ICON+

Everybody is looking for tips to score higher on the SAT - and who could be better to ask than somebody who has made teaching the ins and outs of the exam his career? I had the opportunity to sit down with one of ICON+’s senior SAT teachers, Mariya Kamova, to get some FAQ’s answered.

So what’s the biggest mistake students make on the SAT?

 I think the main mistake would be thinking too much about planning the essay - that leaves students with less time to write. Additionally, focusing mainly on the difficult questions is the wrong way to approach the SAT. Students should focus on completing the easy and medium level questions before trying to solve the hard ones. What they often do not know is that only truly skillful test takers are able to cover all the questions on the SAT.

Is the Quantitative or Verbal section easier?

I would say that for Asian students, the quantitative sections are definitely easier. The reason is that their educational system focuses more on math. Furthermore, I guess for native speakers it is not so easy to catch the grammatical mistakes. They rely on what sounds "nice" or what “right”.

What are some effective strategies for time management during the exam?

The exam is done in such a way that every minute is important. I advise my students to cover as many easy questions in a section as they can and then come back to the difficult ones. They need to remember that they only have one minute per question. For the critical reading section, it is better for students not to spend too much time reading the texts, but rather focus on answering the questions.

What makes a great essay?

 The first thing to point out is that SAT essay topics are general and very broad. If a student manages to narrow down the topic and attach relevant examples to all the points discussed; use good grammar and vocabulary, all without making the sentences too complex – this makes for a great essay. The fact is too much "relativity" is not beneficial when it comes to writing SAT essays. For twenty five minutes there are not many points one can discuss in detail. Students should remember that their essay needs to show the examiner that they can elaborate on a point logically and give relevant examples.

What should I do if I’m clueless about a question?

Sometimes it is better to leave questions blank than put down a wildly guessed incorrect answer. For a wrong answer you receive -1/4 and for putting nothing down you get 0 points. Only in the math grid section, where you don't have multiple choice but you have to produce answers yourself, you get 0 for both a blank and a wrong response. In multiple choice sections if you can eliminate some of the wrong answer choices, you will be able to increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.

Can we predict questions?

Undergoing lots of practices students come to realize that there are "typical" SAT questions. The logic and structure of the exam is predictable, that is why with decent preparation, students can "learn" the types of common mistakes and questions they need to deal with on their verbal or math SAT sections.

What’s the best advice you give students for their test day?

Firstly, I tell my students to get a good nights sleep as the exam is very early in the morning. I also tell them not to get stressed, because this is just another test they need to do. It is okay to take the SAT more than once; this is why some students register for two dates in a given period. However, it is all about being calm and confident in that exam room.

How much score improvement is reasonable to expect if I study between exams?

I think if one devotes enough time and practice every day, even if it's just for a few hours, then between 100 to 200 points improvement can be achieved. Developing your understanding of the key components, mathematical problem solving and grammar knowledge, is the best way to boost your score improvement.

What’s the best part of teaching SAT, in your opinion?

For me, it is both the responsibility and the pleasure of teaching young smart individuals with a great potential. They are about to enter one of the most important stages of their lives and the sky is the limit when it comes to their education. It's wonderful to be part of the preparation for their future. Finally the best part is when they contact me after their exams to say they achieved a really great score!