To Study or Not to Study for SATS Among a Global Pandemic

SATs are looming for juniors, however as coronavirus has cancelled most SATs until June, the process of studying for test is fluid. Three juniors give their opinions on different studying methods.

New Information

Update from CollegeBoard May 2nd, “To keep students safe, and in alignment with public health guidance and school closures across 192 countries, we will not be able to administer the SAT or SAT Subject Tests on June 6, 2020. Students can transfer their June registration to a 2020-21 administration in late May when registration opens for 2020-21 test dates.” Source: https://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates

Princeton Review

Arjun Manjuath is a student at Garnet Valley, who used the the Princeton Review to study. Manjunath describes his experience.

“I studied for 1 hour every other day for two months.” Manjunath remarked. “I took the SAT’s 2 times and improved by 40 points.”

However, while Manjunath scored higher than the national average he raised some concern about his score exclaiming, “I do not feel that my scores are sufficient for the college I want to apply to as our high school is way too competitive.” Manjunath brings a point that students have unique perspectives on what a good score is on the SATS.

Using a Tutor

Ananya Gupta, gives her opinion on using a tutor to study saying, “I was very happy with my scores.”

Gupta used a tutor whom she studied with for one hour every week for three months. After taking the SATs twice her score improved by 120 points.

Gupta reasuress her fellow students saying, “I recommend taking the SAT twice as nerves definitely play a factor the first time around.” She also recommends using a tutor in between the first and second tests in order to gain personalized practice.

Sat Prep Course

Another source who remains anonymous due to possible implications has strong feelings on our very own SAT prep course at Garnet Valley.

The source explains there feelings on the course saying, "I feel the math section was beneficial and the work done by Mr. Slata was enriching.”

However they feel different about the English section exclaiming, “The homework felt very extensive, this coming out of someone taking AP Language and Composition.” The homework, which were all practice tests, were either counted as a zero, 50, 75, or 100%.

Thus, they had to spend 50 minutes outside of class to finish the homework. In regards to their score they remark, “This class did not prepare me for the test besides some math confidence.”