7 ways to hack the sat

7 Ways to Hack the SAT

By MyPrep.tv

7 techniques that you can apply TODAY to significantly boost your SAT score.

I’m Sam Levin, founder of MyPrep.TV. I’ve been preparing students for the SAT’s for over 4 years.

The Techniques

#1 - Always keep moving

If you don’t know how to answer a question, either read it again, or move on. Don’t waste time staring at questions that you don’t know how to answer.

#1 - Always keep moving

This strategy will save you time and allow you to answer all the questions that you DO know how to solve.

#2 - Use Classic SAT Math Strategies

There are two: Backsolving and Choosing Numbers.

#2 - Backsolving

Backsolving means plugging the answer choices into the question. The answer choices should be numbers. This strategy is particularly useful on questions with multiple steps.

#2 - Backsolving

Start with the middle choice (C), and plug it into the question. If (C) is wrong you can usually tell if you need a larger or smaller number, thus eliminating two more choices.

#2 - Choosing Numbers

Use this strategy when the answer choices contain variables. Make up your own numbers to stand in for the variables in the question.

#2 - Choosing Numbers

Use your numbers to get a numerical answer, then plug your numbers into the answer choices to see which gives the same answer.

#2 - Choosing Numbers

Always check ALL answer choices. If more than one choice works select new numbers. Once you’ve eliminated an answer choice, you don’t have to check it again. Do not use zero or one (trust me on that one).

#2 - Use Classic SAT Math Strategies

You might want to get a hold of some SAT questions and practice those strategies, eh?

#3 - Use answer choices to get info

This is a little different from backsolving. You can use the answer choices to get information and move forward with a question.

#3 - Use answer choices to get info

Are there equations in the answer choices? Do you know how big your answer should be? Positive or negative? Even or odd? Maybe you know what the last digit should be.

#4 - Reading - Read for the Main Idea

This is one of the most important things you can do. I’ve done experiments with students in which I had them select answers based on the main idea without even reading the question. It worked!! I’m not suggesting you do that, but the point is that if you understand the “main idea” and apply it to the questions you’ll be in good shape.

#5 - Always make-up your own answer.Make up your own answer on every reading question. This is the other most important skill for the reading section. Predicting will help you to process the information you’re juggling. It will help you avoid answer choices that “sound right” but don’t have anything to do with the question. Practicing this skill will also make you a better reader.

#6 - Writing - When in doubt, choose the shortest answer.

The shortest answer isn’t always right but it’s right a lot of the time. If you’re unsure, the shortest answer is your best guess.

#7 - Answer essay question directly

Make sure you directly answer the essay question and use specific examples to support your thesis. Avoid generalizations. Do NOT talk about “people” or “society”.

Those are your 7 techniques.

Unless you’re taking the SAT in the next 8 hours, I highly recommend that you PRACTICE these techniques. That’s the 8th way to hack the SAT...PRACTICE.