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How much time is required to prepare for the SAT exam?

Pres mult | 05 Aug 2023

You are not alone if you’re wondering how long it takes to prepare for the SAT. Although the recommended study times vary significantly from as few as ten hours to several months, the answer depends on your student. If your child has breezed through school without care, they may not need additional study for the SAT. However, if your child struggled at any point, even slightly, planning and preparation for this milestone test makes good sense. In this blog, our tutor in New York explains how much time is needed to prepare for the SAT.

Bare Minimum Study Time to Prepare for the SAT

Most study gurus recommend a minimum of 10 hours weekly for at least two weeks before the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). That should be considered the bare minimum necessary to achieve a passing score. Unless you are an exemplary student with an eidetic memory, you will need more time preparing for the SAT.

If you have at least a month, make a plan that includes:

• Use a specialized tutoring program
• Use an online tutoring source
• Take a full-length practice test
• Pay attention in school
• What to expect on test day

Every student’s study habits are different. Depending on the type of student, you may need just a few hours or many to prepare for the SAT. Everyone also takes tests differently. Some kids thrill to the test and exceed expectations. Others freeze and get flustered at the mere thought of taking a test.

What the Experts Say

Most experts agree that students should spend approximately 5 to 20 hours each week for about three months studying for the SAT. The total number of hours is greatly dependent on each student’s individual goals. If students have taken either a practice SAT or are retaking it to improve their scoring, setting goals can help narrow down the suggested study time.

If your student wishes to improve up to 50 points, they should devote approximately 10 to 15 hours within the month before they take the test. To improve between 50 and 150 points, a student should devote about 20 to 40 hours of study for one to two months leading up to the test. To improve by 150 to 250 points, expect to spend about 60 to 80 hours spread out over three months. If your student wants to improve by 250 points or more, they should devote 100 to 150 hours spread over three to six months.

Although not every college requires high SAT scores, some do. Depending on where your student is applying, their goals for improvement might be more rigorous.

Benefits of Using a Tutoring Program

Due to the importance of SAT scores, working with a tutoring program makes sense. Many students lack good study habits, and the recent pandemic did not help that. While some students do excel individually, most thrive on interaction with others.

Finding a local tutoring program that uses accredited methods and tutors who know what is on the test can help tremendously to focus your student’s efforts.

WhizKidz Tutoring Offers Test Prep

WhizKidz Tutoring offers various SAT prep tutoring options in the New York area, including both in-person and online sessions to fit the needs of every student:

• Set goals for improvement
• Learn and incorporate good study habits
• Work on specific difficult areas for your student
• Provide access to practice tests that emulate the real test
• Help with test-taking strategies

Working with a WhizKidz tutor offers your student the advantage of group sessions or individualized assistance. Whether their goal is to raise their score slightly or blow the lid off it, WhizKidz can help your student succeed.

Understanding SAT Scoring

SAT scores range from 400 to 1600. The test consists of two sections — Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Students can earn 200 to 800 points for each section.

Section scores begin as a raw score for each section, equaling the number of correctly answered questions. There are different test versions, with some versions being more difficult. Final scoring takes into account the difficulty of the version.

In the math section, with 58 questions, getting 57 correct on a test rated difficult will net an 800, while on the easy version, a student would need all 58 correct to score 800. The process equates and creates balance and fairness for all students in the final scores.

The reading and writing sections are scored separately, with each part contributing equally to the overall section score. Each test score is between 10 and 40 and comes from the raw score or number of correctly answered questions. The scoring accounts for differences in the difficulty of different test versions.

The score for each part (Reading and Writing) is multiplied by ten and then added together. For the math section, the math test score is multiplied by 20. Your SAT score is the sum of both sections. A score of 38 on the reading test becomes 380. A writing test score of 36 would become 360. The total for the Reading and Writing section would be 740. If the Math score were 700, the total SAT score would be 1440.

Why the SAT Matters to Your College-Bound Kid

Although it is not the top factor for colleges considering your student for admission, test scores play a role in the admissions process. Some colleges and universities actively recruit high-scoring students, offering scholarships as an incentive.

Scoring well on the SAT may permit your student to apply for schools requiring a minimum admittance score. In addition to grades, extra-curricular activities, sports, and community involvement, SAT scores are a part of the overall picture of your student.

With the increasing cost of college education, earning scholarships and awards can help your student with less college-related debt. Scholarship awarding also includes many businesses and organizations offering scholarship opportunities for high-achieving students.

The SAT measures a student’s suitability to the level of study required to attend a college or university. A high score may allow your student to step into advanced courses as a freshman or skip pre-requisite courses.

Helping Your Child Succeed with WhizKidz Tutoring

If you are ready to help your child succeed on the SAT, contact WhizKidz Tutoring for test prep tutoring. Our experienced tutors can help your student unlock their full potential. You may use our Contact Form to request information from our convenient locations. Whether your student needs a little help or a lot, WhizKidz Test Prep Tutoring can help.