By Laura Whitmore
With the October SAT quickly approaching, now is the time to make sure you’re fully prepared, even if you’re cramming a bit last minute. Whether you’ve been preparing for weeks or you’re just diving in now, I've got some key strategies that can help you squeeze in those extra points and walk into test day feeling confident!
Here are my 10 best tips to help you make the most of your remaining prep time.
Want to skip the reading? Head over to my YouTube video instead!
1. Warm Up Your Brain Before the Test
Just like athletes warm up their muscles before a big game, it’s important to warm up your brain before you sit for the SAT. On the morning of your test, or even in the car or parking lot beforehand, spend a few minutes going through some simple practice questions. I’ve linked a resource in the YouTube description that includes a set of English questions to help you get into the right mindset. These are meant to ease you into test mode and get your brain thinking critically before you even walk into the room.
2. Don’t Leave Any Questions Blank
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: don’t leave any questions blank! The SAT doesn’t penalize you for guessing, so it’s always better to put something down than leave it empty. Even for math grid-in questions, if you’re unsure, put down a number like 3. Historically, it’s a fairly common answer, and it’s better than leaving the question blank.
3. Prioritize Quicker English Questions First
When you’re tackling the English section, I recommend starting with question 15 and working your way through the quicker, easier questions first. This allows you to build up momentum and save the more time-consuming reading questions for later. The last thing you want is to run out of time on questions you could have answered easily.
4. Guess Smart on Math Questions
For math questions where you’re unsure of the answer, aim to guess a middle-range number. Statistically, middle numbers tend to be correct more often than extreme values. This simple strategy could save you some precious points.
5. Use the “Nice Numbers” Strategy for Variables
If you encounter a problem with variables in both the question and the answer choices, try using the “nice numbers” strategy. This means substituting the variable with an easy number to work with, like 2 or 5, and solving the problem with that number. Then, plug the same number into the answer choices and see which one matches. This can make a complex problem much more manageable.
6. Use the Pronoun Trick on Verb Questions
For questions dealing with verb tenses or subject-verb agreement, use the pronoun trick. Substitute pronouns like “he” or “they” into the sentence and see which tense makes sense. This quick trick can help you determine the correct verb tense in seconds.
7. Look for Wrong Answers First on Reading Questions
When you’re tackling the reading section, don’t focus on finding the right answer immediately. Instead, look for the wrong answers. Many incorrect choices are designed to mislead you, but if you take the time to rule out what’s wrong, the correct answer will often become clear. Be especially mindful of answers that are “half-right, half-wrong.” They may sound good at first, but if part of the answer isn’t correct, then it’s entirely wrong.
8. Flag Difficult Questions and Move On
If you find yourself stuck on a tough question, especially in the second math module, don’t waste too much time. Mark it to come back to later and move on to the next question. It’s possible that the next few questions will be easier, allowing you to pick up points without getting bogged down. Remember, the difficulty of questions doesn’t always follow a predictable pattern, so managing your time effectively is crucial.
9. When In Doubt, Pick ‘D’
If you’re running out of time and have several unanswered questions, go ahead and pick ‘D’ for the remaining ones. While this may sound overly simple, choosing the same letter for multiple-choice questions increases your chances of getting at least a few of them right, compared to random guessing.
10. Take a Full-Length Practice Test Before the Big Day
If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend taking a full-length practice SAT before test day. This will help you get comfortable with the test format, pacing, and timing so that there are no surprises when you sit down for the actual exam. If you’ve completed all of the Bluebook tests, focus on one you haven’t reviewed recently. Otherwise, tests five and six in the Bluebook are the most up-to-date and can give you a good sense of what to expect.
And finally, a bonus tip: if you’re looking for a way to squeeze in some extra practice without spending hours in front of a textbook, I highly recommend Preptly. This app is specifically designed for the digital SAT and offers over 1,000 unique questions that you can practice on your phone. It allows you to focus on your weak areas, customize flashcards, and even track your progress on a leaderboard. With Preptly, you can prep anytime, anywhere—even if you only have 10-15 minutes a day.
Good luck to everyone preparing for the October SAT! Keep these tips in mind, stay focused, and walk into test day with confidence. You’ve got this!
Happy prepping!
