3️⃣ Simplify Transition Questions
Transition questions can be tricky, but here’s a quick shortcut: transition words at the beginning of a sentence need punctuation right after them, usually a comma. Knowing this can help you quickly eliminate incorrect answers and save time.
4️⃣ Learn to Cut Through the “Fluff”
The SAT loves to distract test-takers with unnecessary details. Learning to recognize and ignore this “fluff” can save time and increase accuracy. Here are three areas where fluff often shows up:
Grammar Questions: Many grammar questions contain non-essential phrases that may be surrounded by dashes or parentheses. Try to identify the main sentence structure, and skip over any “extra” phrases that don’t contribute to it.
Graphs: Often, graphs are included in English questions where they’re more for decoration than essential information. If a question says “describes data” but doesn’t actually require math, you can often skip the graph entirely. Look for keywords in the question that indicate when the graph isn’t necessary.
Inference Questions: For inference or “logically completes the text” questions, it’s best to go straight to the final sentence before the blank, which often contains the main claim. Use this claim to guide your answer and ignore any preliminary sentences unless needed.
5️⃣ Use Punctuation Shortcuts
For punctuation questions, there are a few quick tricks to remember:
Eliminate Periods and Semicolons Together: If you see both a period and a semicolon in the answer choices, you can usually eliminate them because they function similarly.
Identify the Option that Separates Two Complete Sentences: If only one answer can separate two independent clauses, it’s likely correct. When in doubt, choose that answer.
Look for “Semicolon + And”: If you spot a semicolon followed by “and,” this typically indicates items in a list and is often correct. Pick the option with the semicolon in this case.
6️⃣ Memorize Key Math Concepts
Knowing essential math formulas and concepts is crucial. Our Math Cheat Sheet can be a great refresher, and using flashcards on Preptly is a convenient way to practice these formulas on the go. Preptly offers tailored math quizzes and flashcards to help users focus on any weak areas, making it a valuable resource to reinforce core concepts quickly.
7️⃣ Avoid Cramming the Night Before
Instead of cramming, focus on getting a good night’s sleep. Cramming can lead to mental fatigue, which could impact performance. Think of test preparation as similar to athletic training—you wouldn’t run a marathon the day before a big race!
8️⃣ Warm Up on Test Day
Just like an athlete warms up before a game, warming up your brain is a great idea before a big test. We have a quick SAT warm-up guide with a few easy English questions to get you in the test-taking mindset. The warm-up guide is designed to activate your thinking without stressing about answers since you won’t have any answer keys on test day.
9️⃣ Use All Available Time
If you finish a section early, use the remaining time to double-check your answers. This is especially important in Module 1 Math, where careless errors can easily slip in on simpler questions. Going back through each question carefully can catch these mistakes before they impact your score.
🔟 Mentally Reset for Module 2
Prepare yourself mentally before starting Module 2 in both English and Math. It’s designed to be more challenging than Module 1, so go in with a fresh, focused mindset. Accept that there will be tougher questions, and work at a steady, deliberate pace to ensure you don’t run out of time.
With these tips, you’ll be ready to approach the November SAT with confidence! Remember, it’s all about staying strategic and focused. Good luck to everyone taking the SAT, and remember: you’ve got this!
Happy prepping!
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