Overview
This lecture provides a detailed, step-by-step SAT summer study plan to help students prepare consistently and effectively for the exam.
SAT Study Schedule
- Designate four days per week for SAT study to maintain consistency and avoid burnout.
- Allocate 90 minutes to 2 hours per study day, alternating between English and Math.
- Plan physical activity before studying to improve mood and focus, and reward yourself after each session.
Week-by-Week Breakdown
Week 1: Diagnostics
- Take two diagnostic tests (Blue Book Test 4 and Test 5) to identify weaknesses.
- Enter scores into a progress tracker to analyze performance by question category.
- List categories where your success rate is below 70% to target for improvement.
Weeks 2-3: Targeted Drills
- Use College Board’s question bank to drill focused practice on weak areas.
- Choose question difficulty appropriate to your current score.
- Exclude "active questions" to avoid overlap with practice test questions.
- Develop and practice strategies for each question type.
Weeks 4-6: Practice Tests
- Take two full-length practice tests per week using unused Blue Book tests.
- Review mistakes after each test, adjust strategies, and refine time management.
- Analyze incorrect answers to understand errors and correct them.
Weeks 7-8: Final Refinement
- Finalize your personalized test-day execution plan based on past practice.
- Review and redo all previously missed or challenging questions.
- Commit to strategies that worked best in your practice.
Final Week Before Test
- Take one more practice test (redo Blue Book Test 5 or use PAT Test 2).
- Compare performance to initial diagnostics to gauge improvement.
- Emphasize self-care: sleep well, eat healthy, and stay active for optimal focus.
Supplemental Practice & Support
- Use the Preply app for on-the-go, daily SAT practice in English and Math.
- Consider a tutor or coach if self-prepping becomes challenging.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Diagnostic Test — An initial assessment to determine strengths and weaknesses.
- Blue Book — The College Board's official digital platform for SAT practice tests.
- College Board Question Bank — A collection of practice questions categorized by type and difficulty.
- Execution Plan — A personalized set of strategies for tackling the SAT on test day.
- Progress Tracker — A tool for monitoring performance and identifying areas for improvement.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Schedule four weekly SAT study sessions and add them to your calendar.
- Take Blue Book Test 4 and 5 as diagnostics and analyze results.
- Create a list of target areas with less than 70% success rate.
- Drill weak areas using the College Board question bank.
- Plan to take two full-length practice tests weekly in Weeks 4-6.
- Keep a log of all mistakes for review in Weeks 7-8.
- Download the Preply app for additional practice.
- Consider booking a consultation with a tutor if needed.