As high school progresses, the constant nagging of parents and the pressure to get into college leads to everyone beginning to dread one thing…the SAT.

The SAT is very important for getting into college. However many are unsure what the best way to study for the test is. Luckily, there are many different effective ways to study for the SAT.

Students who want to see how much improvement they need or how ready they are for the SAT can take a practice test. Practice tests are offered in many high schools and various other sites. Some companies, like the Princeton Review, also either offer practice tests at their testing sites or mail them to students directly. Students who are mailed the test are then required to take the practice test the same way they would take an SAT and send it back to the company. After taking any of these tests “students can order their scores to see which sections they did well on and which sections need improvement,” said Career Center Specialist Ms. Hannah Hurlburt. These tests not only show areas that need improvement but also give students an idea of what the test will be like.

One common way to prepare for the test is to take an SAT preparation class. These classes are good for people who find that they don’t have the time or discipline to study on their own at home. “I go to SAT prep class on weekends for 3 hours,” said sophomore Madhuri Prayaga. “They teach us techniques on how to answer questions quickly and we take practice SATs every other week.” These classes give students strategies and tricks for answering questions quickly so that they don’t run out of time during the test.

For people who like to study at home on their own or have the time, there are many SAT prep books and online study resources. Sites like Number 2 and College Board offer online helpful tips, practice tests, and vocabulary building activities. Many books also offer real SAT tests from previous years in order to help students get practice. “I recommend that students practice 10 to 15 minutes every day,” said Ms. Hurlburt.

The SAT may seem scary, but there are many ways to prepare for it. “Every student is different, they should do whatever works for them,” said Ms. Hurlburt.