Preparing for the SAT can feel overwhelming. But with a strong strategy — and the right SAT study plan — you can boost your score and approach test day with confidence. Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to study for the SAT, including sample plans and essential strategies to help you reach your goals.
Understanding the SAT: What You Need to Know
The SAT measures the skills you’ve developed over years of schooling, not just what you learned last semester. It tests two main content areas:
- Reading and Writing: comprehension, grammar, and expression of ideas.
- Math: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis.
You’ll take the SAT in a digital format, with multiple-choice questions and some student-produced responses in Math. Timing is tight, so practicing under timed conditions is key.
When to Start Studying for the SAT
Most students start studying about three to six months before their test date. This timeline provides breathing room to review content, strengthen skills, and take full-length practice tests.
Factors to consider:
- Your current grade level and coursework
- Your target schools and score goals
- Your extracurricular and personal schedule
Setting Your SAT Score Goals
A clear target score keeps you focused.
- Start with a diagnostic test: Find out where you stand now with a full-length, free SAT practice test .
- Research score ranges: Use our College Search tool to look at the average scores for your target colleges.
- Set a realistic goal: Make sure it’s challenging but achievable, based on your timeline and starting point.
Creating Your SAT Study Plan
A strong SAT study plan is personal, flexible, and designed to help you reach your target score. Here’s how to build one step by step:
1. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Take a full-length practice test to check your current score. This shows which sections and skills need the most attention. A clear starting point makes your SAT study plan more effective.
Personalizing Your SAT Study Plan
Your SAT study plan should reflect who you are as a learner. Start by asking:
- Do you learn best by reading, watching videos, or solving problems hands-on?
- Do you like long, focused study blocks (Marathoner) or shorter, frequent bursts (Sprinter)?
- How much time do you have before your test date?
Choose a study style that matches your personality. If you thrive on routine, build a detailed weekly plan. If you need variety, include different study tools (videos, flashcards, timed drills) to stay engaged.
2. Choose the Right Prep Resources
Pick resources that match your learning style and schedule. You can choose self-paced online courses, live classes, or private tutoring.
Find the SAT prep option that best fits your needs.
What to Consider When Choosing SAT Prep:
- Your learning preferences : Do you prefer structured lessons or flexible, independent work?
- Your schedule : Do you have time for live sessions, or do you need the freedom to study at different times each week?
- Your goals : To be competitive at your selected colleges, do you need to raise your score a little or a lot?
3. Set a Weekly Study Schedule
A clear, consistent schedule is the foundation of an effective SAT study plan, which is why dedicated prep programs like our SAT 1400+ are so effective. If you're building your own schedule, try to give yourself multiple study sessions per week.
Benefits of Spacing Sessions Across the Week
- Avoid burnout from cramming
- Retain information more effectively
- Build a steady habit that becomes part of your routine
Tips for Planning Your Schedule
- Block out time in advance, just like you would for a class or sports practice.
- Mix content review, timed practice sections, and skill drills across different days.
- Consider whether it is easier for you to focus in the morning or in the evening.
- Leave room for review days, so you can analyze mistakes without feeling rushed.
By turning SAT prep into a regular, expected part of your week, you’ll be less likely to skip sessions and more likely to make consistent progress.
4. Take Full-Length SAT Practice Tests
Full-length, timed practice tests are an important part of your SAT study plan. Aim to take at least four complete practice tests before your official test day.
3 Reasons to Take Practice Tests
- They build endurance : The SAT takes about 2.5 hours, and practicing in one sitting helps prepare your mind and body for the actual experience.
- They improve pacing: Timed conditions teach you how to distribute your time wisely across each section, so you don’t run out of time or rush through more challenging questions.
- They track your progress : Taking full-length practice tests is the best way to measure score improvements and fine-tune your strategy before test day.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your SAT Practice Tests
- Schedule them on weekends or days when you have a larger block of uninterrupted time.
- Treat each one like the real exam — no distractions, no extra breaks.
- Afterward, thoroughly analyze your results to adjust your study focus for the following weeks.
Full-length tests transform content knowledge into test-day readiness — they bridge the gap between studying and performing under real conditions.
5. Review Mistakes and Focus on Weak Areas
A practice test is only as useful as what you learn from it. After each test:
- Review every question you got wrong or guessed on.
- Identify patterns in your errors (e.g., certain grammar rules, specific math concepts).
- Create a "mistake log" to track recurring issues.
- Use focused drills and question banks to strengthen those areas.
This targeted approach turns weaknesses into future score gains.
6. Stay Flexible and Adapt
Life happens. You might get sick, face unexpected school demands, or feel burned out. Instead of giving up, adapt your plan.
- If you fall behind : Focus on the areas that will have the greatest impact. Prioritize taking one or two timed practice tests and reviewing your most common mistakes.
- If you get sick or have less time : Shorten sessions but increase frequency. For example, try 30-minute focused drills instead of long blocks.
- If you need to speed up : Combine content review with timed practice. Focus on accuracy first, then pacing.
- If you have extra time : Add more full-length tests and deeper reviews. Work on advanced strategies to further boost your score.
Remember that consistency is more important than perfection when it comes to studying. Adjusting your SAT study plan helps you stay on track and reduces stress.
3 Sample SAT Study Plans: Six-Month, Three-Month, and Six-Week
These sample schedules are intended to be a helpful starting point for creating your ideal SAT study plan. Remember that no one-size-fits-all , week-by-week prescription works for everyone.
Start early, adapt your plan as needed, and if possible, work directly with a Princeton Review instructor or tutor to further customize these schedules.
Six-Month SAT Study Plan
A six-month SAT study plan is ideal if you want to spread out prep, build skills gradually, and avoid last-minute stress.
Months 1–2: Build a strong foundation
- Start with a full-length diagnostic test to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Focus on thorough content review in math (all domains), reading comprehension strategies, and grammar fundamentals.
- Use untimed practice drills to build accuracy first.
- Begin lightly reviewing vocabulary and formula
Months 3–4: Strengthen and expand skills
- Transition to timed section drills to develop pacing.
- Start working on higher-level problem types and trickier question formats.
- Take one full-length practice test each month; analyze results deeply.
- Begin mixing in test-day strategy drills (e.g., process of elimination, time checks).
Months 5–6: Master pacing and endurance
- Increase to one full-length, timed practice test every two to three weeks.
- Focus on high-yield review and weak spots identified in your logs.
- Reinforce your strong areas to ensure you don’t lose easy points to small mistakes.
- Simulate full test-day conditions (same start time, no extra breaks).
- Final weeks: focus more on overall test-readiness than on content review.
Recommended Prep Options for a Six-Month Timeline:
- SAT Self-Paced Course : Flexible and designed for independent study over many months.
- SAT Tutoring Course : Personalized support with a schedule tailored to your pace.
Three-Month SAT Study Plan
The three-month SAT study plan offers a balanced, focused timeline that gives you enough time to review content, practice under timed conditions, and steadily improve your score.
Month 1: Assess and review essentials
- Start with a diagnostic test to set your baseline.
- Focus on reviewing core math concepts and grammar rules.
- Work on reading strategies and evidence-based question practice.
- Begin targeted practice for your weakest areas.
Month 2: Add timing and strategy practice
- Begin integrating timed section practice each week.
- Take a full-length practice test mid-month; update mistake logs and adjust focus areas.
- Work on advanced question types and pacing under pressure.
- Build mental endurance with longer practice sessions.
Month 3: Polish and simulate
- Take one full-length practice test every two weeks.
- Focus on fine-tuning timing strategies and minimizing careless mistakes.
- Review strong areas to maintain accuracy and prevent small errors.
- Prioritize targeted drills and review based on test results.
Recommended Options for a Three-Month Timeline:
- SAT Essentials Course : Structured live instruction to build core skills over three months.
- SAT 1400+ Course : An intensive, high-score-focused course that works well for students targeting a higher score within about three months.
- SAT Tutoring Course : Fully customized to match your exact goals and timeline, including a focused three-month prep.
Six-Week SAT Study Plan
A six-week SAT study plan is designed for students who have limited openings in their schedule (like a summer break) and can dedicate themselves to putting in extra hours during those weeks.
Weeks 1–2: Diagnose and focus
- Take a full-length diagnostic test immediately.
- Focus intensively on top weak areas.
- Begin daily targeted drills on high-impact topics.
- Mix in focused strategy drills (e.g., process of elimination, shortcut techniques).
Weeks 3–4: Ramp up timing and testing
- Start taking one full-length, timed practice test each week.
- Integrate timed section practice (one to two per week).
- Continue drilling weak spots immediately after each test.
- Refresh strong areas to stay sharp and avoid losing points on familiar questions.
Weeks 5–6: Refine and simulate
- Continue weekly full-length practice tests.
- Focus on final strategy tuning, pacing adjustments, and endurance.
- Light review sessions to boost confidence; avoid overloading new content.
- Prepare test-day logistics and mental game plan.
Recommended Options for a Six-Week Timeline :
- SAT 1500+ Tutoring : Intensive, high-score-focused tutoring for fast improvement.
- SAT Tutoring Course : Personalized, accelerated prep to cover key areas quickly.
Essential SAT Study Strategies
Effective study methods make a big difference in how well you remember and apply what you study. Instead of just re-reading notes, try these strategies:
- Teach it out loud : Explain a concept to a friend (or even to yourself) as if you’re the teacher.
- Use flashcards : Drill key formulas, vocabulary words, and grammar rules for quick recall.
- Create mnemonics : Build memory aids for tricky math concepts or grammar details.
- Write in your own words : Summarize difficult topics without copying — this helps you truly understand.
- Practice without peeking : Solve problems first, then check your notes to reinforce what you know.
Mixing different techniques keeps study sessions engaging and helps you retain information more effectively.
Staying Motivated and Accountable
Staying on track can be tough over months of prep. Try these tips:
- Tracking your progress on a visible calendar or chart.
- Setting milestones and small rewards for meeting goals.
- Studying with a friend or finding an accountability partner.
- Using gamified apps or score-tracking tools to keep things fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About SAT Study Plans
How many hours should I study per week?
Most students spend between 5 and 15 hours per week, depending on their timeline and goals.
What are the best resources for SAT prep?
Princeton Review’s SAT prep options include , practice tests , self-paced courses, LiveOnline classes, and private tutoring — all designed to help you succeed.
How many practice tests should I take?
The number of practice tests you take depends on your overall study timeline, though you should aim to take at least four full-length, timed practice tests.
Remember that it’s not just about taking tests — it’s about thoroughly reviewing each one to learn from your errors and adjust your strategy.
Can I self-study for the SAT effectively?
Yes — self-study is possible with a clear plan and the right resources. Our self-paced online course is a great option if you prefer working independently but still want expert guidance.
A strong SAT study plan turns a stressful experience into an achievable challenge. Start with a diagnostic test, set clear goals, build your plan, and stay flexible.
When you’re ready, check out our free SAT Study resources and find the prep option that best fits your style.