How to Crack the SAT Exam? To crack the CAT exam, there must be a definite approach. Therefore, for the benefit of the aspirants, we have laid down the basic preparatory strategy to crack the SAT exam.
How to Crack the SAT Exam? SAT exam is conducted globally for admissions into various undergraduate courses. The SAT scores are essential for admission to various colleges and universities in the U.S.A, Canada, and India. Therefore, it is essential to know how to crack SAT exam. Further, the exam is divided into different parts and successfully qualifying all the parts are important.
However, there is no age limit to appear for the SAT examination. Moreover, candidates can appear just after completing their 12th board examination. The SAT exam is conducted online in an MCQ pattern; hence, candidates must mark the correct answers.
How to Crack the SAT Exam?
There are various ways to crack the SAT exam. First of all, learning and gaining knowledge about the SAT exam is necessary. Once that is done, proceed with the preparation processes mentioned below:
- Understand the Exam Pattern
- Create Goals
- Come Up With a Study Plan
- Follow Authentic Resources
- Cultivate a Habit of Reading
- Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses
- Appear for Mock Tests
- Split the Question Paper
- Start Living a Disciplined Lifestyle
- Reach the SAT Location on Time
1. Understand the Exam Pattern
The foremost necessity to crack the SAT exam is to understand the exam pattern thoroughly. It helps in determining the target areas. There will be definite chapters that yield high scoring areas, and correctly answering them can help bag great scores.
Furthermore, the college board sets the SAT exam pattern as the conducting authority of the exam. Moreover, the SAT Exam comprises two parts: SAT Reasoning Test, usually called the SAT Generals Test. The other is the SAT Subject Test. The SAT Reasoning/General Test is essential for applying to U.G. courses in the USA. On the contrary, the SAT Subject Test is usually taken by candidates to portray their expertise in a particular subject. Only selected universities or colleges require the scores of the SAT Subject Test.
However, the total time allotted for the SAT exam without an essay is 180 minutes. While attempting with the essay paper, the time limit is 230 minutes.
| Particulars | Total Question | Time Limit |
| Writing & Language | 44 | 35 |
| Reading | 52 | 65 |
| Mathematics | 58 | 80 |
| Essay | 1 | 50 |
2. Create Goals
The next step after understanding the exam pattern is to set up the individual goal. Everyone will have divergent goals. Some candidates might opt for studies abroad; in contrast, some candidates may appear for admissions in Indian colleges through SAT results. Therefore, having a definite vision of a goal is necessary.
3. Come Up With a Study Plan
Create a sincere study plan. Plan to include all the essential topics. Fix a decent study plan and adhere to it holistically until the SAT exam is cleared. It is the best and trusted formula to score exceptional marks and inculcate discipline. Besides, following the study plan can always improve the focus and commitment towards the exam.
Furthermore, the syllabus includes reading, Writing and Language, Mathematics, and SAT essays (optional). The table displayed below shows the SAT syllabus:
Writing & Language
- Improving sentences, structure, and its approach
- Verb agreement
- Noun agreement
- Parallelism
- Pronouns
- Incorrect comparisons
- Conjunctions
- Misplaced modifiers
- Punctuation
- Non-fiction narratives are mostly about careers, history, social studies, the humanities, and science.
Reading
- Understanding of passages from the US and World Literature, History/Social Studies, and Sciences.
- Sentence completion.
Mathematics
- Arithmetic operations
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Probability
- Mean & median
- Mode
- Ratios
- Direct and indirect variation
- Permutation & combination
- Problem-solving
- Data analysis
Essay
- This section requires students to assess a case through the study of evidence.
4. Follow Authentic Resources
There will always be numerous resources that guarantee to produce 100% success. Remember only to go for authentic resources. Anything that seems vague or relays a bit of uncertainty drops that as soon as possible. It can often be misleading. Be it a SAT coaching centre or any books that claimed to be resourceful.
Further, here are the best SAT books that can be trusted for preparation:
| Books | Author/ Publishers |
| Official SAT Study Guide | The College Board |
| Barron's SAT Study Guide | Sharon Weiner Green |
| SAT Prep Plus 2021 | Kaplan Test Prep |
| 10 Practice Tests for the SAT | The Princeton Review |
| SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) Exam, 5 Full-length Mock tests (Solved) | EduGorilla Prep Experts |
| Kallis' SAT Pattern Strategy | Kallis |
| McGraw-Hill Education SAT Elite 2021 | Christopher Black |
| SAT Prep Black Book | Mike Barrett |
| Dr. Jang's SAT* 800 Math Workbook | Dr. Simon Jang |
| 500 New SAT Math Problems arranged by Topic and Difficulty Level | Steve Warner |
| PWN the SAT: Math Guide | Mike McClenathan |
| SAT Math Workbook | Lawrence S. Leff M.S. |
| The Complete Guide to SAT Reading | Erica L. Meltzer |
| SAT Reading: World Literature Practice Book | Khalid Khashoggi |
| The College Panda's SAT Writing | Nielson Phu |
5. Cultivate a Habit of Reading
There are sections where reading, writing, and speaking capabilities will be tested. Therefore, developing a habit of reading books, solving quizzes, and diligently cultivating a habit of reading newspapers can be beneficial in the long run. Additionally, it will polish the vocabulary, boost confidence, and make the SAT exam easier to attempt.
6. Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Always note the strong and the weak areas, and pay more attention to the areas that need improvement. Additionally, create the timetable in a manner that indulges in strengthening the weaker areas. However, there will be questions from various sections.
Hence, must try to attempt the questions that are known to them and they are confident. The doubtful questions can be skipped for attempting at last.
7. Appear for Mock Tests
Mock tests are the best way to figure out the level of preparation. Therefore, it is mandatory to appear for mock tests. The mock test is appearing for the examination. Besides, the mock test scores will help in forming the timetable further. The in-depth analysis of the SAT mock test can be an eye-opener. Also, the scores will give an idea of the SAT marking pattern.
8. Split the Question Paper
Upon receiving the questionnaire, candidates must thoroughly give it a read. However, the time invested in reading the questionnaire should be limited. Moreover, divide the questions, always attempt and solve the known questions. Mark and leave the unknown ones for later.
Furthermore, splitting up the question paper is counted as advantageous. It allows us to attempt all the known answers and makes sure no known questions are unattempted.
9. Start Living a Disciplined Lifestyle
Discipline is a great virtue. Thus, adopting a disciplined lifestyle can take candidates to different heights. Therefore, make sure to keep a decent study life balance. Everything is necessary; hence, split the time between leisure activities and studies. A great beginning of positivity is to practice yoga daily. Additionally, meditation can be helpful; it increases focus and concentration. It can prove beneficial to crack the SAT exam.
10. Reach the SAT Location on Time
Lastly, reaching the SAT exam centre on time is of utmost importance, and otherwise, all the answers on how to crack the SAT exam will go in vain. If possible, visiting the exam location, particularly the centre, is recommended a few days before the exam. Furthermore, follow all the instructions mentioned on the SAT guidelines and admit card.
Why Should You Apply for the SAT?
There are certain benefits of applying for the SAT exam. The exam is globally recognised and holds a huge value for admissions into various UG courses in American and Canadian universities. Some of the additional reasons to apply for the SAT exam are as follows:
- It advances the English reading, writing of the candidates. Also, enhances the scope of developing English speaking skills.
- It develops the numerical knowledge of the candidates.
- The results of the SAT exam are considered for various scholarships.
- Additionally, SAT scores are mandatory for admissions into UG courses in top colleges in the U.S.
- Besides, it prepares a candidate with fundamental knowledge in English and Maths. Widens the general knowledge along with improving history and social science knowledge.
