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Students need to take the SAT for admission to many colleges and universities. While some of these institutions have gone test-optional in recent years, you would nonetheless be wise to take the SAT. This would give you the option of applying to any school you want, knowing that you already have checked the SAT “box.” But if you’re like most high school students, your time is limited! If you want to do your best, you’ll want to find the best SAT prep courses to help you study efficiently so that your SAT test prep is as fast and effective as possible.
So, it’s time to get studying! Your first impulse might be to grab an SAT prep book and start working on random practice questions. Resist the urge! You will need a more robust study plan than using a prep book for your SAT preparation. The answer may well be an SAT prep course. In this article, we’ll discuss the many features to consider when you are looking for a great SAT prep course. This will help you choose one that will effectively take you through the twists and turns of studying for the SAT and help you get the best SAT score you can!
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- SAT: The Basics
- The 2 Sections of the SAT
- Important Features of Top-Rated SAT Prep Courses
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s Next?
Before we discover what constitutes the top SAT prep programs, let’s get an idea of what we are up against: the test itself.
SAT: The Basics
In the U.S., the digital version of the SAT debuted in spring 2024. It is shorter than the paper-and-pencil version by just over an hour; the test is now 2 hours and 14 minutes long.
You might have two options for taking the SAT: on Saturday morning at a test center, or on a weekday at your own school. The second option, called SAT School Day, is available if your school participates in this program. Otherwise, you can register for the test center SAT administration at a local school or college.
Now, let’s look at the two sections of the SAT in detail.
The 2 Sections of the SAT
The SAT has 2 sections: the Math section and the Reading and Writing section. Let’s briefly review each of these.
The SAT Math Section
You have 70 minutes to complete the entire Math section, which comprises 2 separate modules. Each module contains 22 questions, and you have 35 minutes to finish a module. You may use a calculator for all sections. You may use your own calculator, or you may use the online Desmos graphing calculator, which is available to you during the exam.
About 33 of the SAT math questions are multiple-choice with 4 answer choices. The remaining 11 questions are “student-produced response” questions (SPR), which is the SAT’s name for fill-in-the-blank questions. There is no penalty for an incorrect response, so even if you don’t know the answer, guessing is encouraged. You should leave no questions unanswered.
KEY FACT:
The Math section of the SAT has 44 questions, and you have 70 minutes to answer them.
Topics Tested in the SAT Math Section
The College Board has identified 4 main math topic areas that are tested. You will be familiar with most of these topics from high school math class. Sometimes the wording or the structure of a math question on the SAT will be different from the way you saw them on math tests in high school. But with a bit of practice, you’ll become comfortable with this difference.
Here are the 4 topics, with subtopics listed:
- Algebra: basic linear equations; linear functions; solving systems of equations; linear inequalities; linear word problems
- Advanced Math: function notation; factoring and FOILing quadratic functions; parabolas; polynomial (higher-order) functions; exponents and exponential functions; radical equations; absolute value; exponential growth
- Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: percentages, ratios, and proportions; distance-rate-time questions; unit conversion; mean, median, mode; probability; graphs and charts, including scatterplots; statistical inference
- Geometry/Trigonometry: lines; angles; right triangles; circles; area and volume; the Pythagorean theorem; trigonometry
KEY FACT:
The topics tested in the SAT Math section are Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry/Trigonometry.
The SAT Reading and Writing Section
You have 64 minutes to complete the 54 questions in the Reading and Writing section, which comprises 2 separate modules. Each module contains 27 questions, and you have 32 minutes to finish a module.
In the Reading and Writing section, you will encounter a total of 54 passages (or passage pairs), each of which requires you to answer just one multiple-choice question. Each passage will be short (from 25 to 150 words), and it will represent literature, social sciences, physical sciences, history, or humanities.
KEY FACT:
The Reading and Writing section has 54 questions, and you have 64 minutes to answer them.
Content Domains Tested in the SAT Reading/Writing Section
The College Board has identified 4 content domains, as follows:
- Information and Ideas: comprehension, analysis, and evaluation of ideas from texts and graphics, such as charts, tables, and graphs
- Craft and Structure: vocabulary; interpreting phrases in context; connecting two related texts
- Expression of Ideas: effective revision of a text to meet the author’s purpose
- Standard English Conventions: sentence structure, usage, and punctuation
KEY FACT:
The SAT Reading and Writing section asks questions from 4 content domains: Information and Ideas; Craft and Structure; Expression of Ideas; and Standard English Conventions.
Now that you have basic information about the SAT, you might see that you will need a structured approach to preparing for it. A prep course may be the answer. Let’s discuss the features to look for in a great SAT prep course.
Important Features of Top-Rated SAT Prep Courses
You’re ready to begin your SAT studying. Choosing great SAT study materials is critical to your success. Most likely, an online SAT prep course will be the best way to prepare for the SAT. You can easily do a search to find the best-rated SAT prep courses. To help you choose the course that best meets your needs, use the following list of course features to evaluate each SAT prep course. First, decide which features are important to you and compare those features to the online SAT courses that interest you. Then, once you find some good matches, try a free or low-cost trial for each and then decide which one fits your unique needs.
Feature #1: Comprehensive Coverage of SAT Content
You want to be sure you’re choosing effective study materials. First, recall that the number of concepts the SAT tests is huge. Of course, you can’t know exactly which topics are on any particular SAT. Thus, you need a course that covers every concept that is tested on the exam. It’s a good idea to compare the list of concepts tested, which we provided earlier in this article, to the topics that each online SAT course includes.
If you’re satisfied with the comprehensive coverage of a particular course, check to see if detailed solutions are posted for every question. The good courses will have both written and video explanations for most, if not all, of the practice problems.
TTP PRO TIP:
A good SAT prep course will include coverage of every topic that appears on the SAT.
Let’s now consider an SAT study plan.
Feature #2: A Detailed Study Plan
The best SAT prep course will provide a detailed study schedule to guide you from day 1 to test day. The study plan will be a detailed, customized road map that will guide you every day to assess your progress and project your activities so that you reach your target score.
As a result, when you log into your course, you will know exactly what to do and when to do it. You won’t have to waste your time figuring out where you left off at the end of your last session or what you need to work on today. With a solid, individualized study plan, you’ll spend all of your study time on studying and none of it looking around haphazardly to figure out where you are or where you need to be.
KEY FACT:
A course with a detailed, individualized SAT study plan will keep you on track.
Now, let’s discuss topical learning, the best way to learn each SAT topic.
Feature #3: Topical Learning
Being methodical is a key to success in your approach to SAT preparation. Your SAT study plan will keep you organized. Even more important, of course, is your mastery of all the material that is tested on the SAT. The best way to achieve comprehensive SAT mastery is to study using topical learning, a proven and time-tested technique that ensures that you’re learning all the concepts tested on the SAT.
Topical learning focuses on learning just one topic at a time and then answering practice questions only on that topic. For example, if you are studying the topic of parabolas, you will cover subtopics such as vertex form, standard form, x-intercepts, y-intercepts, translations, etc. You’ll answer a few questions after each of these subtopics, and then you’ll answer up to 100+ questions after you have finished learning the entire topic. You shouldn’t move to the next topic until you feel satisfied with your mastery of parabolas. Follow this procedure for each of the topics presented in your study plan.
We cannot overstate the importance and benefits of topical learning in your SAT prep. In fact, the Target Test Prep course is organized in precisely that fashion because that type of learning is incredibly effective for SAT students of all levels of mastery, from beginner to advanced.
KEY FACT:
Topical learning focuses on learning just one topic at a time.
Advantages of Topical Learning
Topical learning starts with basic concepts and steadily moves you to more advanced ones. Thus, no matter where you start, you can progress at your own speed through the material. You’ll study material only on the current topic, so you won’t waste time on problem sets that cover material you haven’t yet learned.
Additionally, by learning each SAT topic individually, you’ll be aware of your progress to date. As a result, you’ll be able to adjust your study schedule, if necessary, to make sure that you will finish your SAT prep by the day you’re scheduled to take the test.
Finally, topical learning keeps your SAT prep organized and efficient. With topical studying, you’re on a structured path and not randomly jumping from one topic to another. Thus, you won’t go to another topic before you’re ready, possibly missing some important concepts.
So, when you’re looking for the best SAT prep course, you want to find one that allows you to learn each SAT topic individually. It will ensure you follow up your learning with topic-specific practice of many questions, ideally 50 or more per topic.
TTP PRO TIP:
Topical learning is a time-tested technique for mastering SAT material.
Let’s now discuss the importance of analytics for evaluating your progress.
Feature #4: Performance Analytics
In addition to the basics, great SAT courses will provide you with some useful bonus features. For example, performance analytics track your progress and analyze your performance as you move through the study plan. They give you feedback about your strengths and weaknesses and the areas where you may need additional work.
In the Target Test Prep course, for example, each user has a dashboard showing key, up-to-the-minute stats. These include accuracy percentages for each completed topic, accuracy by question type, strongest and weakest topics, average time per question, percentage of the course completed, and more.
KEY FACT:
A great SAT prep course will provide you with performance analytics, such as strong and weak subjects, and accuracy stats for topics or question types.
Next, let’s discuss the error tracker.
Feature #5: An Error Tracker
In addition to detailed analytics, the best SAT prep course will provide you with an error tracker. This feature tracks the types of mistakes you make when you are answering practice questions, helping you to correct those mistakes.
The TTP error tracker, for example, logs all of your incorrect questions, why you missed them, and how often you make each type of error.
When you miss a question, the error tracker will ask you why you missed the question. Did you fail to read the question carefully? Did you let time constraints put you under pressure to choose an answer even though you weren’t quite ready? Did you answer the wrong question (e.g., solved for x instead of y)? The error tracker will keep track of your responses and you can proactively correct those tendencies sooner rather than later.
KEY FACT:
An error tracker analyzes the type and frequency of errors you make when you’re answering practice questions.
Flashcards are another valuable feature of a great SAT course.
Feature #6: Pre-Made Flashcards
Sometimes, the most frustrating part of answering a math question is trying to recall the formula to use. Since memorizing math formulas is probably less interesting than watching concrete dry, students can sometimes get frustrated–and desperate–about learning them. But think about it: on the SAT, nothing can be worse than knowing HOW to solve a problem but then realizing that the formula is nowhere in your brain. Aaaarrrggghhh!
The most efficient technique to learn SAT math formulas and concepts is through flashcards. A good SAT course will provide you with a set of pre-made flashcards that allow you multiple options for review. Also, you should look for the option of creating your own personalized flashcard decks.
TTP PRO TIP:
Flashcards are the most effective way to study and learn math formulas and concepts.
Let’s discuss a little bit more about the math concepts we need to memorize.
Feature #7: Math Equation Guide
Another useful feature of a great SAT course is a summary of the major math equations, operations, and concepts that you need for success on the exam. Having a math equation guide, which you can print out and have available for reference during study sessions, allows you to mark any formula or technique that you need to remember.
The math equation guide is an invaluable tool because it contains every math procedure tested on the SAT. Just before test day, you can use it, along with your math flashcards, to keep the math formulas and concepts fresh and at the forefront of your brain.
TTP PRO TIP:
A math equation guide is a bonus feature of any SAT course you’re considering.
The next important feature of a great SAT prep course is expert tutoring.
Feature #8: SAT Tutoring
A great online SAT course should be a one-stop shop to meet your every need. So, if you need extra help with one or more concepts, having access to SAT tutoring services with expert instructors familiar with both the prep course and the SAT will be an invaluable resource. Although the course will generally give you all you need to successfully learn every topic, you may occasionally get stuck on a concept that just eludes you. Thus, it’s nice to know that an online, on-demand tutor is available if you need a little extra help on a particular lesson.
TTP PRO TIP:
Having an on-demand tutor available who knows both the course and the SAT is another valuable feature of a great SAT course.
Of course, no discussion of the best SAT prep courses is complete without discussing cost.
Feature #9: Cost
Even the best online SAT prep courses will not cost an arm and a leg! Thus, you need to evaluate the cost, along with the other features of the perfect SAT course for you. You will discover that affordable SAT prep courses are less expensive than a private tutor or an in-person SAT preparation class. Still, you need to look at the costs and the benefits of each potential course to ensure that you get the best value for your money.
Note that any reputable self-study course will offer a low- or no-cost trial. Thus, you can test a few different courses before you commit to one. In fact, why not start with a free 5-day trial to the TTP SAT course now?
Even the best online SAT prep courses will not cost an arm and a leg!
Key Takeaways
The SAT has 2 sections: the Math section and the Reading and Writing section. The entire test takes 2 hours and 14 minutes. You will take the SAT at a testing center or your school if it participates in SAT School Day.
Most test-takers will agree that the best SAT prep classes are on-demand online courses and not live online or in-person classes. You should consider certain features when you’re deciding which is the best SAT prep course for you and your unique needs. Here is the list of important features to evaluate:
- Comprehensive Coverage of SAT Content
- A Detailed Study Plan
- Topical Learning
- Performance Analytics
- An Error Tracker
- Pre-Made Flashcards
- Math Equation Guide
- SAT Tutoring
- Cost
Evaluate these features for the courses you are considering, and then try a low- or no-cost trial of those courses. There is no single “best” SAT prep course. Every course has its pros and cons. You need to find the course that best fits your unique needs. You will then be able to make an informed decision about the best online SAT prep course for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are online SAT prep courses worth it?
It is almost certain that the benefits of a SAT prep course more than pay for themselves! SAT courses provide you with a curriculum aligned to the SAT itself, so you’ll study only what’s tested on the test. In addition, online SAT prep courses provide you with comprehensive study plans, performance analytics, flashcards, error trackers, and other features that will save you time and frustration. They will keep you organized so that every second of studying counts.
How much do SAT prep courses help?
If you want to get a great SAT score, a prep course can be your best friend. With all the demands on your time, like homework, job, athletics, family, and friends, you have precious little time to study for the SAT. A prep course will keep you on track, on time, and focused. It does all the organizing and scheduling, so all you have to do is log in and start studying.
What’s Next?
Now that you know the features of an outstanding SAT prep course, you will want to get your preparation underway. So, check out this article to learn how to start studying for the SAT.
Good luck!
