The Dream of a Major Score Increase is Possible Even with the Digital SAT

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How Did He Achieve a 630-Point Increase?

'Upgrade' offers specialized 1:1 tutoring services for overseas college admissions. Tutors from prestigious universities worldwide teach various subjects, including SAT, AP, and IB, without time and space constraints.

Thomas, a tutor at Upgrade, started with a score of 800 on his first Digital SAT practice test and achieved a remarkable increase to 1430. Let's find out the secrets behind his Digital SAT score improvement through an interview.

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The Background and Trials of Starting Serious SAT Study

I began serious SAT preparation during the winter break of my 11th grade and took the SAT in the fall of my 12th grade, achieving my desired score. I attended a prep school briefly during the break, balancing AP and EC. I started with the mindset of thoroughly completing the homework assigned by the prep school.

Since I was strong in math, I focused on Reading and Writing. At first, I only solved practice questions and memorized vocabulary without any conceptual study. My practice test scores were always similar, and my first SAT score was far below my target at 800. This made me rethink my study approach.

The available SAT practice tests and questions were limited, and I realized that just solving many questions wouldn't be enough. So, I reviewed past questions, especially my mistakes, to identify what concepts I was lacking. I aimed to improve my understanding of question types and kept repeating this process. Eventually, I started scoring full marks in Writing.

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Recommended Study Methods for Each SAT Subject

1. Vocabulary Vocabulary is a matter of time and effort, regardless of ability. The key is to distinguish whether a word has a negative or positive connotation. Personally, I remember words better by associating them with movies, dramas, or situations where they were used.
2. Writing & Grammar If your school follows an international curriculum, study according to the English composition course. SAT tests limited types of questions. Many questions are designed to confuse you by altering sentence structure to test grammar rules. Practice breaking down sentences into subject, verb, and object. This method helped me achieve a perfect score in Writing.
3. Reading SAT Reading, like Vocabulary, depends on practice. Unlike Paper SAT, Digital SAT features different content for each question, covering various topics. Practice quickly grasping the main idea of each passage. When reviewing, revisit only the questions you got wrong and try answering them again. This helps identify your common mistakes and develop your reading strategy. I find Barron's practice tests particularly challenging, requiring a detailed understanding of each word. If you perform well on Barron's practice tests, the actual Reading section will feel easier.
4. Math SAT Math can feel easy if you can solve Barron's practice problems perfectly, as they are relatively harder. Kaplan is great for learning concepts. If you struggle with concepts and lack practice, start with Kaplan.

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Tips for High SAT Scores

One common mistake students make in Reading & Writing is relying on their knowledge to answer questions, while in Math, they tend to solve problems mentally because they seem easy.

For Reading & Writing, the correct answers must be based solely on the passage and question. Never use your own knowledge to approach the questions.

In Math, even if you are good at it, always write down the steps and verify your answers to avoid mistakes. SAT tests your understanding of basic concepts and your ability to avoid errors.

Study vocabulary thoroughly, even if you are fluent in English. Guessing word meanings from context is useful but has its limits. SAT is not a difficult test. With a good strategy, solid understanding of basic concepts, and minimizing mistakes, high scores are achievable!

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What Are the Benefits of Online Tutoring as a Tutor?

1. Creating an Effective Study Environment For students, it is excellent. The Digital SAT, taken on a computer, allows students to practice in an environment very close to the actual test. It also provides different study sources than those available in typical prep schools. Additionally, the matching system pairs students with tutors based on desired style, preferences, and qualifications, and vice versa.
2. Providing Personalized Feedback One aspect students and parents appreciate is the personalized feedback system. The Tubelit operations team consistently reminds us to provide feedback, which greatly enhances students' study efficiency. The thorough follow-up management post-matching is excellent!

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🥰 Special Benefits for YOU Who Read the Article to the End! 🥰

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For Digital SAT program participants: Recommended materials for improving Digital SAT vocabulary

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