Snakes Essay Example For Students

Snakes Essay There are many different species of animals roaming the earth these days. Some live on land and some live in bodies of water such a oceans or seas. They all look different and behave in different and unusual ways. Some use legs to move and other use fins however there are also species which nature didnt give the gift of these body parts. These animals are called snakes and today we will be looking at these extraordinary animals, especially the ones located near our homes right here in North America. Snakes belong to a group of animals known as reptiles. They are classified among other creatures such as lizards, turtles, and crocodilians. The ancestors of our modern snakes and lizards appeared along with the first dinosaurs during the late Triassic period, almost 200 million years ago. Fossils of those animals are rare however because of their soft and fragile bones which decomposed after they died. All snakes have a backbone but lack limbs, eyelids and external ear openings. In addition, snakes have specialized row of scales along the underside of their bodies, whereas other reptiles have numerous rows. Finally snakes have unique skulls. The bones of their upper jaws are not united at the snout but are free to move away from one another, allowing the passage of larger prey items then would be otherwise possible. The snakes are the only known animal that can do that. Snakes have many enemies and they have several means of preventing themselves from being killed or eaten. The most effective and common method is to avoid detection. Many are well camouflaged so that they blend into their natural surroundings. Others have very intricate markings consisting of blotches, bands, or stripes and are intended to confuse predators by disguising the outline of the snake. Yet other species are brightly colored. When the snake moves and the bands flicker quickly past, the predator may be confused as to which direction the snake is traveling. If a snake fails to avoid detection, or ir its warning colors dont scare the predator away it may resort to other means of defense. Almost all the snakes bite event though only few are venomous. A few however play dead by turning over onto their backs and sticking their tongue out. This is usually accompanied by a foul small that is given off from their glands at the base of their tails. Snakes have some of the same senses that other animals use, but they have also evolved additional senses because their eyesight and hearing are not very good. Snakes use their tongues to pick up scent particles from the atmosphere. First they flick their tongue and put it back into their mouths. The tongue is inserted into a chamber in the top of the mouth which is connected directly to the brain. Three groups of snakes, the boas, pythons and vipers have an additional sense organ not seen in other animals. These are the heat pits which are found on the face. Each pit is large and is lined with a sensitive membrane that detects the heat. In this way species with pits can pinpoint the position of warm blooded animals which form their main pray. One of the most advanced snakes are the vipers. They are found throughout the world. Their most distinctive characteristic is a pair of shortened maxillae to each of which is attached a single long fang. Each maxilla is hinged so that the fangs can be folded back when not in use. The fangs have an enclosed canal through which venom is forced. Vipers are typically short and stocky with broad heads. The scales are usually heavily packed and the head is covered with small irregular scales. They are mainly a land species but some are semi aquatic. Vipers are well camouflaged snakes that ambush their prey, which consists of warm blooded vertebrates. Most species give birth to live babies but some do lay eggs. The viper family is divided into four subfamilies. The viperine and the Crotalinae have many species whereas the Azemiopine and Causine have few. The Crotaline are unique among snakes in possessing a pair of large heat sensitive pits between the eye and the nostril.

Bsn Nursing free essay sample

This paper explores my reasons for obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. I believe the BSN should be the minimum requirement for the professional nurse. The BSN is the gateway to advancing the nursing career, but is also prepares one for the newest opportunities in nursing outside of the hospital. Obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. Currently , there are three types of Registered nurses: the diploma nurse, the associate’s degree nurse and the Bachelors Degree nurse. The diploma nurse attends a hospital based program which varies from 18-24 months. The Associates degree nurse attends either a community college or university and is about three years. The Bachelors Degree is a four year program at a university. There have been copious debates about the minimum required education of being a professional nurse. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), American Nurses Association (ANA) and other leading nursing organizations recognize the BSN degree as the minimum educational requirement for professional nursing practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2013). We will write a custom essay sample on Bsn Nursing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page With the health reform, the healthcare system is using more evidence based, cost effective goals. To ensure the goals are met, health care professions should be educated and have advanced skills. Having a nurse with a BSN shows that this nurse has education, some advance skills, and is able to be further educated. However, there are still diploma and Associate Degree nurses practicing. They should be encouraged to continue their education to help fulfill the nursing gap between new nurses entering and seasoned nurses retiring. I agree that a BSN should be the minimum requirement for professional nursing. As we look at the word professional. â€Å"Professional means following an occupation as means of livelihood or for gain† (Professional | Define Professional at Dictionary. com, n. d. ). The nurse cannot advance a career in nursing very far without having a BSN. Most hospitals today are even posting BSN preferred in order to staff with nurses capable of caring for the complex demands in healthcare (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2013). Having a BSN means I am not content with just meeting the minimum requirement of being a nurse. It is the thin line to becoming a professional nurse and just having the title as a nurse. It means that not only do I have great bedside manner but, I am also and effective leader. I am knowledgeable about current events in nursing. I can provide quality and cost efficient care for my patients. I can critically think outside the box. Last but not least, I am determined to continue my education to stay current with the ongoing changes and improvements in the healthcare industry. Once I have completed the BSN program, I will be better-rounded. My skill set will supersede the basic bedside manner. I will be aware of the different cultures and alternative therapies. I will be in a better position to communicate with these patients and their families. I will also be updated with the latest research in nursing. I will be able to follow trends and determine what is improving or hindering the quality of care in my own workplace. I will also become a better leader and manager. I can become a better advocate for the patient and share with them resources in their community that they can utilize. Also, knowing community resources to help poor and low income families with basic needs and preventive services is very helpful. Overall, I will be better equipped to think out of the box and keep up with the expanding opportunities. Nursing today is expanding far from typical hospitals. There are opportunities for nurses in home health, nursing informatics, case management, and outpatient community clinics. Between 1996-2008, the number of registered nurses in community health settings, including home health care rose to 14. 2 percent (American Association). Having a BSN will prepare you with the knowledge you need to be successful in this multitude of opportunities by giving you that extra boost of information not obtain in any of the other programs. The BSN is the welcoming into the â€Å"Profession† of nursing. It is different from having just a nursing job. I am sure one will feel much more fulfilled when they know they actually make a difference and can contribute to a cause. The BSN is the best route to a successful claim in the healthcare industry and a solid step to climb the career ladder in nursing.

Sample Essay About Declining Cognitive Function in Elders

Sample Essay About Declining Cognitive Function in EldersWith more people getting older, there is a growing need for sample essays about declining cognitive function in elders. The essays will help those who are submitting them to distinguish between different samples of essays. These samples can be very helpful in developing a good writing style and in determining the right sample essay. Also, samples will help those who are applying for the essay job to understand what is expected of them in order to be successful.There are various types of essay samples available online, from essays about sports players to essays about writers, and there are also essays about famous writers. If you are going to write a sample essay about declining cognitive function in elders, you have to take note of these important tips:- The first thing you have to take note of when you are choosing a sample essay for your application is the tone. The sample essay you choose should not sound like the usual essa y that has been expected of you for the past several years. It should be easy-to-read and should have a unique style. Choose a unique style by choosing a conversational tone, or making the essay short and concise. This will help distinguish it from the other samples you might find online.- The next thing you have to look for is the sentence structure. A sample essay about declining cognitive function in elders should have clear and concise sentences. Try to keep sentences short and simple. This will help you make your essay easier to read. You can try to increase the length of the sentence to make the essay more interesting and attention-grabbing.- Using exact words, correct grammar, and structure will help you make your essay more interesting. You can use synonyms instead of specific words, to help you differentiate it from the others. You can also put quotations to help you relate the essay to the person whose essay it is. It is recommended that you include a few anecdotes, but do not exaggerate them.- Make sure that the sample essay you are choosing is recent enough for the company. There are companies that use samples that are more than five years old. The essay you are applying for must be able to relate to current society.- Consider using images to add interest to your sample essay. Including images will help you to visually represent your essay, making it easier to read.The best way to find the best essay samples is by searching the Internet. You can search for these samples by topic, like an essay about aging or an essay about memory loss, or by category, like sample essays about writers, writers' essays, examples of good essay samples, sample essays about decline in cognitive function in elders, and so on.

Family Health risk assessment free essay sample

Nursing Conceptual Model (20 Points) Describe the conceptual model that you will use to guide the assessment of the family. Include the major focus of the conceptual model and the description of the four elements of the nursing metaparadigm (person, health, nursing, and environment). B)Family Health Risk Assessment Data 1) Internal family structure (5 points) a. Draw a genogram Include three generations and for each family member include, age, current health status (or causes of death). External family structure (10 points) a. We will write a custom essay sample on Family Health risk assessment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Social class, status and mobility How does the family describe its social class? How many years of schooling have been completed by adult family member(s)? Describe type of work done by employed family members. How many residence changes have been made within the past five years? If family has adult children not living in the household, what is the distance between the clients residence and that of the adult children? What is the frequency and type of communication? 3)Family Functional Assessment (10 points) a. Health/Safety Practices (If possible, collect the following data for each family member). Resources used for health and illness care Date of last complete physical examination. Types of screening exams done within the last three years (include results) Date of last dental examination. Date of last eye examination. Frequency and type of exercise. Stress management activities. Dietary practices (describe a typical meal pattern for one day, include use of sugar, fats, supplements) Alcohol and drug use. Smoking Use of safety devices (i. e. seat belts, infant/child seats, helmets, elbow and knee pads for roller skating and skate boarding). b. Rest/Sleep: (5 points) Average hours of sleep/night for children? Adults? Describe family sleeping arrangements. c. Leisure/Relaxation: (5 points) What are the leisure and relaxation activities for each family member? What activities are done as a family unit? 4)Home and Community Environment (10 points) Describe dwelling, include type of housing (own or rent), number of rooms, state of repair, facilities for food storage and preparation, safety/health hazards. Describe the neighborhood (urban, suburban, rural, residential, industrial, mixed industrial and residential). If industry is present, describe the type of industry (light industry, such as beauty shops, McDonalds or heavy industry, such as an automobile plant, oil refinery, etc. ). What community services would family do family members use? What services would family like to use, but does not know how to access? Describe the relationship of family to the community Prepare a family Ecomap and describe the relationship of each family member to the larger community. PART II: Use data from part I to identify actual and potential risks to the health of the family. Analysis data carefully and document. Use the language of the conceptual model to describe the family health risks. Be sure all risks are evidence- based. (25 points) Throughout the decade, Healthy People 2020 will assess the general health status of the U. S. population by monitoring: Life expectancy (with international comparison) Healthy life expectancy Years of potential life lost (YPLL) (with international comparison) Physically and mentally unhealthy days Self-assessed health status Limitation of activity Chronic disease prevalence Visit site: http://www.healthypeople. gov/2020 http://healthindicators. gov/ A)Describe each health risk stating their influence on: Family structure, Development and Function. (15 points) B)As a result of the identified health risks, list health risk reduction (promotion/maintenance) objective(s) developed with the family and -identify the measurable outcome criterion or criteria for the objective(s). (10 points) ADDITIONAL EVALUATION CRITERIA STYL E: 10 points 5 pts1)Demonstrates proper use of APA style. 5 pts1)Paper is proofread and free of spelling and typographical errors. American Psychological Association (APA) style is required for all written assignments within the Department of Nursing. Undocumented Papers (those with no references) cannot receive a grade greater than â€Å"D. † Papers that are not proofread cannot receive a grade greater than C. TYPING IS REQUIRED. Papers should be no more than 10-15 pages (including reference pages) and typed in not less than 12 pt font. DUE DATE: PAPERS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO CLINICAL INSTRUCTORS. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. r5/2011

Agnostic Essays - Philosophy Of Religion, Existence Of God, God

Agnostic I believe that I am agnostic because I don't know what to think about religion. When it comes to saying whether I believe in God or not, I feel that I have not yet come to a complete understanding of God's existence. This tends to be a vicious cycle which constantly runs through my head. Ever since I can remember, I was taught through my family and church that this being does exist, but as I grew older I began to question whether this almighty being really does exist. How can I believe that this being exists when every day I watch the news and hear of all the tragedy that is happening in the world. I have been taught through my family and church that God is the creator and supreme ruler of the universe. They also taught me that he has set up certain guidelines or rules for which we must obey. These are commonly known as the ten commandments. We have been told that if we disobey these commandments , we will ultimately go to hell. Furthermore, if we follow these commandments, we will go to heaven and live in peace eternally. We all basically have the same perception of what Heaven and Hell are like. Heaven is commonly thought of as a utopia. A place which is soft, beautiful and peaceful. Where there is total peace and harmony. Where as Hell is known as being a prison for evil doers. Hell is supposed to be a dark, hot, and gloomy place with much misery. A persons worst nightmare. As I have gotten older, I don't necessarily believe that God created these commandments or in these places. I do believe that they are still a good set of standards and values for everyone to live by. If we as individuals pray and hold God to be the almighty, How can we make sense of all of the bloodshed, disease, evil and hatred in this world which we live. If God creates, why would he create murderers, thieves, and rapist? How do we except all human beings dying from diseases such as cancer and aids. Can we really state that there is a God, when so many of the young have died in war, or who can account for a creature such as Hitler. I have seen far to much evil in this world to be totally sure there is one almighty being watching over and protecting us. Many people pray to God to keep evil away from all who we love. When in reality, there is no insurance to keep us safe from evil. Isn't it ironic that the one that many people pray to for forgiveness has the power to bring pain in our lives. In my opinion, God is an image for all of us to look up to or strive for his perfection. Everyone wants to be as perfect as the way we perceive God as being. Even if there is no God, this can only make our world better. In conclusion, I still have not been convinced that everything around me has been created by God. But, if it brings all of us closer and makes the world a much better place, I don't see anything wrong with having it. I believe that each individual should get out of religion what they want, not what society wants them to get out of it.

6 Steps to Tailor Your Resume for Any Job Posting

6 Steps to Tailor Your Resume for Any Job Posting All of the job search advice these days stresses the need to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for, rather than blitzing out 50 generic ones. Trouble is, you’re not quite sure how to tailor your resume. Here are a few tips you can follow to make sure this process is a breeze, setting you up for success with whatever hiring manager gets your documents.1. Read carefully.First step is actually reading and comprehending the job posting and what it’s asking for in a candidate. Do yourself a favor and read it through with a highlighter. Mark all of the most important aspects, particularly anything that’s repeated or out of the ordinary- or that happens to match your particular skills. Knowing what the job entails is your top priority. Nothing else matters.2. Don’t bury the lead.Figure out what the most important or exciting match between your candidacy and the posting might be. What will really get the hiring manager’s attention? Maybe itâ₠¬â„¢s your current position, or a certification you recently achieved. Even if it isn’t your most recent accomplishment. Then make sure to feature that right up front- as in: the first section of your resume.3. Revamp your bullets.Be sure to take your major focus points out of later bullet points. But do also make sure to include some of the most relevant soft skills that would make you stand out as ideal for the job. Spin these bullet points to support your main focus and supplement your candidacy for that one job. 4. Cross check again and again.Now that you’ve done some work on your resume, go back to your highlighted job posting and make sure that anything you highlighted there appears verbatim somewhere on your resume- and preferably somewhere prominently featured.5. Add detail.Wherever possible, add numbers and details to help your skills (aka â€Å"Customer service skills†) shine out as something more tangible. (Aka â€Å"Boosted revenues by 10% and upped customer retention†).6. Pimp your cover letter.Don’t make the mistake of sending a perfectly tailored resume with a generic cover letter. Make sure you also spend some time tailoring your cover letter, in much the same way.Bottom line: Make sure both your resume and your cover letter pass the keyword test, including and/or featuring any and every keyword that appears in the job posting.

How to Build an SAT Study Plan 4 Sample Schedules

How to Build an SAT Study Plan 4 Sample Schedules SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips To do well on the SAT, you’ll need to have an SAT study plan. This plan tells you what, when, and how to prep for the SAT. It also helps you manage your time so that you’re not focusing too much (or too little) on certain topics and skills. In this guide, we give you four SAT study plans to choose from, based on your SAT score goals. Before we dive into those, though, let’s go over the benefits of having an SAT study schedule and the preliminary steps you'll need to take to get your SAT plan off the ground. Feature image: danyeela/Flickr What Are the Benefits of a Study Plan for SAT Prep? Everyone who takes the SAT should have a study plan. But what exactly can an SAT plan do for you? For one, an SAT study plan lets you balance your schedule so that you’re spending enough time prepping for the SAT but not overworking yourself.For example, if you’ve got two months until your test date, an SAT plan tells you how many hours per week you must study so that you’re prepping regularly but not squeezing in too many study hours each day. An SAT study schedule also tells you when and how to study the topics you must master to get a high score. If you're not sure where to start with algebra, for instance, a good plan will show you when and how to study all major algebraic concepts you need to know for the test. Likewise, an SAT plan should give you time to review and strengthen any content weaknesses you have. Finally, a solid SAT study schedule indicateswhether you’re improving. By studying consistently for several weeks or months, you’ll be able to determine whether your SAT score is in fact getting higher, as well as whether you’re getting more questions correct in your weaker areas. The easiest way to check your progress is to use official SAT practice tests(we'll tell you how to use these later). As you can see, an SAT studying schedule can greatly benefit you. With a plan, you’ll not only be able to manage your prep time better but will also be able to use your time more effectively to hone the skills and study the content areas you struggle with the most. What’s more, you can use your plan to help you track your progress and see whether you’re improving your likelihood of getting the SAT score you want. Getting Started on Your SAT Study Plan: 5 Preliminary Steps Don't jump into an SAT study schedule without a plan! These five preliminary steps will help you gather the info and materials you need to choose the right SAT plan for you. Step 1: Set a Target Score First and foremost, you'll need to set an SAT goal score. A goal score is the score most likely to get you into all of the schools you’re applying to. To get your goal score, you must find the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores for each of your schools (excluding any safety schools). But what does these numbers mean? And where can you find them? The 25th and 75th percentile scores represent the middle 50 percent of scores for admitted applicants, or the average range of scores. A75th percentile score means you’re scoring higher than 75 percent of admitted applicants to a school, while a 25th percentile score means you're scoring higher than only 25 percent.The best way to keep track of your schools' SAT info is to make a chart (or downloadour pre-made chart). Once you've got a chart,get on Google and search for â€Å"[School Name] PrepScholar." Then, click the link to your school’s â€Å"Admission Requirements† page.On this page, you'll see a table listing your school's 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores. For example, here is the SAT score table for theUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa: Repeat this process for each of your schools until you’ve got all 25th and 75th percentile scores in your chart. Then,choose the highest 75th percentile score in your chart; this will be your SAT goal score sinceit’s the one most likely to get you into all of your schools. Let’s say I am applying to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, UC Davis, the University of Oregon, and the University of Washington. Of these schools, the highest 75th percentile score is 1420 (for the University of Washington). This means my SAT goal score would be 1420. Step 2: Find Your Baseline Score The next step is to get your baseline score. This score is essentially your starting point; it’s the score you’d get on the SAT at this very moment, without any prep. To find your baseline score, take an official SAT practice test. Official tests are the best resources for getting a baseline since they’re the most similar to the SAT.As you take your practice test, try to recreate real testing conditions as closely as possible: take it in a quiet room, usean SAT-approved calculator, and follow the official section time limits. Once you finish, use your test’s scoring guide to calculate your scores for each section as well as overall (out of 1600). Your total score- that is, your Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) scores combined- will be your baseline score.So ifI earned a 630 on Math and a 600 on EBRW, my baseline score would be 1230. Your baseline score is your starting point in SAT prep. Step 3: Calculate How Many Hours You’ll Need to Study Next, use the info you got in steps 1 and 2 to calculate the approximate number of hours you’ll need to studyto raise your current score to your target score.To do this, subtract your baseline score from your goal score. Then, match the difference you get to the numbers below to see how many total hours you'll need to prep for the SAT: 0-30 point improvement: 10 hours 30-70 point improvement: 20 hours 70-130 point improvement: 40 hours 130-200 point improvement: 80 hours 200-330 point improvement: 150 hours+ As you can see, the bigger the point increase you want, the more hours you’ll need to study. In my example from steps 1 and 2, my goal score was 1420 andmy baseline score was 1230. The difference between these two scores is 190 points. Using the conversions above, I find that 190 points translates to about 80 study hours. Step 4: Choose a Test Date When taking the SAT, always choose a test date that: Gives you ample time to prepare for the exam Fits well with your schedule Ensures your scores will get to your schools in time Let's look at time first. The amount of time you’ll need for SAT prep will vary depending on your baseline and goal scores.Simply put, the more hours you need to study, the more time you should give yourself before your test date. Generally, anywhere from three to six months of study time should be enough. However, you might find you have less (e.g., a month) or more (e.g., a year) time than this. In any case, try to find a time frame that lets you easily fit in the total number of hours you need to study. Secondly, pick a date that works well with any obligations or commitments you have (personal, school, or otherwise). For example, if you’re starring in a school play in April, a spring SAT probably wouldn’t work as well for you as a summer or fall SAT would. Lastly, if you’re taking the SAT as a senior, choose a date that's guaranteed to get your scores to your schools before yourcollege application deadlines. If your scores arrive after the deadlines, your application could get disqualified. In general, seniors (who aren’t applying early actionor early decision) should be safe with all fall test dates and likely the December test date- but not anything later! Step 5: Gather Study Materials It's important to gather all of your study materials before you begin prepping for the SAT. This way you won’t waste any study time trying to find resources you can use. Official SAT resources are by far the best ones to use.Luckily, the College Board has released many free prep materials online. Here's what we recommend using in your prep: Official SAT practice tests:These full-length tests are exactly like the real SAT in terms of structure and overall content. They're the closest you can get to taking the SAT without actually taking it! Official practice questions: You can accesstons of practice questions for all SAT sections through the College Board website. Each question comes with a question difficulty and detailed answer explanation to help you understand how to find the right answer. The Official SAT Study Guide: This is the official SAT prep book, covering everything you need to know about the format of the exam, what's on it, and how to study for it. There are also plenty of sample questions you can work through. The best part is that the College Board has uploaded the entirety of the book to its website, making it entirely free to download! Khan Academy:A free partner website with the College Board, Khan Academy offers thousands of official practice questions, answer explanations, and video lessons for the SAT. Furthermore, there are many high-quality, unofficial SAT resources you can buy. Our guide to the best SAT prep books offers a look at which prep books are worth investing in. As a reminder, always be a little pickier with unofficial resources since many are low quality and don’t contain realistic SAT practice questions. We give each of our four SAT study plans four stars. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! 4 SAT Study Plan Options for You to Choose From Now that you’ve finished all preliminary steps for your SAT plan, it’s time to find the plan that’s right for you. Below, we give you four SAT study plans to choose from. These plans differ in both length of time (e.g., one month, three months, etc.) and intensity (that is, the total number of hours you’ll need to study per week). Each SAT study plan gives you an overview of what to study for the week and comes with suggested time frames.These guidelines tell you (approximately) how much time you should spend on each activity. That said, you are welcome to tweak them if you feel you need more or less time with a certain topic. Remember, a good SAT prep plan willadapt tofit your needs. If you're stronger at math and want more study time for Reading and Writing, it's OK to replace some of your Math prep time with Reading and Writing prep. Just know that by changing content focuses or time frames, you'll likely need to shift other days' topics or make up for missed time on other days. Ultimately, what's most important is that you're getting in the total number of study hours you need. Now, let's take a look at our study plans. We offer the following four programs: A three-month program of medium intensity (80 hours) A three-month program of low intensity (40 hours) A six-month program of medium intensity (150 hours) A one-month program of high intensity (40 hours) SAT Study Plan 1: 3-Month Program, Medium Intensity This moderate, three-month SAT plan aims to get you as many as200 pointson test day. To reach this goal, you'll need to study a total of 80 hours, or six and a halfhours per week.Since you'll be spending several hours a week prepping, this SAT plan is best if you're studying over the summer and taking the SAT in the fall. As with any plan, you may spread out your hours however you like each week. Those studying in the summer should try to prep fairly regularly- two or three days a week is ideal. On the other hand, if you’re currently in school, it may be easier to study mostly on weekends. In the end, just do what works best for you! To be successful, always start with the foundation. Month 1: The Basics This month is all about familiarizing yourself with the SAT's structure and content. Week 1: Get to Know the SAT 1. Take a practice test to get your baseline score. If you haven’t taken an official SAT practice test yet, use this time to take one and get your baseline score. Try to take the test in a quiet room without distractions so that you’re getting an accurate representation of your current SAT abilities. Suggested Time: 4 hrs 2. Score your test and analyze your results.Calculate your baseline score and take some time to see what kinds of questions and content areas you struggled with on the test. Suggested Time: 1 hr 3. Learn the format of the exam. To do well on the SAT, you’ll need to understand the format of the test, including what kinds of concepts it tests and how these concepts are given as questions. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs Week 2: Focus on Reading 1. Learn the Reading test format. Know what kinds of passages and questions there will be and how much time you’ll get. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs 2. Figure out the best passage-reading strategy for you. Take a couple of Reading practice tests (you can use official practice tests) to test out different reading strategies. When finished, choose the strategy that gave you the highest score. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs 3. Try out Reading practice questions with the strategy you’ve chosen. Put your strategy to the test and aim to get better at it the more you use it. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs Week 3: Switch to Writing Language 1. Learn the Writing and Language test format. Understand how it’s different from Reading, what kinds of questions it asks, and what sorts of grammar and stylistic rules you’ll need to know. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 2. Review core English grammar topics and punctuation rules.Go over standard English conventions and familiarize yourself with the kinds of errors you’ll see on the SAT. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs 3. Find the best passage-reading strategy for you. This strategy might differ from the one you use for the Reading section. To figure out which one you like most, take some Writing practice tests, using a different strategy each time. Stick with the one that gives you the highest score. Suggested Time: 2 hrs Week 4: Move Toward Math 1. Learn the Math test format. Understand the differences between the No Calculator and Calculator subsections as well as the differences between multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 2. Review basic math concepts. Start by reading our guide to integers andour advanced guide to integers. Then, check out our fundamental guide to fractions, ratios, and proportions. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 3. Go over major algebraic concepts, including: Linear functions Single-variable equations Systems of linear equations Algebra plays a key part on SAT Math, so you’ll need to know what it is and how it looks on the SAT. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs You can't do well on the SAT without strategy. Month 2: Strategies For this month, you'll study additional concepts you need to know and learn basic test-taking strategies that'll help you attack questions effectively on test day. Week 5: Learn More Math 1. Get to know other SAT Math concepts, specifically those in the realms ofadvanced math and problem solving and data analysis. Topics include: Statistics Reading data tables, bar graphs, histograms, and scatterplots Quadratic and nonlinear functions and equations Exponential functions and equations Polynomials Coordinate geometry (points, lines and slopes, etc.) Plane and solid geometry (lines and angles, polygons, solid geometry, etc.) Trigonometry Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs 2. Memorize important formulas.Get down the main formulas for SAT Math. Suggested Time: 1 hr 3. Practice SAT Math questions and drill difficult topics. As you practice, check your answers and analyze your mistakes so that you can see which concepts you need to study more. Suggested Time: 3 hrs Week 6: Start Strategizing 1. Learn key SAT Math strategies, including plugging in answers and plugging in numbers. In addition, learn how to pace yourself and practice guessing strategically on Math. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs 2. Learn key SAT Reading strategiesand Writing tips. Understand what to look for in different question types and how to rule out incorrect answer choices. Also, study possiblevocabulary words. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs 3. Practice Math, Reading, and Writing questions. Put your strategies to the test with realistic practice questions for each section of the exam. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs Week 7: Check Your Progress 1. Take an official practice test. You'll use this score to see how much you’ve improved since your baseline test.As always, try to recreate a real SAT-testing environment as you take the test. Suggested Time: 4 hrs 2. Score your practice test and determine your weaknesses. Look at your results to get a clearer idea of what you’ve improved and what you’re still struggling with. Over the next month, you'll primarily study the weaknesses you find in this test. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs Week 8: Hone Your Essay-Writing Skills 1. If you’re planning on taking the optional SAT Essay, use this time to go over the basic format of the essay.Understand what kind of writing you'll need to do and how long your essay should be. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 2. Readofficial practice SAT Essay prompts.This will give you a broad idea of the kinds of topics you might see on test day. Learn how prompts are usually worded and look at sample responses, too. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 3. Write a few practice essays.Once finished, grade yourself using the official SAT Essay rubric. You can also get another person to grade your essays and offer suggestions for improvement. Suggested Time: 3 hrs Test day is coming up, which means it's time to start reviewing. Month 3: Review Practice Almost done! In this last month, you’ll focus mainly on reviewing and practicing what you've already studied. This means there will be no new content to learn. Week 9: Strengthen Your Weaknesses 1. Use high-quality practice questions to drill any major weaknesses you still have. For example, if you’re struggling to get trig questions right, review the basic concepts you need to know and test yourself with more trig questions. Suggested Time: 6.5 hrs Week 10: Check Your Progress 1. Take your third and final practice test.This will give you a last-minute look at what kinds of weaknesses you still have at this point. Suggested Time: 4 hrs 2. Score your test and closely analyze your results. Are there any areas you really need to improve these next two weeks? What confuses you or eats up your time? Learn what's holding you back and then attack it head-on. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs Week : Practice Still-Difficult Concepts 1. Spend all of your time reviewing and practicing difficult concepts.Use practice questions to try out what you've learned and to ensure you’re making progress on the concepts you struggle with the most. Suggested Time: 6.5 hrs Week 12: Review as Needed 1. Keep reviewing concepts or strategies you still need to work on- but don’t overdo it. This week should feel more relaxed than other weeks. As you study, focus on staying calm and confident. Don’t study the day before the test or the day of your test; you’ll need this time to give your brain a break and calm your nerves. Suggested Time: 6.5 hrs (with 0 hrs on test day and the day before the test) SAT Study Plan 2: 3-Month Program, Low Intensity Compared to the plan above, this SAT schedule is slightly more relaxed and instead targets those looking to make smaller gains- anywhere from 70 to 130 points. With this plan, you’ll study a total of 40 hours, or only about three and a half hours per week. This plan is ideal for those studying for the SAT during the school year, though you can also use it during the summer. If you're any having trouble finding time to prep during the week, try opting for Saturdays and Sundays. You need to go back to the basics if you want to do well on the SAT. Month 1: The Basics This month familiarizes you with all of the main parts of the SAT, including how it’s structured, how it’s scored, and what kinds of Reading and Writing content you’ll need to know. Week 1: Find Your Baseline Score 1. Take a practice test and score it.Although this test will likely exceed your weekly number of study hours, it’s important to get it done so you can see where you’re currently scoring. Once you finish the test, score it to get your baseline SAT score. Suggested Time: 4 hrs Week 2: Get to Know the SAT Format 1. Analyze your baseline test’s answers from the previous week. Just getting your baseline score doesn’t illuminate your weaknesses and strengths. Take some time to go over each of the answers on your practice test, and see if you can re-solve any questions you missed without relying on the answer explanations. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 2. Learn the format of the exam. You need to understand the format of the SAT to know how to attack it on test day. This means getting to know the question types, what kinds of topics are tested, and how the sections are arranged. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs Week 3: Focus on Reading 1. Learn the Reading test format. Go over the different kinds of passages and question types on SAT Reading. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 2. Figure out the best passage-reading strategy for you.Try out different strategies with a variety of Reading passages and question sets. Give yourself 13 minutes to get through each passage and question set. Once finished, calculate the number of questions you answered correctly to determine which strategy gave you the highest score. Suggested Time: 1 hr 3. Practice answeringReading questions with the strategy you’ve chosen. You’ll need to understand how your passage-reading strategy works and how you can use it effectively on test day. Suggested Time: 1 hr Week 4: Switch to Writing Language 1. Learn the Writing and Language test format. Go over the basics of what’s on this section, how it differs from Reading, and what kinds of passages and questions it has. Suggested Time: 1 hr 2. Review core English grammar topics and punctuation rules. SAT Writing is all about channeling your inner editor, so be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the major grammar and punctuation topics tested. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 3. Practice the graf-by-graf method for reading passages. This method is the best one out there for Writing section passages, so be sure to try it out on a couple of SAT passages to get a feel for how it works. Suggested Time: 1 hr Time to get calculating! Month 2: Math Strategies Next up, you’ll get to know the SAT Math section, what it tests, and how to strategize for it. You’ll also learn key Reading and Writing strategies. Week 5: Move Toward Math 1. Learn the Math test format. Know what kinds of question types and math topics to expect. Also, understand the difference between regular multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses, or grid-ins. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 2. Review basic math concepts. You must have a basic knowledge of integers (make sure to also read our advanced guide to integers) as well asfractions, ratios, and proportions. Suggested Time: 2 hrs Week 6: Learn More Math 1. Go over common algebraic concepts, such as linear functions, single-variable equations, and systems of linear equations. Since algebra plays a huge part on the Math section, you’ll need to understand how it's tested and how to solve these types of problems. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 2. Review other major math concepts, mainlyadvanced math and problem solving and data analysis. Additional topics you should know include the following: Statistics How to read data tables, bar graphs, histograms, and scatterplots Quadratic and nonlinear functions and equations Exponential functions and equations Polynomials Coordinate geometry (points, lines and slopes, etc.) Plane and solid geometry (lines and angles, polygons, solid geometry, etc.) Trigonometry Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 3. Memorize important SAT Math formulas.Focus primarily on the formulas you won't get to see on test day (though it’s a good idea to memorize all of them!). Suggested Time: 30 mins Week 7: Practice Reading Writing 1. Learn key SAT Reading strategiesand Writing tips.Specifically, you should know how to answer different question types and how to rule out an incorrect answer. Suggested Time: 1 hr 2. Practice SAT Reading and Writing questions. Drill Reading and Writing questions until you’re comfortable with your passage-reading strategies. If you have extra time, learn some of the most common SAT vocabulary words, too. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs Week 8: Practice Math 1. Learn key SAT Math strategies. These include plugging in answers, plugging in numbers, and the process of elimination. Suggested Time: 1 hr 2. Practice SAT Math questions. Test out the strategies you’ve learned and try to drill questions on topics you struggle with. Use the correct answers to guide your thinking if you’re having trouble understanding how to solve something. Suggested Time: 2.5 hrs You won't get the SAT score you want if you don't practice, practice, practice. Month 3: Review Practice This month is all about making sure you understand the major concepts tested on the SAT. Week 9: Check Your Progress 1. Take an official practice test. Make sure to recreate a real testing environment as closely as possible. When finished, score your test to see how much you’ve improved since your baseline test. Suggested Time: 4 hrs Week 10: Strengthen Your Weaknesses 1. Use high-quality practice questions to drill any major weaknesses you still have at this point. For example, if you don’t understand how to answer big-picture questions on Reading or coordinate geometry questions on Math, focus on getting those concepts down pat. Suggested Time: 3.5 hrs Week : Practice Still-Difficult Concepts 1. Spend time reviewing difficult concepts until you can correctly answer practice questions on these topics. Keep using the strategies you’ve learned and review any other topics as needed, such as vocabulary words, formulas, etc. Suggested Time: 3.5 hrs Week 12: Review as Needed 1. Continue going over any topics you still need to study before test day- but don't overdo it. Your goal now is to feel calm and confident on test day. Keep reviewing any topics, question types, etc., you struggle with and then relax the day before test day. Suggested Time: 3.5 hrs (with 0 hrs on test day and the day before the test) You'll know you're almost done with this next SAT plan when these kittens are nearly full-grown cats. SAT Study Plan 3: 6-Month Program, Medium Intensity For this medium-intensity plan, you’ll study 150 hours over the course of six months- that’s six or six and a half hours per week. This plan can give you a maximum score increase of 330 points. So if your baseline score is far from your goal score, this is a perfect plan for you! I highly recommend this plan to high-achieving sophomores, as it gives you a head start on SAT prep and dramatically raises your potential to get a high score on your first SAT attempt (which should ideally be in the fall of your junior year). Juniors can benefit from this plan, too, by using it to prepare for a spring or early summer SAT. What's especially great is that you can spread out your study sessions across the school year, helping you to avoid overwhelming yourself with school work and test prep. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Month 1 Find Your Baseline Score Take an official practice test (4 hrs) Score your test to determine your weaknesses (2.5 hrs) Understand Structure Learn the SAT format (3 hrs) Learn the Reading test format (3 hrs) Understand Structure Learn the Writing and Language test format (3 hrs) Learn the Math test format (3 hrs) Learn How to Read Find your preferred passage-reading strategy for Reading (2.5 hrs) Find your preferred passage-reading strategy for Writing (2 hrs) Study vocabulary (2 hrs) Month 2 Learn Math Content Review basic math topics and formulas (3 hrs) Build algebra foundation (3.5 hrs) Learn EBRW Content Review English grammar and punctuation topics (3 hrs) Build reading comprehension knowledge (3 hrs) Learn More Math Content Build problem solving and data analysis foundation (3 hrs) Build advanced math foundation (3 hrs) Check Your Progress Take a practice test (4 hrs) Score the test and review your answers (2.5 hrs) Month 3 Learn EBRW Strategy Learn how to eliminate wrong answer choices and practice (3 hrs) Practice other EBRW strategies (3 hrs) Learn Math Content Strategy Build additional topics foundation (2.5 hrs) Practice plugging in answers and numbers (2.5 hrs) Practice other Math strategies (1.5 hrs) Focus on Your Weaknesses Practice Math and EBRW topics and question types you struggle with (6 hrs) Check Your Progress Take a practice test (4 hrs) Score the test and review your answers (2.5 hrs) Month 4 Review Practice Practice Math and EBRW topics and question types you struggle with (6 hrs) Learn the Essay Format Learn the Essay format (2 hrs) Practice writing essays (4 hrs) Review Practice Practice Math and EBRW topics and question types you struggle with (6.5 hrs) Check Your Progress Take a practice test (4 hrs) Score the test and review your answers (2.5 hrs) Month 5 Review Needed Math Concepts Review any Math topics you’re still struggling with based on your practice test results (6.5 hrs) Review Needed Reading Concepts Review any Reading topics you’re still struggling with based on your practice test results (6 hrs) Review Needed Writing Concepts Review any Writing topics you’re still struggling with based on your practice test results (6 hrs) Check Your Progress Take a practice test (4 hrs) Score the test and review your answers (2.5 hrs) Month 6 Review Needed Concepts Review any Math or EBRW topics you’re still struggling with based on your practice test results (6.5 hrs) Review Needed Concepts Review any Math or EBRW topics you’re still struggling with based on your practice test results (6 hrs) Check Your Progress Take a practice test (4 hrs) Score the test and review your answers (2.5 hrs) Prep Lightly Review Practice any topics or question types you want to review and get some rest before test day (6 hrs) SAT Study Plan 4: 1-Month Program, High Intensity For this quick, high-intensity plan, you’ll spend 40 total hours, or 10 hours a week, studying for the SAT. By the end, you'll be able to raise your baseline score by up to 130 points. In order for this plan to work, however, you must be willing to put in the time and effort to study each week. One month isn’t a whole lot of study time, especially if you’re trying to make gains of more than 100 points, but it’s certainly doable if you know how to use your time wisely. For more tips on studying for the SAT in a month, check out our step-by-step guide. Week 1: Study Structure 1. Take a practice test.First and foremost, you’ll need to have a baseline score. Make sure to take the test in a quiet room without distractions. Suggested Time: 4 hrs 2. Score your test and analyze your results. To figure out what areas you struggle with the most, look closely for any patterns in your mistakes. Suggested Time: 1 hr 3. Learn the SAT format. Go over what’s tested, all question types, and how it’s scored. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 4. Learn theReading test format.Get a feel for what the Reading section tests and what kinds of passages it contains. Suggested Time: 1 hr 5. Learn theWriting and Language test format. Get to know the Writing section by learning how it differs from Reading and what kinds of passages it includes. Suggested Time: 1 hr 6. Learn theMath test format. Familiarize yourself with the topics it tests, its No Calculator and Calculator sections, and the differences between multiple-choice questions and grid-ins. Suggested Time: 1 hr Make sure you understand the structure before focusing on content. Week 2: Concentrate on Key Content 1. Reviewcore English grammar topics andpunctuation rules. You’ll need to know a variety of grammar rules for the Writing section, so memorizing these is critical for a high Writing score. Suggested Time: 2 hrs 2. Review and practice core math concepts. These include the following: Integers (we also have an advanced guide to integers) Fractions, ratios, and proportions Algebra (linear functions, inequalities, equations, systems of equations) Advanced math (nonlinear functions, polynomials) Problem solving and data analysis (statistics, how to read graphs) Suggested Time: 5 hrs 3. Memorizeimportant SAT Math formulas. Knowing these formulas will give you a leg up on test day. Suggested Time: 1 hr 4. Choose and practice a passage-reading strategy for Reading. To choose one, practice different strategies using official SAT Reading tests. The one that gives you the highest score is the one you should use on test day. Suggested Time: 2 hrs Week 3: Strategize Check Your Progress 1. Practice thegraf-by-graf method for reading passages on SAT Writing. This is the best strategy for Writing passages since it is less time consuming than others and easy to learn. Suggested Time: 1.5 hrs 2. Learn key Math, Reading, and Writing strategies.For Math, the best ones to know are how to plug in answers and how toplug in numbers. For Reading and Writing, learn how to eliminate incorrect answer choicesand when to choose â€Å"No Error.† Suggested Time: 4 hrs 3. Check your progress by taking a practice test.Once finished, calculate your score to see how much you’ve improved since your baseline test and to determine where your weaknesses lie. Suggested Time: 4.5 hrs Week 4: Review Practice 1. Go over any SAT topics, question types, or strategies you want to practice more. You’ll need to get down the most important concepts if you hope to do well on test day, so focus on any glaring weaknesses you still have. Don’t study the day before the test, though, as you should take some time to rest your brain a bit! Suggested Time: 10 hrs What to Remember When Choosing an SAT Study Plan Before choosing an SAT schedule, set a target score, take a baseline practice test, choose a test date, and gather all of the materials you'll need for your prep. This will help you find an SAT study schedule that's perfect for you and your goals. But which plan will work well for you? In short, the best SAT study plan for you is the one that'll help you reach your goal score on test day. As you consider what plans might work for you, keep the following points in mind: Consider your obligations. Choose a study plan that doesn’t interfere with any major commitments you have. For example, if you have sports practice every day after school, opt for a plan that lets you get in all of your prep hours over the weekend. Stick to a regular schedule. The plan you select will be most effective if you stick to a regular schedule each week. This means you should try to study on the same days each week and for the same number of hours. Customize your plan- but don’t forgo critical steps. We encourage you to tweak our SAT plans to better fit your study needs. However, you should still follow the general order of steps we’ve given you so that you don’t skip crucial information or practice. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Study plans can be heavy, but they should still be doable. Don’t choose a plan that’ll require you to pull all-nighters every week- exhausting yourself won't get you the score you want! With that, I wish you the best of luck with your SAT study plan! What’s Next? Want more guidance on SAT study plans?Get tips on how long you should study for the SAT and learn how many times you should take the SAT. Looking to get a perfect 1600?Read our expert guide to getting a perfect SAT score, written by a real full scorer! 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