How to Get a Perfect SAT Score

Everyone wants to do as well as they possibly can when taking the SAT, as getting a really high score drastically increases your chances of getting into your dream school. Without a doubt, it would be incredible to get a perfect 1600 on the test, a feat only accomplished by a few hundred people each year. But how do they do it? Here’s what you need to consider when aiming for that sweet 1600. 

Get Every Question Right

Well, almost every question. Sometimes, certain sections can be forgiving, but only by one or two questions at the most. While reading and writing will be the more lenient sections, math is a different beast. Your math section needs to be flawless, if nothing else. If you miss one in reading or writing, you still have an opportunity to score a 1600. But, you should try as best you can to not miss a single question; you can't get a perfect score without perfect answers. 

Work Hard

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to achieve a perfect SAT score on smarts alone. While you may be at the top of your class, that doesn’t mean you’ll walk into your test with the ability to ace it without a little effort. To perform as well as possible on the SAT, you need to study, study, study. Certain study methods work best for different people, so be sure that you find what helps you the most, and stick with it. Figure out a schedule for studying every week, and plan well ahead of your testing date. GIve yourself plenty of time to get in the necessary hours it takes to reach the score you want. Figure out what days and times to meet with a tutor, sit down with your study books, and take practice tests. Don’t forget to take notes while you’re studying, and make the most out of the time you have to do so. Getting as much as you can out of SAT practice will prove to be beneficial when you go in for the real thing. 

Passion

This is what will drive you to really work for that 1600. If perfect is what you’re aiming for, you’re going to need to want it really badly. If your life goal is to get accepted into an Ivy League school (maybe even multiple) or if you just want to prove to yourself that you can do it, you already have a driving force that will keep you motivated to study like you never have before. If you’re not passionate about excelling, you will struggle to keep up with a study schedule, practice diligently, and take the work seriously every single time. Lack of necessary discipline will show in your score if you aren’t dedicating yourself to perfecting your SAT skills. To assure that you really are getting the best score possible, you’ll need to be on top of your game and excited to be there. 

Learn the Test

Figure out how the SAT works. There are several different types of questions on the test, and knowing how to spot them can help you figure out how best to answer them. Make sure you’re using the process of elimination, taking the wrong answers out of the equation before anything else. Find the areas you struggle most in, and give those your undivided attention until they are no longer a weakness. You can find specific study materials that can help you with certain subjects and really drill them into your mind. Do your research and take advantage of any opportunity you can find. Use high quality study books, take as many timed practice tests as you can, and get an SAT tutor to help you. Become familiar with every aspect of the test, work on it until you see improvement, and find the ability to confidently answer the different types of questions across many subjects without a problem.

Be Vigilant 

Everyone makes mistakes, but if you want to see that 1600 composite score when you check your SAT results, you’ll have to check your faults at the door. Even if you know exactly what you’re doing when it comes to answering the questions on the test, the real thing is different than practicing at home. You might feel a little nervous or worry that you won’t finish on time, and start to rush through some questions. While you should work quickly, don’t go so fast you misread a question or answer choice. Assure that you know what the question is asking, that the answer you chose is the one that best fits the question, and double check that you’re penciling in the correct bubble on the answer sheet. Making even one careless mistake can be the difference between a perfect score and anything otherwise. Also, check over your answers twice. Be absolutely sure that you’re turning in a test that you’re completely confident in. You never know what sort of little mistakes you can make without noticing if you leave your work unchecked. 

Additionally, these tips can work wonders even if you aren’t looking to be one of the few who get a perfect SAT score, and just want to do well or improve a previous score. Either way, there’s a lot of preparation that comes with SAT success—if you’re up for the challenge, anyone can be capable of achieving an impressive score on the SAT.