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The SAT is an important test, so it’s imperative that you start your prep on the right foot. The first step will be to evaluate how much time you need for SAT preparation. Then, you’ll develop an effective SAT study schedule to meet your goals. If you are like most high school students, you have many demands on your time, so it is important that you create a schedule that will balance your school, work, and family responsibilities with your SAT prep time!
In this article, we’ll cover key considerations for creating an effective study schedule. It’s important to consider your target score, your baseline score, and when you will need to schedule your SAT. We’ll consider the many options and tools you can use to make effective use of your study time so that you get your best score possible.
Here Are the Topics We’ll Cover:
- Know the Facts About the Digital SAT
- When Do You Plan to Take the SAT?
- When Should You Start Studying?
- How Will You Prepare for the SAT?
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s Next?
Know the Facts About the Digital SAT
The digital SAT is quite different from the previous paper-and-pencil version. For one, the test is about an hour shorter than its predecessor: 2 hours and 14 minutes, down from 3 hours and 15 minutes.
You will take the exam either at school or at a test center. You may use your own computer (PC or Mac), iPad, or a school desktop, laptop, or Chromebook. The exam is administered via Bluebook, an app that you’ll need to download ahead of time. Note that when you are taking the exam, all other features of your computer are locked.
You may use a calculator (online, supplied with Bluebook, or your own) for both Math modules. The College Board, the administrator of the SAT, also overhauled the Reading and Writing section. Finally, the exam is now section-adaptive (we’ll explain what that means shortly).
Overview of the Digital SAT
The digital SAT, often referred to as dSAT, has two main sections:
- Reading and Writing – This section consists of 2 modules, each containing 27 questions and taking 32 minutes to complete. Compared to the old SAT, reading passages are shorter, and each passage has just one question. In addition to answering reading questions, you will be tested on word usage, grammar, and punctuation.
- Math – The math section also consists of 2 modules, each containing 22 questions and taking 35 minutes to complete. About 75% of the math questions are multiple-choice questions with four answer choices. You will also be presented with “student-produced response” questions, which are essentially fill-in-the-blank questions. If you don’t wish to use your own calculator, you may use an online Desmos graphing calculator.
KEY FACT:
The Math section has 44 questions, which you are given 70 minutes to complete. The Reading and Writing section has 54 questions, which you are given 64 minutes to complete.
What Does It Mean That the SAT Is Section-Adaptive?
A section-adaptive test bases subsequent questions on whether a student answers the previous question correctly. Because of this feature, no two students will take exactly the same SAT. Thus, the test-makers can reduce the number of questions on the test while still accurately measuring each student’s ability. Let’s look at how section adaptivity works, using the Math section as an example.
In Math Module 1, you answer a mixture of easy, medium, and hard questions. After you finish Module 1, the computer scores your responses. If you score about 60% or better, Module 2 will give you harder questions, and answering these questions correctly will give you more points. On the other hand, if your Module 1 score is less than 60%, Module 2 will present easier questions, but correct answers won’t be worth as much.
The same algorithm is used for the Reading and Writing section, so you can see that earning a great score on the first module of each section is extremely important!
KEY FACT:
The section adaptivity of the SAT adjusts the difficulty level of the second module of each section based on your getting correct answers in the first module.
Now that you have basic information about the digital SAT, it’s time to address the variables that affect your study plan.
When Do You Plan to Take the SAT?
The College Board typically administers the SAT 7 times each year: in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. (The August exam is at the end of the month, and all other tests are early in the month.)
Your decision about when to take the SAT should largely depend on your chosen schools’ application deadlines and whether you are considering early decision (ED), early action (EA), or regular decision (RD).
Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision Considerations
If you are considering ED, your college application deadline may be as early as November 1 of your senior year. In that case, you should consider taking the SAT in the spring of your junior year, in May or June. That way, if you don’t hit your target score, you can put in extra study time in the summer and retake the exam in late August and still easily meet your deadline.
For early action (EA), the application deadline is usually mid-November, so a similar timetable as ED applies, and you’ll want to take the SAT in the spring of your junior year. However, because of the mid-November application deadline, you have an additional testing opportunity: the SAT testing date in early October. Thus, you would have two testing opportunities (August and October) to improve your score, if needed, while still meeting your deadline. Therefore, you could choose to take your SAT either in the spring of your junior year or in the fall of your senior year.
If you are not considering ED or EA, then you probably have a regular decision (RD) deadline of January 1. In this case, you might choose to take the SAT as late as the fall of your senior year. Because there are four testing dates available (August, October, November, and December) before your application deadline, you will have ample opportunity to take the SAT and even a retake and still meet your deadline.
TTP PRO TIP:
Plan the date of your SAT on your application status: early decision, early action, or regular decision.
When Should You Start Studying?
Similar to determining when to take the SAT, your decision about when to start studying is not cut-and-dried. If you start studying too early, you might pass your peak before you take the exam. Similarly, if you start studying too late, you will have to scramble for time and be stressed out and ill-prepared on test day. So what is your “Goldilocks time frame” for beginning your SAT prep?
Don’t leave your decision to chance! Guessing wrong could cost you big time. This is the time to make what are called “data-driven decisions.” Consider the following items to help you make your decision.
TTP PRO TIP:
Use data when determining your SAT timeline.
Determine Your Target Score
You may be surprised to hear that the vast majority of SAT students have no idea what their target SAT score is. When asked, they say something like, “as high as possible” or “enough to get into Harvard (or whatever their dream school is).” Yet they have no idea what score that translates into.
Determine your target score. Look up the SAT scores of accepted students at your dream schools. For example, the SAT score for students accepted to Harvard averages about 1520, and this score is similar to those at other top-tier schools such as MIT, Yale, and Stanford. A score like this is in the 98th-99th percentile range.
If you want to attend a well-regarded state university, such as the University of Florida or Ohio State, you will still want to score in the high 1300s to mid-1400s, which is in the top 10% of all SAT scores. Note that many schools provide a range of acceptable scores for applicants. You don’t want to set your sights on scoring at the low end of the range. Aim for at least the average score of accepted students for the schools you’re interested in!
Another reason for establishing your target score is for those all-important scholarship applications! Many scholarships are based either solely or partly on your SAT score, so be sure to research any minimum SAT scores required for qualifying. A great SAT score could literally be worth tens of thousands of dollars!
TTP PRO TIP:
Research the SAT scores of accepted students at schools that interest you to help determine your target score.
Learn more about SAT scores and their percentiles by using the College Board’s SAT User Percentiles Chart.
After you determine your target score, you’ll need to take a practice test.
Determine Your Baseline Score by Taking a Practice SAT
Now that you have an idea of the SAT score you are aspiring toward, it’s time to put the rubber to the road and take an SAT practice test. You might choose to review a few math formulas and grammar rules, but don’t spend a lot of time trying to study for it. The practice test will simply give you a baseline score, which you will compare to your target score. The gap between these two scores will give you a sense of how much studying you may need to do.
Don’t take a paper SAT practice test. Instead, download the Bluebook app from the College Board website. There are 4 free practice tests, so take the first one and save the remaining three for later.
TTP PRO TIP:
Take a realistic practice SAT on Bluebook to establish your baseline score.
Decide How Much Time You’ll Need to Study
After you compare your baseline score to your target score, you’ll have an idea of the number of points you need to improve during your SAT preparation. Use the following guideline as an estimate of the number of hours you’ll need for your prep.
| Score Improvement Needed | No. of Hours |
|---|---|
| 0-20 | 10 |
| 30-50 | 20 |
| 60-100 | 30 |
| 110-130 | 40 |
| 140-200 | 80 |
| 210+ | 120+ |
Note that there are multiple variables affecting the amount of time you will need to study, so use this guideline as a very rough estimate. These variables can include:
- the difficulty level of the material you need to learn
- whether you need to concentrate on math or verbal
- the study resources you use your attitude toward SAT prep
TTP PRO TIP:
Compare your baseline score to your target score to determine your score improvement goal and the number of hours you’ll take to reach that goal.
Decide How Much Time You Can Commit Each Week to Studying
You probably have an incredibly busy life. You have school, homework, friends, family, community activities, and perhaps athletics or a job, all of which may be putting demands on your time. So, where will you find the time to study for the SAT?
Put your SAT preparation into perspective. Getting a good education is an investment in your entire future. Getting your best possible SAT score increases your chances of getting into the college of your dreams, which will give you your best shot at getting your dream job, too. A great SAT score might qualify you for scholarships, too, which will help minimize your student debt. So, a great SAT score is worth every hour that you invest in studying!
TTP PRO TIP:
A great SAT score can help save you a lot of money by getting scholarships.
Just as an athlete spends time nearly every day at sports practice, you can do the same thing for your SAT prep. Don’t just make an empty statement like, “I will study every day.” That’s like saying, “I want to lose weight, so I will eat less.” Empty and useless. Rather, think carefully. Practice good time management. Prioritize your life. Decide if there are some activities that you can temporarily curtail. Decide how many hours you can realistically commit to your SAT prep each week.
Remember, your SAT studying will last for no more than a few months. A few Saturday mornings spent studying instead of going shopping or spending time with friends will be a small price to pay for increasing your SAT score by, say, 80 points!
TTP PRO TIP:
Be realistic in deciding how many hours you can commit each week to your SAT prep.
Consider Holidays or Summer Break
Some students choose to do the bulk of their SAT studying during holidays or spring/summer break. They find it less stressful because there are fewer demands on their time. Plus, they won’t have other academic commitments that they would have when school is in session, so they feel they can learn and retain the SAT material more efficiently. If this sounds appealing to you, then by all means, consider it. Just make sure you plan your studying so that it lines up with an SAT test date.
TTP PRO TIP:
Don’t rule out holidays or spring/summer break to do your SAT studying.
Make a Schedule and Stick to It
Once you’ve decided how much time you can commit each week to studying for your SAT, you can determine the approximate number of weeks or months you’ll need. Simply divide the number of hours needed to study (using the chart presented earlier in this article) by the number of hours each week you can commit to studying, and you will know the number of weeks to set aside for studying.
For example, you want to raise your SAT score by 120 points. The chart indicates you will need about 40 hours of prep time. So, if you plan to study 5 hours each week, you will need about 40 / 5 = 8 weeks of study. This translates to about 2 months.
KEY FACT:
To determine the number of months you’ll need to study, divide the total number of estimated study hours by the number of hours you can commit each week.
Once you have calculated the number of months you’ll need for studying, count backward from your planned SAT test date to determine when you should start studying. For the example above, an early decision (ED) student with an early May test date should start studying no later than March 1.
Many students commit to their SAT studying by using an actual schedule. If you decide to commit 5 hours each week, commit to the days and times ahead of time, and use a calendar if you think it will help. And once you commit, don’t miss your scheduled study time! You have as much responsibility to meet your SAT study schedule as you would to get to school or a job on time.
TTP PRO TIP:
Create a study schedule to help keep you on track to achieve your SAT score goal.
How Will You Prepare for the SAT?
Okay, so now you have all the basics done. You know your target and baseline scores, you’ve decided on a test date, you have a study schedule, and you’re ready to get down to business.
Now what? Do you buy an SAT study guide and start solving random problems? Do you take another practice test to determine which problems you need to study? What to do, what to do…
There are many possible ways to study, and it is your job to decide which one will work for you. Fortunately, you have many options, from private self-study to using great online resources. Let’s look at several of them now.
TTP PRO TIP:
Before starting your prep, make sure to determine the best way to study for the SAT.
Enroll in a Prep Class
An in-person or online prep class is recommended if you need structure in your studying. A class requires that you attend at a pre-set time and day and that you spend class time learning. You’ll be in the company of other students with the same goal. You’ll often be assigned homework, so you’ll be held accountable for completing it and keeping up with assignments.
A few drawbacks, however, are that you lack the flexibility to choose your study times because class times are set and that the class will never speed up or slow down based on your personal goals and study path. So keep all this in mind when considering a prep class.
KEY FACT:
An SAT prep class will keep your preparation structured and on track, but it will not be personalized to your unique needs.
Hire a Private Tutor
For many students, private tutoring is an attractive study option. Your personal tutor will design sessions to meet your specific needs, spending extra time where it’s needed. Preset tutoring appointments will keep you on track with your study schedule, and your tutor may act as a motivator in case you don’t do assigned work between sessions. However, one consideration is that private tutoring is more expensive than a self-study course or a prep class.
KEY FACT:
A private tutor, while expensive, can tailor your SAT prep around your specific needs.
Create or Join a Study Group with Friends
You can get the best of both worlds – studying and spending time with friends – by creating or joining an SAT study group. Find a friend or two with goals similar to yours, set a meeting schedule that you all can agree upon, and get started!
You can create a syllabus, choose study resources, and hold review sessions. Keep on track to attend all sessions, and you can benefit from both the studying and the camaraderie from your study group. Remember, these types of study groups can be done either in-person or online.
TTP PRO TIP:
Forming an SAT study group with one or two friends can provide an effective means of studying and socializing.
Enroll in an Online SAT Prep Course
An attractive option is to use an SAT prep course. SAT prep courses are generally preferred because they:
- are designed by SAT experts
- provide a comprehensive study plan
- schedule automatic progress tracking
- teach the exact material that is tested on the SAT
- provide analytics, giving you valuable feedback on the types of questions that you have trouble with and why you miss certain questions
- supply equation guides and flashcards
- present you with various test strategies
There are many online SAT courses available, so you should research them and try a few free trials before selecting the one that you are most comfortable with. The Target Test Prep SAT Course offers a free 5-day trial. All online SAT courses offer 24/7 access, and many students like the flexibility of being able to access their course anytime.
TTP PRO TIP:
An online SAT prep course may be a “one-stop shop” for all your SAT study needs.
Summary
In this article, we have focused on the factors you should consider when making an SAT study schedule. First, it’s important to know the facts about the structure and content of the digital SAT, including the section-adaptive nature of the test.
After you know the facts, you can decide on your test date, based on your college application deadlines. These deadlines are largely determined by whether you are an early decision, early action, or regular decision applicant. Plan your testing date to ensure you’ll have a cushion for a retake in case you need one.
Consider the following factors to decide when you should start studying for the SAT:
- What is your target score? Find this by researching the schools that interest you.
- What is your baseline score? Take a practice SAT.
- Based on the difference between your target score and your baseline score, you know the number of points you need to improve your score and can estimate the number of hours you will need to study, in order to obtain that score increase.
- Review your responsibilities and priorities so that you can estimate how many hours you can realistically commit to studying for the SAT each week.
- Make a study schedule and hold yourself accountable to it.
To facilitate your studying, you can use a variety of resources. These include the following:
- SAT study guide
- in-person prep class
- private tutor
- study group
- online SAT prep course
Each of these has pros and cons. Choose the resource that works for you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you want answers to specific questions, such as “Is 2 months enough to study for the SAT?,” “Is 4 months enough to study for the SAT?,” or “How many hours a day should I study for the SAT?,” please understand that there is no single best answer. There is no SAT study schedule template that works for everyone. In fact, these questions must be answered individually by each student. In this article, we have provided the “food for thought” to help you make the best study schedule that fits your unique situation.
What’s Next?
This article has focused on the factors you should consider in creating and using your SAT study schedule. After getting a solid start to your studying, you may want to learn some effective tips for SAT prep when you have a busy schedule.
Good luck! Happy studying!
