Frequently Asked SAT Questions

You've got SAT questions? Fortunately, we have answers -- and they're not multiple choice.

Given the recent flap over the College Board's incorrect scoring of some 4,600 SAT tests, how worried should I be?

Nearly 1.5 million students took the SAT last year, so odds are your score will be fine. But since the cause of the glitch has not been clearly identified, the College Board's promise of better quality control isn't all that reassuring.

"There's more oversight in the food we feed our pets than in the oversight we give our tests," says Robert Schaeffer, public education director of the nonprofit group FairTest.

That said, unless your scores differ wildly from your PSAT, there's little reason to panic. If you still want to make sure your score is accurate, the College Board will rescore your multiple-choice answers by hand for $50. For $24 you can request your answers along with the questions and the correct answers to your test (details at www.collegeboard.com).

Do I need a prep course? What are the benefits of group sessions versus tutoring?

Unless you're extremely self-disciplined or a rare soul who enjoys standardized tests, a little outside motivation may help. One-on-one tutoring is the creme de la creme of prep, but group sessions can be effective, too.

To figure out what's best for you, take a practice test and check average scores at your colleges of choice.

"If your score is too low, your test prep should match your parents' wallet and your learning style," says Schaeffer of FairTest. High-scoring students aiming to fine-tune skills may find private sessions more valuable, while students in the low to middle ranges can make significant strides even in a group.

How early should I begin preparing?

Starting the night before the exam won't get you very far, but weekly practice tests in your freshman year aren't necessary either. For most students, the summer before junior year is the optimal time to begin practicing for the PSAT.

"The new SAT has more content, and so simply more familiarity, more practice, is going to make students feel more comfortable," says Ned Johnson, president of PrepMatters, a Maryland-based test prep firm. "Just so long as kids don't burn out and so long as it doesn't compromise their academics."

What about this new essay section? Are colleges taking it seriously yet?

The scoring system for the writing section is somewhat inconsistent and subjective, so most colleges are looking more closely at the verbal and math scores.

Nevertheless, in case your prospective college takes the essay section into consideration, you should prepare.

The best bet for a high score? Have a strong and focused point of view. Tell a story. Most important, the text doesn't have to read like Proust.

"Students can have spelling errors and miss a few commas and still have a great score," says Drew Deutsch, vice president of the Princeton Review. "Graders only spend about two minutes looking at each essay, so the essay writing skills that your English teacher is looking at are different than the essay writing skills on the SAT."

Any special foods I should eat or avoid on test day?

You're facing four hours of multiple-choice questions, so leave the Fruit Loops on the shelf and avoid a mid-test sugar crash.

The ideal breakfast will stabilize your blood sugar and give you enough fuel for the duration, says nutrition expert Joy Bauer. Look for a mix of slow-release carbs and low-fat proteins, like eggs with whole-grain toast or peanut butter on a whole-wheat English muffin.

This isn't the morning to overdose on caffeine. Bring a bottle of water to the test, along with high-energy snacks like nuts, string cheese, or a granola bar.

What strategies should I remember going into the test?

Forget about memorizing vocabulary flashcards that morning. When you put pencil to paper, relax and pace yourself according to your ability. Remember, wrong answers are penalized, so unless you've been racking up top scores on practice tests, it's probably wise to skip the last and toughest questions in each section.

"It's really a test of mental stamina as much as a test of knowledge," says Maryland high schooler Josh Lieberman, who focused his way to an 800 math, 800 verbal, and 730 writing score on the SAT in his junior year this spring.

The College Board's recent report of an expected 5-point drop in average math and verbal scores has universities worried. What gives?

Scores have dropped slightly, but the reality is the new SAT is just more grueling: longer and tougher, with a new essay section and more complex Algebra II.

The good news is the slide in scores is minor, amounting to one or two more missed questions. And every student faces the same increased degree of difficulty.

"Individual students shouldn't worry," says Deutsch of the Princeton Review, "because if one student's score went down, so did another's."

Tip

Try the ACT. No tricky questions. No penalty for a wrong answer. Optional essay. Many colleges accept the test in lieu of the SAT. Details are in our pullout calendar.