How to study for the SAT: Prep for an awesome score

Are you wondering how to study for the SAT? Taking the SAT can be one of most stressful things you do to prepare for college. It’s important to know how to study for the SAT so that you’re prepared and earn a higher score!

In this blog post, we will discuss how to study for the SAT effectively, covering everything from understanding the test format to developing a study plan and utilizing high-quality study materials. 

As one of the most important standardized tests for college admissions in the United States, the SAT can be a daunting task for many high school students.

However, with the right preparation and approach, you can successfully navigate the exam and achieve a high score. 

Whether you’re a high school student getting ready to take the SAT for the first time or a repeat test-taker looking to improve your score, this guide will provide you with the tips and strategies you need to succeed on test day.

1. Plan your SAT study schedule

Start by understanding your skills 

The SAT consists of three separate tests: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. To prepare for the SAT, you’ll need to assess which areas will be most challenging for you.

Start by taking an SAT practice test to diagnose your skills. Practice tests are available in many SAT prep books. You can also find official practice tests online on the College Board’s official website or Khan Academy. 

Take a practice test or two to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Taking full-length practice tests will help you get a sense for how you might score on the actual SAT. This way, when you study for the SAT, you can focus your study efforts on the areas where you need the most improvement.

If you’ve already taken the SAT, look at your score report. It will tell you what you scored on each section. Having a baseline score will help you see where you can improve your tests scores.

Design your timeline 

Figure out how much time you have to prepare for the SAT. 

To prepare for the SAT, ideally you’ll begin studying six months, or at least three months, before you plan to take the SAT. 

However, we all know your junior year and senior year of high school are packed with AP exams, extracurricular activities, sports, social events, volunteering, and more. Add to that SAT and ACT exams, and high school students don’t have a minute to spare.

So, if you find yourself cramming for the SAT, don’t worry–you’re not the only one. 

Choose your SAT test date for a time when you’ll be able to study. It’s a good idea to pick a date when you’ll have a less busy schedule and more free time for studying during the two or three months before the test date. 

Make a plan

For the sections where you had the best scores, you should spend some time reviewing that material. 

Based on your practice test, decide how you should focus your study plan. Focus your SAT study plan on the sections of the test where your scores need the most improvement.

Once you’ve identified your timeline and your strengths and weaknesses, create a study plan that focuses on improving your weaker areas. 

Set achievable goals and create a schedule to help you stay on track.

Write down how much you need to study each week or day to reach your goals. The closer you are to taking the test, the more you need to study. 

Commit to studying. Turn off your phone or leave it in another room. Set aside time to study and make yourself take it seriously. 

2. Practice, practice, practice

Study for the SAT using different sources

Choose study materials that are reputable and reliable. This can include SAT prep books, online resources, and tutoring services.

There are many different SAT workbooks and other resources you can use to study for the SAT. 

If you prefer to learn by watching videos, Khan Academy offers video lessons, tutorials, and opportunities to practice taking the SAT.

Add an SAT study app so you can study on the go. 

Consider an online SAT prep course. These vary in price and time commitment, so consider all your options. Choose a prep course that will end about two weeks before you take the SAT. Study on your own before and after you take the course. 

You can make your own SAT study guide based on the results of your full-length practice exams. 

Study effectively for the SAT

Start by studying the skills that need the most improvement.

• Make flashcards of the math formulas you need to know
• Create a brief study sheet with terms and concepts that still confuse you
• Make up your own mnemonic devices for concepts you need to memorize
• Take notes. Writing information down by hand helps you understand it
• Use colored pencils or pens
• Draw diagrams, illustrations, or charts

Practice is key to success on the SAT

Set aside 30 to 60 minutes each day to practice and review your progress regularly. You can do this in one long session or multiple shorter ones. 

You may study for the SAT best in the morning before school, during study hall, or in the evening. The important thing is to set aside time that works for you and study consistently. 

3. Go beyond formal SAT prep

Read books 

Read novels, short stories, nonfiction, memoir—everything!

Reading helps you learn about the world, history, geography, cultural differences, scientific discoveries, and more. 

Reading frequently lets your brain practice paying attention to details, extrapolating meaning, and making sense of complicated text.

Build your vocabulary

When reading, take time to look up words you don’t know.

Keep a list of words and their definitions or study vocabulary with these flash cards.

Review your list twice a week until you can remember the meaning of all the words. 

Make sure you really understand the subjects 

Don’t only study for the SAT by answering test questions. Make sure you really understand the subjects and how to solve the problems.

Create a study guide to help you review difficult concepts in different sections. If you’re struggling, study with other students, ask a teacher for help, or find a tutor. 

Study with friends

Teaching challenging concepts to others helps you learn. Plus, studying for the SAT is more fun with a study group!

Solve puzzles

Working math and logic puzzles helps you develop perseverance, reasoning skills, and pattern-finding strategies. 

Take breaks

Give your mind a chance to rest and focus on something different: get some exercise, have a snack, or listen to music.

During your study time, take a 5-minute break at least once an hour. 

4. Get very familiar with the SAT

The SAT is very structured and predictable. You’ll save yourself time and stress on the day of the test if you know exactly what to expect. 

Understanding the format, including the structure of the test, the different question types, and the time allotted for each section, can help you prepare more effectively.

Understand the instructions for each section of the SAT

The sequence of sections and the directions for each section will be the same for all SAT tests.

Taking time to understand the instructions before the day of the actual test is invaluable. You don’t want to waste your test time on trying to understand the directions instead of the questions! 

As you study for the SAT, become familiar with the structure of the test so that’s one thing you don’t have to think twice about on the day of the test. 

Take a full, timed practice test on paper

Your score will let you know how close you are to earning the SAT score you want and, more importantly, point out the skills you need to practice. Note when you get tired or where your attention drifts. 

After a few more weeks of studying, take a practice test for the second time and see what skills you still need to work on. Try to answer the practice questions more quickly than you did the first time you took the test. If you have extra time at the end of the test, you can use it to check your answers.

Note which subjects you still need to improve on, and focus your studying there. If you did worse in any areas than you did on your first practice test, focus on those subjects as well. 

Pay attention to how you felt after taking such a long test. Did you get hungry or tired? Did your run out of time on any sections? Were you able to stay focused? 

Taking a full-length practice test with time limits will help you learn how to leave enough time to answer all the questions. 

Review your mistakes carefully

Take note of questions you missed in the study materials or practice tests. Review them and solve them again, after you’ve discovered the correct solution. Seek out similar problems for extra practice. 

Also, consider mistakes you made with budgeting your time. Put in the work necessary to be able to complete a section (accurately, of course) in the time allotted.

Then, practice completing the section even more quickly. With this sort of practice, you’ll feel less pressured during the actual timed test. 

Finally, eliminate careless errors; solve problems step by step; read questions carefully; check your work. 

Keep practicing 

As the SAT testing date gets closer, increase the amount of time for studying to 45 minutes to an hour a day, at least three days a week, or more often if you really need to improve your skills. Studying for the SAT takes time and commitment. 

If you have time, take a third practice test about a week before the actual test. This is a great last chance to see which skills still need polishing and to prepare yourself for the rigor of test day.

Taking several full practice tests might seem like a lot of work, but it will really help you get comfortable with the test and be ready for the real test.

5. Final preparations before you take the SAT

Relax

Really! The night before the test, just take it easy. You’ve studied and you’re ready. Do something fun and don’t worry about the test.

Stay calm and confident on test day. Take deep breaths and try not to worry.

Remember that the SAT is just one part of your college application and that your performance on the test does not define you as a student.

Be prepared 

The night before, be sure you have: 

• sharpened No. 2 pencils if you’re taking the paper test or for scratch work
• a laptop or tablet, and charger, with Bluebook installed, if you’re taking the test on your own device
• a fully charged, approved calculator
• a valid photo ID
• a printed copy of your SAT test registration
• face coverings, if required in your testing location

Know where you’re going

Look up the address of the testing center and know exactly how you are going to get there.

Often students don’t take the SAT at their own high school. If you registered for the SAT a few months ago, you might not remember where the test will be. So look it up before the morning of the test! 

 If you’re at all unsure of how to get to the test location, it’s a great idea to go to the site a few days before the test, just so you know where you’re going and how long it will take to get there. 

Allow extra time to find parking or for public transportation, if necessary. 

Get plenty of sleep before taking the SAT 

Plan to get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. Try to get plenty of sleep the entire week before the test so your brain is rested. 

Wake up early enough on the day of the test so that you have plenty of time to get ready without rushing. Be sure you’re used to waking up early so that on the day of the test getting up early feels natural. 

Dress in layers

The testing center might be hot or cold, so be prepared for any temperature. 

Take the test on a full stomach

Eat a healthy dinner the night before and a good (not sugary) breakfast that morning. It might help to decide on and prep your breakfast the night before. 

Pack a snack and a water bottle to take with you. 

Recommended Resources for studying for SAT

Here are some great resources to help you study for the SAT:

The SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published is one of the most popular SAT guide books.

This book has clear explanations of how the SAT works and how to understand the questions.

“Our three kids went through Barrett’s SAT Prep Black Book and raised their scores significantly.”

Michele R.

The Princeton Review SAT Premium Prep book teaches packing tips and tactics for all types of SAT Questions.

Premium access give you online videos to learn about test-taking strategies. You’ll get four tests in the books, plus 5 additional tests online.

How is the SAT changing?

In 2023 and 2024, the SAT will undergo several changes. 

• The test will now be taken digitally, on a laptop or tablet, instead of on paper.
• The digital SAT will take about 2 hours and 14 minutes, instead of three hours.
• There will only be two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. 
• The new SAT test is adaptive. That means whether you provide correct or incorrect answers determines what question you get next. 
• Reading questions will be shorter and questions will correspond with only one question. 
• Math questions will be more concise. Students can use a built-in graphing calculator for the math section.
• The digital SAT exam will have new features, including a digital countdown clock, the ability to flag questions to return to later, and a digital reference sheet for math. 
• ​Official test scores will be delivered more quickly than in the past.

Do I need to take the SAT?

For admissions

Whether or not students need to take the SAT depends on the specific college or university they plan to attend. While some colleges and universities have made standardized tests such as the SAT optional, many others still require or strongly recommend them as part of the application process.

It’s important for students to research the admissions policies of the colleges and universities they are interested in applying to in order to determine whether or not the SAT is required or recommended. Additionally, even if the SAT is optional, a high SAT score can still be a factor in admission decisions and can help students stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

For Scholarships 

SAT scores can have a bearing on scholarship awards. Many colleges and universities consider SAT scores when awarding merit-based scholarships to incoming students. A high SAT score can help students stand out in the applicant pool and demonstrate their academic potential.

Students should research the scholarship opportunities available to them and determine if SAT scores are a factor in the application process. Preparing for and achieving a high SAT score can help increase a student’s chances of receiving merit-based scholarships and reducing the overall cost of college.

Final thoughts on how to study for the SAT

Preparing for the SAT can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming experience, but it is important to remember that you have the power to succeed. By familiarizing yourself with the test format, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, creating a study plan, utilizing high-quality study materials, practicing regularly, and taking care of your physical and mental health, you can approach the SAT exam with confidence and achieve your target score. Remember to stay calm and positive on test day, and trust in the hard work you have put in to get there. 

Studying for the SAT might feel like an impossible task, but it’s not. It just takes time, a plan, and lots of practice. 

So, go out there and show the world what you’re capable of! Good luck!