How to survive your first SAT attempt

High school students are probably looking to write the SAT sometime soon in many countries around the world. This can be one of the most daunting experiences for a student because it is commonly known as one of the deciding factors for the admission process into a college. Though the importance of standardized tests is debatable, it really never hurts to get a good score - especially when it's achievable.
As I'm a student myself who got a 1590/1600 in the New SAT, I have compiled a set of tips for you to make the most out of your first SAT attempt. The SAT is only a challenge to those who do not approach the preparation in a systematic manner.

1. Start preparing at least 3 months before the test
   If you are aiming for a high SAT score around the 90th or even 99th percentile, you will need this much time to cover every concept. For example, the SAT requires you to know many grammar rules that you would probably neglect in day to day usage. It also helps to have a good amount of time to prepare for the Math section which is deceptively simple, but sometimes the biggest challenge while attempting to score high. Plan well ahead of the exam date in order to balance SAT preparation with other school activities.

2. Get the right material
   It makes no sense to prepare for an official basketball game by playing with a size 5 ball the day before. Similarly, do not get yourself the wrong study material. Vocabulary is no longer a major focus of the SAT. The vocabulary is more contextual so you will not have to mug up words like before. Make sure you get a few practice tests as well. There is no need to get practice tests of extremely difficult level since it is not even realistic. I would recommend the Khan Academy practice tests since they are officially designed by the CollegeBoard.

3. Make sure to get into the flow
   Once you start a study routine, stick to it. Don't give yourself too many breaks. The SAT requires you to get into a groove and stay in it until you write the exam. This ensures that you will be mentally prepared. It will also ensure that you do not go over time on any of the sections.

4. Grind in the beginning, relax towards the end
   In the beginning of your preparation phase make sure to go over each and every mistake. Do not leave even a single answer without scrutinizing your choices. Do not skip the review of an answer until you have fully understood why the given answer is correct or wrong. But towards the date of the exam, do not go so harsh on yourself. You will ideally want to remain physically and mentally fit before the exam to make sure your brain is performing at its maximum efficiency. On the day before the exam, do not do any form of practice. I personally found that avoiding communication with people on the day before the exam helped me focus only on my one goal - to ace the SAT! Do whatever helps you remain calm without affecting the momentum you've picked up over the months.

Though these tips do not go into the specifics of preparing for the SAT, I personally believe that these helped me get the edge over people who prepared for as long as I did but were under a lot more stress than I was. Keeping these in mind can help you make the most out of your first attempt and hopefully achieve your target score on your first time. Also, remember that if your result isn't up to your expectations, it's not the end of the world. Standardized tests are only one part of college admissions. Aptitude tests don't prove any of your capabilities in real world scenarios. Colleges realize this too and therefore don't give as much importance to the SAT and ACT as you might believe.
It might also be helpful for you to check out the CDS (common data set) of different colleges. Google "[insert college name here] cds", search for Section C in this document. This section tells you how much colleges actually care about the SAT and ACT. For example:

Good luck fellow students!