How to Get 1400+ on the SAT If English Isn’t Your First Language
Test Preparation
Apr 20, 2025
Unlock the secrets to scoring 1400+ on the SAT as a non-native English speaker with targeted vocabulary and study strategies.
Want to score 1400+ on the SAT as a non-native English speaker? Here’s how:
Build Your Vocabulary Daily
Learn 5–10 new SAT words every day using flashcards.
Read U.S.-based content like news, fiction, and academic papers.
Practice using new words in sentences to strengthen understanding.
Use Translation Tools Wisely
Focus on translating individual words, not full sentences.
Transition to monolingual dictionaries after two weeks.
Use browser extensions to translate words while reading U.S. articles.
Understand Test Questions
Create a reference log for unfamiliar terms with definitions and example sentences.
Group terms by subject to make studying easier.
Plan Your Study Schedule
Use short, focused study blocks during the week.
Take a full-length practice test every weekend.
Balance study with rest and exercise to stay sharp.
Focus on Active and Passive Vocabulary
Build passive vocabulary by reading and listening to U.S. content daily.
Convert passive words into active vocabulary by reviewing and practicing.
Key Tip: Use tools like ChatSAT to identify weak areas and improve your pacing. Consistency and targeted practice can help you overcome language challenges and achieve a top score.
How I Scored 760 English on my Digital SAT as an ...
Learn SAT Vocabulary Through Daily Activities
Build your SAT vocabulary by incorporating learning into your everyday routine, using real-life examples of U.S. English.
Read U.S. Content Regularly
Explore a variety of U.S.-based content like news articles, magazines, academic papers, and fiction. These sources are packed with the kind of vocabulary you’ll encounter on the SAT.
Learn Words in Context
Pay attention to how words are used in sentences to guess their meanings.
Create your own sentences for each new word to deepen understanding.
Track how each word works grammatically and in different contexts.
Review Words Daily
Pick 5–10 new SAT words each day. Use flashcards - write the word on one side, and the definition with an example sentence on the other. Quiz yourself daily to make those words stick.
Finally, refine your translation skills to better understand English without depending too much on your native language.
Use Translation Tools Effectively
Once you've built a solid vocabulary, translation tools can help fill in the gaps. But as your fluency improves, it’s important to rely on them less and less.
Tips for Minimizing Translation Tool Use
Here are some ways to use translation tools wisely while encouraging your language skills to grow:
Focus on translating single words rather than entire sentences. This helps you rely on context to understand meaning.
After two weeks of using bilingual dictionaries, transition to monolingual ones to deepen your comprehension.
Try browser extensions that let you hover over words in real U.S. articles to translate them, instead of translating entire texts.
Understand U.S. Test Questions
To tackle U.S. test questions effectively, it's important to keep track of unfamiliar terms you come across. A dedicated reference log can help turn these terms into learning moments, making your preparation more thorough and efficient.
Maintain a Reference Log
When studying SAT passages, a well-organized reference log can be a game-changer. This log should include every unfamiliar term, along with its context, definition, and an example sentence. Here's how you can structure it:
Category: Group terms by subject or theme.
Term: Write down the word or phrase you don’t know.
Context: Note the sentence or passage where the term appeared.
Definition: Look up and record its meaning.
Example sentence: Include a sentence that uses the term correctly.
Plan Your Study Schedule
It's time to create a weekly plan that balances study sessions, practice tests, and some much-needed breaks.
Set Your Study Times
Morning Study Block: Start your day with the most important tasks, like vocabulary drills or reading practice, when you're naturally more alert. Try the Pomodoro Technique - work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break - to keep your focus sharp.
Mix Weekday and Weekend Sessions: Use short 25-minute study blocks during weekdays, especially after school. Dedicate one weekend session to a full-length, timed practice test, followed by a detailed review.
Practice with ChatSAT
Leverage ChatSAT's AI Study Director to pinpoint weak areas and improve pacing with its timing analytics.
Balance Study and Life
Make sleep and exercise a priority to stay sharp.
Skip the all-nighters. Instead, align your study sessions with your daily routine and use ChatSAT's real-time tracking to monitor your progress effectively.
Quick Guide: Active vs. Passive Vocabulary Learning
Using daily reading and your reference log as a foundation, understanding the difference between active and passive learning helps you focus your practice effectively.
Active vocabulary refers to words you can confidently use in writing and speaking. Passive vocabulary, on the other hand, includes words you recognize and understand when reading or listening. Both play a key role in SAT prep - passive vocabulary aids comprehension in the Reading section, while active vocabulary strengthens performance in Writing and Essay tasks.
Learning Type | Description | Best for | Study Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
Active Learning | Words you can use in writing and speaking | SAT Writing & Essay | • Regularly review flashcards |
Passive Learning | Words you recognize and understand when reading or listening | SAT Reading & Comprehension | • Read and listen to U.S. content daily |
How to Balance Active and Passive Learning
Start with Passive Learning
Spend time reading and listening to U.S. content daily. This helps you absorb new words naturally through repeated exposure.
Convert Passive to Active
Take the words you encounter and turn them into flashcards. Review these regularly to shift them from passive recognition to active use.
Up next, we’ll use these strategies to map out your weekly study plan.
Conclusion
To achieve a 1400+ SAT score, focus on these three steps:
Expand Your Vocabulary
Spend time daily with U.S.-based content and consistently learn 5–10 new SAT words.
Improve Reading Speed
Practice techniques like skimming and chunking. Start with a goal of reading 80 words in 15 seconds and work up to 100–120 words per minute.
Utilize ChatSAT
Take advantage of its AI-driven tests to hone in on your weakest areas and improve efficiently.
With consistent effort and the support of ChatSAT’s personalized guidance, non-native speakers can reach a 1400+ SAT score.