SAT Prep Expert Tips: Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid
Top SAT Test Prep Mistakes to Avoid
We all know how important your test scores are for your college applications.
This means that the way you study leading up to the big test day is extra important! There are plenty of pitfalls and traps that you can fall into. Knowing them ahead of time is key to studying strategically, smartly and successfully.
Our expert teachers at MEK Review share the top mistakes that high school students make when preparing for the SAT exams.
Mistake #1. Preparing for the SAT exam too late.
“Don’t start preparing too late! The biggest difference between students who score high and students who score “okay” is that the student who scored high gave themselves plenty of time to prepare! Take a practice test and figure out how far away your current score is from your goal score. Give yourself at least 1 month preparation for every 50 points you want to raise your score.”
— Katie Weisman, English Teacher
Mistake #2. Not approaching exam preparation strategically.
“Many students think just taking a test again and again will improve their scores. It will improve your score a little. To improve your score a lot, you need to learn the best way to tackle the test and practice taking the test that way.”
— Rachel Erwin, Exam Prep Coordinator
Mistake #3. Not properly managing one’s time.
“Poor time management and ineffective pacing. This does not always mean go quicker; sometimes students feel too time stressed, go quickly, and haphazardly mess up on problems they should get correct.”
— Mac Porter, English Teacher
Mistake #4. Not approaching the SAT Reading section in a detailed fashion.
“Not annotating on the reading section. Because so much of the test is about reading closely, students really need to make sure they do this!”
— Ashley Dorian, English Teacher
Mistake #5. Overthinking the SAT exam questions.
“Being too clever for your own good. Focus on what questions are explicitly asking for.”
— Chris Cullen, English Teacher
Mistake #6. Not analyzing each practice test thoroughly.
“Students often believe that taking more and more tests will always be helpful to prep a test. It really comes down to how you digest EACH test and how to apply those new skills acquired to the NEXT test. You always need to study for that NEXT test.”
— Tony Kim, Exam Prep Coordinator
Mistake #7. Not reading the text closely.
“Not reading the question closely. Too often I see students in “auto-pilot” mode, where they see numbers in a problem and work on instinct, instead of reading critically and identifying the proper steps to arrive at the answer effectively. Yes, the SAT is a timed test, but that does not mean you should rush through the questions.”
— Matthew Olive, Math Teacher
Let MEK help you avoid these 7 common mistakes by registering for our SAT prep course. Whether you’re a beginner to prep, trying to overcome a stagnant score, or need to stay test-ready before your 2nd or 3rd test date, we have a customized preparation plan for you!
Call 855-346-1410 or contact us here to register today.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
