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Duke University
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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
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800

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Deciding when to start studying for the SAT?

Hey guys! I'm a little bit confused... When's the ideal time to buckle down and start studying for the SAT? Like, how many months in advance should I start preparing? I don't have any clue about this and would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

a year ago

Generally, a good time frame to start your SAT prep is at least three to six months before your test date. The exact length of time will depend on how much improvement you need, as well as your personal schedule and daily commitments.

Each student is different, so it all depends on where you're starting from (if you've already taken a diagnostic or preliminary exam that gives an idea), how you study best, and what you hope to achieve.

Usually, preparing three months in advance with daily consistent study may work well for many students, while others might require more time (six months or more) to feel comfortable and prepared because they need to juggle other activities or feel the need for a slow-paced study.

For instance, if you take a diagnostic test and score 1100 but aim to achieve 1500+ on your SAT, you should probably plan to start studying more than three months in advance. On the other hand, if you're already scoring in your goal range on practice tests, you might only need a couple of months to refine your skills and ensure consistency in your performance.

Remember, the key to acing the SAT isn't just studying hard, but studying smart! Knowing what to expect on the test, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and targeting your study in those areas can be vital. You might also want to take practice tests regularly to check your improvement and adjust study strategies accordingly. Good luck!

a year ago

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