This are some simple tips for people who are going to take the SAT-reasoning test. Lets start from the basics: Everybody knows that there are 3 topics and 3 sections for each (in the exam you will encounter 10 sections but one will be cancelled as it is for testing); Maths, Critical Reading, Writing. Lets start with maths:

MATHS SECTIONS

Most of the students will find the maths questions quite easy, as it includes almost no trigonometry (very rare), simple calculus, interpretations of a graph(no rocket science, quite easy),  inequalities, simple power rules, and plane geometry (you might face 3d geometry but it will be quite easy). As for starters not everyone is good with maths, so i suggest them not to go buying a bunch of books (waste of time)… you should try to learn only the questions that might come up in the exam. what i’m trying to say is that, its quite a limited content that will be asked and there is no need to go to extremes as American system universities tend to rely more on the critical reading and writing points; depending on the university. Of course if you are planning to take SAT maybe a year later, you can study harder and take some books.

CRITICAL READING SECTIONS

This was quite a tough part for me. Most of the SAT books I read suggested that one must learn most of the new words, and as for the long boring reading passages, go directly to the questions. As for the words, it depends if one has enough time, if one doesn’t have enough time to learn most of the words; my suggestion would be to learn only their roots (like aqua- it must be something with water), this would give quite an upper hand, after trying to learn their roots, try as many practice tests and write down all the new words and learn them (you will most probably encounter them).– the reading passages
- short passages (try to get the concept of the passage.. dont try to remember every single detail) most probably one will have to compare to short passages, usually the standings of the authors, comparison of their ideas will be asked
- long passages-if you know that you are good in this part, head for the questions and get the answers from the text… if you know that you are a failure a.k.a dummy in this part quickly read all the passage (this was very helpful for me), then head for the questions but you must be really fast as for this part.

WRITING

ESSAY
The most difficult part of the writing sections is the god damn essay (my failure, most ppl failure). But I learned a lot from mistakes. You will be given 25minutes to organise write your essay, and i hope it will be about something that you know (my essay was about art O.o). Here’s a little trick; the ETS people are going to check about thousands/millions of essays, so my suggestion would be to do the first and ending paragraphs as good as you can. why? Appearance is half the job, so if you start good you will leave a good impression of your essay, the middle paragraphs are going to be passed very quickly; and the last paragraph will be a reconfirmation of the first impression. if you know that you haven’t written enough words (300 words are required), then start writing long sentences (a.k.a start bullshiting ). As for the time organistaion : try to use 5min for brainstorming and write down the things that come on your mind; 3min for the entrace paragraph; 12 min for the explanation paragraphs; 3 min for ending; 2 min for checking( they take down quite some points for grammatical mistakes).

Multiple choices

This is the easy part of the writing section; but not for all. About this questions all I can say is try to do as many practice tests as you can(from books), as the answers are explained that is really going to help you understand the question types and how or where to find mistakes.

GENERAL

As practice is the key to victory try to download as many SAT’s tests as u can.

About books: The one who helped me get a grasp of what SAT is all about was 10 Practice Tests for the SAT (SparkNotes Test Prep); i know that it is quite easy, but thats for starters
and the main hardcore book which is the real taste of SAT (really difficult practice tests) was Barron’s SAT, 24th Edition (Book & CD-ROM) (Paperback)
but keep in mind that practice is perfection… so try to download as many practice tests as you can (rapidshare,mediafire,torrentz,warez)
well that’s all… good luck on your SAT exam