SAT help,

[TheMasterGL16]

Ok, so I?m looking for suggestions on how to knock the SAT out of the park. I only need to raise my score by about 100 points to get a no question entry to the college I want. All and all not by any means an impossible goal considering I still have 2 months to study. I?ve already enrolled in a class and am studying every day.

What I?m looking for here is suggestions on how to calm down on test day. I have a small problem with FREAKING out on test day. I was hoping someone might offer a good way to channel that stress into focus.

But any other suggestions on how to squeeze every point out that I can are good too.

Thanks to all you peeps who post.

 

[Inverse Skies]

The traditional way to do well on tests is too be alert, drink a caffinated beverage beforehand and keep hydrated throughout... but that only works if you're calm.

Alright, a few things you can do. One of them is diaphragmatic breathing. If you start to hyperventilate or something you're going to be using whats called your external intercostal muscles (high up on the chest) to achieve that shallow breathing - this is wrong. Take deep slow breaths from your diaphragm. To do this, try to breathe so your stomach protrudes, and do this slowly. It's used by a lot of football teams, they call it breathing in the good (white) air and breathing out the bad (black) air. It works for them.

Another thing you can do is listen to some relaxing music. I love classical, so I recommend this: Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A, KV 622 Movement 2 - Adagio. It's a beautiful slow piece of music which would really help to calm you down - it helped me get over my breakup with the ex girlfriend.

Another thing is try to avoid talking about it on the day - if you're a nervous person you're likely to make it worse. Go sit by yourself if you have to - your friends will understand.

That's all I can say, keep hydrated, study hard and GOOD LUCK!

 

[insectoid]

Listen to relaxing music helps me, I usually forget I have a test.

I find the more preparation you do before an exam, the more confident you will be, thus the less stressed.

Side note: How does the SAT work?

 

[Inverse Skies]

This is a youtube video of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPjtRSgg2fg
I think it would really help you, it's so slow and beautiful.

 

[TheMasterGL16]

Side note: How does the SAT work?

The SAT is a College placement test, which is (currently) divided into 3 sections worth 800 points each. The sections are Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. Some colleges, like the one I wish to apply to will only factor in the Math and Critical reading when you pick a hard science degree, like I wish to.

Anyway it basically works like this, you get 2 sheets of paper, one with a BUNCH of bubbles labeled A,B,C? and so on. The other has the questions. You read the questions and fill in the bubbles. The chief difference between the SAT and ACT is that the SAT penalizes you for getting a problem wrong, it works like this. Right answer = 1 pt. Wrong Answer = -.25 pts. and NO answer = 0 pts. It basically works out so that statistically you should ONLY guess if you can eliminate at least 1 question answer.

I hope that explains it clearly, at least when I asked that question before I took my PSAT (practice SAT) that was the info I wanted.

 

[Siegreich]

Read alot, one of the most important things for the sat is good vocabulary, so read some good books and get some on cd so you can further improve your vocab while doing something else

 

[Brotherofwill]

You could try to regulate your breath, and make sure to sleep a lot before the test. Water usually helps too, wear comfotable clothes yada yada...

I took it once without so much as reading what it was about. I ended up sitting there and going "Oh, so there is an essay in this?"

The whole premise of the test is completely worthless anyway since so many people study for it.

Just remember this: In so little as half a year you won't care anymore anyway

 

[Inverse Skies]

The SAT is a Collage placement test, which is (currently) divided into 3 sections worth 800 points each. The sections are Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. Some collages, like the one I wish to apply to will only factor in the Math and Critical reading when you pick a hard science degree, like I wish to.

Anyway it basically works like this, you get 2 sheets of paper, one with a BUNCH of bubbles labeled A,B,C? and so on. The other has the questions. You read the questions and fill in the bubbles. The chief difference between the SAT and ACT is that the SAT penalizes you for getting a problem wrong, it works like this. Right answer = 1 pt. Wrong Answer = -.25 pts. and NO answer = 0 pts. It basically works out so that statistically you should ONLY guess if you can eliminate at least 1 question answer.

I hope that explains it clearly, at least when I asked that question before I took my PSAT (practice SAT) that was the info I wanted.

It punishes you for getting a question wrong? Ouch! Even in the GAMSAT (massive 6 hour test I needed to do to get into medicine) they didn't penalise you for that. That sucks. I re-iterate my good luck! from before.

 

[TheMasterGL16]

Read alot, one of the most important things for the sat is good vocabulary, so read some good books and get some on cd so you can further improve your vocab while doing something else

GREAT IDEA!!! I have been reading, but mostly for the increase in reading speed I didn't think about the Book on CDs for the vocab. Thanks.

This is a youtube video of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPjtRSgg2fg
I think it would really help you, it's so slow and beautiful.

That is PERFECT, I just started it up and I'm already calming down, and I was calm before. THANKS MAN, I'll get that on my MP3 player and make sure I got it with me on the breaks between subjects on test day.

 

[Inverse Skies]

That is PERFECT, I just started it up and I'm already calming down, and I was calm before. THANKS MAN, I'll get that on my MP3 player and make sure I got it with me on the breaks between subjects on test day.

Haha, no problem my friend. If it helped me get over a breakup I'm sure it'll help you with the SAT. Good luck!

 

[TheMasterGL16]

It punishes you for getting a question wrong? Ouch! Even in the GAMSAT (massive 6 hour test I needed to do to get into medicine) they didn't penalise you for that. That sucks. I re-iterate my good luck! from before.

Interesting, I'm actually hoping to get into medicine, all the classes I want to take in college are pre-med that is why it is so imperative I score well on the SAT.

 

[Deguasser]

Side note: How does the SAT work?

The SAT is a Collage placement test, which is (currently) divided into 3 sections worth 800 points each. The sections are Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. Some collages, like the one I wish to apply to will only factor in the Math and Critical reading when you pick a hard science degree, like I wish to.

Anyway it basically works like this, you get 2 sheets of paper, one with a BUNCH of bubbles labeled A,B,C? and so on. The other has the questions. You read the questions and fill in the bubbles. The chief difference between the SAT and ACT is that the SAT penalizes you for getting a problem wrong, it works like this. Right answer = 1 pt. Wrong Answer = -.25 pts. and NO answer = 0 pts. It basically works out so that statistically you should ONLY guess if you can eliminate at least 1 question answer.

I hope that explains it clearly, at least when I asked that question before I took my PSAT (practice SAT) that was the info I wanted.

You do need to study you spelled college wrong. But it's not that hard of a test I got a 2190 and on my ACT a 32. And you know what's the kicker? I have so low of grades I can't get into the school I want. But it's fine I'll just go to Macomb Community College.

 

[Inverse Skies]

Interesting, I'm actually hoping to get into medicine, all the classes I want to take in college are pre-med that is why it is so imperative I score well on the SAT.

Join the club, for me it was the GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medicine Standard Admissions Test) which was a killer. It had two essays, 70 something logic and reasoning and 120 something questions on uni level science. It sounds pretty similar to what you're doing. It's a long day mate... but you'll be alright. You're getting plenty of advice here which will help you out heaps.

 

[_Janny_]

I often freak out too before tests, but I try to listen to some slow piano pieces beforehand.

I once got into a semi-zen state by putting this thing on repeat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMrtpfl2NRU&fmt=18 Good luck!

 

[TheMasterGL16]

You do need to study you spelled college wrong. But it's not that hard of a test I got a 2190 and on my ACT a 32. And you know what's the kicker? I have so low of grades I can't get into the school I want. But it's fine I'll just go to Macomb Community College.

lol, WOW, you are right, you know the funny thing... I ALWAYS misspell it, but only when I type. When I hand writing I get it right. It's because I typed it WRONG too much and now it's like programmed into my brain. I NEED to fix that... lol.

Anyway I REALLY do know how to spell College, I SWEAR!!! lol...

Thank you for pointing out why I'm an idiot. lol

 

[jigilojoe]

I'm guessing you're from America because these SAT's sound different to ours, but I was completely relaxed about it, I didn't treat the day as if I had a test, I just treated it like any other. But don't do that, British SAT's don't count for shite, the Government's gotten rid of them since I did mine.

 

[TheMasterGL16]

I often freak out too before tests, but I try to listen to some slow piano pieces beforehand.

I once got into a semi-zen state by putting this thing on repeat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMrtpfl2NRU&fmt=18 Good luck!

AND? DING DING DING!!! You will the MILLION points for being able to somehow tie this back to Video Games?. YOU ROCK!!! lol

But in all seriousness good advice man, thanks.

 

[TheMasterGL16]

I'm guessing you're from America because these SAT's sound different to ours, but I was completely relaxed about it, I didn't treat the day as if I had a test, I just treated it like any other. But don't do that, British SAT's don't count for shite, the Government's gotten rid of them since I did mine.

Ok, first of all YES I am in America, and second? WHY CAN?T OUR GOVERNMENT/SCHOOLS REALIZE THE POINTLESSNESS OF TESTING THIS WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE GRADES THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL?!?!?

 

[jigilojoe]

I'm guessing you're from America because these SAT's sound different to ours, but I was completely relaxed about it, I didn't treat the day as if I had a test, I just treated it like any other. But don't do that, British SAT's don't count for shite, the Government's gotten rid of them since I did mine.

Ok, first of all YES I am in America, and second? WHY CAN?T OUR GOVERNMENT/SCHOOLS REALIZE THE POINTLESSNESS OF TESTING THIS WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE GRADES THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL?!?!?

Heh, the reason us Brits have done with it is because the year that I took them we got the results 6 months late, that was when they realized that they didn't need the results to set us in our lessons.

I mean I got a level 5 in my English SAT's (for some reasons it's done in levels) which is completely average, but now I'm an A* student, just don't worry about it.

You're in year 9 or 9th grade or whatever they call it over there right?

 

[Benj17]

Well i'd suggest what my mate rahaul did but i think it would probably get you arrested

As said previously classical music helps, mainly sonatas though the other movements would hype you up too much

Saying that however, people usually perform better under pressure as you take more care and consider every possible solutions before answering. The only thing i've done that relates to SATs (however vauge) were my Science GCSEs, i flopped the first time and then on my second because i was under so much pressure i performed better. so being slightly edgy can help.

And i know it may sound stupid but bananas help a lot, i didnt revise (study) at all but i had a banana and it it unlocked most of the information i was already taught.

So Yeah hope this helps