Improving SAT English Score: 640 to 760

Introduction

• Aim: Help international students improve SAT scores, especially in English.
• Personal journey: Improved from 640 to 760 on the English section.
• Challenges: English isn't the first language for many international students.

Key Tips for Improving SAT English Score

1. Time Management

• Vital for doing well on the digital SAT.
• Digital SAT: Short passages per question, approximately 70 secs/question.
• Strategy:
  • Skip to Standard English conventions first (questions 14-16).
  • Solve easier questions first (grammar, vocabulary).
  • Spend less time on easier questions to save time for challenging reading sections.
  • Set a time limit: 10-12 mins for non-reading questions.
  • Mark difficult questions for review instead of wasting time.
  • Ignore unknown words; focus on overall passage meaning.

2. Focus on Grammar

• Easier to improve compared to reading.
• Like math, grammar follows rules and formulas.
• Resources:
  • Crack SAT, Khan Academy (both old and new versions), YouTube tutorials.
  • Practice using old SAT writing tests.
  • Daily practice to build speed and confidence.

3. Review and Reflect

• Essential to spend as much time reviewing as taking the test.
• Understand why mistakes were made and how to avoid them.
• Use College Board explanations to understand patterns in questions.

4. Use Digital SAT’s Adaptive Nature

• SAT is adaptive: performance in Module 1 affects Module 2 difficulty.
• Utilize Bluebook tests to practice adaptive nature and gain extra questions.

Extra Tips

• Don't waste time learning extensive vocabulary lists.
• Improve comprehension by reading complex texts and articles.
• Use Khan Academy and old SAT tests for consistent practice.
• Review mistakes thoroughly to recognize patterns in question design.

Conclusion

• Apply these strategies consistently for improved SAT scores.
• Engage in varied reading and regular practice to build skills.
• Offer to create additional content on specific strategies if there is interest.