SATs are commonly used as an entrance exam for colleges and universities. Learn more about study resources available online and how text to speech can help you prepare.
SATs can be scary. And people in high school often believe that these tests are harder than they are. On the other hand, there are those who take the entire subject too lightly, believing that they will be able to get high scores without preparation.
But the truth is in between. SATs are challenging, but they are not impossible. In some ways, they are similar to GREs. And if you have proper guidance and preparation, you will be able to get excellent results. Here is everything you will need to conquer your SATs.
About the SATs
The SAT is a standardized test for college admission in the U.S. The first SAT was held in 1926, and while the name changed since then, the idea remained the same. It was known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, and later, the name evolved to the Scholastic Assessment Test.
Today, the SAT is no longer an acronym, and it doesn’t stand for anything. It is just the name of the test all students will need to pass if they want to continue with their education. And the only way to get a high score on the exam is to prepare for it.
There is no way around it. You will need to study, and you will need to spend a lot of time on it. But this doesn’t mean that there aren’t a couple of tricks you can use. For those unaware of how SATs work, there are a few things you will need to know.
Subjects covered on the SAT exam
The next thing everyone would want to know is about subjects and the format of the exam. How long is the SAT? What subjects are covered? And many other questions. There are three main sections on the SAT.
These include Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. In 2021, the committee decided to remove an optional essay, and you will need to focus on these three categories only. As for the length, the schedule is as follows:
- Reading – 65 minutes (52 questions)
- Writing and Language – 35 minutes (44 questions)
- Math – 80 minutes (58 questions)
This means that the entire exam is three hours long and that there are 154 questions across all three categories. Reading SATs will include at least one question from each of the subjects: U.S. or world literature, U.S. founding document, social science, and science.
However, it is not necessary for you to have any prior knowledge since all the details will be included in the question. Writing and Language are also based on written passages. The questions are based on the written text, and it doesn’t require any knowledge of the topic.
The Writing part of the test covers command of evidence, words in context, expression of ideas, and standard English conventions. This also covers grammar, style, and reading comprehension.
Finally, SAT math covers algebra, trigonometry, geometry, complex numbers, and many more.
Additional information about the SATs
The last bit of info you will need is about the technicalities of SATs. This includes pricing, a scoring system, and how to apply for it. The price is something that the College Board determines each year, and it varies for each exam. The last price was around $50.
As for the scoring system, the total scoring is between 400 and 1600 points. The first section is often called Writing (Reading, Writing and Language) and the student can score between 200 and 800. The second part is math, having the same score range.
Only one percent of test takers score above 1520 points and having good results often means scoring between 1300 and 1500 points. To register for the SAT, you will need to create an account on the College Board, and fill out the necessary details.
How can you prepare for the SAT test?
So, the remaining question is how to prepare for the SAT. And the answer is simple – you will need to study. There are no shortcuts or tricks you can take, and the only thing that will help you score over 1300 points is your knowledge.
But this doesn’t mean that you can’t make studying a bit simpler. One of the first things to do is find appropriate materials. There are numerous books on the market dedicated to SATs and all the lessons you will need to nail the exam.
And buying those books should be your first priority. Keep in mind that SATs can be challenging, and the best approach is to start as early as possible. You can never be too prepared, and this will give you a nice head start.
It is also possible to find prep tests that will give you a taste of what to expect when the time comes for the real thing. The more you know about SATs the less stressful it will be. Naturally, the competition is quite good, and you will need to study for quite some time.
If you are wondering about the time needed to prepare for the exam, it is something that is different for each person. Two or three months are usually enough, but you can study as long as you want. The goal is to feel confident and to know what to expect from SATs.
Use audio study material
One thing you can check out is audiobooks. These can be more than helpful if you are looking to save time, and they are an excellent source of information. At the same time, those that struggle with reading disorders such as dyslexia will love this way of studying.
It is a way to improve accessibility and take efficiency to a whole new level. Whether you are suffering from dyslexia, have a visual impairment, or are just an auditory learner, audiobooks can change the way you feel about studying.
You can multitask while listening to the book, take notes, or do anything else that will assist you along the way. At the same time, audiobooks are more accessible. You don’t need to go around with a ton of books with you since all of them can fit your smartphone.
And this is just the beginning. The majority of books are available in both physical and digital forms, so you can pick the format that suits you best. As long as you find materials designed for SATs and practice questions, you shouldn’t have any problems preparing for the exam.
Top audiobooks for SAT study
For those that are wondering which audiobooks are available for SAT preparations, there are a couple of viable options. Each of these books has something to offer, and it is up to you to decide which one suits your learning style.
What matters is that these books are designed to help people prepare for SATs, which means that you will get the necessary information required to pass the exam. Some books are available on audible.com, but you can always check out other best sellers.
Whether you go for Kaplan, Amazon, or any other place that offers act tests, you will be able to find great content. But why not go for the best?
Best SAT test prep book to help you pass the exam
The book was written by Mark Arsenault, and it was narrated by Penelope Klein. The entire length of the book is over six hours, and it is a great option for those preparing for the SATs. Having a chance to hear the content of the book will save you a lot of time.
The version here is a vocabulary edition, which means that it has over 1,500 words. This includes synonyms, antonyms, definitions, examples, and so much more. And since it is an audio version, you will get to hear the SAT words and have an easier time memorizing them.
One of the best things is that this SAT study guide includes a PDF file you can download, which will give you a transcript to follow while listening. It is a nice combination that will help you get a high SAT score.
Official SAT prep
Official SAT Prep is another audiobook you can check out. It was written by the Official Test Prep Content Team, and narrated by several different actors. The group behind this audiobook offers several different audiobooks you can check out as well.
One thing you should know about the Official SAT Prep is that the book is long. This unabridged version contains over 30 hours of material and has numerous practice tests, SAT vocabulary words, and other details you will need to learn.
It is an excellent option for those looking to have a perfect score on their SATs or PSATs, and there are plenty of useful details you will learn about this type of exam, how to prepare for it, and other useful tips.
All things considered, the Official SAT Prep is worth checking out, and the quality is exceptional. As you can probably guess from the length, the audiobook covers a lot of topics and it is more than comprehensive.
SAT AudioLearn
The SAT AudioLearn is designed by AudioLearn Test Prep Team and narrated by Mike & Cathy. It is nearly six hours long, and it offers a complete review as well as test preparation for SATs.
The book covers the most important topics like algebra and geometry but also provides an insight into critical reading, vocabulary, statistics, probability, and so much more. One of the things you won’t need for new SATs is essay writing, but it is still included in the book.
Listening to the book will simplify the entire process, and it will help you understand what to expect from your upcoming exam.
Use any digital material with TTS
What would you say if we told you that you can use any type of digital material as an audiobook? All you will need to achieve this is TTS software, and you’ll be able to create your own audiobooks and podcasts in just a couple of clicks.
And there are plenty of different apps you can check out. The popularity of TTS tools has been on the rise in the past couple of years, and they have proven to be a perfect tool for e-learning.
But what is TTS? TTS or text-to-speech is a voice synthesizer or voice generator app that can convert any type of written text into speech. These apps are based on artificial intelligence, deep learning, and complex algorithms.
What is even more impressive is that they offer natural-sounding voices that sound almost as good as real voice actors. And if you are interested in getting the best TTS tool on the market, you should download Speechify!
Speechify
Speechify is the best text-to-speech software you can find today, and it is available on all platforms. You can use it on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. If you are a PC user, you can also find an extension for Google Chrome.
What this app allows you is to convert any type of text into audiobooks. Or rather, the app will read the text for you. Speechify also has OCR or optical character recognition, and with it, you can turn even physical books into audio files.
The app currently supports fourteen languages, you can choose different AI voices, and some of them are rather impressive. One of the most exciting additions is the AI voice of Gwyneth Paltrow, and the famous actress can be your narrator for any audiobook.
So, if you have papers or books for preparing for the SATs, you can easily listen to them using Speechify. You can just find the best books and prep courses for SATs and convert them into audio files.
TTS tools are slowly but surely becoming great study aids, and they are perfect for busy students. They can help you with vocabulary building and quizzes, and take online practice to a whole new level.
Spend time learning and exploring the app
Having all the tools and materials is just one step of the way. You will still need to spend a lot of time learning, and it is the simplest way to score high on your SATs. While the tests are challenging, they are not impossible.
You can still achieve it with enough practice and preparation. And this is why Speechify might be just the tool you need to succeed. Some students are suffering from dyslexia and reading disorders, and having an app that can read to them can be a game-changer.
Once you download Speechify, you will notice that there are plenty of options and settings for you to check out, and they will all help improve the experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what options you can use.
All the functionalities in the app are designed to improve the quality of the voice and help you learn better. So, start experimenting and start learning. And with enough dedication, you will have excellent results on your SATs.
