by Kirsten Kraus | Staff Writer
Fingers trembling, she enters her username and password into Collegeboard.com and not so patiently waits for the webpage load. Junior Lauren Kraus anxiously clicks around the website until she is face to face with her SAT score. A hint of disappointment mixed with a dash of frustration quickly replaces her nervous features.
After seeing their scores, some students remain displeased with their results, and opt to retake the test, hoping the next time they will reach their goal score.
“I’ve taken one SAT so far, but I’m planning on retaking the test. I wasn’t necessarily upset with my score, but I knew I could do better. I have a goal score that I’m not too far from and I really want to achieve that, so I will probably retake the test until I can get at least that score,” junior Lauren Kraus said.
Because students can take the SAT as many times as they like, some will take, and retake, the test over and over until they are happy with their scores.
“I took my first SAT when I was in seventh grade. I’ve taken about three since then and I’m going to take my fourth this year. I wanted to experience the test so when I got to to be in the grades that actually mattered, I was prepared,” senior Kat Chavez said. “I want to get the highest score I can.”
Many students believe preparing for tests like the SAT is impossible, but there are simple tips and tricks to help students with their test taking strategies.
“I went into my first SAT completely unprepared. I didn’t think I needed to study, but I did,” senior Quincy Chaney said. “I’m working a lot harder now and studying a lot more. I have some SAT books, and I’m using those to help me study, so when I go take the test, I’m more prepared.”
Some students have intensified their SAT preparation and are attending prep classes ay various tutoring centers. The teachers at Huntington provide their students with materials and knowledge that will guarantee an increase in their scores.
“I’ve been going to Huntington for SAT prep and it’s helping me a lot,” junior Lauren Kraus said. “They give you books that have all the materials you need to prepare. Knowing and recognizing the vocabulary words has benefited me a lot along with the test taking strategies they give you.”
Whether it’s reading books, attending prep classes, or finding other ways to study, students have come to the conclusion that studying is going to help them improve their scores.
“I’ve been using collegeboard.com to study. I answer the daily questions on the website, and practice other ways to help me prepare,” senior Kat Chavez said. “It’s been helping a lot and hopefully it will improve my score.”
