Your SAT Prep Checklist for 2023: Tips for Success

SATs can be very daunting for some. So, if you’re a student getting ready to take the SAT this year, or a parent helping your child prepare, you’re probably here trying to find ways to optimize your study time.

Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’re here to give you helpful tools and tips to guide you in the right direction – from when you start your preparations until the time you take the test.

This article contains information you’ll need to prepare for the SAT and what you’ll need on test day. It also includes a handy checklist of things to consider during preparation along with tips to ace your test.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• SAT test dates for 2023
• How to prepare for the SAT
• How to assess your progress
• Items you should (and should not) have with you on testing day

SAT Dates For 2023

• March 11, 2023
• May 6, 2023
• June 3, 2023
• August 26, 2023
• October 7, 2023
• November 4, 2023
• December 2, 2023

Once you have decided when to attempt the SAT this year, you can create your study plan by working backward. Here are some steps to get you started:

How To Prepare For Your SAT

1. Familiarize yourself with the test format

The first step to success is understanding the format of the test. The SAT consists of three main sections, i.e., Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, with an essay as an optional section. You can find enough material online to know what to expect from the paper.

Make sure to read through the test instructions and format thoroughly so you know what to expect on test day. Understanding the test’s structure and timing ensures there are no surprises on the big day. It can help you manage your time better during the test and ensure you don’t run out of time before you finish. It is better to lose points if you don’t know the answer to a question than it is to know the answer and not have the time to write it.

2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses

As mentioned above, you can find enough sample tests or previous years’ papers to practice. Such practice material is available online as well as in prep books. Take these practice tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing which sections are easier for you than others can help you to know which ones to study first.

For example, if reading is your strong suit and mathematics is the toughest, it’s best to start your prep with mathematics first. By doing so, you can give yourself more time and focus on the areas you need to improve on the most.

 TIP Make a plan for each SAT section. Divide your time for each section according to how easy or difficult they are for you.

3. Create a study schedule

Setting a study schedule is important to keep yourself on track. It is recommended that you study at least a few hours a day for a few months before the test. Passing your SAT with the desired score requires you to create a timetable of your day where you include your SAT prep time, schoolwork, and free time.

But you shouldn’t create a study plan that’s too rigid and hard to follow. If you add a high number of practice hours to your day, you may feel tired or overwhelmed and lose motivation. Instead, create a study plan that you’re capable of sticking with.

4. Create a study group or hire a tutor

If you find it difficult to study alone or get bored, you could start a study group with your friends or classmates who are also planning to take the SAT. Studying with a group can help boost motivation and build accountability to continue study and get better. You can quiz each other regularly, discuss any questions or problems you can’t solve yourself, and share resources.

If a study group doesn’t work for you, you could hire an SAT tutor to help you practice regularly, clarify your doubts, and give you ways to improve. Since they are experts, they can give you tips or techniques to retain study material better.

5. Practice regularly

The key here is to get used to the type of questions you should expect from the test, how to time yourself during the actual test, understand which sections are more complex or time-consuming than the others, and more. This way, you can be sure you won’t be surprised by something you aren’t prepared for on the day of the test.

Also, the more practice questions you do, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel on the test day. You can find free practice questions and full-length practice tests online, or you can purchase SAT prep books. Your tutor can also give you practice tests as part of their test prep program.

 TIP Take as many SAT practice tests as possible. Also, don’t forget to double-check your answers after you finish. It is easy to make a mistake when taking a test in a hurry.

6. Manage your time

The SAT is a timed test, so practicing managing your time efficiently is important. As mentioned before, doing practice tests can help you assess how long it takes you to finish the paper, how much time each section requires, and where you can save time.

This exercise can help you understand which sections or questions are more time-consuming than others. Having this knowledge will help you plan each section of the test. It will also help you understand where you can save time so that you finish the maximum number of questions.

 TIP Finish the questions you know the answers to first, then move on to questions that will take up more time, and then to the ones you don’t know.

Other important steps to keep in mind:

1. Build your vocabulary – The SAT tests your knowledge of advanced vocabulary in the reading and writing sections. So, learning new words and practicing using them in context is helpful. Reading books can help with that.
2. Develop critical reading – The SAT includes reading passages and has questions you must answer based on how well you understood the passage. This requires critical analysis. Practice reading and analyzing complex texts.
3. Practice writing essays – The SAT includes an optional essay section. If you plan to attempt it, practicing writing essays that follow the SAT essay format is helpful. You can refer to essay questions in the practice tests.

How To Access Your Progress

Once your SAT prep is in full swing, you can assess your progress by:

• Reviewing the requirements for the test and ensuring you meet them.
• Research the test format to understand how it’s scored and timed.
• Registering for the test online. You won’t receive your admission ticket or be able to sit for the examination if you don’t register for it.
• Taking practice tests and timing yourself. You should be able to finish the paper on or before time. If not, keep practicing with a timer/watch.
• Knowing your areas of strength and weakness well. You should also be able to work through your weaknesses while maintaining your strengths.
• Having a study group or hiring a tutor to guide your studies and help explain challenging material.

Items You Should Bring On The Day Of The Test

You are only allowed certain essential items in the testing center. Make sure you have the following:

• A printout of your up-to-date admission ticket
• Face mask, just in case
• Recent photo ID
• Two No. 2 pencils, erasers, sharpener
• An approved calculator
• If you must have medication with you, like an Epinephrine auto-injector or EpiPen, they are permitted if in a clear bag and can be stored under your desk during the test.

Optional items

• A watch (without an audible alarm)
• Extra batteries and backup equipment—with permission
• A bag or backpack
• A drink or snack for breaks

Items You Cannot Bring to the Testing Center

• Cell phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, or other wearable technology (simple digital, non-smartwatches, or analog watches are fine)
• Laptop, tablet/iPad, iPod, or other audio players
• Camera or any type of recording device
• Bluetooth device (such as wireless earbuds/headphones)
• Calculator type that is not approved
• Study material, books, notebooks, papers
• Highlighter, pen, or mechanical pencil
• Translators
• Dictionaries or other reference material
• Separate timers of any type

Double-check with the testing center to see their exact list of prohibited items.

On The Big Day

Get plenty of rest the day before the test and eat a healthy breakfast. Being well-rested and nourished will help you stay focused and alert during the test. Last-minute cramming can make you more nervous.

Check your reporting time at the test center and make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes early. Then, you can use that extra waiting time to use the bathroom, so you don’t need to go during the test.

Stay calm and confident. Trust in your preparation, and don’t let test anxiety get the best of you.

Conclusion

Preparing for the SAT can be scary. But with the amount of practice material available today and tutors to help you through the process, you can enter the testing center with confidence and your head held high.

Remember to stay focused, take enough breaks between study sessions, and be mindful of your well-being during the whole process. Good luck!