5 Myths About the SAT or How to Guarantee Higher Critical Reading Scores

TRUE or FALSE:

1. ______ Memorizing a list of words that have commonly appeared on past SATs is the most effective way to prepare for the verbal portion of the exam.

2.______ If I consistently get good grades in English, I will certainly get a high verbal score.

3.______ Most students have all of the substantive knowledge they need to get the verbal score that rightfully reflects their potential.

4.______ Preparing for the (verbal) SAT is more akin to preparing for an important athletic competition than to preparing for a school exam.

5.______ Regardless of one’s English grades, the student who possesses a passion for reading will more often than not perform exceptionally well on the verbal SAT.

The following discussion will address the above:

That day is fast approaching. The SAT day. One of six days throughout the year when collectively, over 1,000,000 juniors and seniors nationally will subject themselves to a grueling almost four hour exam that has been hyped up to be the most important morning of their entire high school career!

Now, if that’s not pressure, I don’t know what is! No wonder why so many kids who are ordinarily excellent students often receive mediocre scores. Is there a way to get past this brain crushing experience? Actually for the majority of students, there is a way.

First off, understand what the (critical reading) SAT is testing. It is measuring the students’ ability to apply their long-term understanding of language. Precisely, this test attempts to quantify efficient reading skills and verbal problem solving skills.

Ironically, these skills are not directly taught and practiced in high school; however, they are important skills for doing well in college, especially at the more competitive universities.

Therefore, to shatter (MYTH #1), improvement does NOT occur because students have memorized the “right” list of vocabulary, (where’s the”right” list?), but because they have improved their critical reading and thinking skills - skills which are ALWAYS tested on the SAT. (NOTE: More than 80% of the exam is testing reading skills; yet, most students spend the majority of their preparation time memorizing words that MIGHT appear on the test.)

Many students can do exceptionally well in school, which is based on rote learning and success over the long haul. (MYTH #2), Good rote learners, however, often have never been taught how to apply their knowledge, which is essential for SAT success.

The most important factor for scoring well on the SAT is for students  . . .  I invite you to go to www.hbatestprep.com to continue reading!