Four Tips to Help Take the SAT

HOUSTON: It’s never too early to start preparing for the SATs. The comprehensive assessment test is one of the key academic measurements college recruiters look at when determining if they should admit a student. This year, The College Board, the private nonprofit corporation responsible for creating the SAT, redesigned the test to include longer and more complex reading and math problems.

The new test is uncharted territory for both students and educators, but an early jump on studying and preparation can be the best way to tackle it. Thankfully, Best in Class has developed several ways to prepare for the new test.

Take Multiple Practice Tests and Analyze
The SAT requires critical thinking that students may not be used to. The best way to prepare your student is to take a practice SAT. Best in Class offers SAT prep classes with a series of practice tests to train the brain for this new type of thinking. However, taking these tests is only half the battle.

“Students must spend about as much time, if not more time, analyzing those tests and learning from them,” said Laura Leddusire, Vice President of Operations for Best in Class. “Students will uncover their strengths and weaknesses by taking practice tests. In addition, taking full length tests will also help students build their testing stamina.”

Start with a Section You’re Most Familiar With
Taking the SATs will last a few hours, so it’s important for your student to find a good rhythm. Right out of the gate, students should consider starting with a section they feel most comfortable with. If your student is a good critical thinker, then they should start with the reading comprehension section. Or if their strength is in math, tackle the multiple choice math questions first. Beginning with an easier section can help boost your confidence and allow for extra time to tackle more difficult subjects at a comfortable speed.

Look for Key Themes in the Reading Section
One of the revamped sections of the SAT is the reading section. Gone are the “finish the sentence” vocabulary tests, and in their place are more reading comprehension tests. Students are going to be challenged to improve their reading skills and understand the main themes conveyed in the passages. To help save time and allow students to get through questions they have a good shot at getting correct, it’s recommended to skip difficult passages and read the easiest passages first. Also, students are encouraged to answer everything. The new SATs don’t penalize for wrong answers, so even if a student runs out of time, bubble in answers anyway. Wrong answers won’t hurt you.

Keep Up Your Other Studies
While allotting a good amount of time to study for the SATs is important, students shouldn’t let other studies falter. Colleges look not only at SATs, but grades and outside school activities, as well. Creating a schedule at the beginning of the week, and carving out enough time for regular school homework and SAT prep is the best way to divide time equally.

To help your student exceed his or her academics goals, a local resource, Best in Class, offers a variety of customized, supplemental enrichment courses and tutoring options to ensure your students are equipped with the tools they need this school year.

For more information about Best in Class services for your student, or about current franchising opportunities, visit www.bestinclasseducation.com or call toll free at 1.888.683.8108.  

Best in Class is targeting the addition of 20 more units in 2016. The state of Texas has been identified as a key state for growth.  The current team behind Best in Class is looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join this premier franchise family and ensure our youth will excel academically.