Hey everyone, I'm just wondering, when is generally the best time to start preparing for the SAT? I want to balance my school work, extracurriculars, and SAT prep. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
The optimal time for starting SAT preparation depends largely on your individual schedule and commitments, but a good rule of thumb is to start around the end of sophomore year or the start of junior year. This provides ample time to understand the layout of the test, identify your weaker areas, and practice regularly.
Breaking down your study plan into manageable modules can be helpful. You might want to kick-off with familiarizing yourself with the test structure and identifying areas of strength and weakness. This can be done by taking a full-length practice test, which are readily available online on Khan Academy or the College Board's website.
Roughly 2-3 months prior to the test, step up your preparations with focused study on specific sections, striving to improve where you are weakest. Around 1 month prior to the test, you should regularly do timed practice tests to acclimate yourself to the testing conditions and time constraints. Also keep reviewing the concepts you struggle with.
All these activities should ideally be scheduled around your day-to-day commitments such as school assignments, extracurriculars and other obligations. It's advisable to carve out a specific slot for SAT prep in your daily routine to maintain regularity.
Keep in mind, this is merely a common approach and may not work for everyone. Based on your academic strengths and weaknesses, the amount of prep time you'll need could be shorter or longer. But starting earlier rather than later can give you flexibility to adjust your prep plan as you see what works best for you.
Remember, over-studying can lead to burnout. It's equally important to take care of your physical and mental health, so ensure to include breaks, engage in physical activities, and balance your regular academic workload alongside SAT prep. Good luck!
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