Here’s a 6-week SAT study plan to help you prepare effectively for the exam. This plan covers all the main sections: Reading, Writing & Language, Math (No Calculator), Math (Calculator), and the optional Essay. You can adjust the daily study hours based on your schedule, but this plan assumes about 2 hours of study per day. You may also refer to the best SAT prep books.
Week 1: Building a Foundation
Day 1:
- Math (No Calculator): Focus on understanding basic algebra and number operations.
- Reading: Read and analyze a couple of SAT-level reading passages. Focus on main ideas, inferences, and tone.
- Writing & Language: Review grammar rules such as subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and sentence structure. Read more: https://thecareergram.com/sat-writing-language-common-grammar-traps/
Day 2:
- Math (Calculator): Review more advanced topics like functions, graph interpretation, and word problems.
- Reading: Focus on vocabulary in context and understanding the passage structure.
- Writing & Language: Review rhetorical skills—how to improve the passage (word choice, sentence structure, and tone).
Day 3:
- Math (No Calculator): Practice word problems and equations involving percentages, ratios, and basic geometry.
- Reading: Practice reading comprehension—focus on finding supporting evidence for answers.
- Writing & Language: Practice identifying errors in sentence structure and punctuation.
Day 4:
- Math (Calculator): Focus on more challenging topics like quadratics, advanced algebra, and proportional relationships.
- Reading: Continue practicing reading comprehension.
- Writing & Language: Work on identifying grammar mistakes related to modifiers and sentence fragments.
Day 5:
- Math (No Calculator): Work through practice questions on geometry, including area, volume, and coordinate geometry.
- Reading: Practice reading passages that involve complex themes or multiple viewpoints.
- Writing & Language: Focus on improving coherence and clarity in the passage.
Day 6:
- Math (Calculator): Review algebraic expressions, inequalities, and linear equations. Take a Math practice test.
- Reading: Review any vocabulary and reading strategies.
- Writing & Language: Continue grammar and structure practice.
Day 7:
- SAT Practice Test: Take a full-length, timed practice test (without the Essay). Analyze your mistakes and review areas where you struggled.
Week 2: Strengthening Skills
Day 8:
- Math (No Calculator): Review problems related to functions, linear equations, and systems of equations.
- Reading: Practice timed reading comprehension exercises.
- Writing & Language: Focus on verb tense, parallel structure, and modifiers.
Day 9:
- Math (Calculator): Work on solving word problems with quadratic equations and systems of equations.
- Reading: Focus on understanding author’s tone and purpose.
- Writing & Language: Practice sentence improvement questions and eliminating wordiness.
Day 10:
- Math (No Calculator): Review percentage, ratio, and proportions in various contexts.
- Reading: Practice passages related to social science or history.
- Writing & Language: Continue grammar exercises on punctuation, sentence structure, and style.
Day 11:
- Math (Calculator): Work on data interpretation and analyzing graphs and tables.
- Reading: Practice synthesizing information across passages.
- Writing & Language: Review logical fallacies and coherence in passages.
Day 12:
- Math (No Calculator): Focus on problems related to geometry, angles, and lines.
- Reading: Focus on passages with more complex vocabulary.
- Writing & Language: Practice editing for clarity and conciseness.
Day 13:
- Math (Calculator): Solve problems related to exponential growth, data interpretation, and probabilities.
- Reading: Continue practicing reading comprehension with a variety of topics.
- Writing & Language: Review sentence structure and punctuation errors.
Day 14:
- SAT Practice Test: Take a full-length practice test again. Review your mistakes.
Week 3-4: Fine-tuning and Practice
In these weeks, repeat the cycle of reviewing all sections but focus on improving your timing and strategies. Aim to complete a timed section (Reading, Math, or Writing) each day.
Days 15-21:
- Continue practicing each section daily. Do timed drills and try to improve your score in each individual section.
- Focus on areas where you’re still making mistakes.
- Do 1-2 practice sections per day (e.g., one reading passage, one math problem set).
Day 22:
- Full Practice Test: Take a full practice test to see how you are progressing.
Week 5: Test Strategy and Focus on Weak Areas
Day 29-35:
- Review your practice test results.
- Focus your efforts on your weakest areas.
- Practice time management to avoid running out of time on any section.
- Work on your strategy for answering questions more efficiently.
Day 36:
- Full Practice Test: Take another full-length test and note any improvements or areas that still need work.
Week 6: Review and Fine-Tuning
Day 37-41:
- Do a light review of all sections.
- Focus on reviewing common mistakes, and improve your speed and accuracy.
- Take 1-2 practice sections per day.
Day 42 (Test Day Prep):
- Take a final full-length practice test.
- Review your errors.
- Relax the day before the test; get a good night’s sleep.
This plan is designed to allow you to gradually build confidence and improve performance in each section. Good luck!
Save/Share
