“Six weeks. One goal. A 200-point jump on the SAT. Here’s exactly how I did it.”
Meet the Student: Maya’s SAT Journey
Maya, a high school junior from North Carolina, had a 1090 SAT score on her first attempt. Her dream school? NYU — which meant she needed to get at least a 1290 to be competitive.
With only six weeks to the next test date, Maya created a focused prep strategy — and ended up scoring a 1290, exactly 200 points higher. Here’s how she did it.
📅 Week-by-Week Study Plan
| Week | Focus | Hours/Week | Tools Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full-length diagnostic test | 6 hrs | Khan Academy, College Board |
| 2 | Weak areas in Math | 8 hrs | Khan Academy, UWorld, YouTube tutorials |
| 3 | Reading strategies + vocab | 7 hrs | PrepScholar Blog, Quizlet |
| 4 | Timed section practice | 9 hrs | Official SAT Practice Tests |
| 5 | Mixed section drills + review mistakes | 8 hrs | Magoosh SAT App |
| 6 | 2 full-length practice tests | 10 hrs | College Board Official Tests |
💡 Maya’s Top 6 SAT Prep Tips
1. Track Mistakes Religiously
“I didn’t just check answers. I logged every single mistake, why I made it, and what I should’ve done instead.”
Try using a Mistake Log like this one:
📝 Free Mistake Log Template (Google Sheets)
2. Target Weaknesses Ruthlessly
Focus on low-hanging fruit. Maya’s data showed she lost most points on:
- Reading inference questions
- Algebra word problems
- Grammar rules like subject-verb agreement
3. Use Official Materials First
“I didn’t touch any books until I finished all 8 official College Board practice tests.”
4. Time Every Section
She simulated real test conditions — no pausing, no phones, no distractions.
⏱ “It helped me get comfortable with the pacing, especially in Reading.”
5. Supplement with Free Tools
Maya didn’t use expensive tutors. She relied on:
6. Visualize Your Score
“I stuck a photo of NYU on my wall with a sticky note that said: ‘1290.’”
A simple mindset hack that kept her focused.
📊 Before and After: Maya’s Score Breakdown
| Section | First Test | Final Score | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing | 560 | 630 | +70 |
| Math | 530 | 660 | +130 |
| Total | 1090 | 1290 | +200 |
🎓 Final Thoughts from Maya
“It’s not about how much time you have — it’s what you do with it. Focus, review your mistakes, and don’t give up after a bad score.”
📥 Want to Follow Maya’s Plan?
👉 Download the 6-Week SAT Study Plan
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