How to utilize a Free SAT Practice Test

A strong SAT strategy can help you achieve a score much higher than what you otherwise would. This happens because the strategy comprises an SAT prep plan that ensures you study more efficiently, minimize weaknesses, and practice better using an SAT practice test free.

This article discusses how to use a free SAT practice test to identify and systematically eliminate your weak spots and build on your strengths. But first, we’ll quickly examine the importance of full-length SATs.

The importance of a full-length SAT practice test

A SAT practice test is important for a wide variety of reasons.

Firstly, a full-length practice test brings in a certain physical discipline. Taking a small sectional test for half an hour isn’t quite the same as sitting for two hours for a full test. Without adequate practice, your ability to concentrate quickly deteriorates as you sit longer.

Secondly, a standard SAT practice test will discipline your choices. Test-takers who are great at English but uncomfortable with math sometimes keep postponing practising math. A full test forces them to attempt the math section. It makes them acknowledge their weaknesses and prepare to address them.

Finally, a full-length practice test for the SAT goes a little beyond assessing your math and language skills. When you practice without a test, you aren’t bound by the watch, you aren’t under pressure, and you won’t be scored. But when you take a practice test, you begin to experience what it would be like on the test day.

A full-length practice test improves your SAT score by providing a realistic test-taking experience.

How to Use SAT Practice Tests Effectively

Before we explain the detailed steps to using your practice SAT effectively, we’d like to quickly point out two basic requirements.

Firstly, you need to approach the test as a tool to improve your final SAT scores - nothing more, nothing less. If you score very low on the practice test, you shouldn’t give up and quit. On the other hand, if you score very high, you mustn’t believe you’ve made it and hence stop practising.

And secondly, the real magic of taking a practice SAT begins after you’ve taken the test. The more willing you are to analyze, the better your chances of improving your scores on the actual SAT. Analyzing your practice test results can help you identify and improve your SAT skills, leading to better performance on the actual test.

Here’s a list of things to help you get more out of the practice test. And yes, we’ve saved the most important advice for the last on this list!

1. Simulate the test environment

The first thing to do is replicate everything you’ll see and experience on the test day. Don’t allow yourself anything you’ll not get on the test day. For instance, take the test while sitting on a proper desk; don’t sit on a bed with a pillow behind your back. Or, don’t take any more breaks than you’d get on the d-day.

2. Make it like it’s proctored

Which means no cheating and no extra resources. Even if there’s no one to watch over you, don’t use any help that the College Board won't offer you on the test day. The College Board lets you use the official practice tests to get a realistic picture of your performance. Don't ruin the experience by cheating just for a few correct answers.

3. Learn all about the test structure

A genuine practice SAT is more than a collection of practice questions. So, when you write the test, pay attention to each type of question. You should know, for instance, that the questions that assess the same skill in the Reading and Writing section are grouped. Knowing every little detail like this will take you closer to the perfect score.

4. Find your weak spots

If you are like most students, you get some specific types of questions wrong. They are your Achilles’ heel. Go deeper to learn why you get them wrong. Are you making a mistake because of the time stress? Is the way these questions are worded that stump you? Perhaps you cannot make up your mind between two identical answer choices? Work on each area to improve yourself bit by bit.

5. Separate the unknown concepts

Learning about your weaknesses might expose you to a concept or two you are completely unfamiliar with. Begin with a part that you are at least partly familiar with or has something in common with what you already know. Then, treat the new concept like you’d peel the layers of an onion, familiarizing one part at a time. That’ll not only put less cognitive load on you but will help you learn more confidently.

6. Identify the must-knows

This is important if you feel you’re doing rather poorly. Return to the basics and look for the must-knows. No matter what, the official SAT will contain concepts that are repeated without fail, from one test session to another. They are your ticket to a decent score - you don’t want to miss them.

7. See how you can learn implicitly

Taking free practice tests is one of the surest ways of raising your SAT scores. Yet, you don’t have to devote your entire waking day to SAT prep. So, you want to begin to learn implicitly. Reading news articles from reputed newspapers, for instance, is one great way of improving your reading skills. When at the supermarket, do the math to determine how many dollars you can save through the discount offer - that’s another way of implicit learning.

8. Figure out what additional help you'll need

The Digital SAT isn't a completely new beast but unique. The Bluebook allows you to practice on some official SAT practice tests.  With the help of free SAT practice tests, you can determine the kind of additional help you'll need.  Some test-takers may require an additional practice exam or two. Some may benefit from subject teachers. Confused? Speak to a friend or a student counsellor.

9. Take the practice test

As we said, we've saved the best tip for the last. Taking a practice test is the most obvious thing to do, yet students often postpone taking it. They avoid it because they feel it's not the right time now.

Once you take the test, you'll reveal many truths about your test-taking skills and level of preparedness. We have this direct advice: take this free SAT practice test now.

The next steps

Whether you feel confident or nervous, the best way to ace the SAT is to take a practice test and know where you stand today. Once you see your performance, it'll be much easier and more reliable to draw out a study plan for the SAT. You can convert weeks of hard work into a great score to help you get into your dream college.

So don't wait. Begin today and crush your goals!