Common Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for the SAT/ACT Exam
Procrastination and Last-Minute Cramming
Don't wait until the last minute to start studying. Study for at least 20 hours to begin seeing a strong score improvement.
Avoid cramming in the days before the test. This will only stress you out more.
Comprehensive preparation requires months of consistent effort.
Ineffective Study Strategies
Don't use "drill and kill" test prep, which involves repetitive practice without understanding why you’re answering questions incorrectly.
Balance studying weaknesses and strengths.
Practice doesn't just mean doing endless practice sets. Only use practice tests after 5-10 hours of studying to monitor progress and determine new areas of weakness.
Test Day Mistakes
Time Management Errors
Practice pacing by taking timed practice tests. Most students complete each section with little time to spare. The test is designed that way.
Learn to allocate time efficiently for each section. Learn to recognize your preferred question types, and seek these out first.
Don't get stuck on difficult questions; move on and return later.
Section-Specific Mistakes
Reading and Writing
Practice active reading. Underline and highlight frequently. Don’t sit there with your hands in your lap. You’ll drift off.
Understand vocabulary in context. Click here for 1,000 common SAT/ACT vocabulary words.
Review grammar and punctuation rules thoroughly. What “sounds right” won’t always be the correct answer.
Math
Become proficient with your calculator:
Utilize Desmos graphing calculator for the SAT exam
Utilize a standard TI-30XIIS calculator (or similar) for the ACT exam
Memorize necessary math formulas. Click here for the most common SAT/ACT math formulas that aren’t provided on the test.
Use the scratch paper, double-check calculations, and understand what the question is asking you to solve for (i.e. you solved for X, but the question is asking for the value for X+3).
Test Anxiety Management
Take multiple practice tests to build confidence.
SAT Practice Tests: click here
ACT Practice Tests: click here
Simulate the real conditions of the test (take it at 8am. do it in one sitting, and take the scheduled break).
Develop strategies to manage stress. Slow, deep breathing works wonders.
Get adequate sleep before the exam.
Key Strategies
Always answer all multiple choice questions, there’s no penalty for guessing.
Use process of elimination
Remember, consistent, strategic preparation is the key to success on these standardized tests.
Best of luck with your test preparation!
