12.Practice.Tests.for.the.SAT_2015-2016_1128p

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J 12 Practice Tests for the SAT
you want to work with someone, but you think she might be a know-it-all, set up one study session. If
things go well, you can continue working with her. If she turns out to be a know-it-all, then you can be
glad you didn't commit to working with her until Test Day!
Assign Roles
If you want to have a study group rather than a study partner, assigning roles to group members is a
good practice:
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One person can be the Scheduler and keep track of meeting times and locations.
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Another person can be the Break Maker, making sure that there's some food to enjoy after a
particularly challenging set of Critical Reading paired passages.
•
Another person can be the Lesson Planner, assigning who will present which section or which
practice sections the group should do for timed, testlike practice.
Many different roles are available, but making sure each group member has a stake in the overall
success of the group is the important thing.
Share Goals
Aligning around each other's successes is the best way to have a strong study partnership or team. If
you don't feel comfortable at first sharing the fact that your Math score is a 380, you can always share
that you want to raise your Math score 70 points. You should always have measureable goals, and you
should encourage your study buddies to have clear goals, too. Checking in with your study partners
along the way is a great way to support the group's success. After taking a practice test, compare group
members' results to their scores on the last one. Celebrate each other's successes.
STUDY GROUPS-KEEP THEM IN PERSPECTIVE
Sure, you can succeed on the SAT without forming study partnerships, but for some students, study
groups can be a great asset in preparation for Test Day. In addition, the experience you get building
and working with a team right now has far-reaching benefits for the future. Now more than ever, the
world functions in groups and teams. As you go on to college and eventually embark upon your career,
the opportunities to work in teams will abound, and quite often, teamwork will not be optional. The
ability to create and work in successful teams will serve you long after you've taken the SAT. Plus, in the
short term, it can be a highly effective tool for achieving your goal score.
Whether you study on your own, with a buddy, or in a study group, best of luck on Test Day!