HOW TO ACE the Digital SAT 🤓📚Completely Hackable | tips for 1550+ on your first time!

Summary

In this video, Senica shares her personal SAT study tips based on her experience of self-studying and achieving a score of 1560. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, stating that the SAT is not as intimidating as it seems. Senica recommends using resources like Khan Academy and official SAT prep tools from College Board, alongside strategic reading, solving math problems carefully to avoid mistakes, and taking regular practice tests. She also advises self-study over tutoring and stresses the significance of reviewing mistakes to improve. Senica wraps up by encouraging viewers to stay consistent and focused to succeed in their SAT preparation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The SAT is a standardized test designed to assess high school-level knowledge and prepare students for college.
• 😀 The SAT can seem daunting, but it's just a series of questions that can be understood and tackled with the right mindset.
• 😀 Khan Academy is a top recommended resource for SAT prep, offering clear and comprehensive lessons on Reading, Writing, and Math.
• 😀 Using the official SAT prep tools from College Board, such as practice tests and previous papers, is essential for authentic test practice.
• 😀 In the Reading and Writing section, it’s crucial to read strategically—skim the passage, understand the questions first, then read the text thoroughly.
• 😀 The Math section tends to be easier for most students since it’s based on high school-level content, but careful attention is needed to avoid 'trap' answers.
• 😀 Avoid making careless mistakes in Math by revising your work and practicing regularly. Use the digital calculator to save time on the digital SAT.
• 😀 Create a study schedule that involves taking practice tests every 2-3 days, and use the days in between to review mistakes and reinforce your weaknesses.
• 😀 In the final days before the test, consider taking a break from studying to recharge if you’ve already prepared sufficiently.
• 😀 Practice tests are the best way to simulate real exam conditions, helping you manage time and familiarize yourself with the question formats.
• 😀 Self-study is recommended over tutoring agencies, as official practice tests provide the most accurate representation of the SAT experience.

Q & A

What was Senica's score on the SAT and how long did she study for it?

Senica scored a 1560 on the SAT after studying for 3 weeks. She self-studied and is proud of the score, as it was above 1550.

What is Senica's mindset advice for approaching the SAT?

Senica advises that the SAT is not as daunting as it may seem. It’s not an academic competition but a standardized test designed to reflect high school curriculum, so students don’t need to study college-level material. The key is understanding the structure of the test and how questions are crafted.

What resource does Senica recommend the most for SAT prep?

Senica highly recommends Khan Academy for SAT prep. It offers comprehensive resources, including videos and explanations for reading, writing, and math.

How does Senica recommend tackling the reading and writing section of the SAT?

For the reading and writing section, Senica suggests skimming the passage and looking at the questions before reading it fully. This helps in creating a framework of what to focus on. She also warns against answering too quickly after skimming, as many answers can appear correct at first glance but are actually incorrect once you fully understand the passage.

What is Senica's advice for avoiding careless mistakes in the math section?

To avoid careless mistakes in the math section, Senica recommends revising the content thoroughly and practicing lots of problems. Understanding the question and practicing common mistakes can help prevent errors. She also suggests using the graphing display calculator (available in the digital SAT) to save time and simplify calculations.

How should students structure their study schedule for the SAT?

Senica advises that students should take a practice test every 2-3 days, with review days in between to analyze answers and improve. The final one or two days before the test should be a break from studying, as long as enough preparation has been done beforehand.

What is the importance of practice tests according to Senica?

Senica emphasizes that taking practice tests is crucial for SAT preparation. Practice tests simulate real test conditions, helping students manage time and get familiar with the test format. After each test, students should review mistakes to understand weaknesses and areas for improvement.

What does Senica recommend regarding using SAT tutoring agencies?

Senica suggests that while SAT tutoring agencies can be helpful, they do not provide the same experience as official practice materials. She advises self-study, as official practice tests from College Board are the best way to prepare for the test, as they replicate the actual SAT most accurately.

How does Senica suggest improving after reviewing practice tests?

After reviewing practice tests, Senica recommends understanding why mistakes were made and identifying what can be improved. Grading the test and identifying patterns in errors can help focus future study efforts on weaker areas.

What does Senica believe is the most important thing to do during SAT prep?

Senica believes that the most important thing to do during SAT prep is to consistently take practice tests, review mistakes, and improve. Continuous effort, along with understanding the test’s structure and avoiding mistakes, is key to performing well.