How to Score Higher on the SAT / ACT
Universities all over the country use the SAT and the ACT to measure enrollment eligibility. Raise your SAT or ACT scores with a few simple steps.
Up next in How to Ace Standardized Tests (12 videos)
Ace the SAT, ACT, and other standardized tests with hard work, plenty of studying, and the tips and tricks in these videos.
You Will Need
- A target score
- A private tutor
- Study groups
- Friends
- Software
- A practice test
- Books and newspapers
- A strategy
- A timer (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Set a goal
Set a target score that is reasonable. A specific score is easier to reach than simply wanting to do better.
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Step 2
Prepare
Prepare for the test and set aside time to study. Get a private tutor, go to study groups, study with friends, and use computer software.
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Step 3
Practice
Take the practice test, and learn from your wrong answers. Examine your mistakes thoroughly and find out why you made them.
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Time the practice test, and take it in one setting as if it were the real exam.
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Step 4
Read
Read books and newspapers to expand your vocabulary and improve critical reading scores.
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Step 5
Develop a pace
Develop a strategy that allows you to read the instructions and each question carefully without running out of time.
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Step 6
Guess
Make educated guesses – if you are unsure of the answer, eliminate the choices you know are wrong and make your best guess. Blank answers are not worth any points.
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Know whether you are on the hard, medium, or easy questions. In the hard section of the SAT, questions that seem right often are not.
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Step 7
Write
Write exactly what the test specifies for the essay section. There isn't enough time to write a comprehensive essay, but there is time to write an essay that is properly put together and fits the assignment.
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Step 8
Watch the bubbles
Pay attention to the bubbles on the test, and make sure you are filling out the bubble that corresponds to the question.
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According to College Board, more than 2 million students take the SAT every year.
