Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is a standardised exam used widely all across the globe for college admissions, especially by universities in the US, UK, Canada and Australia among others. SAT assesses a student’s readiness for higher education and tests a student’s reading, writing and mathematical skills along with their ability for critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills. It is a benchmark for comparing applicants from diverse educational backgrounds and a strong SAT score can help students boost their chances at admissions as well as in winning scholarships.This article will introduce you to crucial SAT hacks to ace in Reading, Writing & Language and Mathematics sections. We will also be sharing some general tips and SAT study hacks to achieve your best in the exam!
SAT Structure – A Quick Look
| Sections | Number of Questions | Time (in minutes) | Scoring Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 54 | 64 (2 modules, 32 min each) | 200-800 |
| Mathematics | 44 | 70 (2 modules, 35 min each) | 200-800 |
| Total | 98 | 134 | 400-1600 |
SAT Reading Hacks
The reading section tests your reading comprehension skills. It assesses your ability to understand the main context and idea of a passage and whether you are able to pick out pieces of evidence from it to answer the presented questions. Here are some SAT hacks to ace the reading section –
Figure out the Ideal Strategy for You
During practice tests, figure out whether you prefer reading the entire passage before going to the questions or it suits you to look at the questions first before reading the passage. To each his own strategy, as long as you are able to answer the questions well. Just ensure that you are able to complete the section within the allotted time frame.
Engage in Active Reading
Getting engaged in the passage from the beginning helps to understand it better and retain more details and information from the passage. Read as if it is your last chance to read the passage and concentrate deeply. Jot down important details if it helps. This is one of the important SAT hacks for the reading section to save time and avoid scanning the passage time and again.
Practice Skimming the Passages
This is one of the SAT hacks we recommend to slow readers. Skim effectively by reading the introduction paragraph, first and last sentences of each paragraph and the concluding paragraph of the passage to get an idea about it. By doing so, you should be able to save time and also answer the presented questions correctly. For detailed questions, you will still have to go back to specific paragraphs and go through them carefully, which becomes easier now.
Leverage “Find the Evidence Questions” to your Advantage
The fundamental principle of SAT reading is that every answer must be directly supported by explicit textual evidence. It is one of the most underutilised SAT hacks and “find the evidence” questions reinforce it. Questions like “Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?” can verify your performance if the given evidence options align with your previous answers. It can also provide you a hint to re-evaluate your initial choices if you have been wrong so far.
Do Not Skip the Pre-Passage Introductory Text
The pre-passage introductory text before each passage can be a valuable resource. It provides information about the author, his purpose for writing the passage, the setting behind the whole scenario, the time period etc. providing a clear context for the main passage.
Dealing with the Dual Passage
One of the five passages in the SAT reading section comprises two shorter passages. You are required to answer questions on each of them separately, along with answering a question related to comparing and contrasting both the passages. One of the SAT hacks to deal with the dual passage is tackling them individually first before tackling the comparison questions. Break the task into smaller and focussed steps to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed, save time and improve your accuracy without getting confused.
Use the Elimination Method when Confused
This method works well with all sections, but more significantly in the reading section of the SAT. The options given in this section can be confusing and seem subjective. Use the elimination method when you are confused by eliminating unlikely answers. Keep in mind that every wrong answer will definitely have something wrong, so read each word carefully to pick the most accurate option.
Do Not Overthink and Do Not Take Logical Jumps
The response to SAT reading questions have to be present in the passage explicitly. Avoid making assumptions, subjective interpretations or extensive logical deductions. One of the SAT hacks is to use a literal approach in this section and base your answers strictly on the provided text.
SAT Writing Hacks
The SAT writing section gives you passages with grammatical errors or poor choice of writing styles and asks you to improve upon them by selecting the best answer from the options given. To nail this section, students must thoroughly review and apply effective SAT grammar tips. Given below are some SAT hacks to improve your performance in the writing section of the SAT –
Be Thorough with the Grammar Rules
Acing the writing section needs you to be thorough with English grammar and its rules, including proper constructions, subject-verb agreement, tenses and language mechanics. Using accurate punctuations like commas, semicolons and dashes enhances the clarity of a sentence. Once you know the rules of the game (language), it will be easier for you to pick the right answers in the MCQs.
Read a Sentence Aloud to Identify the Right Option
Reading something aloud is a powerful strategy. It awakens multiple senses and enables you to catch a mistake faster by identifying wrong and awkward phrasing of sentences. Listening to yourself saying it enables you to assess a sentence more comprehensively.
Keep a Check on the Verb Tenses
A uniform use of a tense in a passage maintains its coherence, flow and timeline of events. Inconsistent tenses lead to confusion and may end up disrupting the whole idea of the passage. The SAT expects you to identify these flaws and point out common verb tense errors like illogical shifts in tenses, use of incorrect tense for sequences, conditional tenses and subjunctive moods.
A Concise Answer – Often the Best Bet
Choose clear and concise answers that convey a message clearly without any ambiguity. One of the important SAT hacks is to recognise that good and meaningful sentences are often sans the unnecessary fluff. Though wordy sentences with redundant information may seem sophisticated, be aware that they often serve as traps. So weigh your options well before choosing.
‘No Change’ Answer Options – Should you be biased?
Treat ‘No Change’ options as any other choice. Students often tend to treat them as the most or the least likely answer. Don’t get biased or distracted with this option. They have the probability of being the correct answer as much as the rest of the options. Choose your answer objectively based on your logic, reasoning and knowledge.
Blessing in Disguise – Duplicate Answers
If two answers are worded differently, but they essentially mean the same, feel free to get rid of both the choices. This immediately narrows your options down to two choices. For example –
“The newly discovered species of beetle, with its iridescent shell, possesses an unusual, one-of-a-kind defense mechanism that allows it to mimic the appearance of a toxic spider.”
Question – Which choice best improves the underlined portion?
- A) NO CHANGE
- B) an unusual, singular and distinctive
- C) a unique
- D) an unusual, quite peculiar and uncommon
Solution –
- Option A – The original “an unusual, one-of-a-kind” is a bit clunky as unusual (not common) and one-of-a-kind (unique) feels like a repetition.
- Option B and Option D – Both B and D are expressing the idea of being unique and unusual using synonyms and multiple words like unusual, singular and distinctive, and unusual, quite peculiar and uncommon respectively. Both the sentences are the same and commit the error of redundancy.
- Option C – ‘Unique’ captures the essence of the sentence perfectly and concisely, as it reflects the beetle being unusual and one-of-a-kind without being repetitive. So Option C has to be the right answer.
SAT Essay – Is it Still Available?
The SAT Essay section is now available only in certain states where it’s a part of SAT School Day administrations. If you are taking the SAT during school, verify with your school counsellor if the SAT will include the Essay section too. This will automatically add an additional 50 minutes to your exam timeline after you complete the Reading & Writing and Math sections. Your essay score will be based on three categories – Reading, Analysis and Writing.
SAT Essay Hacks
Understand the Essay Prompt Well
Don’t be in a hurry while reading the prompt. Read it carefully and understand it thoroughly for an impactful response in the essay. Identify the specific task and recognise the key components, which will guide you effectively while crafting a focussed response in your essay. The key is not to go astray and address the prompt directly.
Create a Well-Structured and Clear Thesis
Once you dissect the prompt thoroughly, craft a coherent and concise thesis statement. It should capture the primary idea and guide the overall structure of the essay. Build on it carefully and write the subsequent paragraphs. Make sure the entire essay is relevant, persuasive and aligns with the prompt.
Keep it Direct and Less Flowery
Always remember – being concise is the key. It doesn’t mean writing sentences without proper grammar and punctuation. Avoid unnecessary and ostentatious displays of your vocabulary and language skills. Use them only when required. Let the key ideas shine. Master your sentence structure and use correct vocabulary to keep your sentences short, yet more impactful.
Craft a Compelling Conclusion
The conclusion should summarise key points, reflect the essence of the essay and make a lasting and a persuasive impression. It should reinforce the content of the essay and restate the thesis for an impactful closure.
Math SAT Hacks
Knowledge is Key
Know the mathematical formulas by heart to save time during their application in mathematical problems.
Use Diagrams
Diagrams are added in the questions to help illustrate a math problem to you better. Use them to your advantage and make logical deductions especially when answers are not making sense.
Note Down the Goal
One of the SAT math hacks is to remember and keep an eye on the goal while solving a problem. Jot it down to keep yourself on track. It’s easy to wander away while solving a numerical with long mathematical steps.
Reverse Strategy
If you are stuck, test the answer choices by plugging them into the question instead. This may be time-consuming but if time permits, it can prove to be a solid back-up plan.
Know your Calculator
Learn the essential functions on the calculator to save time during the SAT. Show your calculations, if you are giving the paper version of the exam under special circumstances.
Strategies for Overall Success – General SAT Hacks
Attempt Every Question
SAT does not have a penalty for incorrect answers. If you are totally clueless about a question, or running really short of time, just click on the option that seems most likely to be correct. You may just get a few right!
Know the Format
No one likes surprises, especially during an exam. One of the most crucial and basic SAT test-day strategies is to know the latest format of the exam, the structure, each section, their sequence and the allotted time. Take practice tests to avoid getting stressed due to last minute anxiety.
Do Not Waste Time on Tough Questions
If you are not able to solve a particular question, do not linger on it. Move on and come back to it later if time permits. Time management is crucial to ace your SAT and is one of the most underrated SAT hacks. Follow these simple rules –
- Do not spend more than 45 seconds per question in the reading section.
- Do not spend more than 30 seconds per question in the writing section.
- Do not use more than 60 seconds per question in the math section.
Use your discretion when need be, but by and large, stick to these basic SAT hacks when it comes to timing yourself.
Review your Answers
Try to finish your exam a little before time with some extra time in hand to review your answers. You can go back to a question within the same section in the digital version of the SAT, so a little extra time won’t hurt to double-check your answers once in the end.
Meditate and Relax
Getting anxious during exams is common. Manage your stress with meditation, spending time with friends and loved ones, exercise your body, eat well and most importantly, get enough rest. One of the important SAT test-day strategies is to remain calm and take deep breaths. Don’t let nervousness undermine months of hard work on the test day.
For more help and SAT hacks, reach out to our experts at Ascend Now.
