When you think of taking the math portion of the SAT, you may not think of having fun with friends. However, preparing for the big test doesn't mean sitting alone in your room and staring endlessly at math problems. When you organize a study group to prepare for the SAT, you empower yourself and your peers to feel more confident about taking the test. Be sure to follow these dos and don'ts when organizing an SAT math study group.

Do Set Goals for the Study Group

When you're organizing the study group, be sure to set goals for it. If you plan to have multiple meetings over the course of a month, be sure to set a goal for each one. For example, you may set a goal for the first meeting to cover some of the more complex math that may be on it, so you may help others understand algebra and geometry better.

At the last meeting, you might plan to address the fact that most of the math portion of the SAT will be multiple choice questions and answers. You may talk as a group about the best way to handle multiple choice problems, and what to do when you just don't know the answer.

Don't Hold the Study Group Somewhere Busy

Although getting together at the food court of the mall or in your favorite pizzeria may sound like a way to mix fun, food, and work, it's not the best way to go. When you hold the study group in a place that gets busy or crowded, it's easy to get distracted.

Some members of the group may stray from the focus of the get-together, and that can get frustrating. If getting study group members to focus becomes like herding cats, you may feel like there's no longer a point to the study group, so be sure to get together somewhere that's quiet and as distraction-free as possible.

Do Offer Refreshments and Plenty of Breaks

Although you don't want to turn the study group into a party, it should have some party-like elements to bring fun to the hard work of preparing for the exam. Serve a variety of snacks throughout the meeting. Choose easy finger foods that aren't messy so that people can munch and learn without messing up textbooks or notebooks.

Also, be sure to get in plenty of breaks. You may even try the Pomodoro technique, where you focus for a set amount of time, then take a five-minute break. That can help keep you very focused during the times when you are studying since you know a break is always close by.

Finally, keep in mind that it's important to inform the group members of your goals and plans for the study group. Things will go more smoothly if everyone knows what to expect once they arrive at the study group meeting. When you all work together to learn, prepare, and support each other, you can go into the SAT feeling more assured in your abilities to ace it. 

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