I took the Digital SAT multiple times to achieve my target score. In my first attempt, I scored 790 in the Math section but didn’t reach my desired score in the English section. However, in my second attempt, I concentrated intensely on improving my English, which paid off as I finally achieved the 710+ score I was aiming for.
English Section:
The SAT is a standardized test, and there are no shortcuts to success. You must develop the necessary skills yourself to achieve your target score. I tried various shortcuts available online, but none of them worked. If you’re a weak reader, you need to become a strong one to do well on the SAT—plain and simple.
Challenges I Faced:
Difficulty Concentrating: I struggled to stay focused on a passage for an extended period.
Comprehension Issues: I often couldn’t grasp the meaning of a passage after the first read.
Answer Confusion: After eliminating the first two wrong options, I frequently got confused between the remaining two.
Time Pressure: The timer on Bluebook made me anxious, causing mistakes even on questions I should have answered correctly.
How I Overcame These Challenges: The root of my problem was poor reading skills. To address this, I sought advice from friends and eventually developed an effective strategy:
Time Yourself: Read an article and time how long it takes.
Summarize the Article: Immediately after finishing, write a 200-word summary in a document. Read and summarize with a timer beside you. Do this twice a day.
Follow the Routine: Stick to this routine for at least two months. Aim to finish each article within 30 minutes.
By diligently following these steps, I became a better reader, and this strategy has worked for others as well.
Additionally, I recommend reading Erica Meltzer’s Reading and Writing guides for the Digital SAT. These are the best resources I’ve found. Also, take the Bluebook practice tests every two weeks and practice regularly on Khan Academy, aiming for a mastery level above 95%. This approach should help you achieve your desired score.
Math Section:
For Math, Khan Academy is unparalleled. If you’re struggling with specific topics, I highly recommend reading College Panda Math. This book is fantastic and provides comprehensive coverage of everything you need.
Testing Strategy:
Practice consistently on Khan Academy.
Test yourself regularly on Bluebook.
By following this path, I, along with several close friends, managed to score 1500+ on the SAT.
Best of luck to you!