Do not panic! Three weeks seems like a very short time, but it is surprising how much one can improve.

Let’s imagine that you are a student whose SAT is scheduled ….hmmm… very-very soon. Here is our first session.

OK, what shall we do? Let’s look at the format of the test, starting with Section one: Reading Comprehension. If you have three weeks to go, I would recommend to start with an evaluation: set up your timer for 65 min, turn off your cell phone and – go! After the completion of the Verbal section, calculate your score and – by all means! – compare the results (in percent) of the five separate passages. Some students feel more confident reading Fiction while others score higher on Science or Art. If you learn your strengths and weaknesses, you can focus on the latter and save precious time.

The next step is to analyze your errors. If you work without a tutor, please, do not skip this very important part! Unfortunately, many students do. They hope that taking test after test will somehow (magically!) improve their scores. In reality, they waste their time, repeat the same mistakes, and become frustrated.

I would like to give one more bit of advice for those students who are used to reading slowly. Have a look at the general format of the Reading section and calculate the approximate time you can spend on each passage: 12.5 min.

Write down the completion time for each passage. After you finish each passage, check the time to see how you are doing. This simple trick will help avoid unnecessary stress. In fact, some students are so nervous about time that they rush through the passages finishing 5 or 10 (!) minutes early while making mistakes on many easy questions.

The same approach applies for Section Two: Writing and Language.

First, calculate the time you can allow yourself for each passage (approximately 8 min per passage).

Second, familiarize yourself with the section by taking the test and calculating your scores.

Third, have a look at your errors and try to figure out what you need to do to avoid them. For example, if you do not remember the difference between a comma and a semi-comma, go over the rules of punctuation before the actual test.