It’s not just another blog on SAT strategies. The last thing you want after this stomach-turning experience is to read about what you should have done differently, especially when the waiting period can make you very nervous. This post is mostly about life after the SATs, a post-SAT reflection, as we like to call it.
So, how do you process all that happened and move on? Let’s look at life after the test from the perspective of others. What can those students who are yet to take their tests learn from their experienced peers?
SAT Test Taking Strategies: Was There Anything I Could Have Done Differently?
Many don’t even wait for the test day to be over before they start worrying about the SAT score, the number of incorrect answers they submitted, and so much more. Being broken down, the most common things they get anxious about are:
- Worrying if they actually spent enough time studying;
- Wishing they studied smarter or tried all those SAT test taking strategies people advise online;
- Desiring they spent more time on specific subjects and less time on others (most didn’t expect those tough questions in the Math and the Reading section);
Source: Reddit
- Comparing specific modules that were a lot harder or easier than they expected;
- Remembering that wrong answer and how it would impact their final score;
- Worrying about making too many careless mistakes (someone once forgot to include their full legal name (Yikes!));
- Predicting possible low scores and whether they should cancel the test entirely;
- Waiting for the test results, which come out too quickly for some or not quickly enough for others.
First, it’s normal to have so many questions and concerns. Some even say such reflection is a necessary step that helps you prepare even better for any other test in the future. Still, when the test day is already gone, there’s really little you can do at this point except wait.
SAT Test Strategies: What’s Next Now?
Ok, let’s be honest: waiting is so hard! Some choose to use this time to discuss all the questions they struggled with and the details of what went wrong that day. While it might sound like a great idea to vent or relive every single mistake you made over and over, please don’t. You will only make yourself even more anxious. In some cases, you may end up getting into unnecessary arguments and losing sleep over nothing.
What You Can Do Instead
- Try to give yourself some time to recover from weeks and weeks of studying for the SAT and trying out all kinds of strategies for the SAT.
- Celebrate and focus on the wins: you probably took everything you needed, answered many difficult questions correctly, got there on time, and did your best. That’s got to count for something.
- Continue with your classes and extracurricular activities as usual. You had a life before the SAT and the world did not stop spinning because of the test. Since not every college requires SAT scores for admission purposes, you still need to ensure you have good grades and a kickass personal statement to secure admission into the college of your dreams.
- Continue with your college applications.
Lessons to Learn From Other Students
But what if you are planning to retake the SAT or even about to take it for the first time? Wouldn’t it make more sense to think about what you can do better this time around? Of course, you must have heard some people claim that experience is the best teacher, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait till something happens to you to learn from it.
Instead, save yourself a lot of hassle and learn from those who have gone through the experience instead. That is probably not the only approach that works. Here are some SAT test strategies from your peers that you can also use.
#1 Do Not Depend Solely on the Bluebook Practice Tests
Source: Reddit
There is common ground among those who took the SATs recently. Most agree that the official Bluebook practice tests were way too easy compared to the actual test questions. Why is this a bad thing? Because it can be misleading. Many students were getting really high scores during the practice tests, which must have been a real confidence boost.
Now, imagine their shock when the test was not what they expected. Some complained they had to spend too much time trying to find the correct answers, while most predicted really high final scores only to get a rude awakening on the test day.
What You Can Do Instead
- Set a goal score point. Aim as high as possible. This way, even if you fall short, you may still get good scores.
- Supplement your SAT study plan with every resource available, including the official practice test as well as tests from other credible sites.
- Read the best books on digital SAT test strategies.
- Don’t hold back from asking your teachers and trusted people for advice.
#2 Conquer Your Weaknesses to Answer Correctly as Many Questions as Possible
Source: Reddit
There is always that one SAT section that gives you more stress than the rest. These may be math questions or reading passages, and you must devote more time to those subjects. For example, the words in context type of question require you to know multiple meanings of words depending on where they appear in a sentence.
You’ll need good comprehension skills to understand the main idea in each given passage. The more vocabulary you know, the easier it is to arrive at the correct answer choices. In the same vein, you need to practice and understand as many math formulas as possible if the Math section is the most challenging for you.
What You Can Do Instead
- Read books on different topics if you want to build up your vocabulary.
- Have a clear study plan and a schedule so you don’t end up just studying the same things for most of the week or only subjects that tickle your fancy.
- Try to put the main point in the reading passages in your own words before choosing the answer to the main idea questions.
- Focus on the first and last sentences of the passages in the Reading section. They usually sum up the gist of the passage.
- Get a tutor. Contrary to what many expect, you can find a private SAT tutor online without having to break the bank.
#3 Build Your Time Management Skills to Get a Correct Answer
Source: Reddit
Sometimes, a reason for students’ low SAT scores is not that they didn’t study hard but simply because they were not fast enough. The faster you are, the easier it is to study each question carefully.
Some questions require more time and focus than others. For example, essay-based questions can be more time-consuming, like some from the Math section, except if you are a math prodigy or something (in that case, we would expect some tips from you on how to brush up math skills). Should you only pick the answers you are sure of to save time? No.
What You Can Do Instead
- Most SAT tips recommend that you set timing during your study or practice sessions.
- One of the best tips out there is to allocate a different amount of time for every question. Focus more on difficult math questions, as these require more time.
- Bookmark tougher questions for later (just don’t forget to come back to them before the end of that module).
- Whatever you do, don’t lose track of time. You don’t want the timer to run out on you while you still have so many questions to tackle.
#4 There’s Always Only One Correct Answer
It can be hard to figure out all the correct answers to multiple-choice questions. In the days of a test booklet and answer sheet, some kids put down more than one answer, hoping to score more points or at least a good score—something that’s not possible anymore thanks to the digital SAT.
Look, we get it; the pressure is insane since the more answers you get right, the higher your chances of success. And with the timer ticking so disrespectfully, it can feel like there’s not enough time to identify the right answer. Still, instead of using random tactics like choosing the shortest answer or going with the option like “choose A for every question you don’t know the answer to,” you have other options.
What You Can Do Instead
- Can’t figure out the correct answer? Eliminate any answer choices that seem obviously wrong.
- As a final resort, try to guess which of the remaining choices is the grammatically correct one based on context (obviously, this won’t work for a math question).
#5 Your Scores Do Not Define You (Even if These Are the Reading and Writing Section Scores)
Source: Tenor
No one writes the SAT test with hopes of getting very low scores. Still, some worry that if their SAT score is not high enough, especially in the Reading and Writing section, they might not get into college. Why the Writing section, though? It probably has something to do with the student’s anxiety about writing that personal statement.
Remember that your SAT score is only a reflection of your academic abilities, but it’s not the only indicator. Besides, colleges consider several factors, including your record in extracurricular activities and anything else that shows you as a well-rounded individual.
What You Can Do Instead
- Sign up for a couple of volunteer or extracurricular activities you like.
- Don’t neglect your studies for any reason.
- Put your best foot forward in your essays when answering the personal insight questions (be sure to identify your strengths and emphasize those while also being honest about your weaknesses and how you are making progress on them).
Conclusion
Look, everyone knows SATs can cause a lot of anxiety and that even after you finally write the test, the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach won’t just go away. So, looking back at the SAT and evaluating your strategies in light of your performance are logical and important steps, as long as you are learning from it and not lamenting over it. Use these study tips to make the most of your reflection and be ready for anything the next time around.
