Top 5 SAT Study Strategies

1. Master Time Management

The SAT is all about pacing. Every question is worth the same amount of points, so don’t waste time on the hardest ones first.
Start with the questions you know you can get right — those quick wins build confidence and save time for tougher ones later.

💡 Tip: Know roughly how long to spend on each section. For Reading, no more than 7 minutes per passage; for Math, about 1–2 minutes per question.

2. Use the Answer Choices to Your Advantage

The SAT isn’t about being the smartest person in the room — it’s about being strategic.
If you’re unsure, use process of elimination. Cutting the choices from four to two raises your odds from 25% to 50%! You can also plug in answer choices to see which one actually works.

3. Answer Every Question

There’s no penalty for guessing.
That means you should answer every single question — even if you’re unsure. Leaving it blank only guarantees zero points, while guessing gives you a chance to earn some.

4. “Practice How You Play”

Treat your practice tests like the real deal.
Take them in a quiet space, under timed conditions, without extra breaks or resources. This helps you build real test endurance and confidence for test day.

5. Know the SAT’s Favorite Questions

There are only so many ways the SAT can test you — especially in math.
Once you’ve practiced enough, you’ll start recognizing patterns. Make sure you’ve mastered the big ones:

• The quadratic formula

• Circle and radius equations

• Factoring forms like x^2+ax+c=0 (+ how to factor it)

For Reading and Grammar, try glancing at the questions before reading the passage so you know what to look for. Circle keywords and underline important line references.