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When to Start Preparing for SAT Test

One of the significant aspects of SAT prep is timing. That’s why if you have to guess who got the better SAT scores between two students, you’d probably ask when they began preparing.

With over 90% of our graduates accepted into their first-choice college, it’s clear we’ve created some of the best SAT prep programs that help you take the test with confidence. But you have to do the studying yourself, which begs the question, when should you start preparing for SAT?

When it comes to preparing for SAT, the process is different from one student to the other. One shoe size doesn’t fit all, as what worked for someone else might not work for you. 

To know when to begin preparing for SAT, consider your goals, needs, resources, study style, and time available. Generally, it’s preferable to start planning 3 - 6 months before the test date to enable you to settle on the best study approach that works for you.

Here are some more tips that’ll let you know when and how to start preparing for SAT!

#1. Identify areas to work on

One of the first things you should do when preparing for SAT is to take the PSAT/NMSQT to measure your readiness for the exam. Very similar to SAT, PSAT/NMSQT allows you to practice under real test conditions. This way, you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the test and identify the areas you need to work on. And if you have a lot of areas to study and skills to learn, you’ll be able to begin early enough.

#2. Take at least two practice tests

SAT is about three hours but can seem like forever if you don’t practice enough. That’s why we recommend you take at least two practice tests before your actual test day. The first can be at the beginning of your preparation and the other toward the end. One of the practice tests should be on paper so you’d be familiar with the actual SAT format. Taking at least two practice tests helps you learn critical time management skills, thinking skills, and let you know what to expect on the actual test day.

#3. Get familiar with instructions beforehand

The writing, reading and language, math, and essay (optional) sections of SAT are always similar every year. You can save valuable time for more important things on the exam day by getting familiar with test instructions and directions beforehand. 

#4. Give your brain a break the night before your test

The night before your SAT is critical, and many students might be tempted to do one last preparation and study all through the night. Wrong. You want to walk into the test center prepared and confident with your mind calm and relaxed, a state you won’t get studying at the last minute. Instead, read a book, hang out with friends, spend time with family, do something that breaks the routine of studying, and get a good night’s rest.

That’s that on when to start preparing for SAT! And here at College Prep Tutors, we offer expert preparation that gets you in full gear for SAT no matter your goals, personal preferences, availability, and study time. We’ll teach you different strategies, techniques, and skills to ramp up your test scores. Become our next success story. Start by registering today!

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