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Last-Minute SAT Preparation Guide

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What to Focus On:
If you only have a few days left before your SAT test date and you haven't prepared, you need to become as familiar as possible with the types of questions you'll encounter on the SAT. The most efficient way to prepare for the SAT at the last minute is to go through a practice test. Working through the test will refresh your memory of important concepts and familiarize you with the directions, question types, and time constraints for each section.
Quick Preparation for the SAT Essay:
You'll have 25 minutes to write the SAT essay. You don't need to study for it, but a little practice will help alot. Set a timer to 25 minutes and read the essay topic on the 10th page of the Official SAT Practice Test. Try to write an essay as you will on test day - begin by jotting down thoughts, thinking of examples from books or your life, and organizing those ideas into an outline. Then turn the outline into a short essay before the time's up.
Last-Minute SAT Math Prep:
Last-minute SAT math prep should focus on practicing problems and refreshing your memory of the concepts that will be tested. Do the three Math sections in the the Official SAT Practice Test. Don't worry about timing yourself for now; going through all of the problems will probably take you at least an hour and a half. Use the same calculator you'll use on test day. Make a list of the concepts you need to study and formulas you need to memorize before the test, such as geometry rules and how to read graphs. Use an SAT prep book or online resources to refresh your memory of important math topics.
Last-Minute SAT Reading Prep:
Last-minute SAT reading prep should focus on improving your speed at understanding questions and skimming through the passages to find the answers. Do the three Reading sections in the the Official SAT Practice Test. Time yourself on each section and go through it as quickly as possible to get an idea of how much you need to improve your speed. Remember to skim the questions before skimming the passages so that you know what to look for. This will help you focus as you read. Also get into the habit of marking the specific sentences and words that questions ask about so that you can refer to them easily.
Last-Minute SAT Writing Prep:
Last-minute SAT writing prep should focus on improving your speed and becoming better at identifying grammatical mistakes. Do the three Writing sections in the the Official SAT Practice Test. Time yourself for each section and check your answers online.

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