The SAT stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test. Whenever high school students hear these three letters, a feeling of dread creeps up their body deep from within their gut. This instinctive response is a result of misinformation. The SAT is not simply a grueling four-and-a-half hour long test that each college-bound high school student must undertake at some point in their academic career – it is so much more. It is a tool used to prepare prospective students for college. It is an opportunity to earn merit-based scholarships to lighten the financial burden of getting a degree. It is a way to distinguish students on their resumes against the unforgiving eyes of admission officers. It is a welcoming gatekeeper, beckoning those who take advantage of it to go forth.

Knowing the abundance of rewards that you can reap from the SAT, your goal should be to get a good score, whatever that means to you, be it a 1200, 1850, or even an ambitious 2300+. I have established this column in order to help you achieve your good score. I promise to update this with new strategies each week (if life permits). I promise to break down the SAT behemoth into bite-sized chunks that anyone can handle. I promise to aid you in achieving your good score. In return, what do you promise?

You promise to consistently demonstrate a strong effort in attempting to learn the strategies I post. You promise to not push off SAT studying in favor of a night at the movies. You promise not to slack off until the Saturday at 12:45 PM when your test is over.

Regardless of where you are right now, if you dutifully fulfill these promises from now to at least a month before your target SAT date, you will be well-prepared and have the confidence to get your good score.

Enjoy the outdoors while leaves are still on trees, and the grass is still green – we start SAT studying next week.

A little about me – I am currently a junior. I took the SAT this October and over the course of a month of preparation including an SAT preparatory class with the Princeton Review, my writing score has improved by 330 points, my reading score has improved by 120 points, and my mathematics score has been consistently solid. If you have any questions on the format/frequency of posts on this column, feel free to leave a comment down below (make sure to include your email so I can get back to you directly).