When to start your SAT prep

The SAT is a significant hurdle in your college application process. Planning when to start your SAT prep is one of the first and most essential steps to success. Let’s break it down so you can understand the best time to begin your preparation and maximize your potential.

Understanding the SAT Timeline

Before we begin preparation, it is essential to know the SAT timeline. The SAT is given multiple times yearly, usually in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. Most students take it in the fall of their junior year, hoping to retake it in the spring.

If you plan to take the test during your junior year, working backwards from your desired test date helps establish a solid preparation schedule. Generally, starting SAT prep six months to a year before your target test date is ideal for adequate preparation.

When Should You Start Preparing?

The ideal time to begin SAT prep depends on your academic standing, goals, and schedule. Early starters aiming for high scores or competitive schools should start in sophomore year, focusing on foundational skills and using the PSAT as a baseline.

Starting the summer before junior year is a popular option. This allows more dedicated study time with fewer academic commitments, especially for fall junior-year test takers.

If you haven’t started by junior year, an intensive 10–15 hour per week plan can still yield improvements, but careful balancing with other commitments is essential.

Assessing Your College Goals

Your SAT prep timeline should align with your college aspirations. For highly selective schools (like Ivy League), aiming for a 1500+ score requires early prep (ideally sophomore year) with tests in junior fall and potentially junior spring.

Target scores are based on admitted student averages for selective schools (under 50% admission rate). Prep begins the summer before junior year, and testing occurs in junior fall, with a possible spring retake.

If it’s for a less selective school, start prepping the summer before, or as early as junior year, with an above-average score and take the junior spring test.

Creating Your Study Plan

First, take a practice test to establish a baseline, identify areas for improvement, and create a tailored study plan. This will also allow you to set a realistic target score based on the score ranges of your target college.

Choose a study schedule—either a gradual plan (4–6 hours/week over several months) or an intensive plan (10–15 hours/week over a shorter period). Focus on your weak areas identified in the practice test, dedicating extra time to significant score gains.

Benefits of Early SAT Prep

It has advantages to start preparing for your SAT early. It helps eliminate some serious stress by taking a step-by-step approach rather than cramming hard the night before.

That also means you have more flexibility early on when preparing and ample time to try different studying methods and find what works best for you.
Finally, starting early gives you a chance to retake your classes. In other words, you can take the SAT more than once and raise your score before college application deadlines.

Balancing SAT Prep with Other Commitments

Balancing SAT preparation with academic and extracurricular commitments is crucial. To achieve this balance, create a weekly schedule incorporating dedicated study time, schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Break down study sessions into manageable chunks to prevent burnout and maintain focus. Utilize weekends or school breaks for longer, more focused study sessions or for taking full-length practice tests.

Your Next Steps

When to begin your SAT prep is as important as when to stop. A structured approach can make all the difference whether you’re an early or last-minute achiever. Remember that the SAT is just a tiny piece of your college application! Instead, build a balanced application that shows what you love to do.

Seek Professional Help

We know that every student’s path is different at Accelerator AI Academy. Our customized SAT prep programs, whether you are just starting or want to excel, are designed to help you. With expert instructors, personalized strategies and proven results, we’ll guide you through it.