For some students, the SAT may seem like it lasts forever, but in reality, the exam itself lasts three hours.
That time includes one 10-minute break and one five-minute break, though an optional essay adds another 50 minutes, stretching the SAT to almost four hours. Experts say how that time is managed on each section is key to earning a high score on the test.
"Don't think the clock is your enemy; you need to know how to work it," says Jed Applerouth, founder and president of Georgia-based Applerouth Tutoring Services LLC, which offers SAT prep as one of its services.
The test, without the SAT essay, consists of three sections: reading, writing and language, and math.
The SAT features a 65-minute reading test comprised of 52 multiple-choice questions. Another section is the writing and language test, which lasts 35 minutes and has 44 multiple-choice questions. An 80-minute math test that features 58 questions is also part of the SAT. Of the questions on the math section, 45 are multiple-choice while the other 13 require a student-produced response.
The optional essay – which tests reading, analysis and writing – ranges from a minimum score of two up to a maximum of eight points. Those scores are listed separately from the overall SAT score, which ranges from a low of 400 to a maximum of 1600.
Experts note that the essay isn't widely required by colleges, so students should consider this before completing that portion.
"The essay seems to be somewhat in jeopardy; many schools no longer require it," Applerouth says.
While the majority of schools may no longer require the SAT essay, many students still opt in. According to data from the College Board – the nonprofit that administers the SAT – 68 percent of the 2.1 million test-takers from the class of 2018 completed the essay.
Time Management on the SAT
Part of a successful test strategy, experts say, includes knowing how much time should be spent on each question. Students have 1 minute and 10 seconds per question, but some problems on the SAT exam are more difficult and may require additional time.
"You should allocate your time toward answering those easy questions that you can knock out first, and then go back to the hard questions, which you can answer later, which involves more time allocation. You have to sort out these types of questions that you're answering, understand the difficulty level and be able to answer accordingly with that time constraint," says Mai Jumamil, director of college prep programs at New York-based Kaplan Test Prep.
Experts caution students against spending too much time at the beginning of each section and not leaving enough for later questions.
"I think they are spending too much time early on second-guessing themselves, going back and forth, and before they know it, they've lost that time," says Joe Korfmacher, director of college counseling at Collegewise, an admissions consulting company headquartered in California.
For time-strapped students, one option is to simply guess in order to answer as many questions as possible. While not an ideal scenario, Korfmacher notes the SAT no longer has a "guessing penalty" and this may allow students to raise their scores slightly when they are running out of time.
Applerouth also advises test-takers to learn their natural pacing. With practice, he says, students can learn how long it takes them to answer questions and be able to gauge when a minute, or two, has passed. He suggests that they wear a watch during the exam so they can pay close attention to the time spent on each question.
"Your watch is definitely one of your key tools to help with time management," Applerouth says.
Keep in mind, however, the test-day restrictions, such as a ban on devices that can be used to record, transmit, receive or play back content. The College Board lists restrictions on smartwatches and other prohibited materials on its Test Day Checklist webpage.
Other advice offered by the College Board includes what to bring, what to expect and when to arrive. According to the College Board website, test center doors open at 7:45 a.m. and testing begins between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Dismissal is typically around noon for those not taking the optional essay. Essay writers should be done by 1 p.m. on the day of the exam.
How to Get Ready for Test Day
Outside of test-taking and time-management strategies, experts say other factors can influence a student's SAT score.
10 Test Prep Tips for SAT and ACT Takers
A common performance handicap for busy high school students? A lack of sleep, test-prep pros say.
"It's essential that students get enough sleep because that is going to affect their ability to sustain that focus for that period of time," Applerouth says.
He adds that high school students aren't typically asked to lock into one task for three-plus hours. Success, he says, often requires several rounds of practice tests to develop the endurance to focus for that long.
"A lot of the practice is building that cognitive muscle to stay focused," Applerouth says.
Another overlooked factor that can lower an SAT score? Hunger. Applerouth encourages students to bring a snack to enjoy during each break to keep their energy and glucose levels up, which will help them power through the lengthy exam.
Keeping stress levels down is also important, says Korfmacher, who has heard of students using meditation and other calming techniques. Students should remain relaxed and confident, he says, knowing that they have prepared well for the exam.
"I tell my kids that half the battle is to just believe in yourself," Korfmacher says.
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