I. What you should know before you begin

1. The SAT in a nutshell
2. Seven common misconceptions about the SAT
3. Undeniable truth
4. The tried-and-true method of preparing for the exam
5. Ivy League Scores
6. What to consider if you are serious about getting into a top school. Cost vs Benefit
7. Is any of it even applicable in real life?
8. Don't underestimate the word power

1. What is the SAT?

   The SAT Reasoning test is a test used for college admissions in the United States. The name of the organization that owns the SAT is the College Board.

2. Seven Common Misconceptions about the SAT

   1. The SAT measures a person's intelligence
   Many students and parents alike erroneously think that the SAT measures intelligence or some underlying biological potential of an individual. It certainly does not! It measures the knowledge you have learned during your school years and, most importantly, your ability to apply that knowledge. The SAT is not an intelligence test by any means. In fact, what it really measures is how good a test taker you are and how fast you can choose from four or five answers without dwelling too much on any of them. Your ability to think quickly under a time constraint is key.
   2. The SAT is a more accurate predictor of a first-year-college performance than high school grades
   This is certainly not true as the high school grade point average is still the best predictor of first-year college grades, which ironically is all the SAT tries to predict. In fact, as the student progresses through college, the SAT scores become even less accurate indicators. However, if acceptance to college were based solely on grades, it could be unfair to students who took more difficult classes and whose GPA may not be as high as that of the students who boosted their grades by taking easier classes. The SAT test is designed to create an equal playing field for everyone.
   3. You shouldn't guess if you don't know the answer
   The simple truth is that unanswered questions are worth no points on the SAT exam, whereas the correct answers are worth one point, and a quarter of a point is deducted for incorrect answers. A lot of people think of that quarter point off for wrong answers as a "guessing penalty." They figure that it will hurt their score to guess, because they may end up losing points. They're wrong. Any time you can eliminate at least two of the answer choices as being definitely wrong, it's better to guess. From a purely statistical standpoint, this approach will gain you more points over the whole test than you'll get by playing it "safe" and leaving the questions blank.
   4. The SAT cannot be avoided because it is required by every college
   Over 700 U.S. colleges don't require SAT or ACT scores. Many of them show that you can have a rigorous admission process without the SAT. Highly selective institutions can follow the example of Bowdoin College, which has found that the diversity and quality of its students improved after it made the SAT optional over 25 years ago. The Bowdoin College ranked 6th among the top 50 as rated by the recent U.S. News & World Report.
   5. The SAT Math problems are extremely difficult
   The math section is tough because of the way the concepts are tested, not because of the concepts themselves. The SAT includes math concepts you learned in the seventh or eighth grade, i.e. arithmetic, basic geometry, basic algebra, and algebra II. You won't see any calculus or trigonometry on the SAT.
   6. The Critical Reading score, as opposed to the Math score, is virtually impossible to improve
   The single best way to improve your Critical Reading score is to improve your vocabulary.Reading comprehension and sentence completions all rely upon your understanding of the words in the questions and answer choices. If you know what the words mean, you will be better equipped to answer the questions quickly and accurately. This site will help you to increase your word command. In addition you shouldn't forget to read books, newspapers, and anything else you can get your hands on; reading broadly and frequently will help you build your vocabulary substantially.
   7. Test coaching doesn't significantly change the score
   The College Board has long asserted that the test measures skills and knowledge learned over a long period of time. However there has been an abundance of studies showing that good preparation programs can raise a student's score by 100 points or more. This mere fact undermines the above-mentioned claims made by the College Board. Moreover, why does it sell its own test preparation products if coaching doesn't work?

3. The undeniable truth

   While some of your worries may have gone away, you can't ignore one simple truth. If you don't study for the exam, you will most likely do rather poorly. It is obvious of course that the test takers come from different backgrounds, schools, and experiences, which gives them different starting points with a varying level of success on the test. However, the failure to approach the preparation seriously will almost certainly produce the score which is below your own expectations and hopes.

   The exam requires your respect and your commitment to it so start preparing for it ahead of time!

4. Let's begin with the preparation

   There is absolutely no doubt that the more you practice the better you will do on the SAT. There is a direct correlation. However, there are still different levels of intensity, time commitment, effort, and financial investment that the prospective test takers choose to follow.

   There is absolutely no doubt that the more you practice the better you will do on the SAT. There is a direct correlation. However, there are still different levels of intensity, time commitment, effort, and financial investment that the prospective test takers choose to follow.

   • The Official SAT STUDY GUIDE For the New SAT by the College Board
   • The Very Best Coaching and Study Course for the New SAT by REA
   • Cracking the SAT by Princeton Review
   • Kaplan SAT 2009 Premier Program
   The key to having success with the books is making sure you have the discipline to use them. Don't forget that buying a book and letting it collect dust until the last day is akin to having good intentions that never materialize. And we all know the old saying about the road paved with good intentions and where it leads.

5. What score will it take to get into Harvard or any other Ivy League School?

   If you are aiming for one of the top schools in the country, as a rule of thumb, your scores would have to be nearly perfect. If you score anywhere between 680 - 790 on the math section, and 650 - 780 on the reading and writing sections, you are on target for an Ivy League admission. This essentially means you have to score approximately in the top 90-95 percentile of all the test takers. Obviously the SAT score is just a part of the application. You can have a perfect score and still get rejected because of some other factors. By the same token, you can have a much lower score and be accepted because you have been able to demonstrate other strengths.

6. What to consider if you are serious about getting into a top school

   If you are very serious about aiming for highest score possible, you may consider enrolling in SAT prep courses or even hiring a private tutor. One distinct advantage working with the tutor is that you are forced to maintain the discipline of a consistent study regimen, something that many other students fail to follow when they prepare on their own. Private tutors however can be very expensive. A typical private tutor rate can be $40-$50, however it can well exceed $200/hr. For example, the rates charged by Yale tutors, a well-known tutorship organization who operates primarily on the east coast, will vary anywhere between $100/hr to $175/hr. If you are looking for preparation courses offered by such companies as the The Princeton Review, the tuition will typically be $1000 and above. Below are some of the most well-known organizations that offer in-class training:
   • Kaplan Tutoring
   • Princeton Review
   • Sherwood Test Prep
   • MLIC SAT Prep

   You can also check the local listings to find private tutors or tutoring companies operating in your area.

   It's worth reiterating once again that the customized study program along with strict discipline and motivation, can create a significant advantage over an average test taker. This is precisely the reason some have criticized the SAT for skewing the curve and awarding those who simply learned to excel at test taking through constant mechanical practice.

   Despite this criticism however, the current reality is such that if you are aiming for a top score, you may have to thoroughly consider investing in special preparation.

7. Doubtful you will ever apply this knowledge after the test? You shouldn't be

   You may not have to solve the same math problems for the rest of your life. It's really not the particular knowledge itself that may be used, but rather it's the skill set and the ability to apply, learn, and solve under pressure that is critical for your future success. Despite all its drawbacks, the SAT does manage to test that ability well enough.The diligence you will apply toward the exam lays a strong foundation for developing the good studying habits that will prove invaluable to you for years to come.

8. Special word on the importance of a strong word vocabulary

   Hopefully you don't count the days until the date of the exam just so you can unload your brainof all these useless words you learned specifically for the SAT the day after.

   The moment you step into adult life, you will be constantly judged. Fluency in spoken and formal language as well as the ability to convey yourself are all predicated on a strong command of words. Regardless of how smart you are, if you have difficulty to express yourself eloquently and succinctly at the same time, your career success will be seriously impeded. Perception here is key.

   So what do you get in return for your efforts? The benefits are hard to underestimate:

   • Respect. People will take you much more seriously if you know how to express yourself. This in turn will allow you to command more respect, more authority, and subsequently more chances at success and career advancement.
   • Influence. The more impressive you are at communicating your ideas or getting your point across, the better you are at influencing others and gaining support. Think of the great American leaders. Ronald Reagan,Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy and select others have all been extremely popular and successful at inspiring millions. Eloquent communication and word power are essential to get people on your side!
   • Appeal. Word knowledge is an obvious advantage that will be constantly manifested in many professional aspects of one's life such as successful interviews, career progress, and higher income. However having a great vocabulary is also a great asset for your social and personal life. You will have more friends, and your mastery of holding an engaging conversation will be viewed as a great plus by the opposite sex. Intelligence is a big aphrodisiac!