As college application season approaches, seniors all around Oakdale are re-taking the SAT, but what is it like for students? How do these students prepare for this test? Most importantly, how are students preparing for the test while also working towards going to college?
The first step is signing up for the SAT. As of this article’s publishing, the most recent SAT took place on October 5th, 2024, with the next taking place on November 2nd. Students who want to sign up for the SAT need to submit basic information about themselves, their school, and their family. After this, they pick the test date and location, and pay the 40 dollar fee to be signed up for the SAT.
After this, the only thing left to do is prepare for the test. Seniors have many different ways of studying for the test, including programs like Khan Academy, which offers different modules to test your math skills and gives you the tools to learn what you don’t already know. “I studied using an official SAT book from College Board, as well as practice tests from the bluebook app,” mentions Senior Natalie Johnson, who took the SAT on the 5th.
School and extracurriculars can make studying for the SAT difficult and time consuming. Since every student has a different schedule, each has to figure out a good way to fit it into their own. “I’ve been dealt with bad hands for the last four years constantly doing things where I had to finish homework at three in the morning,” details Senior Christopher Santos, who is taking the test on the 2nd. “With my current schedule, I can at least finish before twelve and study at that time.”
On the day of the test, stress for students is often at its highest. The difficulty fluctuates as the test goes on, which leads to students feeling like certain sections are especially difficult. “I felt the second math section was the hardest, purely because of the amount of variables involved in my math questions,” comments Johnson. This was a common sentiment among students who took the test, as the second math section used a lot of skills not commonly seen, even with studying.
All of the stress is usually worth it in the end, though. Many students are taking the SAT again because college applications due dates are getting closer and closer. “College is the main reason I am retaking the test,” Santos explains. “I know not all higher institutions require a higher score, but it does boost your chances of getting accepted.” This is a common sentiment among future college students, as according to a test preparation company called Manhattan Review, “55% of students improved their score when taking the test again as a senior.” The test can also help with fees, as some colleges may find people eligible to get financial aid depending on their SAT scores.
The scores of the first test are coming back soon, while students who haven’t taken it yet have a few weeks before their test is even taken. Hopefully when students get their results back, the hard work and dedication will allow them to increase their score and have a greater chance of getting into the college they want!
