25 Proven Sat Tips And Tricks That You Must Use In 2024

Passing the SAT exam and scoring very high is as important as your GPA when it comes to applying to colleges after high school. So, getting a high score should be your priority while preparing for this exam. Interestingly, you don’t have to sit for this exam countless times to get your desired score. Simply read this article to learn 25 proven SAT tips and tricks that will help you excel in 2024.

Also, this article answers questions bothering around the SAT examination; it explains what SAT is; why you must write SAT; and practical ways to get the highest score in one or at most two sittings.

SAT which started as an adjustment of the Army Alpha in 1926 has gone through some changes to become the modern SAT which many college applicants write today. One of these notable changes is the splitting of the SAT exam into two sections.

The sections are the verbal section, the quantitative analysis section, and the change of the time limits in which applicants have to complete the test.

What is the SAT?

The SAT is an entrance exam that most colleges and universities use to consider high school students for admissions. However, it is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test established and given by the College Board. The full meaning of the SAT is the Scholastic Assessment Test, which initially was known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test.  

On the other hand, the aim of the SAT is to check a high school student’s preparation for college. Also, it gives colleges one common data point which they can use to compare all applicants for admission.

Moreover, college admissions officers will assess standardized test scores together with an applicant’s high school GPA, the classes he/she took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admission interviews, and personal essays. Besides, the importance of SAT scores in the college application process varies from one school to another.

Above all, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more chances you’ll have to attend and pay for college.

Why the SAT?

The SAT is a standardized test that shows schools that you’re prepared for college by assessing major skills like reading comprehension, computational ability, and clarity of expression. It gives schools a reliable data on students’ performance in an exam nationwide.

You’ll definitely need to take the SAT or ACT if you’re applying to colleges or universities in the United States. This is because most schools need you to submit test scores together with your application. Depending on where you want to apply, your ACT or SAT score can determine about 50% of the admission decision. So, you really need a high SAT score.

Also, so many states demand that all high school juniors take the SAT, such as Delaware, Illinois, and Michigan.

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How Do I Get A Perfect SAT score? (Tips and Tricks)

Studying for the SAT is usually an uphill task for most high school students. However, these students usually don’t know where to start, but a nice way is to know the structure of the test and the best approach you can apply.

Below are some of the new tips and tricks for SAT in 2024 which will help you to excel in your quest for admission to colleges and universities.

#1. Remove three wrong answers(Most important SAT tip and trick)

Well, the most important SAT tip and trick to have in mind is that there is only one correct answer for each question. So, ensure that you eliminate any other second answer.

Actually, it means that your first plan on the test is to remove wrong answers. If you find any question difficult, try to find reasons to point out most of the answers instead of reasons why some options could work.

#2. Always try to understand your mistakes

This is a very important SAT tip and trick. If you devote your time to understand a mistake you make on practice questions, the reasons for such a mistake, and the solution to avoid it in the future, just be sure of a good SAT score.

However, mistakes normally come from content weakness, time pressure, question comprehension issues, and careless errors. Above all, you have to understand your mistakes completely so that you can correct them so that you can have a better score.

#3. Pay careful attention to connotation and context

Look for words that show positive or negative connotations in the part of the passage that the question is talking about. Honestly, this SAT tip and trick will help you to remove some choices. Though you may have no idea which of the remaining choices is correct.

In context, make sure that you don’t look at the exact line that is referenced in the question. Also, look at the sentences around it. Similarly, look for contrast words such as “however”, “rather than” or “still”. 

#4: Make use of finding the evidence questions to your satisfaction

Actually, the new SAT format has questions that ask you to choose a portion from the passage that serves as the best evidence for your answer to the latter question. However, the new questions can help you extremely in finding out the mistakes and clearing up vagueness.

#5. Use a particular plan to read the passages

Well, there are some methods you can use depending on your reading comprehension skills. The methods include:

  • Read through the passage quickly
  • Skip straight to the questions
  • Read the passage in full

#6. Take note of passage introductions

There is a little italicized blurb at the beginning of every SAT passage. However, this blurb gives you a bit of an idea about the passage and its author. In fact, this blurb has valuable information, and if you ignore it, you could miss out on easy points. 

#7. Put more interest in the passages

Whenever you want to keep information while reading passages on the SAT, you can do it by forcing yourself to engage with the material. Just treat this as a learning experience. You’ll definitely find it much easier to remember what happened in the passage.

#8. Look for direct evidence

Actually, questions on SAT reading may sometimes look subjective, the reality is that you should try to find direct evidence in the passage you are talking about to support your answers.

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#9. Concentrate on filling content gaps first

If you’re someone that has problems with basic math skills, you must have to put much effort to improve. Also, note that it doesn’t matter how many practices the SAT questions you do. This eventually will help you to improve your SAT Math score.

However, the moment you notice you miss practicing SAT Math questions because you don’t like a certain content area, just work to overcome your content weaknesses before you do anything else. This SAT tip and trick is the fastest way to improve your scores.

#10. Try to resolve questions that you missed before looking at the answer explanations

Honestly, this is the best SAT tip and trick that will help you to truly understand how to solve questions you initially missed on the Math section.

#11. Underline major parts of the question

I advise you to apply this SAT math tip and trick on the math section if you’ve been missing questions by solving for the wrong value unknowingly. In fact, just underline what you need to find in the question with your pen or pencil so that you will not be confused while calculating.

#12. Study formulas

Well, there’s always a list of formulas in the SAT math section for you, if you start checking them, you’ll lose time and momentum. However, it is advised to have all the formulas memorized beforehand

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#13. Study grammar rules

The SAT writing section has a certain systemized attitude to grammar. It is advised to study the rules to reduce confusion. Even if you think you’re pretty good at grammar, it’s not always enough to just go by what “looks right” to you.

If you’re not used to some of the more outdated grammar rules tested on the SAT, just try to study them.

#14. Be careful with NO CHANGE answers

Once you realize that you’re answering NO CHANGE for several questions on the writing section, kindly go back and double-check your answers. NO CHANGE will only be the answer for 25 percent or less of the questions where it’s an option.

But if you’re selecting it more than that, you might be missing something. Be sure to check it again before you submit.

#15. Skim the paragraph before answering rhetoric questions

Actually, rhetoric questions challenge you to inspect the whole paragraphs or the whole of the passage to find the right answer. However, some of the examples of rhetoric questions are questions about sentence function, the logical sequences of sentences, and the author’s style and tone.

Above all, read through the paragraph quickly as a whole and then try to answer the rhetoric questions.

#16. Choose the more concise answer if both answers are grammatically correct

Well, one of the very important tips and tricks for SAT Writing tests is briefness However, this is one’s ability to use a few words as necessary to transmit an idea clearly. Also, before you can answer concision questions correctly, you need to know the best grammatically correct choice.

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#17. Study and Write

Actually, there is an essay prompt on the new SAT that requires you to examine an argument given in a passage. However, the examiners want to see if you actually understand the author’s point and can write a clear explanation of how he or she builds the argument.

Besides, you’ll be given fifty minutes for the essay, so try and spend about 10-15 minutes to understand exactly what the author is saying and how you’ll draft your essay from your analysis.

#18. Use certain evidence

Try not to explain how the writer builds the argument in your own words, but prove your points with certain examples. If you’re skimming the passage for the first time, use a pencil to underline sentences or phrases that give evidence of the persuasive approach of the writer.

Also, you should use direct quotes in the essay to strengthen the most important points.

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#19. Prepare before the night of the SAT test

Students normally get nervous on the morning of the SAT test and this can make them forget a lot of things which they need for the test. So, before the night of the SAT, here is a checklist of what you need:

  • Admission ticket
  • Photo ID
  • #2 pencils and eraser
  • Calculator

#20. Skip the difficult questions

If you’re having problems with a question, skip it and move on before you waste too much time on it. Moreover, don’t spend more than a minute trying to answer any question in the math and reading sections. Also, don’t spend more than 30 seconds in the writing section.

Circle any questions that you skip so that they’re easier for you to pick out when you go back through the section. If you still can’t figure out the answer, take a guess!

#21. Bubble at the end

Honestly, a nice method to save time is to fill in all your answers at the end of the section. You can do this by circling your choices in your test booklet as you go along. With this SAT tip and trick, you’ll prevent going back and forth between your test booklet and answer sheet.

Moreover, make sure you only use this plan if you already know you can finish the section with at least 3-5 minutes remaining. 

#22. Double-check your answers

Make sure that you always double-check your answers first. While going through each section, circle questions that you’re not sure of so that you can double-check strategically.

Moreover, if you have enough time, you can even go through and check all your answers. By so doing, you’ll find out any careless mistake you might have made while rushing to answer the questions.

#23. Stay calm

In all things, try and keep a cool head on the test. In fact, once you see a question you don’t understand, don’t let it get you nervous.  Also, you might need to skip some questions at first.

Above all, there is always so much pressure to complete each section on time, there’s nothing wrong with answering the questions in your own way.

What SAT score do I need to get into my school of choice?

Actually, SAT scores alone usually will not guarantee your admission into your dream schools. However, for you to stand a good chance of getting into your school of choice, try to have an SAT score that ranges from the 25th to the 75th of the colleges’ percentiles for admitted students.

On the other hand, if your score is lower than the 25th percentile for a particular school, you might still gain admission. This is because 25% of admitted students had a lower score and they still gained admission.

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Registration for SAT in 2023

Actually, students can register for the SAT using the offline method through a mail or through the online method. Using the online method, candidates should create a login id on the official SAT website and go ahead with the registration process.

However, online registration steps include:

Also, the steps for registration by the mail are:

  • Get ‘The Student Registration Guide for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests, which is available at schools.
  • The guide includes a registration form and a return envelope.
  • The form needs to be sent along with a demand draft.
  • The local representative of the SAT in India is the USIEF. The mailed registration forms will be sent to their regional office.

What skills do I need for the SAT test?

The SAT exam examines the Mathematical, Critical Reading, and Writing skills of the applicants. However, the SAT test analyzes the skills which students have learned in their schools according to the College Board. Also, it tests the skills which are needed for the academic success of the students in college.

How do they score the SAT?

Actually, the SAT test is scored using a scale of 400-1600. There is always one score for Math, on a 200-800 scale, and one score for Verbal, which comprises of both Reading and the Writing and Language sections. It is also scored on a scale of 200-800.

Additionally, your total score comprises of adding them together. There are different types of SAT cross-test scores, but the 200-800 scores are the main scores that colleges are really concerned about.

Conclusion

Passing the Standardized test is not easy but you can make it easy for yourself. So, it is important to study very well for the test. Well, if you are in search of the easiest way to pass the SAT test and gain admission, remember that not studying very well will make you sit for the SAT exam repeatedly.

Above all, this article gives you a proper guide on how to make great SAT scores. By simply reading this article and learning the SAT tips and tricks, be rest assured that you won’t sit for the SAT test a second time.

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