4-Step Guide How to Study for the SAT in a Month

4-Step Guide How to Study for the SAT in a Month SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you've only got a month before test day, don't freak out! Although it's not a ton oftime to prepare for the SAT, it can be enough if you useyour time wisely. In this guide, we share with you our best advice on how to study for the SAT in a month. We'll begin by analyzing the feasibility of studying for the SAT in a month and then go overthe critical steps you must take in order to get your plan going. Finally, we’ll leave you with 12 high-impact tips you can use during your studies andon test day to help you get the SAT score you need for college! NOTE: This article largely assumes you’ll be conducting a self-guided study plan. Those who'd prefer ahelping hand should takeadvantage of our expert SAT tutors as well asour completely customizableSAT prep course! Is Studying for the SAT in a Month Doable? Let's start by addressing the crux of this article: is studying for the SAT in a month a feasible endeavor? The answer is yes; however,how doable a month-long study plan is depends greatly on what kind ofscore improvement you're hoping for. In terms of total point improvement on the SAT, here are the (approximate) numbers of hours you'll need to study: 0-30 point improvement: 10 hours 30-70 point improvement: 20 hours 70-130 point improvement: 40 hours 130-200 point improvement: 80 hours 200-330 point improvement: 150 hours+ As you can see, the higher the score improvement you want, the more hours you’ll have to dedicate to studyingfor the SAT. Because the SAT is such an important test for college, and because high school students are busy people, our usual recommendation is to set aside at least six months for SAT prep. This way you won't have to squeeze in too many study sessions each week, and you should still be able to hit the score you need- even a fairly lofty one requiringan increase of 200+ points. For those who'd like to improve their SAT scores by something closer to, say,100 points,three months should generally suffice. But not everyone has three or six months to committo studying for the SAT. So if you've only got a month to get started, don't worry; you can still increase your score. You just need to be willing toclock in the necessary amount of study time whenever possible. There are limitations to this, though.If you want to improve your SAT score by something close to 200 or 300points (150+ hours of study time), one month likely won't give you enough time todo so. For a plan like this to work, you'd have to study about 38 hours a week, or more than five hours a day! This is waytoo much time for anyone todedicate entirely to SAT prep. At this rate, you're guaranteed to burn out after a day or two! So to recap, studying for the SAT in a month is doable, as long as you: Are ready to create a regular study schedule and stick with it. Want toimprove your total SAT score by no more than 130-200 points (equivalent to about 80 study hours). Now, let's take a look at how to study for the SAT in a month using our simple four-step plan. How to Study for the SAT in a Month:4 Critical Steps for GettingStarted Gettingthe most out of your month-long SAT study plan means figuring out what your current SAT score is, what kind of scoreyou need for college, and how you intend to achieve that score. Ouressentialsteps below will teach youhow to prepare for the SAT in a month, so you can take the test with confidence. Step 1: Find Your Target Score In order to determine how many hours you'll need to study, you must first findyour SAT goal score. This is the score most likely to get you into all of the colleges you're applying to. The easiestway to find your SAT goal score is to search for average SAT scores (which are usually presented as score ranges) on your schools’ websites. Get onGoogle and look for â€Å"[College Name] average SAT† or â€Å"[College Name] 25th/75th percentile SAT.† You can also browseour SAT requirements database by searching for "[College Name] SAT requirements PrepScholar."Here is an example of USC's SAT requirements page. Your target score should match or exceedthe 75th-percentile score for your most competitive college.Gettingthis score will give youthe best shot at gaining admissioninto all of your colleges, even your most competitive ones. Step 2: Figure Out Your Baseline Score Once you’ve found your goal score, it’s time to figure outyour baseline score (where you’re currently scoring on the SAT). You will use this benchmark score to determinethe number of points neededto hit your goal score (as described in Step 1). To get your baseline score, take anofficial SAT practice test. Be sure yourecreate a realistic test-taking environment as closely as you can: take the test in a quiet room and timeyourself exactly as you'll be timed on the SAT. Once finished, use your test’s answer guide to calculate your individual Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) scores as well asyour total SAT score. This total scorewill serve as your baseline score. You can also use thispractice test to get a feel for which areas of the exam and which question typesare most challenging for you. Step 3: Create a Study Schedule The third step is to come up with a study schedule you'll be able to follow fairly rigidly over the course of a month. First, findthe difference between your baseline score and your target score to get the total number of points required toachieve your target score. Then, look for your difference using the following point ranges to determine how many total hours you'll need to study over the course of a month. As I mentioned previously, one month should give you enough time to study for up to 80 hours and attain, at a maximum, a200-point score increase: 0-30 point improvement: 10 hours 30-70 point improvement: 20 hours 70-130 point improvement: 40 hours 130-200 point improvement: 80 hours The second half of this step is to divide yourhours into a feasible weekly study plan. Below are various schedules you can try out depending on the score range you're aiming for on test day. Alwayschoose the best plan that will work for you personally.So if you loathe the idea of studying for the SAT on weekdays, stick to longer study sessions on the weekends. On the other hand, if studying for more than an hour straight isutterly torturous for you, opt for shorter, more frequent study sessions scattered throughout the week. Light: You Want to Improve Your SAT Score by 0-30 Points If your baseline score is within 30 points ofyour target score, congratulations! You havea very doable month-long study schedule. For this plan, your total prep time is about 10 hours, or a meretwo and a half hours a week. Your options for aweekly study schedule are as follows: 2 hours and 30 minutes, once a week 1 hour and 15 minutes, twice a week 30 minutes, five times a week Medium: You Want to Improve Your SAT Score by 30-70 Points In this scenario, your baseline score is slightly more removed fromyour target score - but not by much! For this medium-sized plan, you muststudy a total of 20 hours, or five hours a week on average. Idealstudy schedules for this plan include: 2 hours and 30 minutes, twice a week 1 hour and 15 minutes, four times a week 1 hour, five times a week Heavy: You Want to Improve Your SAT Score by 70-130 Points Now we get to the tougher plans. With this schedule,you'll have to really startbuckling down to reach your goal of70-130 points. To do so successfullywithin a month, you must study for a minimum of 40 hours, or about10 hours a week. Possible study schedules are: 3 hours and 20 minutes, three times a week 2 hours and 30 minutes, four times a week 2 hours, five times a week Heavier: You Want to Improve Your SAT Score by 130-200 Points This SAT prep plan, though technically feasible, requires a high amount of diligence, regularity, and commitment. To improve your baseline score by 130-200 points, you must study for a minimum of 80 hours, or 20 hours a week on average. Note that at this rate, each of your study sessions will befairly lengthy at three or more hourslong. Your best options for a foolproof study schedule are as follows: 5 hours, four times a week 4 hours, five times a week 3 hours and 20 minutes, six times a week Impossible? You Want to Improve Your SAT Score by 200-330 Points This certifiably insane plan would require a total of 150+ study hours in a month - that's 38 hours a week! Therefore, due to its impractical nature,I do not recommend attempting this plan. Instead, it'll be more helpful for you toaim for a slightly smaller point increase (see plan â€Å"Heavier† above) and then retake the SAT at a later date if you want toimprove your score even more. Just be sure you give yourself more than a month of study time on the second go-around - ideally, anywhere from three to six months. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Step 4: Gather SAT Study Materials Now that you've gota foolproof study plan, it’s time to gather the SAT prep materials you’ll usefor content review and practice during your prep sessions. If you've already got a stash of SAT materials ready to use, awesome! If not, here is a convenient compilationof some of the best SAT resources currently available: The Ultimate SAT Study Guide for SAT Prep: This guide contains links to all of our most important and relevant SAT articles. Use this guide as a broad reference for information on both SAT study resources and test-taking strategies. You can also use it to answer any questions you may have concerning scoring and other SAT logistics. Complete Official SAT Practice Tests, Free Links:Go to this article to download all official SAT practice tests, answer keys, and answerexplanations.Be sure toprioritize newer practice tests(i.e., those based on theredesigned SAT) over older ones. Best SAT Prep Books 2017 (Updated for New SAT): Read this article for candidreviews of the best SAT prep books. All books on this list have been reviewed by a perfect SAT scorer, so you can rest assured they’re worth purchasing! The Best SAT Prep Websites You Should Be Using: Online study materials can be just as helpful as SAT prep books as long as you know where to find qualityresources! Use our guide to help you find the best online SAT resources, from practice questions and strategy guides to virtual prep courses. Khan Academy: A partner website of the College Board (the creators of the SAT), Khan Academy offers a plethora of realistic SAT practice questions and tutorial videos- all for free! Check out our comprehensive guide for tips on how toincorporate Khan Academy into your SAT study plan. As a bonus resource, our SAT blogoffers a vast amount of SAT information, from tips and strategies to testing logistics and more. So feel free to use this resource if you have any questions about the SAT or simply want toreview content using our free study guides! Once you've selecteda solid assortment of quality SAT resources, read on to see ourtoptipson how to study for the SAT in a month. How to Prepare for the SAT in a Month: 6 Surefire Tips A month isn't a particularly long time to study for the SAT, but with our six surefire tips, you're guaranteed to get the score you want on test day! #1: Familiarize Yourself With the SAT Format As is the case with any exam,knowing what to expect on test day can give you a big advantage, not to mention a little extraconfidence. Start your SAT prep byfamiliarizing yourself withhow the test is scored and what type of content it tests. Then, move on to the specifics of each SAT section by learning about what kinds of questions you'll encounter on the exam and what kinds of skills you'll need to master in order to get a high score. For an in-depth overview of each SAT section, refer to the following guides: What’s Actually Tested on the SAT Reading Section? SAT Reading Skills What’s Tested on the SAT Writing Section? Grammar and Questions What’s Tested on the SAT Math Section? Topics and Practice Knowing the SAT format inside and out will give you the upper hand on test day by ultimately eliminating the risk of surprises. #2: Take 2-3 Official Practice Tests to Measure Your Progress Once you've begun studying for the SAT, it's important you consistently check whetheryour SAT score is improving or not by takingofficial SAT practice tests. For a month-long study plan,two or three official practice tests should suffice.Takethe first test at the beginning of your study plan to get your baseline score (as described in Step 2 above). Then, take a second test abouthalfway through your study plan todeterminewhether your prep materials and study methods are actually helping you, and to see whether you have any glaring weaknesses you need to concentrate on more. Practice tests must be taken at the appropriate times to be most effective.So don't take a test too early (less than a week after you’ve started studying for the SAT) or else you likely won’t notice any significant changes. Similarly, don’t take a test too close to test day, as this will only drain your energy! #3: Review Core SAT Math Topics Your study plan would be incomplete if you don't spend any timereviewing the core concepts tested on SAT Math.Broadly, the three major SAT Math topics are algebra, advanced math, and problem solving and data analysis. Altogether, these three topics account for 90 percent of Math questions. But what exactly should you study?Startby mastering thebasics of integers. (You can also check out ouradvanced guide to integersfor detailson prime numbers, absolute values, exponents, and more!) Afterward, progress to the following critical SAT Math topics: For Algebra Linear functions, equations, and inequalities Single-variable equations Systems of linear equations For Advanced Math Quadratic and nonlinear functions and equations Exponential functions and equations Graphing functions Manipulatingpolynomials For Problem Solving and Data Analysis Statistics (mean, median, mode, etc.) Ratios and proportions (including percentages) Graphs, scatterplots, and tables We also offer individual Math strategy guides, which you can access throughour ultimate SAT math prep guide. #4: Learn Basic Math Strategies In addition to masteringcore SAT Math topics, it's imperative youlearn some of thebasic strategies for tackling SAT math. One key strategy you can use while studying is to re-solve math problems you’ve missed before looking at the answer explanations. Here's how it works: using high-quality math practice questions (those on the official SAT practice tests are always safe bets), you’ll answer various SAT Math questions and then check your answers one by one. As you do so, mark the ones you got wrong and then immediately attempt to solve them again, this timeusing the correct answer as a hint. Re-solving questions allowsyou to think more deeply about why you missed a question and what other ways you can use to approach it and come up with a solution. Additional Math strategies areplugging in answers and plugging in numbers. With these two strategies, you can attempt almost anymath problem, even if you’re clueless about how to solve it. These strategies work well if you don't knowhow to simplify algebraic expressions or how to use algebra to solve systems of equations and inequalities. #5: Review Core SAT Grammar Topics Switching gears now! For the SAT Writing and Language section, you must possess a working knowledge of written English conventions and then use this knowledge to correct and improve sentences in various passages. In short, you must understand all of the fundamental rules of English grammar and punctuation. Rules and conceptsmostcommonly tested on the SAT Writing section include: Commas, colons, and semicolons Apostrophes and possessives Subject-verb agreement Modifiers Homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings) Restrictive and non-restrictive clauses Redundancy Idiomatic phrases #6: Develop a Strategy for Reading SAT Passages Passages are abundant on both the Reading and Writing sections of the SAT; in fact, every question on these two sections is based on a passage! Therefore,it's important you cultivate the ability to interpret various types of passages both quickly and accurately. There are many methods for approaching SAT passages. Becausethe Reading and Writing sections pose different types of questions in regards to their respective passages, you may find it easier to develop separate reading strategies for each section. On the Reading section, test takers typically use one of the following strategiesfor reading passages: Skim the passage and then read the questions Skim the questions and then read or skim the passage Read the passage in its entirety and then answer the questions (not recommended) And on the Writing section, test takers tend to use one of these strategies: Answer questions as you read the passage paragraph by paragraph (highly recommended) Answer each underlined question in order as you read the passage Skim the passage and then answer the questions Read only the underlined sentences (not recommended) Ultimately, which passage-reading strategy you choose is up to you, and its success depends on how you read and digest information best. To help you determine which strategy works wellfor you, test out the different strategies listed above using the Reading and Writing sections onofficial SAT practice tests (make sure you time yourself for the same amount of time you’ll be given on the SAT). After you take the tests, compare your scores for each section. Any scores that are significantly higher on one test shouldpoint to a strategy that suits you. 6 Additional SAT Study Tips for the High Achiever The following six tips are geared toward those who are planning to spend at least40 total hourson studying for the SAT in a month and would like additional tactics for reaching their SAT goal scores. #7: Carefully Analyze Real Questions Your study sessions will likely feel pretty long, so spendsome of your time carefully analyzing real SAT questions. The best resources to use for this are official SAT practice tests. As you peruse thequestions on these tests, look for concrete clues to help you identify the type of questions you're encountering on each section. For example, can you differentiate thebig picture questions on the Reading section from the little picture questions? On the Math section, can you identify which problems fall under theHeart of Algebra category? The Data Analysis and Problem Solving category? How doNo Calculator questions differ from those on the Calculator section? Examining how various types of concepts are presented on the SAT will allowyou tobecome an expert on the SAT format. As a result, you'll start to spend lesstime trying to comprehend SAT questionsand more time trying tosolve them. #8: Master ALL Applicable Math Topics and Grammar Rules Test takers hoping for a staggering point increase must move beyond the basics of SAT Math and grammar and start delving into more advanced (albeit less commonly encountered) SAT topics. For the Math section, spend extra time mastering the final10 percent of topics (called â€Å"Additional Topics in Math†). This category primarily covers: Geometry, including triangles, circles, 3-D objects, lines and angles, and arc lengths Trigonometry Complex numbers Additionally, try tomemorizeall of the major SAT Math formulas. Although you’ll be given a list of formulas on the exam, these formulas revolve exclusively around geometry (a less commonly tested topic). Thus, it's imperative youmemorize other relevant formulas, such as those for algebra and trigonometry, that will not be given to you on the test. That being said, you should still memorize the ones on the test, too; doing this willsave you time on test day, as you won't need to repeatedly check the list of formulas for help. In regards to grammar, those with ample time on their hands should make it a goal to master all of the rules detailed in our complete SAT grammar guide. This guide goes over some of the more complex grammar topics, includingrelative pronouns, parallel structure, and fragments and run-on sentences, that you'll need to know for the SAT. #9: Hone Your Reading Comprehension Skills To become an expert at SAT Reading, you must not only know how to read the passages but also how to select the correct answer. And here'sthe trick: there is always only one answer that is 100-percent, unambiguously correct. What do I mean by this? All correct Reading answers are supported bydirect evidencein the passages. So of the four answer choices given to you for each question, only one will be clearly correct - all of the other choices willcontain some sort of clue to indicate they are clearly incorrect. Make sure you practice honing this trick withhigh-quality Reading questions.As you do so,think deeply aboutwhythe incorrect answer choices are incorrect. Dead giveaways for incorrect answersare thosethat: Are too broad Are too specific Are unrelated to the passage Say the opposite of what’s written in the passage Contain extra information that isn’t written in the passage Offer a slightly plausible interpretation thatisn’t directly supported by the passage Even asingle word can make an answer choice incorrect, so alwayskeep a sharp eye as you consider answer choices on the Reading section. #10: Study Vocabulary Although vocabulary no longer constitutes a major portion of theSAT, those trying toincrease their EBRW scoresshould cover all of theirbases by studying vocabulary words likely to appear on the SAT. Luckily, all of the vocabulary on the new SAT is only about medium difficulty; the challenging part, however, stems from having to know tertiary meanings of common terms. For quality vocabulary prep, check out our selection of 150 ACT vocabulary words andScholastic’s 100-word SAT/ACT vocabulary list. (Note that thevocabulary tested on the SAT is now extremely similar to that tested onthe ACT, so it's perfectly OK to useACT vocabulary resources for your SAT prep!) #: Strengthen Your Weaknesses Another tip for high achievers is to target your weaknesses by drilling challenging SAT topics and question types. Focusing on your most difficultareas will help youhone your test-taking skills, effectivelyraising your SAT score. Doing this will also teach youhow todetect patterns in the errors you make, so that you canavoid making them again in the future. The best way to combat your SAT weaknesses is to dedicate more time to both content review and hands-on practice. Use high-quality resources such as prep books for comprehensive content explanations. Then, look for realistic practice questions on your most difficult topics (official practice tests and prep books are solid resources for questions). Work through the questions one by one and check their answers to ensure you understand what mistakes you’re making and how you can alter your habits to answer the questions correctly on test day. #12: Practice Pacing Yourself Don’t assume that just because you’re familiar with the content of the SAT that you’ll be able to breeze on through it! Instead, taketime to develop an ideal pace. One of the worst things you can do on the SAT is leave dozens of questions unanswered, but being aware of how much time you spend on each question should greatly reduce this risk. On practice tests, time yourself and try to see whether certain question types take you longer to work through than others. Then, work on developing faster techniques and strategies for the types of questions that usually eat up your time. On the other hand, if you’re routinely finishing practice tests with tons of time to spare but not scoring where you want to score, you’re likely moving way too fast. In this case, devote more time to double-checking your answers and re-reading any ambiguous questions, sentences, or passages. The Final Word: How to Study for the SAT in a Month Studying for the SAT in a month, though challenging, can be a feasible option for certain test takers depending on the number of points by which you’d like to improve your baseline score. The more points you want, the more hours you’ll need to dedicate to studying - and thus the harder it’ll be to stick to your study plan. If you are trying to improve your score by a significant number of points - say, 200 or more - one month likely isn’t going to be enough time for you to be able to successfully do so. To study for the SAT in a month, you must first find your SAT target score based on your colleges’ average SAT scores and then take an official SAT practice test to get your baseline score. After you've gotten both of these scores, select a study schedule that corresponds to the total point improvement you want to make on the SAT. Once you’ve gathered your SAT prepmaterials, follow thesesix tips to get the most out of your month-long study plan: Familiarize yourself with the SAT format Take 2-3 official practice tests to track your progress Review core SAT math concepts Learn basic math strategies Review core SAT grammar topics Develop a strategy for reading SAT passages And for those with more hours to dedicate to studying, use your extra time to: Carefully analyze real questions Master all applicable math topics and grammar rules Hone your reading comprehension skills Study vocabulary Strengthen your weaknesses Practice pacing yourself With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble implementing a surefire month-long SAT study plan! What’s Next? Feel like you're running out of time?Stay calm! With ourexpert last-minute SAT tips and strategies, you can still get the SAT score you want - no matter how little time you've got left before test day. Need extra help studying for the SAT?Check out our top 21 SAT tipsand learn everything you need to know aboutacing the SAT! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep classes. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our classes are entirely online, and they're taught by SAT experts. If you liked this article, you'll love our classes. Along with expert-led classes, you'll get personalized homework with thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step, custom program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Try it risk-free today: