High school consists of many big moments that are unique to every student. It could be trying out for a varsity sport, creating new relationships, getting a good grade, applying for a job, joining a club and so many other examples. However, one thing that is consistent in every student’s journey is the Scholastic Aptitude Test, also known as the SAT. The SAT is a two-hour, 14-minute test taken by every junior that includes two segments: an English portion and a math portion. Michigan Students are also required to write an essay in 50 minutes. Students have a chance of achieving a score from 800 to 1600. The SAT holds a lot of value, as it is a common evaluation for colleges and universities to determine acceptance, as well as scholarship opportunities for high scorers. 

The stakes that the SAT poses is often a source of stress for many juniors.

“On a scale of one to ten, I would say around an eight,” said junior Josephina Avis when asked how stressed she was for the upcoming SAT. “I haven’t had a lot of time on Khan Academy for my English and math skills but mainly for the math portion.” 

Avis’s opinion wasn’t uncommon.

“I’d say probably about seven to eight,” said fellow junior Ryan Mason.

Sociology teacher Mrs. Headley offered insight on what these stress levels reflect. 

“That is very surprising to me,” she said. “In our society, whatever that score is can determine your future. The reality of that is that it will get you into a school you want, and your intelligence isn’t just limited to a number. I think it is the outside pressure that makes students more stressed as well. I am almost happy to hear that students are actually stressed about it because it means they care about school and also because of how admin and councilors talk about it and all that jazz. It is all about society’s pressure.” 

Stress Advice

Since stress is such a common phenomenon among students taking the SAT, it is important to find ways to mitigate it.  

“Getting a good night’s sleep several days in advance is a big stress reliever—creating a good sleep schedule as well. Engaging in something you enjoy that makes you active, especially something outside, the day or two before the SAT puts you in a better headspace,” said Mr. Grabowski, the principal for the junior class.

“I think to just trust your preparation, start early. Try to keep your exam as normal as possible. Stay in the moment rather than thinking about what’s going to happen if I don’t achieve at a high level,” added Mr. Evans, the head principal. 

Mrs. Goyt, one of the health teachers at BHS, offered tips on staying healthy to mitigate stress before the test. She recommends “eating your breakfast [and] getting a good night’s sleep the night before. Also breathing, like if they feel like they are panicking or having anxious thoughts. They can do deep breathing or box breathing to get out of their spiral. I think at the end of the day, try your best—it is what it is. You will do the best you can do. If you want to retake it, take it a couple more times. And ultimately, be confident.” 

Grabowski also said that students should take advantage of their ability to retake the test. 

“It is an aptitude test, which means it is measuring your potential in academic activity in those areas. So my advice is to stress less and if you need to, test more. It is one of the best ways to increase your score,” Grabowksi said.

Ultimately, while the SAT has many applications when it comes to college and scholarship opportunities, students should approach it calmly and with the knowledge that there are multiple chances to improve their score.  

“I think comfort is a big part of it—taking advantage of opportunities to make yourself comfortable. It is undeniable that if you have the mindset of the SAT being a make-it-or-break-it opportunity, you will perform at a lower level than what you are capable of,” Evans said.

Math Advice

The math section of the SAT consists of 44 questions divided across two 35-minute modules. It largely draws on concepts from Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Advanced Math, and Problem-solving and Advanced Analysis. Algebra 2 teacher Mr. Nicholson offered advice on preparing for and taking the math section.  

“Do your work on pieces of paper, so pencil and paper are key. Reading the last sentence of the paragraph is usually where the question is located. Most SAT math questions are two steps, so solve first then use your answer to solve something else,” Nicholson said. “Khan Academy has free SAT math practice, so I highly recommend it, as well as the College Board practice tests.” 

Algebra 1 and Geometry teacher Mrs. Bell also said that students should take advantage of resources online to prepare for the SAT.

“Because students have taken their practice SAT, it links directly to Khan Academy. If I were taking it, I would do Khan. Make sure to ask your junior teacher for some practice examples they could give you. Just take another practice, one on your own. You would have to pay for it, but it’s worth it,” Bell said.

English Advice

The English portion contains 54 multiple-choice questions with two 32-minute modules. It also contains the SAT Essay, which students are required to take by Michigan law. Mrs. Braasch, the P.A.W.S, 11th grade English, and video production teacher, emphasized the importance of staying calm and collected. 

“Take your time. Trust your instincts because you’ve been taught what you need to know. It is somewhere in there, you just have to unlock it,” Braasch said. 

Freshman English focus teacher Mr. Cunningham also recommended that students try their best to stay focused during the duration of the test. 

“The biggest thing is staying focused the entire time throughout the test. It is a very long test, but the more focused you are, the better you will do. To try and stay focused, just use your time wisely. Meaning getting a good night sleep and good breakfast is a huge deal,” Cunningham said. 

Like the math teachers, Honors American Literature teacher Mrs. Wegener suggested that students find resources online to practice before the actual SAT.  

“I think the easiest and most helpful preparation is doing the practice test online; it’s like a sport knowing what to expect,” Wegener said. “Practicing your skills and showcasing what you can do. I think one thing that naturally helps is just being an avid reader.”