If you're running out of time and unsure how to start your SAT preparation, the first step is to analyze your strengths and weaknesses in Reading, Writing, and Math. This will help determine how much SAT preparation time you need. Many SAT coaching centers and online platforms offer personalized study plans based on your available time.
Create a study schedule that outlines the topics you'll cover each week. Be sure to review the official SAT syllabus on the College Board website to understand the test's structure and scope. For beginner students, 2-3 months of SAT prep is typically recommended. Don’t forget to take practice tests from trusted sources during your preparation to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Factors to Consider for SAT Preparation Time
Before starting your SAT preparation, it’s important to find a study method that works best for you. Consider your learning style, your target SAT score, the study materials you'll use, and how many hours per week you can realistically devote to preparation.
Generally, it’s recommended to start your SAT coaching or study plan at least 3 months before the exam. This gives you enough time to build a strong foundation and practice regularly.
- School or Extracurriculars: If you're involved in sports, clubs, or other activities, plan your SAT study schedule accordingly. Choose study hours that work best for your routine—whether early mornings, late evenings, or weekends.
- SAT Score Requirements of Your Chosen Colleges: Check the SAT cutoffs for your target universities. If you’re applying to top schools like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford, you'll likely need a score above 700 in each section. Higher targets mean longer SAT prep time.
- Scholarship Aspirations: If you’re aiming for SAT scholarships, you'll usually need a score of 1500 or above. Reaching this level requires more focused preparation and more study hours.
- Gap Between Initial and Target Score: Start your prep by taking a diagnostic SAT to assess your current level. The bigger the gap between your current and target score, the more SAT preparation time you’ll need.
Below is a list recommending the hours of study based on your score goals.
| Target Score | Hours of Study Required |
|---|---|
| Increase score by 30 points | 10 hours |
| Increase score by 30–70 points | 20 hours |
| Increase score by 70–130 | 40 hours |
| Increase score by 130–200 points | 80 hours |
| Increase score by 200–330 points | 150 hours+ |
Also Read
SAT SyllabusSAT 1-Month Study Plan
If your SAT date is only a month away and you haven’t started preparing yet, don’t panic! While 1 month isn’t enough for a complete SAT prep, a strategic approach can still help you improve your score. If your goal is to improve your score by up to 100 points, 1 month of focused study can still make a difference.
Here are a few steps to help you prepare for the SAT in a month:
| Points to be increased | Total SAT Preparation Time | Schedules |
|---|---|---|
| 30 points increase | Total 10 hours of SAT preparation time | 2 hours 30 minutes – once a week |
| 1 hour 15 minutes – twice a week | ||
| 30 minutes – 5 times a week | ||
| 30 – 70 points increase | Total 20 hours of SAT preparation time | 2 hours 30 minutes – twice a week |
| 1 hour – 15 minutes – 4 times a week | ||
| 1 hour – 5 times a week | ||
| 70 – 130 points increase | Minimum SAT preparation time of 40 hours | 3 hours and 20 minutes – thrice a week |
| 2 hours and 30 minutes – 4 times a week | ||
| 2 hours – 5 times a week | ||
| 130 – 200 points increase | Minimum SAT preparation time of 80 hours | 5 hours – 4 times a week |
| 4 hours – 5 times a week | ||
| 3 hours and 20 minutes – 6 times a week |
Also Read
SAT 3-Month Study PlanSAT 2-Month Study Plan
2 months is often considered an ideal amount of time for SAT preparation. If you’re asking, “How to start preparing for the SAT?” or “What is the best SAT study plan?”, then a 2-month study schedule can be the perfect approach. Below is a sample 2-month SAT study plan to guide your preparation and help you achieve your desired SAT score:
| Weeks | SAT Math | SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 |
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| Week 2 |
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| Week 3 | Practice from the College Board’s full-length practice test | |
| Week 4 |
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| Week 5 | Solve a College Board Practice Test and watch coordinate geometry videos | |
| Week 6 |
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| Week 7 |
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| Week 8 |
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Also Read
SAT RegistrationSAT Preparation Tips
SAT preparation depends on your academic proficiency and reading capabilities. Following a proper study plan helps you to achieve a higher score. Here are some SAT preparation tips to help you ace the exam:
Buy Proper SAT Preparation Materials: Candidates questioning how to prepare for the SAT in 1 month and how to study for the SAT in 1 month are required to purchase the best SAT preparation books. Only authentic SAT preparation books can help candidates prepare for the SAT in a month. Below are some of the best SAT preparation books:
- The College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide - Check PDF
- Barron’s SAT - Check PDF
- Kalli’s SAT Pattern Strategy - Check PDF
- Kaplan SAT Prep Plus- Check PDF
- The Princeton Review's Cracking the SAT - Check PDF
- McGraw-Hill Education SAT Elite - Check PDF
Know SAT Exam Pattern: Spend time knowing the SAT exam pattern and format, scoring method, number of questions, penalty, the difficulty level of questions, and sources.
SAT Practice Paper: Nothing is better than practicing from SAT practice papers constantly. Experts recommended practicing with sample questions to measure progress. Constant practice also helps in tracking the mistakes and finding solutions to them.
Focus on Fundamental Math Topics: Learning the basic SAT Math topics like algebra, problem-solving, and data analysis, and advanced math is necessary. Along with it, also focus on the fundamentals like linear functions, single-variable equations, systems of linear equations for algebra, quadratic equations, and nonlinear functions, graphic functions for advanced math, and statistics, ratio and proportion, and graphs for the problem-solving part.
Focus on Fundamentals of Grammar: Like SAT Math, also focus on the basics of SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing, like punctuation and grammar. It includes topics like apostrophes, commas, modifiers, subject-verb agreement, homophones, and more.
The decision of ‘how long should I study for the SAT every day?’ depends on the SAT study plan of the candidate. Candidates wondering how to start preparing for the SAT should make a study plan. If the candidate needs to improve the score by 100 or more points, then they need to study for more than a month, at least.
FAQs
Ques: Is 1 month enough to study for the SAT?
Ans: With a proper plan, students can prepare for the SAT in one month.
Ques: Is 3 months enough to study for the SAT?
Ans: Yes, 3 months is enough for SAT exam preparation.
Ques: When should I start prep for the SAT?
Ans: Students should start the SAT preparation at least three months before the exam date.
Ques: Is 1 year enough to prepare for the SAT?
Ans: Yes, one year is enough to prepare for the SAT. Students can also prepare for the SAT in three months.
Ques: How can I prepare for the SAT in India?
Ans: Students can prepare for the SAT in India by understanding the exam pattern, covering the entire syllabus, reading books, and practicing mock tests.
Ques: Can I prepare for the SAT on my own?
Ans: Yes, students can prepare for the SAT on their own.
Ques: Is 2 months enough to get a 1500 on SAT?
Ans: With proper strategies, students can achieve a SAT score of 1500 in 2 months.
Ques: How long should you study for the SAT?
Ans: Students should study for at least 3 months for the SAT exam.
Ques: Is 3 months of SAT prep enough?
Ans: Yes, 3 months of SAT prep time is enough to clear the cutoff of top universities.
Ques: Is 2 months enough to study for the SAT?
Ans: Yes, two months are enough for SAT preparation.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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