The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a make-or-break exam for high school seniors hoping to enter the college of their dreams in the US.

It is a young person’s key to a good education that will in turn, assure him of a bright future. Thus, passing , and even acing the SAT — is crucial.

The SAT has two types. The Reasoning Test measures critical ability. The Reading, Math and Writing sections fall under the Reasoning Test.

The Subject Test, on other hand, measures knowledge in certain areas.

A student who scores high in the Subject Test can bypass some college freshman courses.

Each section of the SAT, which is held seven times a year, is graded on a scale of 200 to 800. A score of 500 on each means you’re in the average bracket. A score of 2,400 is the best.

What should you do come D-Day? Kristine Tria, a tutor at Ahead Tutorial and Review Center, shares the following helpful tips:

1. Bring a couple of number 2 pencils and a good eraser.

2. Bring snacks which you can take during hourly breaks.

3. You may bring graphing or scientific calculators to help you in the Math section of the Reasoning Test. Noisy calculators, cellphones, and laptops, however, are not allowed.

4. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

5. Arrive early at the testing center.

6. Students can choose three subject tests per testing date. A student can leave after he finishes the final section if he chooses to take less than three tests.

7. Work on the booklet given you per period. You can’t go back to previous sections nor start on the next one.

8. Do not bring scratch paper, colored pen or pencils, and highlighters. These are prohibited.

9. Skip difficult questions. The clock is ticking. “Lingering on a difficult question means lesser time to answer easier ones. Just go back to the difficult question if you have more time later,”  says Teacher Tine.

10. Make educated guesses. Don’t panic when you don’t know the answer to a multiple-type question. Just do a process of elimination and pick the most logical answer.

11. Test centers have standby tests for students who missed the late registration deadline. But this is on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is no guarantee that you can be accommodated. You can always try though.

12. A student who can’t make it on test day for some reason can reschedule taking his SAT for a non-refundable fee.

13. Pray. It helps, a lot!