Common SAT Mistakes
Many students lose points on the SAT not from a lack of knowledge, but from common errors in strategy and execution. Recognizing these pitfalls is the first step to avoiding them.
Reading and Writing Pitfalls
- Choosing an answer that is 'mostly' right. Find the answer that is 100% supported by the text; eliminate all others.
- Ignoring the context for vocabulary questions. Plug your chosen word back into the sentence to see if it fits the precise meaning.
- Overthinking the main idea of a short passage. Trust the most direct and simple summary of the text's central claim or purpose.
- Fixing grammar that isn't broken in 'Expression of Ideas' questions. Consider if the original phrasing is the most concise and effective option first.
Math Pitfalls
- Solving for the wrong variable (e.g., solving for x when the question asks for 2x). Reread the last sentence of the question before selecting your final answer.
- Making calculation errors with the on-screen calculator. Use the built-in Desmos calculator for graphing, but do simple arithmetic mentally to save time.
- Misinterpreting charts and graphs in data analysis questions. Carefully check the labels, units, and title of every graph before interpreting it.
- Forgetting to check if a solution is valid (e.g., a negative length). Quickly check your answer against the real-world context of the word problem.