How to Analyze Your Mock or Real SAT Exam So You Can Do Better Next Time
Dear Parents & Students,
Whether it’s your first mock SAT or your actual test day, one of the most powerful ways to improve your score isn’t just studying more — it’s studying smarter. And that starts with how you analyze your performance.
Our private coaches teach students not just how to take the SAT, but how to learn from it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to breaking down your score report or mock exam so that every attempt becomes a strategic springboard toward your target score.
Suggestion 1: Don’t Just Look at the Total Score — It’s very important to look at the subscores
Start by breaking your total score into the two main sections:
Reading and Writing
Math
Then dig into the subscores:
Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Expression of Ideas (Reading/Writing)
Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem Solving & Data Analysis (Math)
Why it matters: Knowing which skill domains are pulling down your score helps you target specific weaknesses, instead of wasting time reviewing topics you’ve already mastered.
Suggestion 2: Review Question-Level Data — Not Just Right vs Wrong
Go back to the actual test and ask yourself:
Did I misread the question?
Did I get it wrong because of a careless error or a content gap?
Did I second-guess the correct answer?
Did I run out of time and guess randomly?
One of the pro tips that our Coaches often give to their students is this: Categorize each wrong answer into:
Content gap (e.g. didn’t understand linear functions)
Test-taking mistake (e.g. rushed through reading)
Careless error (e.g. mis-bubbled or skipped a step)
Finding out what exactly is causing the wrong answers is a big step towards improvement
Suggestion 3: Analyze Your Timing Per Section
Use a stopwatch or digital SAT timing log next time you practice. Then ask:
Where did I run out of time?
Did I finish early but still got many wrong?
Am I rushing through easy questions to get to hard ones?
Many students lose points not because of skill gaps, but due to poor pacing strategy. Spend more time on harder questions while making sure you don’t make careless mistakes on the easier problems.
Suggestion 4: Identify “High-Leverage” Errors
Not all questions are created equal. Some topics appear over and over on the SAT with high frequency. These include:
Comma rules and transitions (Writing)
Main idea and inference questions (Reading)
Linear equations and exponents (Math)
Our coaches know which areas are high frequency and tend to focus on those areas more.
Suggestion 5: Talk to a Coach or Mentor
Sometimes it’s hard to spot your own blind spots. A Tigerway private coach can:
Help you spot patterns in your mistakes
Explain why your logic might have gone wrong
Build a personal strategy based on your score report
Building strategic plans from previous mock or real exams is what really leads to outperformance.
Final Thoughts
Program Director Calvin has been speaking with many parents on a weekly basis and one common theme he’s often hearing about is that students have trouble forming a plan and then committing to it in order to drive score improvement. We’ll form an action plan with you on a strategy call.
If you have any quick questions, feel free to send him a direct message at 617-749-8421 and he’ll get back to you on the same day.
Book a Call: Raising Scores Action Plan
Talk to our team at Tigerway directly to discuss how our private coaches can help you with your academic subjects & PSAT/SAT Scores as well as shaping your college profile to best stand out.
Calvin Cheung, Program Director (617-749-8421, text today to book a call)
WeChat ID: CalvinGCheung
Sreya Ravi, Program Officer (774-432-7381, text to book a call)
Jasmine Ngo, Program Officer (781-510-0738, text to book a call)
Website (Many educational Blog Posts): www.tigerwayprep.com
We now have Private Coaches who can help with the following subjects:
SAT 1:1 Private Coaching
ACT 1:1 Private Coaching
Academic High School Courses Private Coaching: High School Algebra 2/Pre-Calculus/Calculus. High School Sciences Biology, Chemistry (Sciences are Limited availability, make sure to inquire early)
1:1 Private Coaching for Long-Term College Application Strategy (how to shape application story/extracurricular selection/common application and supplemental essay mentorship)
