This is my SAT experience in the December 2023 in-person SAT and also something to answer the biggest question, should you take it?

My overall experience was nothing crazy, It felt like a finals day. This test was something I’d encourage someone to take. I did feel very very drained after and felt loopy but that might have been a unique experience.

I interviewed two friends from different schools who took the test alongside me and these are their tips and learning methods. 

Junior at Scripps Ranch High School, Ella Fournier who scored 1380 advised this, “I prepared for the Sat by taking an online course called Revolution Prep. This was very helpful, as it contained a handful of kids who were also taking the same SAT and had similar questions that I had.” Fournier added “Another way I prepared was by downloading SATs and doing them on extra sheets of paper or an iPad. Overall, studying for the SAT takes time management and focus to succeed.”  

Junior from Rancho Bernardo High School Natalie Ratkiewicz who scored 1340 advised, “To prepare for the SAT I had ordered a SAT prep book to complete to help me prepare for this grueling and intensive test.” Additionally, Ratkiewicz added, “I had help from online sources which provided me with many valuable resources that I went over the night before the test.” Ratkiewicz’s final comment was, “I think applying myself to tutoring sessions and studying more frequently would have sufficiently elevated my score.”

Both of them plan on taking the SAT two more times before their time in high school is over.

I took the SAT at Canyon Hills High School in a smaller classroom so I felt more comfortable that it was my own school, but the class itself and the layout were nice and I had no complaints. The room was silent and wasn’t bright or anything like that.

The test is split into two sections and four parts the physical test. There is an English section that is split up into part one which is reading and comprehension and part 2 which is different forms of grammar. The second section is Math. The first part is no calculators and the second part is with calculators. My experience was that the English section was a lot easier but that is also because that is my stronger subject, for reference I got a 690. Math was hell for me and the next time I take it I will be doing a lot more practice tests and problems, I got a 570 in the math section. 

 The biggest tip I can give is to guess instead of leaving it blank and to not stress about it too much if you are displeased with the results you aren’t forced to give them to college. It’s a great tool to set you above other students who apply to the same colleges.