JUNIOR YEAR
SAT Prep:
DO’S AND DON’TS
T
he SAT can feel overwhelming. Sometimes it seems like the only thing to do is hide under the covers and hope it just goes away. Brian Drury and Adam Kovalevich are experts on the SAT and provide tutoring to help students prepare for the big test, so we asked them to share some tips for how to prepare. Spoiler alert: hiding under the covers did not make the list. ➤ How should we think about this test and its importance? Adam Kovalevich: I think the test becomes less intimidating when students realize it is just one facet of their high school experience. Good grades, community involvement, and a well-rounded personality are just as important to colleges. Additionally, students should know that the SAT is testing the very skills that students have learned and cultivated throughout their schooling — in other words, if students have worked diligently in rigorous classes, with some test preparation the SAT becomes a very doable test. ➤ What happens if I space out and do a bad job? AK: The good news (or bad news depending on how you look at it) is that you can take the SAT multiple times. In fact, most students take the test two or three times before they achieve their desired score. Additionally, most schools will allow 6
students to “super-score” their test, meaning they can pair their top English score with their top math score even though they may have earned them on different tests. ➤ Should I still take it even if I’m not planning to go into a four-year college? Brian Drury: If a student does not plan to attend a four-year college, I would still recommend taking the SAT. For one thing, an individual’s plans might change from junior year in high school to senior year in high school. In addition, SAT scores sometimes enable students to place-out of introductory classes at community colleges. ➤ Let’s talk about the math portion. How does the SAT math test compare to the ACT math test? BD: The SAT and ACT basically test the same concepts in mathematics, but the formats of the tests are quite different. The SAT has two math sections for a total of 80 minutes, whereas the ACT has one math section for a total of 60 minutes. The SAT includes both multiplechoice and grid-in questions, whereas the ACT is all multiple-choice questions. Regarding those two sections of the SAT: one is 25 minutes with no calculator, the other is 55 minutes with a calculator. The entire ACT math section allows calculators. College Bound Magazine
