Introduction: How to Study for SAT ( or ACT ) the RIGHT WAY

There is overwhelming incomplete or incorrect advice as to how to study for the SAT ( or ACT for that matter ).

EXAMPLES?

“If you aren’t sure, just guess.”

“You don’t need to memorize vocabulary words: just look for root words (cognates).”

“Don’t waste time reading the passages. Skim and only read the parts they ask about.”

“For English Grammar questions, choose the answer that sounds right based on how you talk”

“For the essay, always write five paragraphs, and start with a “hook” or “catch”

“The Earth is flat.”

A lot of people out there JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ARE TALKING ABOUT, and give bad advice.

This will show you how to do it the RIGHT WAY....

Step 1: Get the Right Books

Don't waste your time with books from Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barrons, Grubers, Cliffs, Arco, REA, McGraw Hill, etc.... Though they provide some tips, none of these have REAL GENUINE College Board SAT's inside.

Instead, you have to buy the Official SAT Study Guide published by the College Board. This is the ONLY book that has 10 genuine real College Board SATs inside. Why does it matter? These questions are written using a special formula, and the right answers ALSO follow a special formula. You need to practice with the real deal, not a simulated SAT-like exam

You can get this at your bookstore, but your best bet is on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0874477182?tag=saso-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0874477182&adid=184788PM8B7JZ2WMMT4X&

Step 2: Get the Second Right Book

The Official SAT Study Guide has the letter answers, but does not provide explanations as to why the wrong answers are wrong. You could pay $69.95 for the College Board Online Course.. but since the College Board claims you can't study for the SAT, the solutions they provide aren't very useful.

Thankfully, there is a book written by a teacher who has personally taken more than 30 SAT's which tells you EXACTLY why each answer choice is right.

Also on Amazon.com, it's the SAT Solutions - Unauthorized Companion to the Official SAT Study Guide

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1497528577/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1497528577&linkCode=as2&tag=saso-20

Step 3: Learn the READING / MATH / ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Read through and learn the strategies and concepts tested on the SAT. Remember - the SAT tests things you DO NOT learn in school and are very specific to that test.

It is NOT about TIPS, TRICKS, STRATEGIES. It's all wrong:

“If you aren’t sure, just guess.”
“You don’t need to memorize vocabulary words: just look for root words (cognates).”

“Don’t waste time reading the passages. Skim and only read the parts they ask about.”

“For English Grammar questions, choose the answer that sounds right based on how you talk”

“For the essay, always write five paragraphs, and start with a “hook” or “catch”

“The Earth is flat.”

YOU REALLY need to learn Reading Skills, Math Skills, Vocabulary, and English Grammar. No joke.

Step 4: Take the Practice Tests & Check Answers

Starting taking the 10 practice tests in the Official SAT Study Guide. For the first two tests, just work on getting the problems right. From the 3rd test and beyond, you MUST time yourself like the real thing.

After each section of the test, look at the Official SAT Study Guide Solutions Manual to understand what was going on. Understanding WHY the right answers are correct is critical.

Training for the SAT is like training for a triathlon. You have to practice EVERY DAY.