What is the SAT? 

The SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test is a standardised test that evaluates your readiness for college. The SAT tests students on reading, writing and mathematics skills. It is typically taken by students who have completed high school and want to pursue an undergraduate college education.  

The SAT provides colleges and universities with a dependable method for evaluating candidates on their academic skills, particularly since they come from diverse backgrounds. The exam is scored based on your performance in all its sections from 400 to 1600.  

How is SAT Structured? 

SAT comprises two sections: 1) Reading and Writing; and 2) Math. You have 64 minutes to complete Reading and Writing, and 70 minutes for Math.  

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Reading and Writing Section 

The Reading and Writing section comprises questions that test grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing skills.  

The common areas tested include Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions and Expression of Ideas.  

The reading passages are mostly taken from literature, history, social studies, humanities and science.  

The section is scored between 200 and 800 points. The total SAT score range is from 400 to 1600. There is no essay section in Reading and Writing, and there are no negative marks for wrong answers. 

Math 

The duration for the Math section is 70 minutes. It is divided into two sections, each lasting 35 minutes. The SAT math section comprises 44 questions, consisting of 33 multiple-choice questions and 11 student-response questions. 

The Math section is based on school-level mathematics and quantitative reasoning. It tests students’ skills in Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. Students can use a calculator.  

The section is scored between 200 and 800, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. 

To summarise, the SAT 2025 is a computer-adaptive test that evaluates students’ skills in areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. 

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How to Prepare for the SAT 

Preparing for the SAT requires planning, consistent efforts, a lot of patience and a positive mindset. It’s about studying smart and strategising as you go about. In this blog, we will explore the steps you have to take and the mindset change you will need to prepare for the SAT. 

When to Start Studying 

Ideally, you should start studying for the SAT 3-6 months before the test date, but ultimately, it depends on your starting level, schedule, and goals.  Even if you are short of time, you can still prepare with a few modifications in the study schedule. 

When to Take Practice Tests 

Don’t rush to take practice tests before you achieve some kind of confidence in your preparations. A low score can make you feel dejected. Instead, start with a diagnostic test first and then take your practice test after a whole month of preparation. Compare your results to your diagnostic test score. 

In weeks 6-7, review your progress and assess how you have performed since the last update. It will give you an insight into your weak spots. In weeks 7-10, take one full test every week. At this stage, you will build stamina for the test and establish your test strategies. 

In the final phase, two weeks before the SAT, take 1-2 full tests to simulate the real test day. This will help you build confidence.

Start with the Diagnostic Test

To prepare for the SAT, you have to know where you stand so that you can alter your study plans accordingly. Most test prep companies offer diagnostic tests to understand how ready you are for the SAT. 

It provides a baseline score and offers insight into your strengths and weaknesses. It helps you create a targeted study plan based on your areas of weakness. 

Taking a diagnostic test familiarises you with the test format and timing. Once you get an idea of how the SAT works, you will be more confident on the day of the real exam.  

Create a SAT Study Plan and Practice Regularly  

Once you know your baseline score and have identified your weak spots, create a personalised SAT study plan. The first step is to set a goal score based on your baseline score and average SAT scores. Calculate how many weeks you have left before the actual test date.  

In the first two weeks, focus on grammar and algebra basics. Practice one section in a day. This helps you set a solid foundation before you start. 

In weeks 3-4, focus on reading and advanced math. Take practice tests. When you enter weeks 5-7, do sectional drills, vocabulary and essay practice. For weeks 8-10, focus on full tests and redo your strategies.

In week 11, do the final review and work on your weakest areas. In the last week, focus on concentration, mindfulness and rest. But do allow yourself some practice time. 

Track your progress on a calendar, analyse your errors, work on your weaknesses, and use reliable prep material and SAT apps. Always practice under timed conditions.

Use Trusted SAT Practice Resources  

Use only official SAT resources for your practice. These are not only authentic but also aligned with the actual SAT standards. IMS Manya has excellent resources for SAT preparation, vetted by The Princeton Review.

You can also use material from Khan Academy SAT Prep and the College Board. The latter also provides a free mobile app that has daily practice questions, quizzes and a progress tracker. Follow the Khan Academy SAT channel for updates.

Develop Skills for Each Test Section 

Treat each section separately while practising. Develop your reading skills by practising active reading by focusing on material from literature, essays, scientific articles, and news features of prominent publications. While reading, look for main ideas, supporting ideas and implied ideas. 

Focus on vocabulary by using a thesaurus and dictionary for learning. Keep a daily target of words, but don’t stop at memorising them. Make the words memorable by using them in sentences and visualising them for easy recall. 

Practice writing, keeping tone, structure and clarity in mind. Look up different styles of writing. Learn new words and enrich your writing with them.

In math, pay special attention to algebra functions, advanced math, problem-solving, and data analysis, as well as geometry and trigonometry—practice using the calculator.

Always time your tests, analyse your mistakes, use multiple study formats like videos and flashcards, and find ways to control your stress and anxiety.

Learn From Your Mistakes

The purpose of practice is to understand what your weaknesses are.  When you start taking your practice tests, review every mistake you make thoroughly. Plan strategies around correcting it depending on the type of mistake.

If it’s a careless mistake, improve your focus. Read questions carefully and thoroughly if the mistake is due to misreading or misunderstanding. If it’s a mistake due to a skill issue, practice more.  

Analysing your mistakes helps you turn errors into learning opportunities, build stamina for tests, increase your will to work under pressure and improve your confidence. 

Join Global SAT Study Groups

Your peers can help you improve your skills by sharing resources and increasing your motivation. By joining SAT study groups, you can share and receive best practices, tips and tricks to improving your score. Some free platforms include Reddit resources like r/SAT, r/digitalSATs, r/satprep and r/AskTeachers. You can also join Discord groups, Facebook groups, and international educational fora like College Confidential and Khan Academy. Such groups also help you stay accountable, ensuring that you never give up on your SAT dreams. They also help you stay updated with the latest developments in SAT. 

SAT Test Day Strategies 

On the days leading to your SAT exam, your focus should be on minimising anxiety and optimising your test performance. So after an intense 3-6 months of practice, be easy on yourself and ensure that you don’t push yourself too hard. 

Get a good night’s sleep

Sleep is the cornerstone of good reasoning skills and concentration. If you are sleep deprived, you may have trouble concentrating and thinking, leading to silly mistakes. Sleep helps you consolidate your memory, improve concentration, enhance problem-solving solving and regulate your mood. 

Eat a healthy breakfast

You don’t want to take a test on an empty stomach, trust us. Hunger will not only take your focus away from the exam but also leave you feeling tired. Your brain requires a lot of energy to think, so load up on a balanced breakfast complete with complex carbohydrates and proteins. Avoid sugary cereals and energy drinks, as they can cause a blood sugar spike. Eat slow-releasing carbohydrates, such as whole grains, for breakfast. That being said, don’t overdo it with the food, as a heavy stomach can also cause drowsiness. 

Keep a Checklist

You don’t want to be a nervous wreck at the test centre because you forgot something crucial. To prevent this from happening, maintain a checklist beforehand. A day prior, keep all your essentials in the bag you intend to carry to your test centre: admission ticket, identification, calculator, pencils, erasers and water. 

Arrive Early  

The last thing you need before your test is additional stress. To mitigate that problem, be on time at the test centre. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the actual test time to prevent episodes of stress and anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Getting 1200 on SAT Hard?

Getting 1200 for SAT is considered a good score, which can be achieved through consistency and focus. A 1200 score is regarded as around the 75th percentile, which reflects good performance in reading, writing and math. With good study habits and regular practice, scoring 1200 is not too difficult.

What Did Mark Zuckerberg Get on SAT?

Fun fact! Mark Zuckerberg is known to have scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT. Many media outlets said that the Facebook founder had scored the highest score possible on SAT. Zuckerberg’s exemplary SAT score of 1600 got him a seat at Harvard. Rest is history. 

How Long Does it Take to Prepare for SAT?

Your SAT preparation time depends on your level of preparedness. If you have strong basics in school-level math, reading and writing and your diagnostic test score is between 1200 and 1600, you can start your SAT prep 3-6 months ahead of the exam date. If your score is below 1200, give at least a year to 6 months for your preparations. 

Can I Prepare for SAT at Home?

While you can prepare for SAT at home, if you have no prior experience preparing for standardised tests, joining a test prep coaching like IMS Manya can be beneficial. With high-quality study resources by The Princeton Review, IMS Manya offers over 10 full-length tests, over 150 drills and sectional tests, certified mentors by The Princeton Review and doubt-clearing sessions. Over 95% of students achieve their target scores and experience a 250-point or higher improvement in their SAT scores after preparation with IMS Manya. 

Is SAT Harder Than JEE?

SAT is not harder than JEE, in fact, it is easier. SAT focuses on reading, writing and math skills at high school level, with a focus on critical reasoning and problem solving. JEE or Joint Entrance Examination is based on physics, chemistry, and advanced math for admission to engineering institutions like IITs and NITs. It is highly specialised and is considered objectively more difficult than SAT, which has no negative marking. JEE, which has negative marking, is much more challenging in terms of difficulty and syllabus.