SAT Test Preparation 2023: Check Section-wise Study Material and SAT Prep Books

SAT

Aishwarya Bhatnagar

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

Updated on Mar 7, 2023 15:17 IST

SAT Preparation: There are two ways students prepare for SAT- Self-Study and Coaching Classes. Both options have unique benefits and they are equally good with quantifiable benefits. In this article, we will help you with the SAT preparation tips that will help you in preparing for the SAT exam 2023. We have mentioned the best ways with which you do your SAT preparation effectively. By starting early, studying with official SAT practice on Khan Academy, taking at least one full-length practice test, and paying attention to your high school classes. All these methods are free and you can follow them for better practice.

SAT Digital Preparation

Follow the below-mentioned tips to understand the SAT thoroughly and achieve your targets.

Start early

Planning in advance always helps! So, when in high school, it is better to start preparing for the SAT. While managing your studies, you need to take the SAT preparation. Select the SAT test date by giving yourself an abundance of time to prepare for the test. Take at least 2 to 3 months for preparing for the test. As you start early, you will have the time to learn the concepts and practice them and make a strategy. After learning the concepts you'll gain confidence while going into the test.

Make a study plan

Decide when you are going to take the SAT. Build a study plan and follow it rigorously. It will help you manage your time well before the test. Watch instructional videos and allocate specific time for practice. Work more on your weak areas and set targets and try to achieve them. Make sure your target is aligned with the colleges that you want to apply to.

Prepare with Official SAT Practice from Khan Academy

It is always best to prepare for the SAT by using the official resources crafted by the makers of the SAT. College Board has partnered with Khan Academy for SAT preparation which is available for students for free. The Official SAT Practice includes the official SAT study resources. Khan Academy has created a study plan based on the PSAT/NMSQT, your past scores, and the upcoming test date. You should prepare for at least 6 - 20 hours for your first SAT. After this take at least one full-length practice test. After completing this, you'll know about your weak areas and can focus on them more.

Pay more attention to details in class

Since 2016, SAT has been more aligned with classroom learning. So, it is imperative to pay attention in your class and learn the concepts wholeheartedly. If you think, you need to revisit some of the areas then spend more time on them.

SAT Digital  Preparation Timeline

The following is the SAT Digital preparation timeline for prospective students, who are still wondering how and when to do what before appearing for the newest SAT Digital exam in March 2023:

sat prep timeline

This is just to give an idea to students as to how to go about registering on Bluebook, then attempting a mock and when to download their admission ticket for the SAT Digital Exam to be conducted in March 2023.

SAT Digital Preparation Tips

The SAT test comprises three sections Evidence-based reading and writing, Maths, and Essay. Although the Essay section is optional, however, many colleges ask for Essay section scores while assessing a candidate's profile for admission.

SAT Preparation Tips for Reading and Writing Section

This section includes two tests, one is a reading test where candidates need to show how much they can read and understand the text. While the other one is an SAT Writing test where candidates are asked to read and edit the text.

SAT prep tips for RW Section

  • Read the passage carefully to find answers
  • Use reasoning to support your conclusions from the passage
  • Make sure that your answer should be from the passage only
  • Use your time wisely and try to answer the maximum number of questions from one passage and then move to another one
  • Stress facts, ideas, details, and points of view from the passage
  • Passages can of two types one where there will be errors that you need to identify after reading and one where you need to understand the idea or theme of the passage
  • As the time is limited you can answer questions as you read the passage, maybe you won't get time to go through the whole passage completely
  • You can read the first question and then read the first para to find an answer to it
  • Read the question carefully and try to understand what is required to answer it
  • Every question is designed in such a way that it tests your grammar, word choice, and sentence structure

Read: SAT preparation tips: Reading section

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SAT Preparation Tips for Maths

SAT Math comprises three sections Algebra and functions, Geometry Statistics, and Probability and Data analysis. In Maths, there will be two parts, test takers are allowed to use a calculator in one part and are not allowed to use a calculator in the other one. 

SAT Prep Tips for Maths section

  • Candidates need to work on their speed and accuracy for the Math section.
  • Pick up the best book for maths SAT preparation and solve as many questions as possible.
  • The math section measures skills in solving problems with efficiency and accurately
  • Candidates need to learn the math concepts, rules, and relations At times, it is better to find the wrong answers rather than the correct answer, this may help in saving your time
  • Candidates should have knowledge of formulas as the section includes questions related to graphs, linear equations, or analyzing a solution
  • As there is no negative marking on the SAT test, so, try to answer as many questions as you can

Read: SAT preparation tips: Math section

SAT Preparation Books

Many candidates prefer self-study to prepare for the SAT test. With the best books and resources for SAT, you can prepare for the SAT exam on your own. Apart from this, there is online study material for SAT prep is also available which is helpful in preparing for the SAT.

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Still, have more doubts about the SAT? Go through the most frequently asked questions about the SAT and SAT preparation FAQs.

SAT Preparation FAQs

Q. What SAT score is required for Harvard?

A. There is no specific SAT score required for getting in to Harvard, however, candidates should have at least more than 1460 to be considered by Harvard.

Q. How to prepare for SAT?

A. Step 1: Understand the SAT exam pattern Step 2: Gather study material offline and online Step 3: Make a proper study plan Step 4: Work on your strategy Step 5: Take timely practice tests

Q. Is there any common answer on SAT?

A. No, there is no common answer on the SAT. Each answer choice whether A, B, C, or D are evenly distributed, so, guessing a particular choice (e.g. option B) for most questions will not be the right approach.

Q. How many hours of study are required for SAT?

A. Usually, candidates need to study for 2 hours daily for at least 4 months. If you study for more hours then you may cover the syllabus in less time and vice versa. Also, it can vary from individual to individual as some students can understand the basics in less time whereas some can take a little more.

Q. How to prepare your child for SAT?

A. Follow these steps to prepare your child for SAT:
  • Make him familiar with the SAT test format
  • Tell him to work on his reading skills
  • Use free test prep available online
  • Make a proper study plan
  • After completing the syllabus give practice tests

Q. How to make SAT prep a fun activity?

A. Plan your study time in such a way that it doesn't seem to be a learning exercise rather it should be a fun activity.
  • Start reading for fun and not just as an exercise
  • Play word games to build a strong vocab for this you can read non-fiction books
  • Watch educational videos

Q. What is the best SAT prep app?

A. Best SAT prep app are:
  • Daily Practice developed by the College Board
  • Khan Academy SAT created by the College Board and Khan Academy together
  • Vocab Genius to prepare for the critical reading section
  • Ready4 SAT
All these apps can be used for free.

Q. How to prepare for SAT for free?

A. Free SAT prep sources:
  • Collegeboard.org
  • The Princeton Review
  • Kaplan
  • McGraw-Hill
  • Test Prep Review

Q. What is a good SAT score?

A. An average SAT score is around 1000. Check what is your target score and try to achieve that. Although anything above 1200 is considered a good SAT score. The maximum anyone can score on the SAT is the perfect score of 1600. Learn more about  what a good SAT Score here.

Q. How to improve your SAT score?

A. First of all make a list of your weakness and work on them. Practice more this time and do more practice tests.

Q. What is SAT pattern?

A. The SAT test includes 154 multiple-choice (MCQs) questions and 1 options essay. Different types of SAT questions are
Sections Type of questions
Math
  • Problem Solving and Data Analysis (17 questions)
  • Passport to Advanced Math (16 questions)
  • Additional Topics in Math (6 questions)
  • Heart of Algebra (19 questions)
Reading
  • Command of Evidence (10 questions)
  • Words in Context (10 questions)
  • Analysis (32 questions)
Writing
  • Expression of Ideas (24 questions)
  • Standard English Conventions (20 questions)

Comments

(1331)

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Prashita jain

a week ago

can i appear for sat if my high school marks are avg.
also can i get selected into mit usa after giving sat in india?

Reply to Prashita jain

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

a week ago

Hello Prashita! Yes, you can appear and submit your SAT scores if the course you are applying for at MIT requires you to submit them. You can get selected for MIT USA admissions not just because of your SAT scores but your overall admission application. For elaborate details on this you should ge...Hello Prashita! Yes, you can appear and submit your SAT scores if the course you are applying for at MIT requires you to submit them. You can get selected for MIT USA admissions not just because of your SAT scores but your overall admission application. For elaborate details on this you should get in touch with our counsellors at - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply. All the best!

C

Calypso

2 weeks ago

Hii.my brother wanted to do B.tech from USA...can you please suggest some good University..along with fees and how to get scholarship..?

Reply to Calypso

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

a week ago

Hello! We would need more details on which country, course and university your brother is looking for in order to give you a concrete answer. You can avail Shiksha's free counselling service by signing up at - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply and getting your admission-related answers. Good ...Hello! We would need more details on which country, course and university your brother is looking for in order to give you a concrete answer. You can avail Shiksha's free counselling service by signing up at - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply and getting your admission-related answers. Good luck!

I am planning to take the SAT digital on 6th May 2023. However I am confused about the device while trying to register with South City International as a center. Can I put the option that the accommodation will provide the device or anything else? I am not sure which option I should choose and h...I am planning to take the SAT digital on 6th May 2023. However I am confused about the device while trying to register with South City International as a center. Can I put the option that the accommodation will provide the device or anything else? I am not sure which option I should choose and how to get the device. Please advise.

Reply to Ishita Ghosh Hazra

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

2 weeks ago

Hello Ishita! You can request a device while registering for the new SAT exam. You will have to mark your acceptance in the application for the device on which you'll be taking your exam. The device will be given to you at your chosen test centre only. Good luck!

k

kapila jaykumar

a month ago

Hi My Son has just completed his 11th grade CBSE and is looking at Liberal Art colleges with Psychology as his major as his UG program. In that case would SAT math be a compulsory. . Is there SAT without Math as an eligibility criteria for college admission in India

Reply to kapila jaykumar

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

3 weeks ago

Hello ma'am! SAT Math is a section along with the Reading & Writing section, which cannot be excluded. Students from a non-Maths background are also eligible to apply for the same. Universities consider an overall SAT score hence, it is next to impossible to not include the Maths section scor...Hello ma'am! SAT Math is a section along with the Reading & Writing section, which cannot be excluded. Students from a non-Maths background are also eligible to apply for the same. Universities consider an overall SAT score hence, it is next to impossible to not include the Maths section scores. Hope this answers your query. All the very best to your son!

s

srinivas vennu

a month ago

Sir, my daughter going to attempt 12th class exams. If i want to send her to USA for bachelor degree..is there any part time job fecility for her..?

Reply to srinivas vennu

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

a month ago

Hello Sir! Appearing for SAT would not help her qualify for a part-time job while studying in the US. Rather, she can apply for part-time jobs while studying in a US university or college, you can check out our dedicated page here - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/10-popular-part-time-campus-jobs...Hello Sir! Appearing for SAT would not help her qualify for a part-time job while studying in the US. Rather, she can apply for part-time jobs while studying in a US university or college, you can check out our dedicated page here - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/10-popular-part-time-campus-jobs-for-students-in-the-us-articlepage-54
Wishing your daughter all the very best!

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