You are NOT your last SAT score! SAT Words of Advice.

You are NOT your last SAT score!
SAT Words of Advice.

I’ve noticed a destructive mindset that many students seem to share: they strongly feel that they are defined by their last test scores.

Often, a new student will tell me that they took a test like the SAT or ACT (sometimes without preparation) and that they received a certain score. Then they say, “I guess that’s just my level.” They allow a test score to limit their potential. This is a serious mistake. There is no such thing as a “1200-student,” a “1300-student,” or even a “1450-student.” With more practice, and especially more thought and analysis of past mistakes, students can always improve their scores.

What’s worse is the kind of student who has done well on a previous test but would like to do even better on a future test. Sometimes, these students care so deeply about the upcoming score that they often sabotage their own success. For instance, if they do poorly on a practice exam, they seem to believe that they’re getting worse. That negative feeling can cause them to perform even worse on their next mock exam, which creates a self-perpetuating cycle. As a teacher, it is easy for me to see their true potential, but potential is not enough. The “inner game” is even more important that true ability.

We use the term “inner game” in sport. I’m sure everybody who has played sports (or chess or any other game) has had the following experience: there is a rival team or player that always beats you. Then, one day, you forget yourself and before you realize it, you’re winning. Then you notice, and your conscious mind says, “Wait! I NEVER win against this opponent!” As soon as you have this inner dialog, you start to fumble and miss easy shots. The end result is that you lose.

Now, did you really lose because the other player or team was better than you? No. Your brain gave your subconscious mind a direct command: “I never beat them!” Naturally, your subconscious mind complies and causes you to lose.

The same is true for test takers. If you deeply believe that you are limited or that you’re getting worse, you won’t be able to tap your true potential. Remember: it’s physically impossible to get worse from doing practice tests. You can only get better. So, make sure you don’t brainwash yourself into believing that you’re getting worse.

Remain positive - it’s one of the keys to high performance. If you have been diligent in your practice, you CAN do better.

I hope everybody does well on the upcoming SAT test.