SAT coming up next month? You’re probably wondering how to study for the SAT in one month. We won’t sugar coat it – you have a lot to cover. We recommend creating a one month SAT study schedule so you can stay on track.
To help you get started, we’ve linked a one month SAT study schedule for our Olive Book SAT course below. But read on for more tips for studying for the SAT in one month.
How to Study for the SAT in One Month
If you only have one month before taking the SAT for the first time, make every day count. In order to study effectively for the SAT, you need an SAT study schedule. A schedule ensures you’ll study for every section of the test with time left over for practice tests and reviewing difficult concepts. It helps you stay on track with your goals and, if well-implemented, should lead to an increase in your SAT score!
How to Create Your Own Study Schedule
We already shared the one month SAT study schedule for our Olive Book SAT course. But if you want to study on your own, we still recommend making your own study schedule. To create your own study schedule, first consider the four sections on the SAT: English, Reading, and Math with Calculator and Math without Calculator. You will need to study for each of these sections every week before the test.
You also want to take practice tests to ensure you’re familiar with the format of the test. A sample study schedule could look something like this:
| Sunday Take a Practice Test (in one sitting) | Monday Review practice test. What kinds of questions are you missing? | Tuesday Study Math. Pay special attention to problem areas. | Wednesday Day Off | Thursday Study Reading. Pay special attention to problem areas. | Friday Day Off | Saturday Study English. Pay special attention to problem areas. |
As you get closer to the test, you’ll want to focus on areas you can improve quickly. If by week four you just can’t get the hang of a certain math concept, focus instead on honing your areas of expertise.
Also, take a couple of days off before the test. Don’t cram! It isn’t effective and will just make you tired on test day. For a more detailed look at what to study the week of the SAT, check out this post.
What if I Want to Take the SAT Twice?
There’s no need to think of the SAT as a one-shot deal. Many students take the SAT at least twice and according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, average students’ scores improved about 60 points the second time they took the test! We actually recommend that students take the ACT at least twice for this reason.
It’s best practice to take your second SAT on the next available test date so you stay fresh. SAT tests are usually about eight weeks apart, which is plenty of time to hone in on and fix mistakes you made on your first test.
Creating a Second SAT Study Schedule
Studying for your second SAT test is your chance to focus on the areas of the test that really trip you up.
You’ll usually get your scores from the first test back after two to eight weeks. Take a break the week after the test (you’ve earned it!) and then use the week before you get your score report back to think about how the first SAT test went. What went right, and what went wrong? What will you do differently when you take the test again?
Once you get your score report, you can begin some focused studying for your second SAT test. Use the “Subscores” section of the report to figure out the kinds of questions you missed. Then, take the next few weeks before your test to study those specific content areas you struggled in on your first test.
Going the Extra Test Prep Mile? Order the Question-and-Answer Service!
If you’re really curious about what you missed on your test, for a fee you can order a Question-and-Answer service from the SAT, which includes a copy of the SAT questions and a report showing your answers, the correct answers, and information about the type and difficulty of the test questions. This information can be helpful because it shows you exactly what questions you missed
However, the College Board says it could take quite a few weeks to get the test information after you submit your request, so if you decide to order your test information it should not be your main study strategy for your next test. You may not get the information back in time. Additionally, this service is only available for the October, March, and May test dates.
For more information, visit the College Board’s Score Verification information page.
Download the Study Schedules
Before you go, don’t forget to download the free 1 Month SAT Study schedule!