There is certainly something to be said for the tricksgiven by prep courses. They generally give solid advice, but their advice isnot the only reason students in prep courses do better. The real reason is thatin those courses, students are forced to do several practice tests and practiceproblems. You don’t need to spend a thousand dollars to have someone make ahomework outline for you. All you need is some of your own time and a plannerof some kind. Set goals for yourself and accomplish them. Do one section of thetest every night for a couple of months. It only takes a half hour of your timeand will raise your score significantly.

2. Do not treat this like you would a biology test.

Many of the study techniques you have learned over the years no longerapply. For example, you are allowed to take this test many times, and there isabsolutely no reason other than getting a perfect score that you shouldn’t takeit more than once. The vast majority of students perform far better eachadditional time they take the test. Colleges primarily consider your highestscore from each section, make sure you have more than one score to choosefrom.

3. Consider the ACT.

Over the years, the legitimacy of the SAT has been questioned time and timeagain. Even with the recent overhaul of the SAT, most colleges realize the testis mostly meaningless. It is largely just inertia that keeps practice alive.Most colleges allow you to submit either the ACT or the SAT. The more optionsyou have, the better the chances that you can portray yourself in the bestlight.

4. Most importantly, this test does not decide your life, so don’t be toostressed.

It may seem like a big deal now, but these standardized tests are truthfullynothing to worry about. Within a few years, your score will be nothing but atrivial pursuit question amongst your friends and no one else. It has arelatively small impact on what college you attend compared to your GPA and hasalmost no relation to your future career. Not a single job interview willinclude your SAT score.