Prepping for SATs

College Board, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

For upperclassmen, one of the most important tests on the schedule is the SAT.

Love it or hate it, testing season is here and there’s no avoiding it. This winter, maximize performance with advice from experienced Eagles.   

“I wish my students all knew that preparation is the key to success,” reading instructor Mrs. Porubski said. “They forget to bring small snacks, wear layers to account for the room temperature, and read their test tickets in advance. Preparation is the key to the SAT.”  

Be ready! There is nothing worse than performing poorly due to a lack of preparation. By studying in increments, being dressed well, and eating the right foods, students can set themselves up for success.   

“Don’t leave any questions blank,” testing coordinator Mrs. Swiercek mentioned. “When stuck on a question, go with your gut.”  

It is important to attempt every item on the test! On the multiple-choice section, there is a 25% chance of getting a question correct from just guessing. Don’t be daunted by not knowing the answer to every question, nobody does. Eagles try their best!  

Senior Treyton Schnorbus scored a 1550 on the paper SAT in December of his junior year. He then scored a 1480 on his SAT during the spring of his junior year. 

“What surprised me was vocabulary- heavy questions without context as well as the difficulty of the math section towards the end,” Schnorbus said. 

Since the change from paper to digital format, the test is unfamiliar to students and teachers alike. Students must be aware that some of the same study methods that may have worked previously may not have the same effect now.   

 “There are helpful tools such as the built-in calculator & an annotation tool to highlight part of the text and leave a note to yourself to help you answer the question,” Swiercek said.