Our resources are designed to help you effectively prepare for the Digital SAT®. The exam emphasizes technological proficiency, reading comprehension, data analysis, and foundational math and verbal reasoning — so it's crucial to align your study plan with these areas.
Planning Your Digital SAT Prep
A strong SAT prep journey starts with a clear study plan. Here are 5 questions to help you build a personalized SAT study plan:
What's My Target Score?
Look into the average SAT scores of your preferred colleges. Aim to meet or exceed those, especially if you're targeting scholarships.
How Much Time Do I Need to Reach My Dream Score?
Reaching your goal can take anywhere from a few months to a year depending on your starting point. Make a plan and stick to it.
Have I Taken a Full-Length Test?
Start with a timed diagnostic test. Take it on your own or ask someone to supervise to simulate test-day conditions.
What Are My Strengths and Weaknesses?
Review your diagnostic test results. Group missed questions by topic to guide your targeted study sessions.
How Many Study Sessions Do I Need to Succeed?
Research shows short, focused study sessions (20-30 minutes, 2-3 times a week) are the most effective for long-term retention.
Setting Goals for the SAT
Start by researching average SAT scores for your target colleges. Set a realistic goal that's competitive for admissions or scholarships. Use tools such as our performance dashboard to monitor your progress and refine your goals over time.
When to Start Preparing
Begin preparing at least 3 to 6 months before your test date. This gives you enough time to build foundational skills, practice consistently, and adapt to the digital test format. Early prep also allows room to adjust your strategy based on performance.
Length of SAT Study Sessions
Short, focused study sessions are key. Aim for 20-30 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week, totaling about an hour weekly over 3 to 6 months. Include question practice, note reviews, and performance analysis using our reporting features and flashcards.
Practice tests should be built into your plan: Take one at the beginning, one midway, and one 2 weeks before the SAT to refine your final strategy. These tests, especially when taken in digital format, help improve pacing, endurance, and confidence.
How To Do Well on the Digital SAT
Success on the Digital SAT depends on your understanding of the format, mastering the content, and practicing with purpose.
Effective Strategies for Getting a High SAT Score
Whether you're aiming for an above-average score (1028+), targeting a high score (1400+), or pursuing perfection (1600), success requires strategic preparation. Follow these essential steps:
- Build a Solid Academic Foundation: Master core high-school subjects — Math, Reading, and Writing — to form the groundwork for SAT success.
- Practice Regularly and Consistently: Start your preparation at least 2 to 3 months before your exam. Schedule focused sessions (20-60 minutes each), 2 to 3 times a week, to steadily improve your skills.
- Actively Engage in Learning: Ask questions, solve problems, and complete assignments thoroughly. Active learning boosts retention, comprehension, and analytical thinking — all critical for SAT performance.
- Analyze and Improve: Weekly performance analysis helps pinpoint weaknesses. Use targeted resources such as UWorld's SAT online course to refine your skills and address challenging areas.
- Simulate Real Test Conditions: Regularly take timed, full-length practice tests, particularly 1-2 weeks before test day, to build test-taking endurance and confidence.
Most Challenging SAT Section
- SAT Math: Topics such as quadratic functions and slope-intercept form are tricky, especially for non-STEM students. Check out our guide on SAT Math Study plans and tips for information.
- SAT Reading & Writing: Punctuation and "note" questions are more complex than they appear, requiring critical thinking and grammar precision.
How to Self-Study for the Digital SAT
To study on your own:
- Choose trusted resources such as UWorld's SAT practice questions.
- Set a regular schedule: 2-3 sessions/week, 20-30 minutes each.
- Use digital tools (flashcards, performance dashboard) to review and track progress.
SAT Study Tips
Balance SAT Prep with School Responsibilities
Start early and set realistic expectations. Balance school and SAT prep with short, spaced sessions (20-30 minutes), and give yourself breaks to stay mentally fresh. This method improves retention and reduces burnout.
Utilize Practice Tests
Practice tests are vital for understanding the test format. Take them under timed conditions to build endurance, confidence, and familiarity with the digital interface. Be sure to analyze your performance after each test to adjust your study plan accordingly.
How to Prepare a Digital SAT Study Plan
A well-organized preparation strategy adapted to your specific timeline – be it 1 month or 3 months – can significantly improve your results. Let's look at how to structure your preparation based on the time you have.
Take a full-length digital SAT practice test using the College Board's Bluebook™ app to get a baseline score. Carefully review your performance to identify content weaknesses and test-taking habits that need improvement.
Plan for 2–3 study sessions per week (30–60 minutes each). Start with core subjects: devote 2 weeks each to Reading, Writing, and Math. Maintain flexibility to adjust as you track progress.
Create a distraction-free environment. Keep all study materials organized and readily accessible. Build consistency with study rituals that prime your focus and motivation.
Assess your progress weekly by reviewing practice session results. Adapt your study sessions based on identified strengths and weaknesses.
Begin your prep by taking a full-length SAT practice test using the College Board's Bluebook™ app. Identify your strong areas and pinpoint concepts you find challenging.
Aim for short, focused sessions: 2-3 times a week for 30-60 minutes each. Structure sessions by specific topics (Reading, Writing, Math) each week.
Practice with high-quality SAT questions regularly. Use SAT prep materials to strengthen foundational skills and build confidence.
Assess your progress weekly by reviewing practice session results. Adapt your study sessions based on identified strengths and weaknesses.
Increase your sessions to 3-5 times per week. Mix content reviews with practice sessions to build stamina and familiarity with the test format.
Schedule at least 1 full-length digital SAT practice test under real exam conditions. Analyze the results carefully to target specific areas needing improvement.
Spend focused time each week addressing your most common mistakes. Dive into answer explanations to clarify concepts and sharpen problem-solving skills.
Regularly revisit key concepts with concise notes or flashcards. Reinforce challenging topics consistently to build greater test readiness.
Complete a final full-length digital SAT practice test under timed, test-day conditions. Analyze this test closely to find remaining areas for improvement.
Dedicate short, frequent sessions exclusively to areas that still pose difficulty. Avoid introducing new concepts and instead reinforce existing knowledge.
Prioritize your well-being. Get adequate rest, hydrate, and eat nutritious meals. Limit excessive screen time, particularly the days immediately before your SAT exam.
Keep study sessions brief, calm, and confidence-building. Use flashcards or concise notes for quick refreshers without overloading yourself.
SAT Study Materials
Selecting the right study materials is crucial for achieving your SAT goals. Since the SAT is now digital, it's important to use resources specifically tailored to its format and content.
Our comprehensive SAT prep book offers numerous practice questions that closely match the actual SAT in style and difficulty. Each question features detailed explanations to help you fully grasp the reasoning behind every answer, boosting your problem-solving abilities and test-taking strategies.
Additionally, we provide insightful performance tracking and personalized study recommendations, enabling you to concentrate on areas that need the most attention. Whether your prep timeline spans several months or just a few weeks, these targeted resources ensure your study sessions remain effective and efficient.
References
- College Board. (n.d.). Digital practice and preparation. SAT Suite of Assessments. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital/digital-practice-preparation
Read More About the Digital SAT Test
Build your exam confidence with this detailed guide—which includes test format, key features, and what you'll face on exam day, and more!
Free Digital SAT Practice QuestionsGet access to a variety of free and exam-like Digital SAT practice questions designed to mirror the actual exam's style and difficulty.
