The Dreaded SAT Experimental Section
Officially the dreaded SAT experimental section is called the variable section. The first section is going to have essays that are 25 minutes long. The essay will then be followed by another six 25 minute sections. There are then two 20 minute sections and one 10 minute section.
One of those multiple choice 25 minute sections is going to be an experimental one. The people who administer the SAT need to test questions for future exams. This is to see if enough people get them right and/or wrong. So they use you as guinea pigs!
Since one of those sections is going to be experimental, it does not count toward your grade. Its very difficult to pick out the experimental section, but Ill give you a little bit of a tip:
If you get to a section that seems really weird or has questions that you havent seen before and its somehow different from the rest, its probably the experimental one. Dont panic. Stay positive. Just tell yourself its the experimental one and move on.
Now, if you get three 25 minute critical reading sections, one of them will have been the experimental one. If you get three 25 minute math sections, one of them will be the experimental one. And if you get two 25 minute writing sections, youll know one of those will be the experimental section.
So its kind of hard to tell which one it is until youre almost finished, but if you get to one thats weird and totally throws you off, dont think Oh my gosh, the whole things going down the tube now! Tell yourself You know what, that one was weird, that one was harder than I expected. Its probably the experimental one. Stay positive. Keep moving. Thats the way you maximize your SAT score.
Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved, ePrep, Inc.
Karl Schellscheidt is a master teacher, private tutor, and proven SAT expert. Karl is a Princeton University graduate with a masters degree in education who has spent over 15 years tutoring students of all ages on standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, and SSAT. Karl began his education career as a private teacher at The Hun School in Princeton, NJ. He has since helped students throughout New Jersey gain admissions to the regions most prestigious universities and private schools. In 2006, Karl launched ePrep.com (www.eprep.com) as free online resource for SAT test prep and college planning with other industry experts.
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