American teachers share how to quickly increase SAT scores in the summer

Candidates need to carefully analyze the questions and mistakes when reviewing and read more books and newspapers to "speed up" their SAT scores during the summer, according to Mr. Jon Keselica, a teacher at American Study.

The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) certificate is a popular certificate in Vietnam, especially for young people who want to study abroad in the US. In a sharing session with VnExpress , Mr. Jon Keselica, a graduate of Northwestern University, with more than 10 years of experience guiding Vietnamese students to achieve high SAT scores, gave some effective methods to prepare for this test.

- Based on your experience , what difficulties do Vietnamese students often encounter when studying for the SAT?

- I really admire the diligence of the Vietnamese students I have taught. However, there are some students who are diligent but have unreasonable study methods. They often take one test after another and think that this will help their scores increase. In fact, the number of tests they take is not important, but how they analyze and learn from their mistakes in each test is what helps them increase their scores.

To get the most out of your exam, you need to understand each question type, master test-taking strategies, and adjust your study methods based on your mistakes. Systematic and strategic review will help you improve your score significantly.

Mr. Jon Keselica - graduated from Northwestern University, has more than 10 years of experience instructing Vietnamese students. Photo: American Study

In addition, students may also encounter language barriers. Verbal reading passages on the SAT often have diverse contexts and use many specialized words, making it difficult for students to grasp the main ideas.

The Math section of the Digital SAT also uses a lot of difficult vocabulary. This can be challenging for students who are not familiar with complex mathematical concepts in English. Understanding and using these terms correctly is important to be able to solve problems effectively and accurately on the exam.

- What should students do to overcome those difficulties?

- First, students need to commit to themselves that they will try their best to achieve their target score. Studying for the SAT is similar to practicing any other skill, such as playing a sport or practicing a musical instrument. If you focus on your weak areas for 1-2 hours a day with proper guidance, you will see clear progress.

I always emphasize to students that the ultimate responsibility for their own learning lies with them, no one else can do this for them. They need to think carefully about why they want to improve and what their goals are. For many students, this may mean getting into top universities at home and abroad, or winning scholarships. To stay motivated, we need to set and maintain a clear goal and understand the benefits of a high SAT score.

Next, an important piece of advice I learned is "Slow down to go further." My teachers taught me this. This advice applies not only to preparing for the SAT, but also to every aspect of life. Taking the time to carefully study and understand each question, vocabulary on the test, or reading literature, news, scientific articles in English... can help you make significant progress, instead of rushing from one test to another, leading to ineffective preparation.

Mr. Jon Keselica teaches Vietnamese students. Photo: American Study

- In your opinion, what is the ideal time for students to review for the SAT?

- Summer is a great time to study for the SAT because students do not have to worry about homework in class. SAT exercises are completely different from the Literature or Math exercises that Vietnamese students often encounter. Therefore, preparing for this exam from the beginning of summer will help students master the knowledge and be ready for the exam in the fall.

Many students have come to American Study to study for the SAT in early summer and achieved the desired results on the August and October exams. They are arranged a study schedule that suits their goals and current level so that they can focus 100% on the SAT and temporarily put aside school subjects.

However, students need to commit to themselves that they will study hard for the SAT over the summer. This commitment is demonstrated through effort, which is a factor that directly reflects the results achieved.

- In your opinion, how should parents accompany their children's learning process?

- Parents need to pay close attention to their children by asking about their learning progress. They can ask what their children have learned today, encourage them to share the difficulties they have encountered and what they have learned. It is very important to encourage, motivate and acknowledge their children's progress.

In addition, if students want to increase their scores quickly, they should find a reputable tutor or educational center to accompany them. Students with a good foundation in English and Math can also encounter many difficulties and easily get lost when studying for the SAT on their own because there is no one to help explain the mistakes they made, guide them on how to handle the test, manage their time, or lack of study materials.