SAT & ACT Tips

General Test taking tips

Pace yourself

  • Work steadily without wasting time on hard questions they can always go back to them later.

Keep track of time

Answer the easy ones first, earn as many points as you can

Mark the questions that you skip

Make educated guesses

Limit your time on any one question

Use your test booklet as scrap paper

Read all the answer choices before marking your answer sheet.

  • Make sure your answers are in the right place.

SAT Testing Strategies (Test date before March 2016)

  • Try educated guessing when you can eliminate at least one answer to a multiple-choice question.
  • Because ¼ of a point is deducted for a wrong answer to multiple-choice questions, random guessing is not recommended. Advise students to leave that question blank and move on to the next one.
  • Students can earn an above-average score by getting only half the questions right and omitting answers for the rest of the questions.
  • Essay
  • Read the prompt:
  • It will define an issue and describe two points of view.
  • You will write a response about your position on the issue.
  • You will be evaluated on:
  • Expressing judgements by taking a position on the issues in the writing prompt
  • Maintaining focus on the topic throughout the essay
  • Developing a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting ideas
  • Organize ideas in a logical way
  • Using language clearly and effectively
  • Reading
  • Vocabulary, study at least the top 100 vocab words on the SAT
  • Short Passages
  • Read the questions first (not the multiple choice answers)
  • Then read the passage looking for the answers
  • Dueling Passages
  • Keep focus on one passage at a time
  • Read passage 1 and answer only questions about passage 1
  • Then read passage 2 and answer only questions about passage 2
  • Then answer questions about both passage 1 and 2
  • Math
  • Answer the easy questions first, skip and go back to the long word problems
  • Memorize key formulas
  • Decide when to use a calculator (entering 6x9 on the calculator will probably take up unnecessary time)
  • Make sure you are answering the question
  • Writing/English
  • Learn basic grammar rules
  • Identify subject and verb
  • Pronoun agreement
  • Punctuation
  • Don’t be afraid to answer “No Error”
  • Look for the “most right answer”

ACT Testing Strategies

Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple choice tests are based on the number of questions you have answer correctly plus there is no penalty for guessing.

  • English
  • When searching for sentence errors, start by reading the sentence or paragraph carefully, listening for it; usually the word or phrase that contains an error will sound wrong.
  • If none are apparent, look for the four most common types of errors:
  • Errors in the relationship between the verb and its subject
  • Pronoun errors
  • Sentence structure errors
  • Awkwardness, verbosity, and incorrect use of idioms.
  • Science Reasoning
  • Use the three-stage method (previewing, reading, reviewing) to get the most out of each since reasoning passage.
  • In data representation passages, focus on what is being measured, relationships among variables, and trends in data.
  • Don’t be confused by irrelevant information or technical terminology- most since reasoning passages have them, and they can almost always be ignored.
  • Reading
  • Focus on the big ideas in each passage, not the small details. Look for connections among ideas in each passage.
  • To help you find answers quickly, take notes as you read, marking the main ideas or connections with your pencil.
  • Identify author’s goal, tone, primary argument, and technique.
  • Mathematics
  • As soon as you find the right answer, mark it and move on- there are no “degrees of rightness” to beconsidered.
  • Marking up diagrams or sketching simple drawings when none are available can help you “see” the answers.
  • The questions generally focus on mathematical reasoning, not your ability to perform calculations; if you find yourself spending to much time doing figuring, then you’ve probably overlooked a simple shortcut.
  • Multiple-choice questions: you can try plugging in numbers from the answer choices. Start with the middle number. That way, if it doesn’t work, you can strategically choose one that’s higher or lower.
  • Writing
  • Essays are scored holistically, the final score is based on an overall impression.
  • One way to create a good impression is to organize your ideas into a standard essay format.
  • A well-organized essay consists of four to five paragraphs, including an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion
  • Aim to have at least two body paragraphs to develop and support your ideas.