Junior year has been claimed to be the hardest year in high school. Other than the fact that the course and workload is heavier, it is time to start preparing for life after high school. Junior year also means taking the SAT’s in March.
The SAT’s or as previously named “Scholastic Aptitude Test” or “Scholastic Assessment Test” is a test taken in the 11th grade to determine how the student will perform in college, and also to asses what they have learned in high school so far. This test ranges from reading passages, to touching many subjects in math. This exam used to be on paper, but as of 2022 the exam is now digital.
Some schools require this test, and sometimes a specific score to be accepted and even considered to attend the college/university. Although now some schools are SAT optional, meaning you do not have to submit your scores.
The SAT’s can be an overwhelming topic for juniors, but there are some things they can do to prepare and there are also some things you should know about the SAT’s
EHHS Principal Mr. Vincent DeNuzzo and English teacher, Ms. Emilia Cataurano talk about ways to prepare for the test both academically and mentally.
This exam is pretty lengthy. It lasts about 2 hours and 14 minutes long, so all juniors should ‘make sure they are rested especially the night before, and that they eat a big breakfast the morning of ‘ says Mr. DeNuzzo.
When it comes to the taking the exam try to approach the question in an intelligent manner. Ms. Cataurano says ‘when you’re asking any test you have to take a step back and break down the questions in front of you as simply as you can, sometimes the question are written in an overwhelming way to almost trick you.’
Not many people are aware of the fact that they can also take the test more than once. The first time is free, however if you are considering taking it again you do have to pay. Many people recommend taking the SAT more than once, such as Ms. Caturano because “it’s a different setting and taking it with different people and a different setting can put you in a mindset where you do better.”
Resources that both Ms. Caturano and Mr. DeNuzzo recommended to use to prepare for the SAT are Edgenuity, Bluebook, Khan Academy and SAT prep books such as the Princeton Review.
A piece of advice from Ms. Cataurano is that ‘this test is just one measure of what you possibly know. It’s not a number to make or break the rest of your life and the score doesn’t define you as a person. You are not your scores.”
