A Step-by-Step SAT Prep Plan from Winter to Spring

As the calendar year winds down, you’ve likely settled into a solid routine for your classes. 

But if the SAT looms as the next big milestone and you’re feeling unsure about where to begin, you’re not alone. Figuring out what to study and how to divide your time can feel overwhelming.

To help you get started, we’ve created a detailed 12-week study plan if you want to start studying now for spring SAT test dates. We’ve also included strategies to help you fine-tune your skills and stay sharp with any extra time you might have leading up to the exam.

Whether you’re taking the SAT in March or May, there’s no better time to start than now. 

Weeks 1-4: Foundations

Week 1

Before anything else, make sure you register for the exam long before the deadline. Putting this step off until later can lead to major inconveniences and, in many cases, drastically change your timeline. 

With registration out of the way, begin by making sure you know what to expect on test day. Read through Khan Academy’s helpful “About the Digital SAT” guides for both sections (Evidence Based Reading & Writing and Math) to get started.

Then, take a diagnostic test. There are several third-party practice tests available online and in textbooks, but it’s best to download the Bluebook app and take an official practice test there. (Read more here for important changes to Bluebook practice tests in February 2025.) 

This first practice test is meant to give you a realistic idea of you where you stand right now, so you should seek to simulate test conditions as much as possible: take the test in a quiet study space, adhere to time limits, and avoid using online resources like dictionaries to help with tricky questions.

Then, analyze your results. Note your scores in both sections and carefully identify patterns. For example, which specific math concepts do you need to master? Were there any grammar questions you answered correctly but that you’re still unsure of? 

Also take care to note any time management issues. Which sections did you finish with extra time? Were there any that you didn’t finish? If so, which ones? 

Weeks 2-4

With the answers to the questions above, take some time to write down concrete goals. 

Examples of goals might include 

• Answer all standard conventions questions correctly on the first module by the third scheduled practice test
• Improve Math section score by at least 30 points by the end of next month
• Improve total score on the official test by at least 100 points when compared to the diagnostic

The most efficient and effective way to reach your goals is to break these larger targets into smaller ones. To this end, establish a regular study routine by figuring out when, where, and what section you will study on specific days. 

Once you have a planned schedule to achieve concrete goals, it’s time to start working consistently on the fundamentals. 

Choose a study resource that works for you: textbooks from publishers such as Princeton Review are a good way to get started, as is Khan Academy’s SAT prep course.  

You can also utilize College Board’s SAT Suite Question Bank to create targeted question sets on your own. The suite contains all 10 Reading & Writing skill subcategories and 19 Math skill subcategories, so addressing two subcategories (i.e. completing a set of 5-10 questions) at the “Easy” level each day allows you to complete a broad overview of basic skills in three weeks. 

If you’re completely comfortable at this level, go ahead and practice with questions at the “Medium” level — what is most important is to become familiar with core patterns present in each subcategory and consistently follow the steps recommended by your study resources. 

It’s also worth noting that question distribution in the Reading & Writing section is relatively equal, but many students find it easiest to begin with questions centered on rhetorical synthesis and transitions (Expression of Ideas) as well as grammar and mechanics (Standard English Conventions). 

In the Math section, Algebra and Advanced Math questions take up roughly seventy percent of questions, so it may benefit you to focus on these types of questions first.

Weeks 5-8: Skill Building

Week 5

By the end of the first four weeks, you should have a strong understanding of the basic concepts and skills that underlie all eight question types in both sections.

To confirm this, head to the College Board and take another official practice test at the beginning of this week. 

Carefully compare this score to the diagnostic you took a month ago, note your progress on each question type, and read the complete answer explanations for all questions you answered incorrectly or were unsure about. 

Week 6-8

These are the weeks during which you should focus on building accuracy in each section at a more challenging levels.

If you’re following Khan Academy’s model four-month SAT timeline, you should complete units at the “Medium” level for all question types during these weeks. 

You can also cover roughly the same ground with Question Suite problems. Since the solutions to these questions will often be less obvious, you should spend as much time as necessary reviewing each question.

Some students find that keeping a “wrong answer journal” in a notebook or spreadsheet is a helpful way to remember what questions they missed, their initial reasoning for each one, and what they can do to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

Weeks 9-12: Mastery

Week 9

In the weeks leading up to the exam, you should have a good sense of what your strengths are, and you’re encouraged to take at least one more Bluebook mock test before Week 10 to see where you still have room to grow.

As with previous practice tests, review your answers in depth over the course of the week.

Weeks 10-12

Now is a good time to tackle the “Advanced” units on Khan Academy or the “Hard”-level questions in the Question Suite. Don’t worry if you answer a greater number of questions incorrectly at this stage — that’s to be expected at first. What’s important is to continue relying on proven strategies and identifying variations of patterns seen in easier questions.

One-on-one tutoring sessions can be a valuable resource at this juncture, too. They can help resolve any remaining misunderstandings, lend key insights, or provide helpful tips to successfully frame less common — but particularly difficult — questions, such as those that focus on poetry. 

Finally, you may want to spend time browsing posts and comments on the SAT subreddit. It’s more than likely you’ll find posts with queries similar to yours and accompanying discussions or explanations from other students.

Weeks 13+

If you have already gotten a head start on your SAT studies or you plan to take the exam later in the spring, there is still plenty you can do to optimize your performance on test day. 

Take one more practice test under realistic conditions.
A day or two before test day, simulate the official exam environment and follow official testing protocols in taking a final practice test. Take extra care to avoid break times outside of designated break times. This will improve focus, stamina, and familiarity with pacing in both sections. 

Continue daily drills with “leftover” questions.
Dedicate 30-60 minutes daily to short, focused question sets from any topics you haven’t fully mastered. Use questions “left over” from past practice tests, prep books, or online resources. Mix subjects—math, evidence-based reading, and writing—to simulate the variety of the actual test. Consistency in daily practice will sharpen your test-day readiness and build your confidence.

Fine-tune time management.
Practice completing timed sections with small adjustments to time allocation. Use pacing strategies like answering easier questions first, marking trickier ones to revisit later, and monitoring the clock consistently. If a section proves challenging, decide ahead of time how much time you’ll spend per question to avoid lingering. Developing efficient decision-making under pressure is one of the most important things you can do to improve overall performance. For more tips, check out specific time-management strategies here. 

Read challenging texts.
Make a habit of reading complex articles from sources like Popular Science or The Economist. Focus on unfamiliar vocabulary and tracking arguments made by the authors or interviewees. Read actively by annotating key points, making inferences, and forming connections between paragraphs or sections.

Establish or continue healthy habits.
The importance of a consistent sleep schedule (7-9 hours nightly) and a balanced diet can’t be overstated. Integrating exercise into your routine is also shown to reduce stress and improve focus. Most importantly, avoid last-minute cramming that sacrifices rest. Good habits like these will keep you energized, focused, and calm on test day.