As I look around my room I quickly notice it is littered with loose papers, pencils, pens, a calculator, and numerous tutorial books. My current goal is to master the SAT. The SAT is the final step towards getting into college. At first the test feels so overwhelming. I am struggling with the SAT because up until now I have had the ability to demonstrate my knowledge on tests without time constraints. The grades I have earned in high school are good but I still have to execute on this particular test. To say I am stressed about the SAT would be an understatement.
Instead of allowing the pressure to perform overtake me, I have decided to approach the SAT the same way I have faced past challenges. I began with asking people around me for their best advice. After I devised a strategy with my counselors, I sought out on-line tutors and study guides that best suited my learning style. As with anything else in high school I have learned that if you put in the time and effort your dreams are within reach.
The SAT is a test that rewards those students who were willing to put in the time and effort to prepare. Preparation for the SAT means repetition! The best form of repetition has been taking the practice tests over and over again. Once I have taken the practice test I review my mistakes to ensure I will not make the same mistake twice. Another test taking strategy I have been using is Process of Elimination (POE). If you are able to rule out a few of the answer choices you significantly improved your chance of answering the question correctly.
The SAT forces you to use test taking strategies to answer the questions correctly and to do so in a fast paced manner. In order to overcome my time struggle I have been taking the test under time constraints. Initially I would go over on the allotted time but as I practice I have become more efficient at answering the questions correctly and quickly. Over these last few months I have realized the SAT is no different from any other obstacle I have faced before. If I am willing to put in the effort and use the resources around me, success is sure to follow!
