Preparing for the SAT can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can see a significant improvement in your score. Here are some tips to help you raise your SAT scores by 200 points or more.
What are SAT Scores?
SAT scores are the standardized test scores used by colleges for admission decisions. A good SAT score can open up doors to many top colleges, while a low score may limit your college choices. The SAT is composed of two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is worth 800 points, for a total possible score of 1600 points.
The test is held seven times a year: in August, October, December, March, May, and June. Scores are typically released about two weeks after the test date. There is no pass or fail on the SAT. Instead, colleges use your score to compare you to other applicants. The average SAT score is about 1060. To be competitive at selective colleges, you’ll likely need a score of 1200 or higher. Top colleges often have an average SAT score above 1400.
Is it possible to raise your points for the exam?
Is it ever possible for students to improve their test scores by more than 100 points? The answer is a resounding yes!
The issue here is that the average score on the SAT is only about 1000 points. This means that there’s a huge range of possible scores, from 600 to 1600. So even if you improve your score by 100 points, that’s still a significant increase percentage-wise.
Some students believe that a nice preparation can increase their chances of success.
How much can you realistically raise your SAT score?
Most test publishers report that the average student’s score improves by 60 to 70 points with a bit more studying before their next date. However, some students have seen their scores improve by as much as 150 to 300 points! And here we will tell you how to become one of those students.
How Can You Improve SAT Scores by 200 Points?
Let`s start with the realization that such a result would be possible only with hard work and constant training. There are no shortcuts to a high SAT score. But with the right approach, you can definitely see a significant improvement in your score.
Make a schedule
When people study during certain time periods, they learn more information and can better remember what they have learned. So the first step is to make a schedule for your studies. Dedicate at least two hours every day to SAT prep, and stick to your schedule as much as possible.
It may take as many as 10 days or 2 weeks. If you want to improve your score by 200 points, you will have to be patient and consistent with your studies. During 10 days you would be able to spend only 40 hours studying which is not enough. If you’re on vacation now, that’s fantastic: you’ll have plenty of time to follow this plan. If you want to do fast prep during the school year, however, you’ll need to put your SAT preparation first.
You should also take into account that you will need some time to rest and recover after the exam, so do not overload yourself before the test day.
Take practice tests
A great way to prepare for the SAT is to take practice tests. This will help you get familiar with the format of the test and the types of questions you can expect. It will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus your studies on the areas where you need the most improvement.
There are many free practice tests available online, as well as SAT prep books that come with practice tests. Do as many practice tests as you can to give yourself the best chance of success on exam day.
Print materials
Many of us comprehend information by eyes, so printed materials are the best way to memorize new information. It is also recommended to highlight or underline the main points while you are reading. This will help you go back and review the material more easily later on.
You can find a lot of printed SAT prep books in your local bookstore or library, or you can order them online. There are also many free resources available online that you can print out and use to prepare for the exam.
Find a tutor/course
Every year the percentage of students who want to improve SAT scores by 200 points or more raises. And getting a tutor or visiting courses becomes one of the most popular methods.
During private lessons, a tutor can identify your strengths and weaknesses and help you focus your studies on the areas where you need the most improvement. A tutor can also give you personalized attention and answer any questions you have about the exam.
If you decide to find a tutor, be sure to choose someone who is experienced in helping students prepare for the SAT. You can ask your friends or family for recommendations, or look for tutors online.
Prices for SAT tuition are on average lie between $45 and $70 per hour. Of course, the price may be higher, it all depends on the location, tutor`s experience, online or offline course, etc.
Courses are a great option for students who want to prepare for the SAT in a group setting. These courses typically meet once or twice a week for several weeks and are led by an experienced instructor. In addition to providing you with test prep materials, these courses also offer the opportunity to take practice tests under simulated test conditions.
Both tutors and courses can be found online or in person. If you live in a large city, there are likely many options available to you. If you live in a smaller town or rural area, your options may be more limited.
Pick a target score
Improving SAT scores by 200 points would be much easier if your aimed score is not pretty high. But in case you are a perfectionist or your future college or university requires the best scores, you might have to work harder.
Set a goal for yourself and come up with a plan to achieve it. Having a specific goal in mind will help you stay motivated and focused on your studies. If you want to get the highest SAT scores possible, aim for a perfect score of 1600.
There are a few things to keep in mind when setting your target score. First, consider the colleges you want to apply to and find out their average SAT scores. If you’re applying to highly competitive schools, you’ll need to aim for a score that’s above the average. Second, consider your own academic strengths and weaknesses. If you’re not strong in math, for example, you may want to focus your studies on other areas of the test.
How Can You Increase the Chances to Pass SAT Math with Maximum Points?
There are several special tricks on how can students improve their math skills and, as a result, increase their chances to pass SAT Math with maximum points.
Some of them are:
- pay attention to the hardest Math section first
- use a timer while solving the problems
- the most time-consumption questions are placed in the middle of the section
- do not spend too much time on one question
- check answers to the previous questions to see if there were any mistakes
- do not change the first chosen answer unless you are completely confident about the new one
Of course, it is impossible to get a perfect score without math prep. Students should focus on their strengths and weaknesses, come up with a study plan, and find a tutor or take a course to get the help they need. With hard work and dedication, it is possible to improve SAT scores by 200 points or more.
Hints on How to Enhance Writing & Reading Section
Another SAT section is Writing & Reading. The task here is to enhance students` writing and reading skills to make sure they can pass this section with high scores. For that reason, it is necessary to:
- improve grammar
- work on the style
- use a thesaurus
- proofread the essays
- read more books and articles
- take online quizzes
- find a tutor or join a course
To sum up, in order to increase SAT scores by 200 points, every student should, first of all, choose the right method of studying, set goals, focus on strengths and weaknesses, and get help from experienced professionals if needed. With proper preparation and hard work, it is possible to achieve great results.
FAQs
Can coaching truly boost SAT scores?
Students who worked with coaches are no more likely to have significant score improvements than uncoached students. Furthermore, around one-third of pupils experience no score increase or decrease as a result of coaching. The typical improvement following coaching is 8 points for verbal and 18 points for math. However, it relates only to the first sitting of the test. If a student takes the exam several times, the score changes are usually smaller.
How much does Kaplan increase SAT?
On average, students who did not participate in Kaplan’s class and were part of the control group only gained 13 points on their SAT-M retest. In contrast, Professor Kaplan’s study showed that his student’s scores increased by 20 to 30 points–a far greater margin than what is typically seen.
Can I get 1600 for SAT?
A perfect score on the SAT is1600. The probability of getting 1600 is about .007% or 1/14,000. If you submit 2400, then your chance to get into all 8 Ivy League colleges is 100%. All other colleges are highly unlikely to even consider your application with less than 2100.