By: Sebastian Ruiz
Since everyone is talking about college applications right now, the SAT has become one of the most prevalent topics of conversation at Cathedral, as well as many other schools. Seeing as most seniors have already taken their last test, it seemed right to ask how each student studied. Many took it very seriously, putting in hours of preparation on top of their already challenging coursework at Cathedral. Others did not have as much time to prepare due to sports, work, and homework, so they fit practice tests and questions into their busy schedules. Either way, nearly every student found a method that worked for them.
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One of the most popular ways to study was with a private tutor, who could focus on a student’s weak spots and help improve them wherever possible. Others used websites like Princeton Review and Acely, which offer practice tests and questions similar to the ones on the actual SAT. For students looking for a free option, YouTube became a favorite, especially for learning Desmos, the built-in graphing calculator, and one of the test’s most useful tools. Desmos tutorials are all over the site, and many students who watched them said it was one of the best ways they learned. Beyond Desmos, YouTube also offered all kinds of tips and tricks for math shortcuts, grammar rules, and test-taking strategies.
Other students learned better in study groups, while some took full-length practice tests on the College Board’s Bluebook app or worked through Khan Academy’s SAT prep program. Even though every student’s approach looked a little different, they all shared one common theme: consistency. A little practice every week leading up to test day did far more to push scores closer to a 1600 than cramming the night before. For underclassmen getting ready for their own SAT, any of these methods is a great place to start. Now, as seniors submit their college applications, they are hoping all of that hard work will pay off.