10 Expert Tips to Improve Your SAT Score

The SAT is a standardised test that many universities and colleges use to measure the academic skill level of potential students. It tests skills in mathematics, reading, and writing. A good score on this exam can mean you have an increased chance of getting into your preferred school.

Achieving excellent scores can be difficult when applying for highly ranked schools because everyone has set high standards. One of the essential pieces to a successful college application is your SAT score, but it is not always an easy task. Those striving for top colleges and universities need every possible advantage on their side.

To avail of that advantage, you must prepare well enough to score your target score. There are many factors that you must keep in mind while preparing for the SAT. This blog will explain a good SAT score and ten expert tips to improve your SAT score.

What is a good SAT score?

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardised test that will help you get into colleges and universities abroad. It has two sections, namely, Math and Evidence-based Reading & Writing, each scored on a scale from 200 to 800. To get into one of the top 100 most selective universities, you need at least 1200 points out of 1600 for your composite score.

But it is always better if you can do more than 1400 because colleges want people who are well rounded, not just academically competent. If an applicant scores over 1400, they are doing very well since only five per cent of all applicants have such high marks.

The SAT score range is 400 to 1600, with each SAT section ranging from 200 to 800 points. To determine what makes a good SAT score corresponds to a percentile ranking. The mean or the average SAT composite score is 1051. The average score for Math is 528, and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) is 523.

A good SAT score is typically considered a score of 1200, preferably 1400 or more, which brings you above the 90th percentile. In addition, it means that the student has succeeded in translating their knowledge into skills and will have access to prestigious universities or professions, depending on what they want out of life.

Regardless of an excellent average score, a personal good SAT score depends on the college or university you want to get admitted to. For example, 1280 and 84th percentile scores are good scores that can get you into schools such as Arizona State University and Temple University.

Tips to Improve Your SAT Score

You can follow several methods to reach your perfect SAT score, including the SAT Course. Furthermore, here are some tips that can help improve your SAT score.

1.Build up your vocabulary

The SAT is a test that demands an impressive vocabulary. Words are the backbone of reading and writing essays on this exam, so it's crucial to capitalise early by coming up with your dictionary for challenging words found in texts you read outside of school.

The best way to find these elusive words is by looking them up whenever they come across one you don't know or have only heard before but never really learned. Memorising new additions will boost confidence going into exams like the SAT. Building your vocabulary will not only help in breaking down the passages but also strengthen your essay writing.

2.Decide on a target score range

Before taking up the SAT exam, it is crucial to set a target score range to help you accomplish your goal. For example, your goal may be to get into a specific college or university by meeting the application or scholarship requirement. Hence, research the college and set your target as per their requirement.

Take the middle 50% score ranges of admitted students of those schools and aim to meet the upper end or even above. There is always room for improvement, and it will not come without hard work. Set a target by remaining realistic and expand your potential. No matter how high you need to go, it's essential to know where your priorities lie with any improvements in mind to stay motivated.

3.Take advantage of study materials

One of the biggest challenges about studying for the SAT is knowing what materials are high quality. Therefore, you should only look at professionally-produced study guides that have been developed by experts rather than students with little experience in this field, especially if you're not sure where to start on your journey towards a top score.

You must assess the exam format and knowledge with quality study materials to obtain a good score successfully. Hence, finding high-quality study materials that can help you with your specific SAT needs is necessary.

4.Take up practice tests

Practising for a test can be tedious, but practice tests provide the best preparation. This is because practice tests are the best way to prepare for a test that measures strategy as much as it does content and skill. They are also one of the most fool-proof ways to prepare because they cover so many aspects that affect your performance on standardised exams: content knowledge and strategy.

The first step is just taking an untimed practice test section until you find out which skills need more work. Once those weaknesses have been addressed, begin practising with timed sections. Go through each question in order without skipping any questions or answering them incorrectly. Then take some complete exams under testing conditions before finally sitting down for your SAT exam date.

5.Familiarise yourself with the instructions of each section of the test

On the SAT, you will see instructions on every section about answering questions and instructions on your answer sheet about how to select and fill in answers. There are no right or wrong answers; instead, what matters is whether you can show that you mastered the skills required by this test.

6.Figure out which mistakes you make the most

A score report will show you where improvements are needed, but it won't tell you the specific errors you are most susceptible to. The easiest way is by taking a practice test and evaluating its results carefully for patterns in common mistakes or weaknesses.

As you take the practice test and realise that your scores are dramatically higher than the actual SAT, you will have to work on your test anxiety. Test anxiety is quite common, and there are many ways to conquer it. One of the best ways text anxiety diminishes is through thorough practice. The more you take the SAT to practise tests, the more you will be familiar with the format and the less affected you will be with the anxiety.

7.Join a study group

Study groups are a great way to stay on track, set goals and meet deadlines. However, to make this happen, you must find the right group of people who share your interests in the subject matter and your work ethic. When you belong to a study group with people similar to yourself who are all working for the same goal together, it becomes much easier when things get tough and discouragement sets in.

You'll also find that being able to share ideas makes studying more easier. Having regular meetings with other students will help keep us accountable towards our goals while sharing tips and strategies and preparing. You will also find online study groups working towards the same purpose.

8.Employ the process of elimination

Eliminating two answer choices can help you maximize your chances of getting the correct response on any SAT question. However, it's possible that during the actual test, there will be one or two questions for which guessing is all you have left to do, and make sure those guesses are smart ones.

 If you're having trouble solving a problem, try working backward to find the answer. Start by ruling out any wrong solutions and plugging in some of your best guesses for those leftover choices. Even if none can be found this way, it gives you time to search through all options on each question.

9.Learn the materials that are easiest to memorize

On the SAT, there is a pool of content knowledge necessary for success. It may be quite challenging to study in isolation. If content knowledge is your weakness on practice or diagnostic SATs, you should be sure to reinforce it before retaking the test. To have a better start for your preparation, start with content materials that lend themselves well to memorisation.

10.Practise as much as you can

Practising as much as you can is the only way to familiarise yourself with the format and content. Even though the idea of improving your SAT score for better college admission may seem daunting, it's reassuring to know that most people take their test more than once, and they usually have their highest scores on the second try. The higher you start with, generally means getting even bigger jumps in improvement.

To Sum Up

Good SATs will make your application more competitive and increase your chance of getting into a good college. It shows that the student is intelligent, capable, and hardworking, which colleges look for when assessing applicants. Try to familiarise yourself with content materials and practice as much as you can. Have a thorough understanding of what the SAT requires and work towards accomplishing your set target. Have a strong foundation of SAT content laid out and start your preparation for your exam.