A structured study plan for the SAT covering reading, writing, and math sections, with test-day strategies, practice scheduling, and score improvement tactics.
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Take a Diagnostic and Set Goals
Take a full-length official practice test under timed conditions
Use an official practice test, not a third-party one, since third-party tests often differ in difficulty and style. Time each section exactly as the real test: 64 minutes for Reading and Writing and 70 minutes for Math. Take it on a Saturday morning to simulate test day.
Score your diagnostic test and identify your weakest sections and question types
Break down your errors by question type, not just by section. If you missed 8 Reading and Writing questions, determine how many were vocabulary-in-context versus evidence-based reasoning. This analysis takes 30-45 minutes but directs 100% of your study effort.
Research the average SAT scores at your target colleges
Look at the 25th-75th percentile score range for admitted students, not just the average. Aim for the 75th percentile to be competitive. If your diagnostic is 200+ points below your target, plan for 4-6 months of preparation rather than a quick 6-week cram.
Set a target score and calculate the point improvement needed
The average student improves 60-100 points with structured preparation. Improvements beyond 200 points require 100+ hours of focused study. Set an ambitious but realistic target that matches your timeline and available study hours per week.
Build Your Study Plan
Schedule 8-15 hours of SAT study per week for the duration of your prep
Block specific hours on your calendar and treat them like class time. Students who study 10+ hours per week for 3 months outperform those who study 5 hours per week for 6 months. Consistency beats total hours when it comes to test prep.
Allocate more time to your weakest sections based on the diagnostic
If Math is your weakest section, spend 60% of study time on Math and 40% on Reading and Writing. Gaining 50 points in a weak section is easier than gaining 50 points in a section where you already score well. Reassess the split every 3-4 weeks.
Gather official practice materials and one high-quality prep book
The official practice tests are the single most valuable resource because they match the real test format exactly. Supplement with one prep book for content review and strategy. Using more than 2 main resources creates conflicting advice and wasted time.
Schedule one full-length practice test every 2-3 weeks throughout your prep
Practice tests build stamina and track progress. Always review every wrong answer the same day you take the test. Students who take 6-8 full practice tests before the real exam score an average of 70 points higher than those who take fewer than 3.
Master the Reading and Writing Section
Learn the passage types and how to identify the author's main argument quickly
The digital SAT presents shorter passages of 25-150 words per question. Read the passage once for the main idea before looking at the question. Students who read the passage first answer 15-20% more accurately than those who jump to the question.
Build vocabulary through context clues rather than memorizing word lists
The SAT tests vocabulary in context, not in isolation. When you encounter an unfamiliar word in practice, write down the sentence it appeared in along with the definition. Studying 10 words per day in context is more effective than memorizing 50 words from a list.
Practice grammar rules: subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and sentence structure
About 60% of Writing questions test the same 8-10 grammar rules. Master comma rules, semicolon usage, and pronoun agreement first since these appear most frequently. Create a personal error log and review it weekly to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Practice eliminating wrong answers systematically on every question
Cross off answers that are clearly wrong before choosing from the remaining options. On questions where you are unsure, eliminating even one wrong answer increases your odds from 25% to 33%. Two eliminations give you a 50% chance even when guessing.
Master the Math Section
Review the core content areas: algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, and geometry
Algebra and advanced math make up about 70% of the Math section. Geometry and trigonometry account for roughly 15%. Focus your content review proportionally. If you have not taken precalculus yet, spend extra time on the advanced math topics.
Learn to use the built-in calculator tool efficiently
The digital SAT provides an on-screen calculator for the entire Math section. Practice using it before test day so you do not waste time figuring out functions during the exam. Know when a calculator helps and when mental math or estimation is faster.
Practice word problems by translating English into math equations
About 40% of SAT Math questions are word problems. Underline the numbers and the question being asked before writing any equations. The most common error is solving for the wrong variable. Always re-read what the question asks after you solve the equation.
Memorize key formulas that are not provided on the reference sheet
While the SAT provides some formulas, you need to know slope-intercept form, quadratic formula, and systems of equations from memory. Create flashcards for 15-20 essential formulas and review them for 5 minutes daily until they are automatic.
Practice backsolving and plugging in numbers as alternative strategies
When a problem asks you to solve for x and gives numerical answer choices, plug each choice back into the equation. This works on roughly 25% of questions and is often faster than algebraic manipulation. Start with answer choice B or C to save time.
Test Day Preparation
Register for the SAT at least 4-5 weeks before the test date
Popular test centers fill up quickly, especially in October and March. Late registration costs an extra $30 and limits your center options. Register as soon as your prep schedule confirms you will be ready for a specific test date.
Confirm your test center location and plan your travel route
Visit the test center in advance if possible. Know exactly where the building is, where to park, and how long the drive takes. Add 20 minutes to your estimated travel time for test day. GPS sometimes routes you to the wrong entrance of large school buildings.
Prepare your admission ticket, photo ID, approved calculator, and supplies
Print your admission ticket the night before. Bring two sharpened pencils, your approved calculator with fresh batteries, a watch without alarms, and a snack for breaks. No phones are allowed in the testing room. Lay everything out the night before.
Get a full night of sleep and eat a protein-rich breakfast on test morning
Students who sleep fewer than 6 hours the night before score an average of 50-80 points lower than their practice test scores. Set an alarm for 7 hours before you need to leave. Eat eggs, oatmeal, or yogurt rather than sugary cereal that causes a mid-morning energy crash.
After the Test
Review your score report when it arrives in 2-3 weeks
The score report breaks down your performance by question type and difficulty. If you scored below your target, use this data to focus your restudy plan for a retake. Most students improve 30-60 points on a second attempt with targeted preparation.
Decide whether to retake the test or submit your current score
If your score is within the 25th-75th percentile range of your target schools, it may be sufficient. If it is below the 25th percentile, a retake is strongly recommended. Most colleges use your highest score, so there is little risk in retaking.
Send official score reports to your target colleges
You get 4 free score sends at the time of registration. Additional score reports cost $14 each. Send scores to all schools on your list at once rather than waiting for decisions, since some schools require scores by early application deadlines in November.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good SAT score for college admissions?
A score of 1200+ puts you above the national average (around 1050). Scores of 1350-1450 are competitive for top-50 universities, and 1500+ is competitive for Ivy League and equivalent schools. However, a good score depends on your target schools: check each school's middle 50% range on their Common Data Set. Scoring above the 75th percentile for a school makes you a strong candidate, while falling below the 25th percentile signals you should retake or consider test-optional submission.
How long should I study for the SAT?
Most students see meaningful improvement with 8-12 weeks of focused preparation at 6-10 hours per week (roughly 50-100 total hours). Students aiming for a 100+ point increase should plan for 80-120 hours. Cramming in 2 weeks produces minimal gains. The most effective schedule is 1-2 hours daily rather than marathon weekend sessions, because spaced repetition builds retention faster. Take a full diagnostic test first to identify weak areas and allocate study time proportionally.
Is the digital SAT harder or easier than the old paper version?
The digital SAT (launched March 2024) is shorter (2 hours 14 minutes versus 3 hours), has shorter reading passages, and allows a calculator on the entire math section. It uses adaptive testing, meaning the difficulty of the second module adjusts based on your first-module performance. Students generally report the digital format feels less exhausting. Scoring remains on the same 400-1600 scale. The key strategic difference is that pacing matters more because getting the first module right unlocks harder (but higher-scoring) questions in the second.
Should I take the SAT or ACT?
Take a full-length practice test for each and compare scores using the official concordance table. About 30% of students score meaningfully better on one test versus the other. The SAT emphasizes data interpretation and evidence-based reasoning, while the ACT has a science section and faster pacing (less time per question). Students who are fast readers and strong in science often prefer the ACT. Students who prefer fewer questions with more time per problem tend to do better on the SAT.
How many times can I retake the SAT?
You can take the SAT up to 7 times per year, with the test offered 7 dates annually (typically in March, May, June, August, October, November, December). Most students take it 2-3 times. Scores typically peak by the third attempt: the average improvement from first to second attempt is 40 points, while the second to third gain averages 20 points. Superscoring (combining your best section scores across dates) is accepted by most colleges, so each retake has low downside risk.