By Mehreen Alamgir, Staff Writer
Juniors at River Hill High School prepared for the SAT on March 8th, an important test for college admissions. Many students had been studying for months, using different resources like Khan Academy, Kumon, personal tutors, and practice tests to improve their chances of getting higher scores. For most, this test was a big step in the college application process, and they wanted to do their best.
The SAT is a standardized test that measures students’ skills in reading, writing, and math. Colleges used these scores to compare students, and a higher score could help students get into better schools or earn scholarships. “The SAT was stressful, but it was a good way to show colleges what we knew,” said Varnika Chikyala. Many students felt nervous about the test, but preparing early helped them feel more confident on test day.
Students shared the different ways of preparing for the SAT. Some used Khan Academy, a free online resource that provided practice tests, study plans, and video lessons. Others used Kumon, a tutoring program that helped students build strong math and reading skills. Many also worked with personal tutors to focus on their weak areas and get one-on-one guidance. “My tutor helped me understand tricky math problems, which made me feel more confident,” said Adrianna Ponticos. Personal tutoring was expensive, but some students found it helpful because they could ask questions and get detailed explanations.
Practice tests were another important part of SAT prep in order to get a good score. These tests helped students get used to the timing and question formats so they knew what to expect on the real test. “Taking practice tests helped me get used to the timing and the types of questions,” said Grace Matthews. The SAT was a long test, lasting about three hours, so practicing also helped students build stamina. Some students took full-length practice tests on weekends to prepare for the real experience.
Balancing school and SAT prep was challenging, especially with homework, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities that students have. Some students set aside time each day to study, while others focused more on weekends. “It was tough to balance everything, but I tried to study a little each day so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed,” said Luke Martinez.
Even though some colleges are test-optional, meaning students didn’t have to submit SAT scores, many still took the test to strengthen their applications. A good score could make an application stand out and even help students earn scholarships. “I wanted to do well because it could help with college and scholarships,” said Grace.
As the test date approached, juniors at River Hill felt a mix of excitement and nerves. With months of studying behind them, they hoped their hard work would pay off. Whether using online resources, tutors, or practice tests, each student had found a study method that worked best for them.