The Best SAT Test-Taking Strategies for a Higher Score

The SAT isn’t just a test of knowledge—it’s a test of strategy. Even if you know the content well, using the right test-taking techniques can make the difference between an average score and a top score.

This guide will walk you through:
✔ How to approach multiple-choice questions effectively
✔ The best elimination techniques to improve accuracy
✔ How to manage time for each SAT section
✔ When to guess and how to handle difficult questions
✔ Test-day strategies to stay calm and focused

📌 Related Guides:

• What is the SAT? An Overview of the SAT Exam
• Effective SAT Study Strategies for Beginners
• How to Use SAT Practice Tests Effectively
• How to Improve Your SAT Math Score
• How to Improve Your SAT Reading Score
• How to Improve Your SAT Writing and Language Score
• How to Manage Time Effectively on the SAT
• How to Overcome SAT Test Anxiety and Stay Confident on Test Day

1. Mastering Multiple-Choice Questions

Since the SAT is mostly multiple-choice, knowing how to approach these questions strategically is key.

✅ How to Approach Multiple-Choice Questions

✔ Read the question carefully—don’t assume you know what it’s asking before finishing it.
✔ Underline key information—dates, transition words, important phrases.
✔ Try to predict the answer before looking at choices—this prevents trick answers from misleading you.
✔ Cover the answer choices first—formulate your own answer, then find the closest match.

🔹 Pro Tip: SAT answer choices often contain small traps—eliminate the ones that are too extreme or too broad.

2. Use the Process of Elimination (POE)

If you’re unsure about an answer, POE (Process of Elimination) is your best friend.

✅ How to Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices

✔ Cross out extreme answers—words like “always,” “never,” and “completely” are usually incorrect.
✔ Look for answers that misinterpret the question—many wrong choices take parts of the passage out of context.
✔ Watch out for half-right answers—some choices contain correct details but miss the main idea.

🔹 Pro Tip: The more answer choices you eliminate, the better your guess—so even if you’re unsure, always make an educated guess (there’s no penalty for wrong answers!).

3. Handling Difficult Questions & When to Guess

The SAT is designed to challenge your time management skills. Some questions will be difficult, but spending too long on them will hurt your overall score.

✅ What to Do If You Get Stuck on a Question

✔ Move on and return later—mark the question and keep going.
✔ Use POE to narrow choices—eliminate at least 2 answers before guessing.
✔ Look for clues in other questions—sometimes later questions provide hints for earlier ones.

🔹 Pro Tip: Never leave an answer blank—always guess if you’re unsure since there’s no penalty for wrong answers!

📌 Related Guide: How to Manage Time Effectively on the SAT.

4. Time Management Strategies for Each SAT Section

Time pressure is one of the biggest challenges on the SAT. Here’s how to pace yourself in each section:

📌 SAT Time Management Breakdown

Section	Time Limit	Questions	Time per Question
Reading	64 minutes	54 questions	~1 min 10 sec
Writing & Language	35 minutes	44 questions	~47 sec
Math (No Calculator)	25 minutes	20 questions	~75 sec
Math (Calculator)	45 minutes	24 questions	~1 min 52 sec

✅ How to Improve Your Pacing

✔ Don’t get stuck on one question—if it’s taking too long, move on.
✔ Use checkpoints—at halfway points, check if you’re on pace.
✔ Practice under timed conditions—always time your practice tests.

🔹 Pro Tip: Answer easy questions first, then return to harder ones!

📌 Related Guide: How to Use SAT Practice Tests Effectively.

5. Test-Day Strategies for Maximum Performance

Even if you’ve studied well, test-day nerves can impact your performance. Here’s how to stay calm and focused.

✅ What to Do the Night Before the SAT

✔ Review key formulas & strategies (but don’t cram!).
✔ Prepare your test materials (SAT ticket, photo ID, calculator, pencils).
✔ Sleep at least 7-8 hours to stay sharp.

✅ What to Do on Test Day

✔ Eat a healthy breakfast—avoid heavy or sugary foods.
✔ Arrive early to avoid last-minute stress.
✔ Use deep breathing techniques to stay calm.
✔ Stay positive—trust your preparation!

🔹 Pro Tip: If you start panicking, take a deep breath and reset—you’ve got this!

📌 Related Guide: How to Overcome SAT Test Anxiety and Stay Confident on Test Day.

6. Common Mistakes Students Make on the SAT (and How to Avoid Them)

Even strong students make avoidable mistakes that cost them points. Here’s how to prevent them:

🚫 Rushing Through the Test & Misreading Questions
✔ Solution: Read each question carefully—SAT questions often include tricky wording.

🚫 Spending Too Much Time on One Question
✔ Solution: Keep an eye on your pacing—flag tough questions and return later.

🚫 Not Using POE (Process of Elimination)
✔ Solution: Always eliminate at least 2 wrong choices before guessing.

🚫 Skipping Easy Questions & Missing Points
✔ Solution: Get all the easy ones right first, then tackle harder ones.

📌 Related Guide: Top Mistakes Students Make When Studying for the SAT (And How to Avoid Them).

Final Takeaways: How to Apply SAT Test-Taking Strategies for a Higher Score

✔ Master multiple-choice question techniques—predict answers before looking at choices.
✔ Use the process of elimination (POE) to improve accuracy.
✔ Manage time wisely—don’t get stuck on one question.
✔ Know when to guess—never leave an answer blank!
✔ Stay calm and confident—mindset matters!

By using these strategies, you’ll improve your SAT performance and boost your score!

🚀 Want expert SAT coaching? Our SAT prep courses provide personalized tutoring, strategy training, and real practice tests to help you achieve your dream score!

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