SAT PREP DO’S AND DONT’S

SAT Prep:

DO’S AND DON’TS

The 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 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.

The SAT provides some formulas, whereas the ACT does not provide formulas. The SAT multiple-choice questions have four answer choices, and the ACT multiple-choice questions have five answer choices. The content is basically the same: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and basic Trigonometry.

I would recommend taking both tests. Some students do better on the SAT, and some do better on the ACT.

➤ Any tips on preparing for the math portion?

BD: To prepare for the math portion of the SAT/ACT students can review basic concepts from their Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 resources, notes, and textbooks. In addition, they can obtain a review book with practice tests, answers, and explanations; and they could take online practice tests through College Board or Khan Academy websites.

For students who are especially concerned about their math performance, I recommend completing at least two practice tests before taking the real test in order to become familiar with the format and content of the test. I also tell them to try to relax because they can take the test more than one time. In addition, they might consider enrolling in review classes to enhance their preparation.

➤ Are there any major misconceptions students have

about the SAT?

AK: I would say that there are three major misconceptions about the SAT. The first is that, because it is a skills test, there is no way to prepare for it. A test is in many ways similar to a game, and every athlete knows that you cannot simply show up to a game and perform at a high level without having practiced and without having learned the rules.

Even students who excel in rigorous classes must adjust to the material and timing dictated by the test. Therefore, at the very least, every student who plans on taking the test should buy an SAT prep book or go to the College Board website to see what the test requires.

Second, students should think of the SAT as a learning experience and useful educational tool. What exactly the test measures and how well it predicts student success in college is certainly debatable, but overall, the test does give students a good idea about how prepared they are for college level texts and how equipped they are to edit their own writing.

Third, students must remember that there is more to school and life than the SAT. A perfect SAT score does not guarantee a perfect college experience or a perfect life, and a less than desired SAT score does not mean that a student cannot succeed in college. Perspective is important, and because high school students are still young, sometimes they cannot see beyond the present moment, and the SAT looms much bigger in their eyes than it should. ➤ Can you share any common mistakes students make

in their preparation?

AK: Some common mistakes that kids make in their preparation for the SAT include not preparing at all or only focusing on whether they get the answers on the practice tests correct. When students prepare, they should want to know why their answers were right or wrong, because their ability to determine this will obviously predict their future success. For example, guessing correctly on three problems could affect their score by as many as thirty points. As you can see, it would be more useful for students to know why those answers to the problems they guessed on were correct. Knowing how to approach the problems and having mastery of the skills needed to do well are the two keys to success.

➤ How will the SAT be different in the future?

AK: Even before COVID-19, more and more schools were going the test optional route. So, while I would expect that a good number of schools will again require the test once the pandemic ends, I wouldn’t be surprised if many schools kept it optional. I don’t think that should change your mindset as a student, though. I think that students should still take the test to see if they can turn it into an advantage. If they do not do well on it, then they simply do not submit the scores. As far as changing the test, I believe College Board played with the idea of allowing students to take the test online, as they did with the AP tests in the past. I don’t think College Board pursued that because of test security shortcomings.

➤ I’m ready to start prepping! What can I do right now?

BD: First thing I recommend, and I think Adam already mentioned this, is to purchase an SAT prep book. Prep books are available online and at most bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble. Make sure the review book includes answers AND explanations for the problems. I would complete and score a full test, then review any areas of weakness. I would also recommend taking an SAT class or prep course at a later date.

AK: Go to the College Board website to see what the test requires. Khan Academy is a useful online resource because it is free. Of course, there is private tutoring as well. CB

Adam Kovalevich has privately tutored and taught English/SAT Review at Cherry Hill West High School in NJ for the past 16 years and worked with the private testing company, ScoreMax, for seven years. He can be reached at adamkovalevich@comcast.net.

Brian Drury has been a math teacher at Cherry Hill West High School in NJ for over 20 years, and is also the director of ScoreMax Review, which helps prepare students for the SAT.