Practice tests play a huge role in your SAT exam preparation as they show where you stand, where you lag behind, what you need to do more and how much time is required to reach your intended score. The difference between you limping towards 1250 and you cruising towards 1550 could come down to how many practice tests you have taken before the big day. In this article we will explain the importance of practice tests for your SAT prep. Let’s sit tight and read how important they are in your test taking experience.
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Effective time management
The adage “Time is gold” applies to exams such as SAT too. Every second matters and every second you brood on whether you have got the previous question right will have you not completing the test. We all know that not completing the SAT practice test is almost a cardinal sin. Though each question technically takes little more than 65 seconds, not all questions can be solved under 65 seconds. Reading questions such as figure based, logic-based inference, dual texts may require more than 90 secs, while the grammar-based questions can be solved under 40-45 seconds. You will come to know which questions take disproportionate time which can weigh your SAT score down and you can work on that specific type.
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Sequence
Time aside, we have one more factor that is equally critical – Sequence.
Some students solve the questions as they come whereas most students handpick and solve the questions that take less time. Some students may want to solve reading questions first before proceeding towards the writing questions. We also have students who do the exact opposite. SAT practice tests, thus, give you the option to experiment with the sequence. Unless you take a full length test, it’s hard to settle into a pattern that suits you the most.Join the 1500+ SAT Club
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Endurance and Concentration
Most SAT test-takers feel drained and exhausted when they reach the last section(Quant), even though there is an optional break between the verbal and quant section. Your energy can go in the red zone and it can severely affect your concentration and the scores. When students start practising individual sectional tests, they can perform better than taking a section as part of a proper full length test. While solving individual sectional tests may be the proper step before attempting the full length tests, only solving sectional tests can easily mask the reality: Full Length Test is a different ball game altogether than individual sectional tests.
You may witness a massive difference in your performance when you take a few full length tests and when you take individual sectional tests. The longer the test goes, the thinner our concentration level gets. However, taking a few FLTs can help you compartmentalize your energy level at different junctions of the SAT test. You may also gather critical insights into some details – which questions drain my energy reserves and which questions are easier to manage.
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Error log
After you take a complete full length test, you should create an error log immediately. In the error log, you should write down the mistakes you make so you can do micro-analysis of the mistakes. We can observe if there is any pattern to our mistakes. If a test-taker, for example, keeps getting an inference question or summary question wrong, then he or she can focus exclusively on those question types till there is a gradual improvement. An error log can also help you measure the amount of time you take to answer each question. If you take a disproportionate amount of time to answer a specific question, you can practise that specific question type and gradually decrease your time.
A sample of an Error Log is as follows:
Error log – Blue Book Test 1 Module – I – 23/27 Reason Module II – 19/27 Reason Inference – 2 Lack of time Inference – 3 Interpretation Summary – 1 Interpretation issue Summary – 2 Less time Transition – 1 Silly mistake Figure based – 1 Felt exhausted From the above error log, we can conclude that this test taker may have to work a bit on Inference and Summary question type.
Unless you take a complete full length test, you can’t make an error log. Unless you make an error log, it’s quite hard to improve your score.
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Real-test Simulation
Taking SAT test in your familiar cozy setting at home can be very different to taking a test in a new setting surrounded by fellow test takers. One way to simulate such an atmosphere is to ask your SAT tutor to arrange a classroom full of test takers. The tutor or mentor should invigilate the test, giving you an experience closest to the real time experience. This can help you shed your anxiety and can help you get acclimatized to the test taking in front of many.
A week before your main SAT exam, you should take a test in a real-life setting, with your test invigilated by a professional or even your parents.
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Conclusion
For SAT exam preparation practice tests play a crucial role in your SAT preparation. When you are done learning all the concepts in both Verbal and Math, it’s time to make a transition into the practice mode. You can make n number of mistakes. Infact, you should make mistakes so you can work on your weaknesses. No student who has scored 1550+ has ever taken full length practice tests lightly. Your score may be 1100 in your first full length test. You shouldn’t feel demotivated or discouraged. You have to stay objective and evaluate your mistakes. As you evaluate your mistakes after every test, you should be able to lift your score from 1100 to 1400+ when you have attempted sufficient practice tests.
Seek help when you couldn’t figure out why you made the mistakes. Do not take the next test without getting your mistakes analyzed. Do not take the test for the sake of taking tests. You have limited tests on your Blue Book app. Each and every test is gold. Make sure that you don’t take the tests when you are tired and don’t take the tests in the afternoon or late evening. Your SAT is usually conducted in the morning so you should take the test in the same time zone. Different light setting and ambience can make a difference.
With all the aforementioned inputs and suggestions in mind, you should be able to give your best in your SAT and get your dream score – and your dream university. So, get going with your SAT exam preparation by practicing these tests.
