Thanks for coming back to my blog.
Stephen Colbert makes fun of the SAT. He even tells you exactly how to beat the SAT Essay and quotes the same research I do. Funny.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Stephen’s Sound Advice – How to Ace the SATs | ||||
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Let me know what you think of this video by leaving a comment below.
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In my first semester in college I got a B on my first exam. I know what you’re probably thinking a B is a good grade but I was disappointed… here’s why.
I knew every answer to every question.
So why did I get a B?
That’s what I asked another student who got an A.
And here’s what he told me:
“Rodney, your answers are good and concise but if you want to get A’s you’ve got to write longer answers. Include every piece of information from the course that you can in your answer to each question.”
During the next exam, I didn’t study as hard but I creatively wove as many bits of information from the course into each question.
When I got my test back a few weeks later, I was pretty stoked. I got an A.
Fast forward to 2005 when I’m teaching students how to beat the SAT Essay. I review the research done at MIT and I find that longer essays get better scores on the SAT.
I’ve checked other sources since then and they all agree that length is the greatest factor that contributes to your score.
So why do I bring this up today?
First, I know the SAT is comming up soon. And if you’re at all concerned about getting a top score on the essay, I know you need this information right away.
Second, I want to give you a tip that I’ve found will make you more effective on test day. It’s a tip that you can use to improve your skills quickly and takes only a few minutes a day.
Here’s the tip:
Practice writing just one paragraph responses to SAT Essay prompts at least once a day.
Do this every day and your ability to write quickly will improve.
Imagine what would happen if you lifted weights each day or ran up hills. By the end of a week you’d already be stronger and faster.
It’s the same with the SAT Essay.
If you just write one paragraph a day, your writing speed will go up. And the faster you write the more you can write in 25 minutes on test day.
And the more you write, the higher your score.
If you find this tip helpful, please leave a comment below.
And if you’d like to see my entire system for training yourself to beat the SAT Essay visit The SAT Essay Formula.
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