3 days to the sat review guide

3 day sat schedule for last minute sat prep-magoosh

materials and resources

  • official practice materials
    to get as close as possible to the real sat experience, try the full-length practice exams on bluebook, the college board’s online testing platform. these four practice tests let you explore the interface, format, and scoring of the digital exam. bonus! they’re totally free! another nice thing about the bluebook is that it also includes individual sat questions, helping you get comfortable with the new digital format and the types of questions you’ll encounter.
  • magoosh’s sat video lessons
    even if you don’t have a premium magoosh account, there are quite a few magoosh lessons available for free. utilize these videos to refresh your knowledge in key areas.
  • kahn academy offical practice
    this partnership between the college board and khan academy includes an impressive course that helps you understand the skills tested on the digital sat, from math topics (like problem-solving, algebra, and geometry) to reading and writing questions (grammar, argument, and text connections). it also includes diagnostic quizzes and a full-length test to help you get ready for the online exam.

day 1: analyze and assess

  1. take a practice test
    start with a timed practice test formatted for the digital sat. if you haven’t done so yet, take advantage of magoosh’s free digital sat test. when you take the test, make sure to work through all sections: reading & writing and math. you want to be as familiar as possible with the timing and structure of the exam.
  2. review your answers
    after grading your test, identify the questions you missed and analyze why you got them wrong. spend time understanding the correct answers rather than just noting what you missed.
  3. focus on weak areas
    if you struggled with math, watch magoosh’s video explanations to review and refresh your knowledge on various subject areas. the lesson videos will provide step-by-step solutions to help you grasp the concepts.

day 2: deepen your understanding

  1. take another practice test
  2. repeat the review process
    analyze your performance using the same steps as day 1. identify trends in the areas you struggle with the most.
  3. targeted video lessons
    if you have a magoosh account, select and watch 10 video lessons focused on your weakest topics, such as algebra or probability. this targeted approach helps reinforce your understanding.

day 3: final touches

  • focus on persistent weaknesses
    go over the questions you struggled with on both practice tests. try them again, and review their solutions to ensure you understand your mistakes.
  • finish remaining video lessons
    watch any additional free or premium lesson videos on topics you feel uncertain about. this will help solidify your knowledge.

the night before

the eve of the exam is crucial for ensuring you’re ready to perform your best on test day:

  • eat a balanced meal to fuel your body and mind, avoiding heavy or greasy foods that might disrupt your sleep.
  • set aside time for light review—focus on key concepts or vocabulary—but steer clear of intense cramming that could lead to stress.
  • prepare your test materials in advance, including your id, admission ticket, and any required equipment, to avoid last-minute scrambling.
  • aim for a good night’s sleep by going to bed early, ensuring you’re well-rested.
  • limit screen time before bed to help your mind unwind, and consider practicing relaxation techniques to ease any anxiety.

finally, set your alarm to allow yourself plenty of time to wake up, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at the testing center calmly and confidently. following these tips will help you enter the exam room feeling prepared and focused.

this structured approach will help you maximize your review in the final days leading up to the digital sat.

good luck, and happy studying! 😊

author

  • linnea newman

    after graduating from cu boulder with degrees in literature and women’s studies, linnea stumbled into the world of test prep and admissions consulting and never looked back. over the years, she has worked with students in the u.s. and abroad, trained new teachers for the classroom, and written curricula for various test types. her experience includes teaching the gre, act, sat, lsat, and gmat for the princeton review and working as the director of instruction management for the princeton review taipei. looking for a way to help more students, especially those who were unable to afford access to expensive test prep programs, linnea joined magoosh in 2019. she is a content creator who connects with students as a blog contributor and through various lessons and practice on the magoosh platform.

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