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Research shows that
most standardized test programs improve scores on average of about 10
points on verbal section and about 15-20 points on math. Longer programs
(40 hours or so) can improve scores an average of 25-40 points on verbal
and math combined. Math scores appear to increase more than do verbal
scores when a student receives coaching.
You can get your SAT
results sooner by calling the College Board. Call 1-800-SAT-SCORE to get
SAT I and SAT II scores anytime after 8 am local time 13 days after you
take the test. The scores are normally mailed to you one week after this
date. A $15 fee is charged to your credit card. This service does not get
scores to colleges sooner, it simply reports scores to you sooner. For more
information, contact the College
Board online.
Tips:
Take the PSAT for
practice your Sophomore and/or Junior year.
Learn what to expect.
Take practice tests that you can obtain for free from your guidance office
or on the web. These will get you familiar with the make-up of the test and
help you know when it’s better to skip an answer than to guess. The better
you understand the test format and scoring, the less likely you are to have
testing anxiety.
Understand the pacing
of the test. Find out how much time is allowed in each section and practice
finishing the test in this allotment.
Learn the directions
for each type of questions so that you don’t have to spend valuable time
reading them as you take the test.
Know the order of the
test questions. Questions of the same type are grouped together. Usually,
questions of a particular type are easier at the beginning and gradually
get more difficult. This is not true, however, for critical reading
questions, which are ordered based on the organization and logic of the
reading passage.
Do the easy
questions first.
Guess wisely. If you
can rule out one or more answers for a multiple-choice question as
definitely wrong, your chances of getting the answer correct if you guess
dramatically improve. For math questions that are not multiple-choice, fill
in your best guess. You don’t lose any points for a wrong answer on these
questions.
You don’t have to
answer every question correctly to score well.
It’s OK to skip some
questions, especially if you can’t rule out any answers. You can always
return before time is up for that section. Remember that once the time ends
for that section, however, you aren’t allowed to go back.
Your test booklet is
your own. Use it as scratch paper. Cross off answers you know are wrong.
Circle questions you’d like to come back to.
As you are taking the
test, periodically check to make sure you are filling out the correct
answer for the corresponding question. It’s easy to get mixed up,
especially if you’ve skipped a question.
Mark only one answer to
each multiple-choice question. Mark it clearly.
Breathe deeply. The
more relaxed you are, the better.
Register for the SAT at College Board Online at:
www.collegeboard.org
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Portsmouth,
NH
603.430.3711
aforbes@forbesedconsulting.com
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