How to Study for the SAT: Free Resources, Advice, & More
Last updated September 27, 2023
Preparing to take the SAT can be intimidating, but you can succeed if you use practice resources and allow yourself enough time to study! Here are some important things to know about studying for the SAT.
Understand how the SAT is structured
Knowing what to expect on the exam and how much time you’ll have allotted within each section can help you manage your time on it. Each section includes some multiple choice questions, so be sure to read our guide on how to answer them here. Here's a breakdown of the different sections within the SAT:
- Reading: 65-minute section with 52 multiple-choice questions.
- Writing and Language: 35-minute section with 44 multiple-choice questions.
- Math, no calculator: 25-minute section with 20 multiple-choice questions.
- Math, with calculator: 55-minute section with 38 multiple-choice questions.
Source: College Board
Free SAT study resources
There are many great and completely free SAT study resources available to students! Here are a few:
The College Board
The College Board has lots of SAT study materials! Download one of eight practice SAT exams here, or download their study guides for each section of the exam here.
Khan Academy
The College Board teamed up with Khan Academy to build free personalized study and practice plans for students. Through your personalized plan, you can take one of eight practice SAT exams and access thousands of practice questions, videos, lessons, and test-taking tips and strategies. Creating an account is required to use these resources.
Princeton Review
Princeton Review has a free online SAT practice test. After you take it, you’ll receive a score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses on the exam to help you focus your studying. They also hold free webinars about college application essays, why taking the SAT matters, and more!
Kaplan
Kaplan offers free SAT practice tests online. If you don't have time to take a full SAT practice test, they also offer shortened 20-minute assessments as well as an SAT Question a Day!
Union Test Prep by Become
This site has free SAT practice tests and 280 practice questions– all you need to do is create an account to access them.
In addition to the websites listed above, be sure to check in with your educators and school library to see what free SAT study resources they have for students!
Have any questions about studying for the SAT? Text #Hello to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors.