5. PRACTICE

This is the most important element of taking the SAT. Even the mere act of taking, say, 10 practice SATs will raise your score by bunches. So here's how to practice effectively:

  1. Take the PSAT (a "practice" version of the test that you can take in the 10th and 11th grades). It's almost exactly like the SAT, and it'll tell you exactly what areas you need to work on. To sign up, just go to your school's guidance counselor. Make sure you tell him/her that the people at SoYouWanna.net say "hi."

  2. Buy the book College Board's 10 Real SATs. This book is made up of SATs that were previously given. The best way to ace the SAT is to know exactly what to expect, and taking previous tests is the best way to do this.

  3. Start out by not timing yourself as you practice. That way, you won't feel pressured when you're trying to learn the concepts. For your first couple of practice tests, take as long as you need on every question, and think carefully. Then start to time yourself, perhaps keeping track but not trying to keep it under the official deadline. As you near the test date, practice under test conditions, never allowing yourself to go overtime.

  4. Decide if you want to take a prep course or get a private tutor. Private tutors and courses given by companies such as The Princeton Review and Kaplan are fairly expensive, but they will provide tips and motivation. But realize that if you're dedicated, you can completely study on your own.

  5. Don't take the exam for the first time in September of your senior year. Disasters can happen, so you always want to take the test earlier on just in case you need to take it over again.

The SAT is completely crack-able. It's just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the strategies we list above, and knowing what to expect. You are now on the road to acing the SAT. Good luck. Study hard. Get into college. Make us proud.