How long did/do/will you study for the SAT?

CI180
Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:54:24 +0000

I didn’t.

I took the SAT 3 times: January 2006, January 2007, and January 2008 (if I recall correctly), as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.

I didn’t take any classes or buy any books. I didn’t take any practice tests, save for the PSAT in fall 2006 and again in fall 2007.

My scores, in order, were 2190, 2310, and 2400.

The key, in my mind, to succeeding on the SAT isn’t taking a class or reading a book. The best test prep is simply taking the test itself. Obviously, practice tests are also useful. You have to develop your own strategies for the questions…since we’re not all identical, the same strategies won’t work for everyone. For that reason, reading a book on strategy is unlikely to help as much as taking the test and finding the strategies that work for you.

Also, taking a practice test is VERY different from taking the real deal because you’re (at least in my experience) considerably more stressed during the actual test, and stress often impairs performance. Strategies that work in controlled practice environments might not work when you’re taking the test for real.

Save the money you’re spending on books and classes and spend it taking the test for real. It’s the best preparation you can get.