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Why You Should Self Study for the SAT

In today’s environment, there are many reasons why you should self study for the SAT. While COVID-19 fundamentally changed standardized testing, we are beginning to see a resurgence of SAT requirements for the more competitive schools (Yale, Harvard, Stanford anyone?). Since standardized testing was pretty much universally optional, the reintroduction of SAT-required college applications, along with the introduction of the digital SAT, is making people question how exactly to best study for these big tests in the first place. Traditional in-person boot camps have fallen out of favor because of poor results relative to the price tag. A conducted government study on standardized testing boot camps found that only 40 points are gained on average. They’re definitely not worth the several thousand dollars it costs. So why not self-study for the SAT Exam? It’s efficient, safe, and can yield a whole lot more than 40 points for [almost] free.

 

Who Should (& Who Shouldn’t) Use SAT Self Study

First, let us start with who shouldn’t. Self studying for anything requires self determination, self discipline, and self motivation. If you consider yourself to be a slacker who is not self-motivated, then SAT self studying is not for you.

However, if you are self motivated, open to learning, and willing to make adjustments, then self studying is for you. In fact, we believe it is the ideal starting point for preparing for the SAT or ACT. 

Why Self Study For SAT Testing

Self studying is, well, self explanatory for the following reasons:

  • Practically free
  • Highly personalized
  • Flexible to your other commitments

In general, self studying costs between $0 to a few hundred bucks. The most expensive option accounts for buying a considerable amount of practice tests and potentially hiring a tutor to relearn old material.

Secondly, self studying is highly personalized in that, who knows your strengths and weaknesses better than you do? And even if you don’t, free tools like Khan Academy can even help you determine them just like a tutor would. They also provide you corrective lessons and exercises to improve upon both your strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, you can always relearn concepts you’ve forgotten by reviewing online material or even textbooks, in tandem with instructional content on YouTube.

Third, self studying is the only option that works around your schedule. In the grand scheme of college admissions, standardized testing is overrated when it comes to so many other things, from summer learning experiences and programs to volunteering and helping your community. Too often parents, and by extension their students, prioritize SAT training over the summer only to find a minuscule point gain and lost time for other opportunities, including sleep. After all, who likes going to a one-size-fits-all test center for 5-7 hours a day anyways? Not only does it not work most of the time, it’s boring and expensive.

How to Self Study for SAT Exams

  1. Determine your baseline score.
  2. Diagnose your content weaknesses, or knowledge holes.
  3. Reinforce & Relearn: strengthen your strengths and lessen your weaknesses.
  4. Adopt test-taking skills.
  5. Practice without pressure. Learn how to combine new knowledge with test-taking skills.
  6. Practice with pressure. Simulate the experience. Take the Test in a Classroom or ask a teacher to time you.

A premium video of this will be made available only in GoPath, so check us out there to learn more on how to properly self study for the SAT.

Recap and Conclusion

Do not self-study for the SAT or ACT if you consider yourself to be

  • Someone who puts off things or is a slacker
  • Not self motivated.
  • Lack the passion to get your best grades when you self study.

Only commit to it if you are self-motivated, open to learning, and willing to make adjustments. Self-studying is the best option for your student. It is practically free, highly personalized, and also flexible to your other commitments and schedule. Read more on how to better study for standardized tests here.

We hope that this provides some valuable insight into how to release some of the stress you may have while making your college application profile even stronger.

 

We specialize in youth mentorship and college counseling. From 8th grade to 12th grade. We have you covered for any stage in your high school career. Schedule a free consultation with us here.

We are always posting more helpful tips and tricks to help reduce the stress of college application season. Follow us on:

See you soon!

Ariana Lee

Senior Admissions Advisor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 12

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love hearing their stories. There's so much to discover about a person. It's very rewarding when my students get comfortable and know that I'm there for them.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Swim, read, write, sing, enjoy nature, and play with my two crazy boys.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Do what you love, and everything else will fall into place.

Julian Hoffman

Special Programs Manager

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 5

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: Hearing each student's unique stories, guiding them in discovering their passions, and helping find their voice!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I am a figure skater, world traveler, dessert aficionado, and devotee of the Pioneer Woman, the Barefoot Contessa, and Maneet Chauhan!

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Work hard now -- procrastinate later!

Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

Bernie Nguyen

Admissions Advisor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 5 years high school mentoring experience. I was heavily involved in it all throughout college and after graduating.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love hearing about their passions and what they genuinely love to do. It also makes me extremely happy to.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I recently picked up the electric guitar! I also have multiple aquariums, and founded a company that built body armor.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't go down a path just because you think that's "what you're supposed to do." Life is more diverse and unexpected than any of us could ever know.

Joanna Yang Yowler

Senior Essay Editor & Program Specialist

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 15

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love hearing students' stories and seeing their faces light up when they talk about their passions and dreams.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Cook, write, draw, save Azeroth .

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Pursue dreams that matter to you and don't be afraid of forging your own path to where you want to go.

Graham Traylor

Senior Applications Advisor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 7 years

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: One of my favorite experiences working with students is opening student's eyes to possibilities they didn't know would be an option for them.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time I like to stay active playing sports / running, but most of the time I am hanging out with my wife and daughter (usually with college sports on in the background).

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: It's possible there could be several colleges that are a good fit for you. Don't lock in on just one preferred option, and work toward finding places you can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Tylar Pendgraft

Director of Programs

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 12

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love how open students are to learning and trying new things. As mentors, we get to see so much growth simply because our students are so open to new experiences and are looking forward to applying their learning and other skills.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time I like to read and write. I also spend a lot of time just watching--my dogs, birds, trees. I also enjoy baking and cooking (even though I'm terrible at baking).

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: It's never too early or late to start practicing self-care. Build moments of joy and celebration into your week. Give yourself a treat for working hard. It's important to have things to look forward to. If you can get into the habit now, you'll have a much more balanced college experience.

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Anika Sharma

Essay Editor

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 2

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: As a major advisor for students interested in the humanities, I’ve found it immensely rewarding to offer an outlet for students to explore ideas that they often don’t get to delve into at school. Watching a student light up when they realize that there is in fact a community around their specific interests is easily the best part of the job.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time, I love to be outdoors - I've been hiking around the Bay Area and recently started biking again. I also volunteer at community gardens and trail restoration projects in San Francisco. When I'm not outside, you can find me reading visionary fiction, practicing yoga and qigong, or cooking.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: My advice for high school students is to focus on the present! Use this time to learn more about yourself and the world around you. Solid values and a sense of self will allow you to make challenging decisions for the future and create the life you want.

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Tushar Singla

Chief Technology Officer

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 4

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: Watching them accomplish great things.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Watch Formula 1, play ice hockey, and watch TV.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Spend time exploring different things -- you have a long time to become an expert.

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Dan Zhou

Chief Executive Officer

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 16

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: Inspiring a student towards self discovery, and wanting to learn about everything there is in the world. Reaching this moment can take time, but it's what makes it worth it every time.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Outdoors hiking, photography, gardening, and reading.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Do the thing that moves you, or be moved by forces not your own. The choice is yours.

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