two months is a reasonable timeframe for comprehensive sat preparation, allowing you to thoroughly explore all the modules on the magoosh dashboard. this period is long enough to reinforce your understanding of the material and practice effectively while being short enough to keep your study routine focused and impactful. now, if you’ve landed on this page but, in fact, have more or less time to devote to sat prep, we do have other schedule options to check out. but, if you’re right where you want to be, let’s get to it!

time commitment

yes, this is a demanding schedule, especially if you intend to watch all the lessons and do all the associated practice and quizzes. to successfully complete it in two months, you can expect to dedicate 5 days each week with a 6th day on practice test weeks. each session will require around two hours of study, but the daily commitment can vary significantly based on your individual strengths and goals for score improvement. tailoring your study sessions to meet your needs is crucial. for example, if you’re pretty busy during the week, and have limited time to devote to sat study, you can change things up: do less work during the week and have 1-2 longer study sessions on the weekends.

make it your own

this schedule is designed with flexibility in mind. as mentioned, it’s intended to cover a whole lot of content in a relatively short timeframe. however, how much time you devote to each study session and how much of the content you cover really comes down to whether or not it will benefit your individual study needs. you are welcome to skip around the modules or skim through lessons that cover material you already know or that don’t suit your goal needs. for example:

• if you’re stronger in math, you might choose to spend extra time honing your verbal skills through additional practice and review.
• conversely, if your reading and writing skills are stronger, consider supplementing your practice with more math-focused work.
• if a module is full of lessons on topics you’re comfortable with, skip that module’s lessons but still do the quizzes and any associated practice. that way you can catch any unexpected weaknesses.
• if you aren’t aiming for an incredibly high score, you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) time on lessons or practice for the most difficult, less frequently tested concepts, i.e. advanced topics in math.
• if you already have an above average score and are aiming to push into the highest percentiles, you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) time on intro or fundamental concepts–you’ve likely already mastered these. prioritize the more difficult questions and spend considerable time reviewing and analyzing the questions you’re missing.

how to use this schedule

consider it like a living document. as you move through the schedule, feel free to adjust your focus based on your performance in practice tests and quizzes. it’s essential to monitor your progress and adapt your study plan to maximize your growth.

review is essential

you”ll notice that we’ve estimated quite a bit of time for each quiz and practice set, and that’s because we really want you to devote considerable time to review.

after you work through a set of questions, be sure that, for any question you missed, or got right but feel shaky on or took too long to solve, you make note of the content and question type and carefully read the answer explanation. ideally, you’ll keep a digital document or journal where you can jot down the question type and why you missed it. this is a crucial step in determining whether any patterns emerge in the content or question types that are challenges for you.

materials & resources

magoosh sat prep

that’s us! our sat prep includes lessons and questions that you will work through, thereby increasing your sat familiarity. bonus! magoosh’s digital format mimics what you’ll see on test day. you’ll need a magoosh account to work through this 2-month schedule. not ready to commit yet? no worries! we’ve got you covered with a free 1-week trial of the magoosh product

and, if you happen to prefer studying on your phone, our sat test prep app makes studying on the go easy for both iphone and android users.

official digital sat study resources

to get as close as possible to the real sat experience, we highly recommend 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!

khan academy official sat practice (optional)

if you are hankering for additional practice, the partnership between the college board and khan academy includes lessons and practice to help you understand the content tested on the digital sat.

magoosh’s daily two-month schedule

week one

day 1:

let’s kick things off with where you need to go in your magoosh account, and that’s guided practice. to get there, you need to select the reading & writing or math link at the top of the dashboard. once you click either of those section options, you’ll see a box with your current stats for that section. under that box, you’ll see two options: guided practice or custom practice. select guided practice. that’s the default. only select custom practice when directed to do so.

• math module: introduction to sat math
• math section intro
• student-produced response questions
• number sense
• quiz
• the use and abuse of formulas
• learn from your mistakes
• follow through on question
• quiz
• reading & writing module: introduction + strategies
• reading & writing section intro
• active reading
• how to approach the question – part 1
• how not to approach the question
• reading & writing module: wrong answer choices
• wrong answers – part 1
• wrong answers – part 2
• choosing between two answers
• elimination trick
• practice

total estimated time: 122 minutes

remember, the estimated time will vary depending on the rate at which you watch the lessons, whether you’ve skipped any lessons, and how long it takes you to complete and review the quiz and practice questions.

day 2:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: math strategies
• picking numbers
• backsolving
• quiz
• play with numbers
• quiz
• reading & writing module: information and ideas
• central ideas and details
• quiz
• inference
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 112 minutes

day 3:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: fundamentals
• properties of real numbers
• positive and negative numbers – i
• quiz
• mental math, addition, and subtraction
• positive and negative numbers – ii
• order of operations
• math module: arithmetic: decimals
• intro to decimals
• rounding
• quiz
• multiples of 10
• more on scientific notation
• quiz

total estimated time: 120 minutes

day four:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: fractions – i
• conversions with fractions, decimals
• fraction properties – i
• quiz
• operations with fractions
• math module: arithmetic: fractions – ii
• fraction properties – ii
• quiz
• reading & writing module: cross-text connections
• cross-text connections
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 106 minutes

day 5:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: fractions – part ii
• fraction properties – ii
• quiz
• operations with proportions
• word problems with fractions
• quiz
• math module: ratios and percents: percents – part i
• intro to percents
• working with percents
• quiz
• reading & writing module: sentence structure – part i
• clauses
• coordinating and subordinating
• quiz
• reading & writing module: sentence structure – part ii
• important set of adverbs
• conjunction and clause quiz
• parallelism
• quiz

total estimated time: 117 minutes

days 6 and 7:

you’ve already done a lot over these last five days, and it’s time for a well-deserved rest however, you should also feel free to use rest days for additional practice or to catch up. and, hey, life is crazy busy, so it’s very likely that at some point during this schedule that’ll happen.

week two

day 8:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing module: command of evidence
• command of evidence – textual
• quiz
• quiz
• command of evidence – quantitative
• quiz
• quiz
• math module: ratios and percents: percents – part i
• number sense and percents
• percent increases and decreases
• quiz

total estimated time: 110 minutes

day 9:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: ratios and percents: percents – part ii
• sequential percent changes
• simple and compound interest
• quiz
• math module: ratios
• intro to ratios
• combining ratios
• ratios and rates
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 93 minutes

day 10:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: fundamentals
• intro to algebra
• simplifying expressions
• quiz
• multiplying expressions
• foil method
• quiz
• plugging in numbers – algebraic equations
• quiz
• reading & writing module: rhetorical synthesis
• rhetorical synthesis
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 119 minutes

day 11:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: factoring expressions
• factoring – gcf
• factoring – difference of two squares
• factoring – quadratics
• quiz
• factoring – combined
• factoring – rational expressions
• quiz
• reading & writing module: vocabulary in context
• vocabulary in context
• quiz
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 115 minutes

day 12:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: linear and quadratic equations
• basic equation solving
• eliminating fractions
• quiz
• quadratic equations
• quiz
• watch out for positives and negatives in quadratics
• math module: algebra: systems of equations
• two equations, two unknowns – i
• two equations, two unknowns – ii
• two equations, number of solutions
• quiz
• mapping out the plane
• quiz

total estimated time: 118 minutes

day 13:

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

you want to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day. be sure to put away anything that might distract you from the task at hand. part of prep is to also build up the endurance to be mentally prepared to focus for almost 2.5 hours, and it’s difficult to do that if you don’t have prior experience.

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 14:

rest or catch up

week three

day 15:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing module: text structure and purpose
• main idea
• quiz
• in-text purpose
• quiz

total estimated time: 120 minutes

day 16:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: special equation types
• function notation
• quiz
• absolute value equations
• inequalities i
• inequalities ii
• quiz
• practice
• reading & writing module: usage i
• word choice
• false comparisons
• practice

total estimated time: 120 minutes

day 17:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: fundamentals
• intro to word problems
• assigning variables
• quiz
• writing equations
• number of variables
• quiz
• backsolving
• quiz
• plugging in numbers on word problems
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• that’s right! it’s your first custom practice session. you’ll have quite a few of these for reading and writing since, comparatively, it has a lot less content than math. so, select custom practice from the reading and writing page on your dashboard. select all subjects and launch a practice set with 8 questions. be sure to also devote time for review.

total estimated time: 121 minutes

day 18:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: motion
• intro to motion questions
• average speed
• quiz
• multiple traveler questions
• shrinking and expanding gaps
• work problems
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 104 minutes

day 19:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: sequence
• intro to sequence
• quiz
• arithmetic sequence
• geometric sequence
• quiz
• inclusive counting
• sums of sequence
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 108 minutes

days 20 and 21:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week four

day 22:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: special problem types
• age questions
• growth and decay
• quiz
• intro to set and venn diagrams
• practice
• reading & writing module: usage – part ii
• pronoun cases
• pronoun agreement
• subject verb agreement
• quiz
• quiz

total estimated time: 101 minutes

day 23:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: fundamentals
• intro to exponents
• exponential growth
• quiz
• math module: powers and roots: exponents
• laws of exponents – i
• negative exponents
• laws of exponents – ii
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 113 minutes

day 24:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: roots – part i
• square roots
• other roots
• properties of roots
• quiz
• simplifying roots
• reading & writing module: punctuation
• the comma
• the semicolon
• the dash and the colon
• punctuation – putting it all together
• quiz
• quiz

total estimated time: 111 minutes

day 25:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: roots – part ii
• operations with roots
• equations with square roots
• quiz
• watch out for phantom roots
• quiz
• fractional exponents

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 93 minutes

day 26:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: putting it all together
• exponential equations
• quiz
• rationalizing
• working with formulas
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 76 minutes

day 27:

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 28:

rest!

week five

day 29:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: fundamentals
• lines and angles
• triangles – part i
• quiz
• geometry strategies – part i
• triangles – part ii

total estimated time: 125 minutes

day 30:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: triangles
• right triangles
• quiz
• similar triangles
• special right triangles
• quiz
• reading & writing module: effective language use
• attacking the passage
• transitions
• redundant meanings
• ambiguous pronouns
• concision and wordiness
• practice

total estimated time: 113 minutes

day 31:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: quadrilaterals + other polygons
• quadrilaterals
• area of quadrilaterals
• quiz
• polygons
• regular polygons
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 100 minutes

day 32:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: circles
• circles
• circle properties
• quiz
• circles, arcs, and sectors

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 101 minutes

day 33:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: 3d figures + putting it all together
• volume and surface area
• quiz
• scale factor & scaling
• units of measurement
• geometry strategies – part ii
• quiz
• practice

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 108 minutes

days 34 and 35:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week six

day 36:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: fundamentals
• the coordinate plane
• graphing lines
• quiz

• math: custom practice
• (yup! we’re getting to that point: less content and more practice!)
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 87 minutes

day 37:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: graphing lines
• slope
• intercepts
• quiz
• slope-intercept form
• writing equations of lines
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 99 minutes

day 38:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: distance and reflections
• quiz
• reflections in the x-y plane
• quiz
• graphs of quadratics i
• graphs of quadratics ii
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 96 minutes

day 39:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: statistics and data analysis: statistics – part i
• mean, median, mode
• more on mean and median
• quiz
• weighted averages

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 97 minutes

day 40:

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 41:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 42:

rest!

week seven

day 43:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: statistics and data analysis: statistics – part ii
• range and standard deviation
• quiz
• practice

• math: custom practice
• launch a 5 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 91 minutes

day 44:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: statistics and data analysis: data analysis
• types of graphs
• timeplots for motion
• other timeplots
• quiz
• histograms
• tables of values
• practice

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 81 minutes

day 45:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: trigonometry: fundamentals
• intro to sohcahtoa
• sohcahtoa and special triangles
• quiz
• fundamental trig identities
• math module: trignonometry: unit circle i
• intro to unit circle trigonometry i
• quiz
• intro to unit circle trigonometry ii

total estimated time: 85 minutes

day 46:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: trignonometry: unit circle ii
• degrees and radians
• more on the unit circle
• quiz

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 95 minutes

day 47:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: trigonometry: functions and formulas
• trigonometric functions
• inverse trig functions
• advanced trig formulas
• practice

• math: custom practice
• launch a 5 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 88 minutes

days 48 and 49:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week eight

day 50:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: advanced topics: complex numbers
• intro to complex numbers
• arithmetic with complex numbers
• quiz

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 98 minutes

day 51:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: advanced topics: functions and polynomials – part i
• factor theorem
• graphs of polynomials
• transformations of functions
• quiz

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 101 minutes

day 52:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: advanced topics: functions and polynomials – part ii
• functions with discontinuities
• quiz
• quadratic formula
• practice

for the following custom practice sessions, we suggest that you select the question types and content areas that you’re still struggling with. you’re almost at the finish time, so it’s time to laser-focus those weak points.

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 105 minutes

day 53:

in your magoosh dashboard

again, for the following custom practice sessions, we suggest that you select the question types and content areas that you’re still struggling with.

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 60 minutes

day 54:

the last full-length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 55:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 56:

take a bow

you did it!!! congratulations. now, let’s talk about what you should do if you have some time remaining before you take your official sat test.

week 9 and beyond

at this point, if you have been following the schedule, you have done a lot of work, an incredible number of questions! excellent job! for the remaining days until the test, keep practicing.

your first priority should be to finish any remaining unanswered questions in magoosh. your second priority should be to re-answer any questions you got “incorrect.” if, when answering previous incorrect questions, you get the vast majority of them correct on the second try, then the supply of “incorrect” questions will dwindle. many students have found that seeing questions more than once really deepens their understanding. and, of course, if you’ve exhausted all the questions in magoosh, remember that khan is another option for practice.

best of luck!

the post two month sat study schedule appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

three months is an ideal timeframe for comprehensive sat preparation! it will allow you to thoroughly explore all the modules on the magoosh dashboard at a comfortable pace. now, if you’ve landed on this page but, in fact, have less than three months for sat prep, we do have other schedule options to check out. but, if you’re right where you want to be, let’s get to it!

time commitment

this schedule is structured to be demanding but manageable. to successfully complete it in three months, you can expect to dedicate five days each week, with an additional sixth day on some of the practice test weeks. each study session will require around 1 to 1.5 hours, which, hopefully, you can squeeze into your daily routine. all that being said, the daily commitment can vary significantly based on your individual strengths and goals for score improvement. tailoring your study sessions to meet your needs is crucial. for example, if you have a busy schedule during the week, consider reducing your weekday workload and focusing on longer study sessions over the weekends.

make it your own

this schedule is designed with flexibility in mind. how much time you devote to each study session and how much of the content you cover really comes down to whether it will benefit your individual study needs. you are welcome to skip lessons within modules, or even entire modules, or just skim through lessons that cover material you already know or that don’t suit your learning goals. for example:

• if you’re stronger in math, you might choose to skip math content that you’re familiar with, spending extra time honing your verbal skills through additional practice and review.
• conversely, if your reading and writing skills are stronger, consider skipping some of that content, supplementing your practice with more math-focused work.
• word to the wise: if a module is full of lessons on topics you’re comfortable with, skip that module’s lessons but still consider doing the quizzes and any associated practice. that way you can catch any unexpected weaknesses.
• if you aren’t aiming for an incredibly high score, you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) time on lessons or practice for the most difficult, less frequently tested concepts, i.e. advanced topics in math.
• if you already have an above average score and are aiming to push into the highest percentiles, you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) time on intro or fundamental concepts–you’ve likely already mastered these. prioritize the more difficult questions and spend considerable time reviewing and analyzing the questions you’re missing.

how to use this schedule

consider it like a living document. as you move through the schedule, feel free to adjust your focus based on your performance in practice tests and quizzes. it’s essential to monitor your progress and adapt your study plan to maximize your growth.

review is essential

you”ll notice that we’ve estimated quite a bit of time for each quiz and practice set, and that’s because we really want you to devote considerable time to review.

after you work through a set of questions, be sure that, for any question you missed, or got right but feel shaky on or took too long to solve, you make note of the content and question type and carefully read the answer explanation. ideally, you’ll keep a digital document or journal where you can jot down the question type and why you missed it. this is a crucial step in determining whether any patterns emerge in the content or question types that are challenges for you.

materials & resources

magoosh sat prep (essential)

that’s us! our sat prep includes lessons and questions that you will work through, thereby increasing your sat familiarity. bonus! magoosh’s digital format mimics what you’ll see on test day. you’ll need a magoosh account to work through this 2-month schedule. not ready to commit yet? no worries! we’ve got you covered with a free 1-week trial of the magoosh product

and, if you happen to prefer studying on your phone, our sat test prep app makes studying on the go easy for both iphone and android users.

official digital sat study resources (essential)

to get as close as possible to the real sat experience, we highly recommend 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!

note: the first four full-length practice exams in this schedule will be taken through your magoosh account. the last four exams should be the college board bluebook official exams. why? well, for one, there’s a finite number of questions in magoosh. after four tests, it’s very likely that you’ll start seeing repeat questions. the second reason is that the bluebook tests are written by the folks who write the test you’ll be taking on test day. as that day nears, it’s ideal to take advantage of those free, official practice exams.

khan academy official sat practice (optional)

if you are hankering for additional practice, the partnership between the college board and khan academy includes lessons and practice to help you understand the content tested on the digital sat.

magoosh’s daily three-month schedule

week one

day 1:

let’s kick things off with where you need to go in your magoosh account, and that’s guided practice. to get there, you need to select the reading & writing or math link at the top of the dashboard. once you click either of those section options, you’ll see a box with your current stats for that section. under that box, you’ll see two options: guided practice or custom practice. select guided practice. that’s the default. only select custom practice when directed to do so.

• math module: introduction to sat math
• math section intro
• student-produced response questions
• number sense
• quiz
• the use and abuse of formulas
• learn from your mistakes
• follow through on question
• quiz
• reading & writing module: introduction + strategies
• reading & writing section intro
• active reading
• how to approach the question, part 1
• how not to approach the question

total estimated time: 86 minutes

remember, the estimated time will vary depending on the rate at which you watch the lessons, whether you’ve skipped any lessons, and how long it takes you to complete and review the quiz and practice questions.

day 2:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: math strategies
• picking numbers
• backsolving
• quiz
• play with numbers
• quiz
• reading & writing module: wrong answer choices
• wrong answers part 2
• choosing between two answers
• elimination trick
• practice

total estimated time: 86 minutes

day 3:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing module: information and ideas
• central ideas and details
• quiz
• inference
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 62 minutes

day 4:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: fundamentals
• properties of real numbers
• positive and negative numbers – i
• quiz
• mental math, addition, and subtraction
• positive and negative numbers – ii
• order of operations

total estimated time: 54 minutes

day 5:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: decimals
• intro to decimals
• rounding
• quiz
• multiples of 10
• more on scientific notation
• quiz

total estimated time: 66 minutes

days 6 and 7:

you’ve already done a lot over these last five days, and it’s time for a well-deserved rest however, you should also feel free to use rest days for additional practice or to catch up. and, hey, life is crazy busy, so it’s very likely that at some point during this schedule that’ll happen.

week two

day 8:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: fractions – part i
• conversions with fractions, decimals
• fraction properties – i
• quiz
• operations with fractions
• math module: arithmetic: fractions – part ii
• fraction properties – ii
• quiz

total estimated time: 68 minutes

day 9:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: arithmetic: fractions – part ii
• operations with proportions
• word problems with fractions
• quiz
• reading and writing: cross-text connections
• cross-text connections
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 64 minutes

day 10:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: ratios and percents part i
• intro to percents
• working with percents
• quiz
• reading & writing module: sentence structure part i
• clauses
• coordinating and subordinating
• quiz

total estimated time: 56 minutes

day 11:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing module: sentence structure part ii
• important set of adverbs
• conjunction and clause quiz
• parallelism
• quiz
• reading & writing module: command of evidence
• command of evidence – textual
• quiz

total estimated time: 77 minutes

day 12:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing module: command of evidence
• command of evidence – quantitative
• quiz
• math module: algebra: ratios and percents: percents – part i
• number sense and percents
• percent increases and decreases
• quiz

total estimated time: 68 minutes

day 13:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard.

you want to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day. be sure to put away anything that might distract you from the task at hand. part of prep is to also build up the endurance to be mentally prepared to focus for almost 2.5 hours, and it’s difficult to do that if you don’t have prior experience.

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 14:

rest or catch up

week three

day 15:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

• math module: ratios and percents: part ii
• sequential percent changes
• simple and compound interest
• quiz

total estimated time: 96 minutes

day 16:

magoosh dashboard

• math module: percents and ratios: ratios
• intro to ratios
• combining ratios
• ratios and rates
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 57 minutes

day 17:

magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: fundamentals
• intro to algebra
• simplifying expressions
• quiz
• multiplying expressions
• foil method
• quiz
• plugging in numbers – algebraic equations
• quiz

total estimated time: 81 minutes

day 18:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: factoring expressions
• factoring – gcf
• factoring – difference of two squares
• factoring – quadratics
• quiz
• reading & writing: rhetorical synthesis
• rhetorical synthesis
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 78 minutes

day 19:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: factoring expressions
• factoring – combined
• factoring – rational expressions
• quiz
• reading & writing module: vocabulary in context
• vocabulary in context
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 75 minutes

days 20 and 21:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week four

day 22:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: linear and quadratic equations
• basic equation solving
• eliminating fractions
• quiz
• quadratic equations
• quiz
• watch out for positives and negatives in quadratics

total estimated time: 54 minutes

day 23:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: systems of equations
• two equations, two unknowns – i
• two equations, two unknowns – ii
• two equations, number of solutions
• quiz
• mapping out the plane
• quiz

total estimated time: 64 minutes

day 24:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing module: text structure and purpose
• main idea
• quiz
• in-text purpose
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 60 minutes

day 25:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: algebra: special equation types
• function notation
• quiz
• absolute value equations
• inequalities i
• inequalities ii
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 93 minutes

day 26:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: fundamentals
• intro to word problems
• assigning variables
• quiz
• reading and writing module: usage – part i
• word choice
• false comparisons
• practice

total estimated time: 50 minutes

day 27:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 28:

rest!

week five

day 29:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: fundamentals
• writing equations
• number of variables
• quiz

total estimated time: 91 minutes

day 30:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: fundamentals
• backsolving
• quiz
• plugging in numbers on word problems
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice.
• that’s right! it’s your first custom practice session. you’ll have quite a few of these for reading and writing since, comparatively, it has a lot less content than math. so, select custom practice from the reading and writing page on your dashboard. select all subjects and launch a practice set with 8 questions. be sure to also devote time for review.

total estimated time: 67 minutes

day 31:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: motion
• intro to motion questions
• average speed
• quiz
• multiple traveler questions
• shrinking and expanding gaps
• work problems
• quiz

total estimated time: 74 minutes

day 32:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: sequences
• intro to sequences
• quiz
• arithmetic sequences
• geometric sequences
• quiz
• inclusive counting
• sums of sequences
• quiz

total estimated time: 78 minutes

day 33:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 20 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 60 minutes

days 34 and 35:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week six

day 36:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: word problems: special problem types
• age questions
• growth and decay
• quiz
• intro to set and venn diagrams
• practice

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 79 minutes

day 37:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: fundamentals
• intro to exponents
• exponential growth
• quiz
• reading & writing module: usage – part ii
• pronoun cases
• pronoun agreement
• subject verb agreement
• quiz

total estimated time: 85 minutes

day 38:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: exponents
• laws of exponents – i
• negative exponents
• laws of exponents – ii
• quiz

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 80 minutes

day 39:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: roots – part i
• square roots
• other roots
• properties of roots
• quiz
• simplifying roots

total estimated time: 55 minutes

day 40:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading and writing module: punctuation
• the comma
• the semicolon
• the dash and the colon
• punctuation – putting it all together
• quiz

total estimated time: 56 minutes

day 41:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 42:

rest!

week seven

day 43:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: roots – part ii
• operations with roots
• equations with square roots
• quiz

total estimated time: 98 minutes

day 44:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: roots – part ii
• watch out for phantom roots
• quiz
• fractional exponents

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 55 minutes

day 45:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: powers and roots: putting it all together
• exponential equations
• quiz
• rationalizing
• working with formulas
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 76 minutes

day 46:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: fundamentals
• lines and angles
• triangles – part i
• quiz
• geometry strategies – part i
• triangles – part ii

total estimated time: 65 minutes

day 47:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: triangles
• right triangles
• quiz
• similar triangles
• special right triangles
• quiz

total estimated time: 71 minutes

days 48 and 49:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week eight

day 50:

in your magoosh dashboard

• reading and writing module: effective language use
• attacking the passage
• transitions
• redundant meanings
• ambiguous pronouns
• concision and wordiness
• practice

total estimated time: 42 minutes

day 51:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: quadrilaterals + other polygons
• quadrilaterals
• area of quadrilaterals
• quiz
• polygons
• regular polygons
• quiz
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 70 minutes

day 52:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: circles
• circles
• circle properties
• quiz
• circles, arcs, and sectors
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

total estimated time: 71 minutes

day 53:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: geometry: 3d figures + putting it all together
• volume and surface area
• quiz
• scale factor & scaling
• units of measurement
• geometry strategies – part ii
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 78 minutes

day 54:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math: custom practice
• (yup! we’re getting to that point: less content and more practice!)
• launch a 10 question custom practice with either all the subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 60 minutes

day 55:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard. this is the last one from magoosh. be sure to download the bluebook for your remaining practice tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 56:

rest!

week nine

day 57:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: fundamentals
• the coordinate plane
• graphing lines
• quiz

total estimated time: 87 minutes

day 58:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 60 minutes

day 59

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: graphing lines
• slope
• intercepts
• quiz
• slope-intercept form
• writing equations of lines
• quiz

total estimated time: 69 minutes

day 60

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: distance and reflections
• distance between two points
• quiz
• reflections in the x-y plane
• quiz
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 78 minutes

day 61

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: coordinate geometry: graphing quadrilaterals
• graphs of quadratics i
• graphs of quadratics ii
• quiz
• practice

total estimated time: 48 minutes

day 62:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from the college board’s bluebook.

as always, do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 63:

rest!

week ten

day 64:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 65:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: statistics and data analysis: statistics – part i
• mean, median, mode
• more on mean and median
• quiz
• weighted averages
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 67 minutes

day 66:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: statistics and data analysis: statistics – part ii
• range and standard deviation
• quiz
• practice
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 5 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 61 minutes

day 67:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: statistics and data analysis: data analysis
• types of graphs
• timeplots for motion
• other timeplots
• quiz
• histograms
• tables of values
• practice
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 81 minutes

day 68:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: trigonometry: fundamentals
• intro to sohcahtoa
• sohcahtoa and special triangles
• quiz
• math module: trignonometry: unit circle – part i
• intro to unit circle trigonometry i
• quiz

total estimated time: 71 minutes

day 69:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from the college board’s bluebook.

as always, do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 70:

rest!

week eleven

day 71:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 72:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: trignonometry: unit circle – part ii
• degrees and radians
• more on the unit circle
• quiz
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 65 minutes

day 73:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: trigonometry: functions and formulas
• trigonometric functions
• inverse trig functions
• advanced trig formulas
• practice
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 73 minutes

day 74:

full length practice test

launch a practice test from the college board’s bluebook.

as always, do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 75:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 76 and 77:

it’s your choice! relax or use the time to catch up

week twelve

day 78:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: advanced topics: complex numbers
• intro to complex numbers
• arithmetic with complex numbers
• quiz
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 68 minutes

day 79:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: advanced topics: functions and polynomials – part i
• factor theorem
• graphs of polynomials
• transformations of functions
• quiz
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 71 minutes

day 80:

in your magoosh dashboard

• math module: advanced topics: functions and polynomials – part ii
• functions with discontinuities
• quiz
• quadratic formula
• practice
• reading & writing: custom practice
• launch a 10 question custom practice. be sure to review your answers.

total estimated time: 75 minutes

day 81:

your last full length practice test

launch a practice test from the college board’s bluebook.

total estimated time: 150 minutes

day 82:

score and review your test

• do a deep-dive into your practice test with the following in mind (give yourself up to an hour for this activity):
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

total estimated time: 60 minutes

days 83 and 84

take a bow

you did it!!! congratulations. now, let’s talk about what you should do if you have some time remaining before you take your official sat test.

week thirteen and beyond

at this point, if you have been following the schedule, you have done a lot of work, an incredible number of questions! excellent job! for the remaining days until the test, keep practicing.

your first priority should be to finish any remaining unanswered questions in magoosh. your second priority should be to re-answer any questions you got “incorrect.” if, when answering previous incorrect questions, you get the vast majority of them correct on the second try, then the supply of “incorrect” questions will dwindle. many students have found that seeing questions more than once really deepens their understanding. and, of course, if you’ve exhausted all the questions in magoosh, remember that khan is another option for practice.

best of luck!

the post three month sat study schedule appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

enter your email to try 21 sat practice questions:

sample some sat practice questions online to see what the test is like, or treat this as a mini quiz to assess your current skills. the sat tests you on a lot of topics through many different kinds of questions: 21 in total! our free practice set above allows you to try out one question of each type. here’s a broad look at what you’ll encounter (and see below for a more detailed preview of each question):

• reading and writing – 11 practice questions
• math – 10 practice questions

approaching the practice questions as an sat diagnostic quiz

if you’d like to treat this practice set as a diagnositc quiz, we recommend setting aside 30 minutes. and to mimic the time constraints of the real sat, you should aim to spend around 14 minutes on the reading and writing questions and 16 minutes on the math questions.

with that said, this sample set of questions is just that: a sample. we’ve preselected a range of difficulties (from easy to very hard) and only one of each question type. on a real sat test, you will encounter more than 1 of each type and the difficulty will vary. plus, the 2nd module you do in a section will adapt its difficulty based on your performance in the 1st module.

thus, for a true adaptive experience, an estimated sat score, and a more accurate measure of your abilities, we highly recommend that you take a full-length practice test.

but if you don’t have time for a full test, this diagnostic quiz is a quick way to get a feel for the digital sat and to see how you’re currently doing. at the end of the quiz, you can view explanations for every question. plus, see the end of this article for advice on how to study based on your results!

table of contents

• the sat reading and writing practice questions
• the sat math practice questions
• study advice based on your diagnostic quiz results
• where can i find more free sat practice questions?
• closing thoughts

the sat reading and writing practice questions

on the sat reading and writing section, all the questions are multiple choice. additionally, every question comes with its own, separate passage. this is a key difference between the digital sat and the older paper sat, which had long passages with many questions.

the following chart lists all the different sat reading and writing question types. you’ll see one of each type on our practice quiz. and last column is the difficulty of the particular problem that you’ll answer in the set.

to learn more about what each of those question types is like, please see the reading and writing section of our article on sat question types.

the sat math practice questions

on the sat math section, you’ll actually encounter two styles of questions: the standard multiple choice and grid-in. grid-in (or student-response) questions don’t have any answer choices. instead, you have to write in your own answer on those.

the following chart lists all the different sat math question types. you’ll get a chance to answer one of each type on our practice quiz. and once again, the last column is the difficulty of the specific problem in our practice set.

to learn more about each of those question categories, please see the math section of our article on sat question types.

study advice based on your diagnostic quiz results

once you’ve finished all the sat practice questions, you’ll get your overall score out of 21 and will be able to see your results on each individual question. the study recommendations here are for an individual section (math or reading and writing), so tally up the number of questions you answered correctly in each section first before reading the advice.

by the way, don’t be discouraged if you found the quiz difficult: the sat is supposed to be hard! keep in mind that this is just a diagnostic to measure where you are in your sat journey. use this tool as a gauge of your current level and not an absolute measure of your abilities.

no matter how you scored, we strongly recommend that you follow a study schedule. we generally suggest that students study for at least a couple months, but there are shorter and longer schedules available.

section score: 0 to 2 correct answers

don’t be discouraged! every sat expert started with the basics, and you have the opportunity to make tremendous progress. this diagnostic is just a starting point, and every bit of effort you put in now will get you closer to your goal.

recommendation:

• focus on foundation: start with the basics in both reading and writing and math. go over fundamental grammar rules, reading strategies, and key math concepts.
• prioritize high-frequency topics: study question types you’ll encounter most frequently on the test (like algebra in math or words in context in reading and writing).
• use guided practice: use resources that break down concepts step-by-step. consider short, targeted practice sets to build foundational skills.
• build test stamina slowly: gradually increase the length and difficulty of practice questions to build confidence without overwhelming yourself.

section score: 3 to 5 correct answers

great job! you’ve shown that you’re on the path to success. now, it’s time to start sharpening your skills and turning any challenges into strengths. with consistent practice, you’ll see your scores rise even more.

recommendation:

• identify key weaknesses: review each question type and note which you struggled with. aim to turn “problem areas” into strengths.
• practice core skills: focus on understanding and mastering specific skills, like solving equations for math or making inferences in reading and writing.
• review answer explanations thoroughly: pay attention to why each correct answer is right and why your answer was incorrect.
• use short drills to target weak areas: doing quick sets of similar question types (e.g., boundaries questions in reading and writing or data analysis in math) can be particularly effective.

section score: 6 to 8 correct answers

you’re making solid progress, and it’s clear you’re getting a good handle on many question types. keep going! with just a few targeted improvements, you’ll be ready to take your score to the next level.

recommendation:

• focus on efficiency: work on improving speed and accuracy for question types you’re generally confident with, as well as recognizing and quickly addressing mistakes.
• tackle specific trouble spots: identify any patterns in the questions you’re getting wrong, and focus on building targeted skills for those areas.
• simulate real test conditions: take longer practice sections to replicate test-day conditions and build endurance.
• refine techniques: work on advanced strategies, like eliminating wrong answers quickly or spotting patterns in answer choices.

section score: 9 to 10 (or 11) correct answers

fantastic work! you’ve shown a strong understanding of the test material, and you’re in a great position to reach a top score. keep pushing yourself—there’s always room for growth, and staying sharp will ensure you’re fully prepared.

recommendation:

• polish advanced skills: focus on fine-tuning strategies for more challenging questions. look at small efficiency tweaks to maximize time.
• practice for consistency: work on maintaining accuracy under pressure, focusing on question types where you’re already strong.
• take timed, full-length practice tests: full-length tests will ensure you can sustain your performance throughout the entire test and help identify any remaining weaknesses.
• use mistake analysis: for any mistakes you make in practice, analyze whether it was due to misinterpretation, rushing, or a knowledge gap, then work on these specific issues.

where can i find more free sat practice questions?

magoosh also offers a free digital sat practice test. that’s 98 questions total, or you can also take a single section of the practice exam, which would be 44 or 54 questions.

be sure to check out the college board website—they’re the creators of the sat, so their practice is as official as it gets.

you can also do free sat practice questions at khan academy.

closing thoughts

now that you have a good feel for what’s on the sat and how you’d perform, keep that momentum up! these free sat practice questions are a great starting point or checkpoint, but there’s still more you can do to improve and get a top score.

and with even more practice questions, tests, lessons, and explanations, a magoosh sat premium plan is a great way for you to learn and prepare for the exam. get a year of access, or try us for free first with a 1-week trial!

the post sat practice questions — free diagnostic quiz (2024) appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

the sat assesses a range of skills that reflect your readiness for higher education. understanding the specific types of questions you’ll encounter can significantly enhance your ability to prepare effectively and perform confidently on test day. this guide breaks down the sat question types you’ll face in both the reading & writing and math sections of the digital sat, providing detailed insights into each category and helpful tips.

• understanding the sat reading and writing question types
• understanding the sat math question types
• strategies for mastering sat question types

understanding the sat reading and writing question types

the sat reading & writing section of the digital sat is designed to evaluate your comprehension, analytical abilities, and command of the english language. 54 total questions are divided over two modules of 27 questions each. this section assesses how well you understand and interpret written texts, as well as your proficiency in standard english conventions. the questions are divided into four main content domains:

• craft and structure: 13 to 15 questions total; approximately 7 per module.
• information and ideas: 12 to 14 questions total; approximately 7 per module.
• standard english conventions: 11 to 15 questions total; approximately 7 per module.
• expression of ideas: 8 to 12 questions total; approximately 5 per module.

understanding the focus of each content area can help you prepare more effectively for the test. each of these domains can be broken down further, resulting in 11 unique question types on the sat. let’s look at the number of each type that you can expect to see, along with its purpose and the concepts it tests. additionally, we’ll mention some generalized examples and helpful advice on each question type.

craft and structure

text structure and purpose

• number: around 3 questions on the test
• purpose: assesses comprehension of the overall purpose of a passage and its structural features.
• concepts: understanding author’s intent, recognizing purpose (e.g., to inform, argue, entertain), and analyzing how structure serves the purpose.
• examples: identifying an author’s goal, understanding how structure supports purpose, and distinguishing between different modes of writing.
• tip: identify the passage’s goal early—is it meant to inform, argue, entertain, or explain? once you know the goal, you can assess how the structure (e.g., introductions, examples) serves this purpose.

cross-text connections

• number: around 1 question on the test
• purpose: tests ability to make connections and comparisons between multiple texts.
• concepts: synthesizing information across passages, comparing ideas, and recognizing thematic or argumentative links.
• examples: identifying a common theme between two passages, comparing authors’ approaches to similar topics, and analyzing how different texts address related issues.
• tip: look for common themes or opposing viewpoints—before comparing texts, determine if the authors agree, disagree, or discuss different aspects of the same theme. understanding this relationship can guide you to the correct answer more easily.

words in context

• number: around 11 questions on the test
• purpose: tests ability to interpret vocabulary in the context of a passage.
• concepts: understanding word meanings based on context, recognizing shifts in meaning depending on usage, and selecting precise language.
• examples: determining the meaning of a word as used in a passage, identifying words with nuanced meanings, and replacing words with contextually appropriate synonyms.
• tip: replace the word with a simpler one—if the word is challenging, mentally substitute it with a simpler term that fits. then, select the answer choice that best matches your substitute word.

information and ideas

central ideas and details

• number: around 4 questions on the test
• purpose: assesses ability to identify main ideas and supporting details in a passage.
• concepts: recognizing the main idea, summarizing information, and identifying details that support or elaborate on the central point.
• examples: determining the primary message of a passage, identifying which details reinforce the main idea, and understanding how examples support broader claims.
• tip: summarize each paragraph—try to capture the main point of each paragraph in a few words as you read. this practice makes it easier to locate the central idea and details that support it without rereading.

command of evidence – quantitative

• number: around 4 questions on the test
• purpose: evaluates ability to interpret data and link quantitative information to claims in a passage.
• concepts: analyzing tables, charts, and graphs; identifying evidence within data to support conclusions.
• examples: interpreting statistical evidence, matching quantitative data to arguments in the text, and understanding data representations.
• tip: identify trends and outliers first—look for patterns or notable data points in charts and graphs before diving into specific questions. this overview can help you find evidence that aligns with the text quickly.

command of evidence – textual

• number: around 4 questions on the test
• purpose: tests the ability to identify textual evidence that supports or refutes claims or answers.
• concepts: identifying where an idea is supported, finding evidence to justify a claim, and evaluating the strength of evidence provided.
• examples: choosing the best textual support for an answer choice, linking statements to evidence in the passage, and determining which part of the text reinforces a given point.
• tip: find the answer before checking evidence choices—try to identify the answer on your own, then locate the sentence or passage that supports it. this process helps you focus on relevant text instead of getting sidetracked by distractors.

inference

• number: around 4 questions on the test
• purpose: tests ability to make logical inferences based on information given in the text.
• concepts: drawing conclusions, understanding implications, and reading between the lines.
• examples: inferring an author’s intent, determining the meaning behind implied statements, and identifying unspoken connections or assumptions.
• tip: avoid overthinking—stick closely to the text and look for subtle clues rather than assuming too much. inferences on the sat are usually straightforward, so avoid “reading between the lines” too deeply.

standard english convention

boundaries

• number: around 6 or 7 questions on the test
• purpose: tests understanding of where sentences and ideas start and end to maintain clarity and avoid run-ons or fragments.
• concepts: identifying and correcting sentence fragments, run-ons, and misuses of punctuation.
• examples: distinguishing between complete and incomplete sentences, identifying unnecessary or missing punctuation, and revising sentences to ensure they are properly structured.
• tip: read sentences out loud in your head—if you find yourself pausing or feel like something is missing, you may have identified a fragment or run-on. this mental pause often highlights places where punctuation or sentence boundaries need adjustment.

form, structure, and sense

• number: around 8 questions on the test
• purpose: focuses on understanding how the organization and structure of a text contribute to its meaning.
• concepts: evaluating paragraph structure, sentence placement, and overall organization.
• examples: determining why a particular sentence is placed in a certain part of the passage, analyzing how structure enhances understanding, and evaluating the logical flow of ideas.
• tip: consider why each sentence is placed where it is—ask yourself if each sentence logically follows from or introduces the previous one. this approach helps you identify misplacements or redundant phrases.

expression of ideas

transitions

• number: around 5 questions on the test
• purpose: tests understanding of transitions between ideas to ensure logical flow and cohesion.
• concepts: using appropriate transitional words and phrases, connecting sentences and paragraphs effectively.
• examples: choosing the correct transition to link ideas, ensuring coherence between sentences, and selecting transitions that maintain the intended meaning.
• tip: look at the sentences before and after—identify the relationship between the ideas they contain (contrast, addition, cause/effect) and choose a transition that best connects them.

rhetorical synthesis

• number: around 6 questions on the test
• purpose: tests the ability to analyze and integrate ideas or information to draw meaningful conclusions, often in relation to the author’s argument or perspective.
• concepts: understanding how different pieces of information or rhetorical strategies contribute to a central claim or purpose; recognizing how an author’s use of evidence, reasoning, or persuasive techniques works to achieve a specific effect.
• examples: evaluating how two ideas are combined to strengthen an argument, understanding how supporting details contribute to the overarching purpose, and analyzing how a specific piece of evidence bolsters or nuances the author’s perspective.
• tip: focus on the author’s purpose—identify what the author is trying to achieve with certain examples or arguments. knowing the purpose helps you understand how each part of the text works together to support the main claim.

understanding the sat math question types

the math section of the digital sat is designed to assess a wide range of mathematical skills that are crucial for success in college and beyond. there are 44 math questions on the sat, divided into two modules of 22 questions each. all the questions fall under four main content domains:

• algebra: 13 to 15 questions total; approximately 7 per module.
• advanced math: 13 to 15 questions total; approximately 7 per module.
• problem-solving and data analysis: 5 to 7 questions total; approximately 3 per module.
• geometry and trigonometry: 5 to 7 questions total; approximately 3 per module.

within these domains, we further categorize the questions into 10 specific types that focus on particular mathematical concepts and skills. let’s look at the purpose and concepts of each sat math question type, along with some generalized examples and helpful tips for success.

algebra

algebra

• purpose: focuses on linear equations, expressions, and inequalities, assessing foundational algebraic skills.
• concepts: solving linear equations and inequalities, working with algebraic expressions, and interpreting linear functions.
• examples: solving for unknowns, understanding slope and intercepts, working with inequalities, and analyzing graphs of linear functions.
• tip: check your work with substitution—when time allows, substitute your answer back into the original equation or inequality to confirm it holds true, especially when equations seem straightforward but may contain small traps.

percents and ratios

• purpose: focuses on calculations involving ratios, proportions, and percentages.
• concepts: ratio and proportion problems, percent increase and decrease, unit conversions.
• examples: solving word problems with ratios, calculating discounts or tax rates, determining percentage change, and scaling recipes or measurements.
• tip: set up a proportion—many percent and ratio problems can be simplified by setting up proportions. it helps organize information and allows you to cross-multiply for quick solving.

advanced math

advanced math

• purpose: tests knowledge of more complex algebraic and function-based concepts.
• concepts: quadratic equations, polynomial expressions, rational expressions, systems of equations, and function notation.
• examples: solving quadratic equations, simplifying polynomials, interpreting and manipulating functions, working with exponents in equations, and solving multi-step algebraic expressions.
• tip: focus on function behavior—practice understanding how changes to equations impact their graphs. knowing how different parts of an equation (like coefficients) affect a function’s shape will help you work faster with transformations and solve complex equations.

powers and roots

• purpose: tests understanding of exponents, square roots, and radicals.
• concepts: simplifying expressions with exponents, working with square and cube roots, applying properties of exponents.
• examples: simplifying expressions involving exponents, solving equations with square roots, and manipulating powers in exponential functions.
• tip: remember key exponent rules—such as adding exponents when multiplying like bases and subtracting them when dividing. a solid grasp of these basics can prevent small errors that often arise in exponent problems.

problem-solving and data analysis

word problems

• purpose: requires translating real-world situations into mathematical expressions and solving.
• concepts: a variety of math concepts applied in contexts such as age, motion, work problems, and mixture problems.
• examples: problems that involve setting up equations from story-like scenarios, calculating travel times, mixing solutions, or dividing quantities.
• tip: identify keywords—terms like “per,” “total,” “difference,” or “combined” often indicate specific operations (like multiplication or addition). highlighting these keywords can guide your setup and help avoid misinterpretations.

statistics

• purpose: assesses understanding of statistical measures and their applications.
• concepts: mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, and interpreting sample and population data.
• examples: calculating and comparing averages, identifying outliers, understanding distribution shapes, and interpreting statistical graphs.
• tip: double-check data values—in questions requiring averages or medians, make sure to count all data points and verify values before computing. simple arithmetic mistakes can often arise from overlooking values.

data analysis

• purpose: measures skills in interpreting data and using quantitative reasoning.
• concepts: reading graphs, charts, and tables; analyzing trends; and interpreting statistical measures like mean and median.
• examples: calculating averages, interpreting bar and line graphs, making predictions based on data trends, and understanding relationships between variables in data sets.
• tip: look for patterns—before diving into calculations, glance at the data for any obvious patterns or trends. spotting these quickly can help you eliminate answers or make fast, accurate estimates when appropriate.

geometry and trigonometry

coordinate plane

• purpose: tests ability to interpret and solve problems using the coordinate plane.
• concepts: graphing points, lines, and shapes; understanding slope, distance, and midpoint formulas; and identifying geometric relationships.
• examples: finding the slope of a line given two points, calculating distance between points, plotting points on the plane, and interpreting linear equations in graph form.
• tip: memorize key formulas like slope, distance, and midpoint—these are fast to apply and save time. familiarity with these allows you to quickly set up and answer questions rather than re-deriving formulas on test day.

geometry

• purpose: tests understanding of shapes, angles, areas, and volumes.
• concepts: properties of triangles, circles, and polygons; perimeter, area, and volume calculations; pythagorean theorem.
• examples: finding the area of a triangle, determining the circumference of a circle, applying the pythagorean theorem, and solving for unknown angles in polygons.
• tip: draw and label diagrams—visualizing geometry problems can clarify relationships and make complex questions easier. labeling parts of your diagram helps you track known values and focus on what’s missing.

trigonometry

• purpose: tests basic trigonometric principles, primarily related to right triangles.
• concepts: sine, cosine, tangent ratios, and the use of trigonometric identities.
• examples: solving for side lengths or angles in right triangles, using trigonometric ratios, and applying pythagorean identities.
• tip: learn soh-cah-toa—this acronym helps you quickly recall which trigonometric ratio to use. practice with right triangles until you can confidently use sine, cosine, and tangent without second-guessing.

strategies for mastering sat question types

now that you have a comprehensive understanding of the various question types on the sat, it’s crucial to develop strategies to master them. here are some effective approaches to help you prepare:

create a targeted study plan

use the breakdown of question types to identify areas where you need the most improvement. allocate more study time to content domains and question types that are challenging for you. for instance, if you find trigonometry questions difficult, dedicate additional practice to that area. additionally, following a study schedule is a great way to stay on track.

practice!

learning about the various sat question types is one thing, but actually solving them is another. it’s essential that you practice with test-like questions to ensure that you’re prepared for test day. try out an sat practice question of each type with our diagnostic quiz.

review fundamental concepts and strategies for each question type

ensure you have a strong grasp of the fundamental concepts underlying each question type. revisit basic grammar rules for the reading & writing section and foundational mathematical principles for the math section. a solid understanding of the basics will make it easier to tackle more complex questions.

you’ll also want to learn specific strategies tailored to each question type. for example, for “words in context” questions, practice using context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. for “data analysis” questions, enhance your skills in interpreting graphs and charts quickly and accurately.

where’s a good place to start learning the fundamentals and strategies? check out some of magoosh’s free lessons.

take timed practice tests

time management is crucial on the sat. simulate testing conditions by taking timed practice tests. this will help you get comfortable with the pace you need to maintain and identify any timing issues you may have. you can take a free practice test on magoosh, and the college board—the makers of the sat—also have a free test on their website.

analyze your mistakes

after practicing, thoroughly review your incorrect answers to understand your mistakes. determine whether errors are due to content gaps, careless mistakes, or misinterpretations of the questions. this analysis will help you adjust your study plan accordingly.

closing thoughts

mastering the sat is not just about hard work; it’s about smart work. by understanding the specific question types and tailoring your study approach accordingly, you can improve your efficiency and effectiveness in preparing for the exam. remember, the sat assesses skills you’ve been developing throughout your education.

with focused preparation, practice, and the right strategies, you can approach test day with confidence and achieve the scores you’re aiming for. speaking of focused preparation, a great place to start is a magoosh sat premium plan . get a year of access, or try us for free first with a 1-week trial!

the post sat question types (2024) appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

the sat test, one of the most recognized college admission exams in the united states, fully transitioned to a digital format in 2024. this complete guide—whether you’re a high school student or a parent of one—provides a comprehensive overview of the digital sat to help you understand what to expect and how to prepare. also, be sure to check out the faq section at the end for answers to common questions.

table of contents

• what is the sat test?
• what does the sat acronym stand for?
• what is the digital sat?
• do i have to take the sat exam?
• alternatives like the act
• what is on the sat test?
• what score do i need?
• how hard is the sat test?
• how do i best study for the exam?
• when and how do i take the sat test?
• closing thoughts
• frequently asked questions (faq)

what is the sat test?

the sat is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the united states. created and administered by the college board, the exam assesses a student’s readiness for college by evaluating key skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. the sat provides colleges with a common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.

what does the sat acronym stand for?

sat originally stood for scholastic aptitude test. however, over the years, the name has evolved and no longer officially stands for anything. thus, the test nowadays is simply known as “the sat” and nothing more.

what is the digital sat?

as of 2024, the sat and the digital sat are the exact same exam. in the past, there used to be a paper version of the sat. however, nowadays students always take the exam on a computer or tablet.

if you’re familiar with the paper sat test, here are some key differences between that old version of the test, and the new current version:

• adaptive testing: the digital format adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your performance from one module to the next.
• test length: the digital sat is much shorter in duration compared to the paper version.
• question differences: the digital sat asks similar kinds of questions, but the main difference is that the reading & writing passages are much shorter in length and ask only a single question about the passage.

for all the details about the new digital format, please see our article on that topic.

do i have to take the sat exam?

whether you need to take the sat depends on the admission requirements of the colleges or universities you’re applying to. some institutions have adopted test-optional policies, especially in recent years.

even if your school doesn’t require test scores, submitting a strong sat score can enhance your application by:

• demonstrating your academic preparedness.
• making you eligible for certain merit-based scholarships.
• showing that you meet the prerequisites for specific programs or honors colleges.

alternatives like the act

most colleges also accept the act in place of the sat. the act is another standardized test that similarly evaluates the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired up through around your 2nd year of high school. which one is best for you, again, depends on the requirements of the universities that you’re interested in, as well as your strengths and weaknesses.

for all the details about the act, please see our complete guide to the act test sections.

but here are some of the main differences:

• the act has a science section, which is often considered to be the hardest section on the test. you have to read several long passages and analyze data quickly.
• act math tends to focus a bit more on advanced math (such as trigonometry), whereas the sat focuses more on algebra.
• the act also asks you to do more questions in less time, so it’s a faster-paced exam.

what is on the sat test?

the sat exam is roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes long. it consists of two sections—math and reading & writing—each split into two modules. here’s a look at the breakdown of each module, how much time is allotted, and how many questions there are to answer:

for specific details about each section—such as the types of questions you’ll encounter—and more about the structure of the test as a whole, check out our article on the new digital format.

what score do i need?

sat scores range from 400 to 1600. this overall score consists of your individual math and reading & writing section scores, each of which ranges from 200 to 800.

a “good” sat score is relative and depends on what you’re aiming for. the average sat score is around 1050. and here are some general guidelines when thinking about competitive scores:

• 1200+: competitive for many state universities.
• 1400+: competitive for more selective colleges.
• 1500+: competitive for highly selective institutions like ivy league schools.

ultimately, your target score should align with the admission statistics of your desired colleges.

how hard is the sat test?

the difficulty of the sat is subjective and depends on your:

• academic preparedness: mastery of high school curriculum topics.
• individual strengths and weaknesses: some students may find the math section challenging, while others may struggle with reading comprehension.
• test-taking skills: time management and familiarity with the test format.
• anxiety and stress levels: comfort with standardized testing environments.

regardless, consistent study and practice can improve your confidence and make the test seem easier.

how do i best study for the exam?

start early

don’t wait until the last minute! it’s best to begin preparation months in advance. students typically do best when following a sat study schedule to help stay on track.

take practice tests under test conditions

the more you can get used to the sat beforehand, the better you’ll do on test day. try out our free sat practice test here.

identify and target your weaknesses

whether from practice tests or general practice, you’ll learn which areas you do well in and which you struggle in. focus on the areas that need the most improvement in order to see the most improvement in your overall score.

when and how do i take the sat test?

the sat is offered multiple times a year, often around 7 in total. make sure to check the college board website for the current schedule.

the sat is administered at designated testing centers, which are often local high schools or colleges. during registration, you’ll be able to select a convenient location based on your zip code or city.

once you know when you want to take the exam, you’ll next need to register on the college board website. it pays to register early so that you can secure your preferred date and location. additionally, if you need to request special accommodations, be sure to do that well ahead of time.

to register, you’ll need to:

• create an account: if you don’t already have one.
• choose a test date and center: select from available dates and nearby testing locations.
• upload a photo: for identification purposes on test day.
• pay the registration fee: note that fee waivers are available for eligible students. also, be aware that there are additional costs for late registration or extra services.

closing thoughts

the sat remains a significant step in the college admissions journey. understanding its format, content, and the strategies to tackle it can demystify the process and boost your confidence. remember, the key to success lies in thorough preparation and a clear understanding of what to expect.

speaking of thorough preparation, consider a magoosh sat premium plan. that grants you access to lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know, as well as ample practice questions and practice tests.

frequently asked questions (faq)

are there accommodations for disabilities or health-related needs?

yes, the college board provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities or health-related needs to ensure equitable access to the sat. accommodations may include extended time, extra breaks, a separate testing room, or the use of assistive technology. to receive accommodations:

• apply early: start the application process well in advance of your test date.
• submit documentation: provide current documentation of your disability or condition.
• work with your school: often, your school’s ssd (services for students with disabilities) coordinator can assist with the application.

visit the college board’s services for students with disabilities page for detailed information.

can i reschedule or cancel my exam?

yes, you can reschedule or cancel your sat registration, but fees may apply:

• rescheduling: you can change your test date or center through your college board account. a change fee is required.
• cancellation: if you decide not to take the test, you can cancel your registration. refund policies vary, and you may not receive a full refund.

how exactly do i send sat scores to my schools?

you can send your sat scores to colleges in several ways:

• free score sends: when you register for the sat, you can send four free score reports to colleges. you have up to nine days after the test to use these.
• additional score reports: after the free period, you can send scores for a fee via your college board account.
• score choice: you can choose which scores to send (by test date) to colleges, although some schools require all scores.

can my sat scores expire?

sat scores do not expire, and you can access them indefinitely. however, some colleges and universities prefer scores from tests taken within the last 5 years. always check the specific admissions policies of the institutions you’re applying to.

could you tell me more about canceling my scores?

if you feel that you didn’t perform well on the test, you have the option to cancel your scores:

• at the test center: ask the test supervisor for a “request to cancel test scores” form before leaving.
• after the test: you must send a written request, which must be received by the college board no later than 11:59 pm (eastern time) on the thursday after your test date.

remember, canceled scores cannot be reinstated or reported to you or any institutions.

can i use scratch paper during the test?

yes, scratch paper will be provided by the test center. you cannot bring and use your own paper, though.

can i use my own calculator?

yes, you can bring your own calculator for the math section. here are some general guidelines to follow:

• approved calculators: acceptable calculators include most graphing calculators, all scientific calculators, and four-function calculators (though not recommended).
• prohibited calculators: calculators with qwerty keyboards, internet access, or any communication abilities are not allowed.

check college board’s calculator policy for a full list of approved calculators.

how much can i expect to spend on the sat?

registration fee: registering for the sat test currently costs $68.

additional costs:

• late registration: extra fee if you register after the deadline.
• score reports: first four reports are free; additional reports cost extra.
• test changes: fees for changing your test date or center.

fee waivers are available for eligible students.

i’ve taken the sat before. should i take it again?

retaking the sat can be beneficial if:

• you believe you can improve: additional study time may boost your score.
• your score doesn’t meet college requirements: check if your target schools have higher average scores.
• superscoring: many colleges consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates.

consider your college application deadlines and whether you have enough time to prepare before retaking the test.

where can i find more sat resources?

• magoosh blog: explore the magoosh blog for helpful tips and practice sat questions.
• college board website: access official practice tests and study guides at the sat practice page.
• khan academy use khan academy for free sat practice.
• school resources: be sure to check with your school’s guidance counselor for additional resources and support.

happy studying!

the post what is the sat test? all you need to know (2024) appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

the reading & writing section of the digital sat brings new challenges and some unique opportunities for students looking to boost their scores. with shorter passages, a broader array of question types, and the need to balance reading speed with comprehension, it’s more important than ever to have a focused strategy. here are our top 10 sat reading & writing tips to help you feel confident and prepared on test day:

1. get familiar with the types of passages
2. learn the different types of question stems so that you can plan accordingly
3. pacing: read actively and efficiently
4. the most important sat reading tip: context, context, context
5. know your grammar rules
6. read the passage first or the question? experiment!
7. predict your answer before looking at the answer choices
8. get familiar with common wrong answer traps
9. when in doubt, choose the “boring” answer
10. one final sat reading tip: practice reading in general

1. get familiar with the types of passages

for our first sat reading tip, know that the passages on the digital sat cover a wide range of topics, from historical documents and scientific articles to contemporary social science and literature. you don’t need to be an expert in all these subjects. however, it’s helpful to know what to expect, so you’re not caught off guard. by practicing with a variety of topics ahead of time, you’ll be able to handle a more unusual passage—such as a poetry excerpt—with ease.

here’s a breakdown of the most common passage types you’ll encounter:

• literature excerpts: passages from novels, short stories, plays (or even poetry!) are common, often focusing on character interactions, themes, or descriptive language.
• history: these passages often include speeches, essays, or even excerpts from historical documents. think of works by authors like abraham lincoln or excerpts from founding documents like the declaration of independence.
• social science: these typically cover topics in psychology, sociology, or economics. they discuss research findings, theories, or observations about human behavior.
• science: science passages focus on natural sciences like biology, chemistry, physics, or earth sciences. they may discuss a scientific experiment, explain a natural phenomenon, or present a theory.
• contemporary issues: some passages are drawn from journalistic or opinion pieces discussing topics relevant to current social issues, technology, or environmental concerns. these passages can contain persuasive elements or present differing viewpoints.
• two passages: this type of question (also known as cross-text connections) features two shorter passages on a similar theme, often with slightly different perspectives. you’ll need to compare the main ideas, evidence, or argumentative approaches between them.

familiarizing yourself with these types of passages can help you feel more comfortable with the varied topics and writing styles you’ll see on the test. practicing reading articles or excerpts within these categories can also give you a head start on managing different tones and structures.

2. learn the different types of question stems so that you can plan accordingly

each question on the digital sat falls into specific categories, each requiring a different strategy. and each question type often has a unique stem that helps to identify it. you don’t necessarily need to memorize these, but they’ll become much more familiar as you do practice questions. here are some example question types and sample stems:

• transitions: which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
• command of evidence: which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?
• form, structure, and sense: which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english?
• text structure and purpose: which choice best describes the function of the highlighted portion in the text as a whole?

the better you can identify the question type, the better you can plan your approach. for example, let’s say you have a question with the stem “which choice best describes the primary purpose of the passage?” this is a central idea question, so you’ll want to pay close attention to the entire passage and not focus on a single part.

contrast that with this stem: according to the text, why does john mention “his terrible memory”? this is a detail question where you can skim for that exact phrase in the text. the context will still be important, but you now have a specific portion of the text to find and analyze.

3. pacing: read actively and efficiently

on the sat reading & writing section, you’ll have 64 minutes to complete 54 questions. this gives you about 1 minute and 10 seconds per each passage with its single question. this may seem generous, but the combination of shorter passages and a variety of question types makes efficient pacing essential.

the good news is that some questions, like vocabulary-in-context or grammar questions, can often be answered faster than more complex questions that ask about a central idea or evidence. by recognizing these quicker question types, you can save valuable seconds for tougher questions.

regardless, you’ll want to practice active reading. active reading means staying engaged with the passage and focusing on what matters for the question. here’s how you can implement that effectively:

identify the main idea quickly

for most passages, start by scanning for the main point. in many cases, the first sentence or the last sentence will give a good sense of what the passage is about. try to summarize the main idea in a few words mentally, which will help you remember the focus as you answer the question.

look for keywords and key phrases

keywords, especially names, dates, and terms related to the passage’s subject, are useful anchors. by mentally noting or lightly underlining these, you can easily refer back to important details if the question requires it.

stay alert for transition words

transition words like “however,” “therefore,” “for example,” and “in contrast” signal shifts in tone, argument, or perspective. they’re important for understanding the flow of ideas and can be key to answering questions about structure or relationships between ideas.

4. the most important sat reading tip: context, context, context

though this is fourth on the list, this is the most important sat reading tip and also the most important sat writing tip! on the reading & writing section, context is everything. whether you’re asked to interpret a specific detail or apply a grammar rule, the right answer usually depends on understanding the broader context.

why is context so important?

clarifies meaning

words, phrases, and ideas often shift in meaning depending on their context. for example, a word like “charge” could mean a fee, an accusation, or an electrical property, depending on the passage. by looking at the surrounding text, you can better understand which meaning applies.

informs author’s purpose and tone

understanding the context helps you identify why the author included a particular detail or chose a specific tone. for instance, if the passage critiques a policy, the tone might be subtly skeptical or even outright critical. if the passage promotes an idea, the tone may be enthusiastic or supportive. recognizing this through context helps answer questions about tone, purpose, and perspective accurately.

supports inferences

many questions require you to infer information that isn’t explicitly stated, which is only possible if you understand the broader context. if a question asks, “what can be inferred about the author’s view on the topic?” you’ll need to look at how the author frames the entire discussion—not just a single sentence or phrase.

aids in grammar and structure questions

grammar questions, especially those about transitions, punctuation, and sentence placement, rely heavily on context to make sense. a transition word choice like “however” or “therefore” is only correct if it aligns with the relationship between ideas before and after it. likewise, punctuation rules often depend on context: knowing where to place a comma or semicolon requires an understanding of how clauses relate to one another.

overall, context is like a lens through which you view each question. it allows you to see connections, interpret meanings accurately, and make logical inferences—all of which are key to selecting the right answer.

5. know your grammar rules

there’s no way around this. to do well on sat writing questions, you have to know your grammar rules. familiarize yourself with the core areas: punctuation, verb agreement, subject-pronoun agreement, parallel structure, and modifier placement. these rules make up the foundation for most writing questions, so knowing them inside and out is essential.

6. read the passage first or the question? experiment!

there’s no right answer here as it really depends on your preferences. you should experiment with both approaches and see which one you like the most and do the best with. you may even find that for some passage types you prefer reading the passage first whereas on other passage types you jump straight to the question.

read the question first: many students find that reading the question first can help direct their focus on specific details or aspects of the passage. this approach can be efficient since the question will often point you to key information, allowing you to skim for that relevant part of the text. however, if it’s a question that asks you about the passage as a whole, then… well, you’re going to have to read the whole passage anyways!

read the passage first: this approach gives you the entire context, no matter what the question is. this way, you get a clear sense of the passage’s overall message or purpose, making it easier to answer broad questions. and then if the question asks you about a specific detail, you may already know the answer or know where to find it.

in the end, it’s really up to you. try testing out both strategies to see which approach feels most comfortable and efficient.

7. predict your answer before looking at the answer choices

whether you read the passage first or the question first, the one thing you do not want to do is to read the answer choices first! before looking at the answer options, try to come up with your own response. this approach prevents you from getting drawn into tempting trap answers that might seem right at first glance but don’t fully address the question. a solid prediction gives you a benchmark to compare with the choices, making it easier to eliminate incorrect answers. even vague predictions are better than nothing!

your prediction won’t always be right, but more often than not it will enable you to be successful. if you’re still stuck after reading the answer choices, revisit your prediction. ask yourself which choice is closest to your prediction and go with that one.

8. get familiar with common wrong answer traps

wrong answers are traps made to appear correct. here are the most common traps you’ll see on the sat reading questions:

• too broad: the answer choice is technically correct, but it fails to capture the meaning or content of the passage.
• too narrow: the answer choice contains a detail or idea that is mentioned in the passage but can’t be generalized to the whole passage.
• too extreme: the answer is overwhelmingly positive/negative or states/implies that something is “all”, “none”, “never”, “every”, etc.
• assumption: it could very well be true, but not necessarily, given the text of the passage.
half right, half wrong: it is correct about one detail but incorrect about another.
• one word off: the answer is almost perfect, but one word ruins it.
• wrong detail: it misattributes something mentioned in the passage.
• opposite: the answer has a sneaky “not” thrown in, or it’s correctly answering the wrong question (e.g., in “except” questions).

understanding these traps can help you eliminate incorrect answers more confidently and make smarter guesses if needed.

9. when in doubt, choose the “boring” answer

correct answers are rarely extreme in their implications or their tone, so pick the answer that is the least assertive and/or most neutral. if there’s a passage that you’re just not getting, or if you’re running low on time, you can use the process of elimination to increase your chances. eliminate anything that isn’t “boring” enough.

10. one final sat reading tip: practice reading in general

one of the most effective ways to prepare for the reading & writing section of the sat is to build a strong reading habit well before test day. regular reading helps improve comprehension, vocabulary, and familiarity with different types of writing, all of which contribute to stronger performance on the sat. here’s how general reading can support your sat success:

improves vocabulary and word recognition

reading regularly exposes you to a wide range of vocabulary in natural contexts, helping you understand word meanings, connotations, and nuances without memorizing long lists of definitions. by improving your vocabulary through reading, when you then come across challenging words on the sat, you’ll be more likely to understand or deduce their meanings based on prior exposure. besides, the sat doesn’t heavily test vocabulary, so you don’t want to devote a lot of time studying it.

strengthens comprehension skills

by reading different types of materials—like articles, essays, novels, and scientific journals—you’ll develop the ability to quickly grasp main ideas, interpret details, and understand the purpose and structure of texts. these are all skills that the sat reading & writing section tests.

familiarizes you with varied writing styles and structures

sat passages cover a variety of genres and topics. regularly reading different genres builds your familiarity with diverse writing styles and structures. this makes it easier to adapt to different passage types on the test.

increases reading speed and focus

reading more frequently helps improve your reading speed and focus, which are essential for the timed sat. when you’re used to processing complex texts efficiently, you’ll be able to read actively and keep a steady pace during the test.

develops critical thinking skills

reading actively involves making predictions, asking questions, and drawing inferences—all skills that are key to tackling sat questions effectively. when you read thoughtfully, you get into the habit of analyzing texts on a deeper level. that will make it easier to answer questions about the author’s tone, purpose, and argument.

builds endurance for longer reading sessions

the sat requires sustained concentration, and a habit of reading for longer periods can help you build the mental endurance needed for test day. though the passages on the digital sat are short, there’s still a lot of them.

by reading broadly and often, you’ll strengthen the very skills that the sat measures, making it one of the most effective ways to prepare.

closing thoughts

those are my top recommended sat reading & writing tips to help you prepare efficiently for the test. by practicing these strategies, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle each question on the test with confidence.

for more help and practice with the sat reading & writing section—and the math section as well—take a look at a magoosh sat premium plan. magoosh has lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know for the exam, along with plenty of practice questions and practice tests. happy studying!

the post top 10 sat reading & writing tips for 2024 appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

if you’re taking the sat, you obviously want the highest score you can get in the time you have available. but what if you’re freaking out a little bit because the sat is in a month, and you haven’t really started studying? first, you are not alone–there are literally thousands of students who are feeling the same time crunch. and, yes, a month is not a lot of time, but it is still absolutely possible to see an impressive score improvement. it’s all about maximizing the time you do have by focusing on the areas of the exam that will have the greatest impact. this one-month schedule is designed to help you do just that.

of course, it is incredibly challenging to balance school, extracurriculars, and the sat. but look at it this way: in four weeks, the efforts you make to carve out time for sat prep could make a potentially significant increase in your sat score and that, in turn, could make a significant difference in the strength of your college application. that’s a very valuable investment.

make it your own

this schedule is designed with flexibility in mind. yes, it is intended to cover a whole lot of content in a relatively short timeframe. however, how much time you devote to each study session and how much of the content you cover really comes down to whether or not it will benefit your individual prep needs. you are welcome to skip around the modules or skim through lessons that cover material you already know or that don’t suit your goal needs. for example:

• if you’re stronger in math, skip some of the math practice & review sessions and replace that time with additional reading and writing practice and review.
• conversely, if your reading and writing skills are stronger, consider supplementing the scheduled reading and writing practice with more math-focused practice and review.
• if a module is full of lessons on topics you’re comfortable with, skip that module’s lessons but still do the quizzes and any associated practice. that way you can catch any unexpected weaknesses.
• if you aren’t aiming for an incredibly high score, you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) time on lessons or practice for the most difficult, less frequently tested concepts, i.e. advanced topics in math.
• if you already have an above average score and are aiming to push into the highest percentiles, you don’t need to spend a lot (or any) time on intro or fundamental concepts–you’ve likely already mastered these. prioritize the more difficult questions and spend considerable time reviewing and analyzing the questions you’re missing.

time commitment

the goal here is to get through as much material as you can in one month’s time. how much time you devote to sat prep each day really depends on you and the current demands you’re juggling. we want to provide you with some guardrails, so we’re suggesting 60-90 minutes per study session for at least 5-6 days each week–of course, you’ll need around 2.5 hours for practice test days. that being said, your personal daily commitment can vary significantly based on your individual strengths and goals for score improvement. tailoring your study sessions to meet your needs is crucial. for example, if you’re pretty busy during the week, and have limited time to devote to sat study, you can change things up: do less work during the week and have 1-2 longer study sessions on the weekends. bottom line: try your best to come up with some sort of schedule for the next four weeks, and do your best to stick to it

how to use this schedule

consider it like a living document. we’re guessing that there is a lot more material that you’ll be able to cover in a month, so you’re really in the driver’s seat here. as you move through the schedule, feel free to adjust your focus based on your performance in practice tests and quizzes. it’s essential to monitor your progress and adapt your study plan to maximize your growth.

review is essential

after you work through a set of questions, be sure that, for any question you missed, or got right but feel shaky on, or took too long to solve, you make note of the content and question type and carefully read the answer explanation. ideally, you’ll keep a digital document or journal where you can jot down the question type and why you missed it. this is a crucial step in determining whether any patterns emerge in the content or question types that are challenges for you.

materials & resources

magoosh sat prep

that’s us! our sat prep includes lessons and questions that you will work through, thereby increasing your sat familiarity. bonus! magoosh’s digital format mimics what you’ll see on test day. you’ll need a magoosh account to work through this 1-month schedule. not ready to commit yet? no worries! we’ve got you covered with a free 1-week trial of the magoosh product

and, if you happen to prefer studying on your phone, our sat test prep app makes studying on the go easy for both iphone and android users.

official digital sat study resources

to get as close as possible to the real sat experience, we highly recommend 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!

khan academy official sat practice (optional)

if you are hankering for additional practice, the partnership between the college board and khan academy includes lessons and practice to help you understand the content tested on the digital sat.

the sat one month study schedule

week one

day 1:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

let’s kick things off with where you need to go in your magoosh account, and that’s custom practice. to get there, you need to select the reading & writing or math link at the top of the dashboard. once you click either of those section options, you’ll see a box with your current stats for that section. under that box, you’ll see two options: guided practice or custom practice. select custom practice. guided practice is too rigid for a one-month study plan.

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the general math strategies category. you know yourself best, so you should determine whether any particular lesson will help build your test-taking skillset or not. watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with.

if you’re looking for the lessons that we most highly recommend, here you go:

learn from your mistakes
picking numbers
math strategy: picking numbers
backsolving
math strategy: backsolving
quiz: math strategy: backsolving
student-produced response questions

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the introduction and specific reading strategies categories. again, you know yourself best! watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with.

because the reading skills needed for the sat are so very different from the reading skills you hone in your classroom work, we recommend that you watch all the lessons and do all the quizzes in the reading and writing (rw) categories. the exception! if you are already a strong reader and tend to do very well on reading in standardized tests, then you likely do not need to watch all the rw lessons.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 2:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the specific math strategies category. watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with.

if you’re looking for the lessons that we most highly recommend, here you go:

follow through on question
quiz: follow through on question
play with numbers
quiz: play with numbers
plugging in numbers with algebraic equations
quiz: plugging in numbers with algebraic equations
plugging in numbers on word problems
quiz: plugging in numbers on word problems

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the first (left column) question type category.

watch all the lessons and do all the quizzes in this reading and writing (rw) categories.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 3:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the arithmetic and fractions category. watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with.

we aren’t going to suggest any more math lesson videos from this point on. why? well, lessons that cover specific topics are really where you need to take the lead in your prep path. watch or skim any lessons that cover topics you’re weaker in or that you haven’t seen for quite some time–sat tends to test math covered in 6th-11th grades.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

*if you haven’t been doing so already, be sure to use the results of these practice and review sessions (math and rw) to help identify your strengths and weaknesses. then, modify your study accordingly.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the strategies and fundamentals, specific writing strategies, and development categories.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 4:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue to check out the lessons under the arithmetic and fractions category–you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of them watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the usage category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 5:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the percents and ratios category. watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with or that your practice and review sessions have surfaced as material that you need to review.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
continue to check out the lessons under the usage category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 6:

estimated time: 150 minutes

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

you want to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day. be sure to put away anything that might distract you from the task at hand. part of prep is to also build up the endurance to be mentally prepared to focus for almost 2.5 hours, and it’s difficult to do that if you don’t have prior experience.

day 7:

you’ve already done a lot over these last six days, and it’s time for a well-deserved rest however, you should also feel free to use rest days for additional practice or to catch-up.

week two

day 8:

estimated time: 60 minutes

score and review your test

do a deep-dive into your practice test. here are some questions to guide your review and analysis:
do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

give yourself up to an hour for this activity

day 9:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue with the lessons under the percents and ratios category. watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with or that your practice and review sessions have surfaced as material that you need to review.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the punctuation category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 10:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the category algebra, equations, and inequalities. watch the lesson videos that look interesting or address a topic that you’re not familiar with or that your practice and review sessions have surfaced as material that you need to review.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review. for example, if some of the concepts in this category are difficult for you, you might “clear all” and then just check the box next to “algebra.”

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the sentence structure category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 11:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue to check out the lessons under the category algebra, equations, and inequalities.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
continue to check out the lessons under the sentence structure category and consider reviewing any lessons from the previous categories, especially if you’re still feeling shaky on those content areas.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 12:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the word problems category. remember that you are guiding your own prep!

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the second question type category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 13:

estimated time: 150 minutes

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

day 14:

rest or catch up

week three

day 15:

estimated time: 60 minutes

score and review your test

do a deep-dive into your practice test:

do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 16:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue check out the lessons under the word problems category. remember that you are guiding your own prep!

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the second question type category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 17:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
check out the lessons under the powers & roots category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing custom practice
check out the lessons under the effective language use category.

this is the last category for rw. for the remaining days, more time will be allocated to math content. however, you should still do the rw practice & review sessions and review and lesson videos for questions that you miss.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 18:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue to check out the lessons under the powers & roots category and start to work through the lessons in the geometry category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 19:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue to check out the lessons under the geometry category and start to work through the lessons in the coordinate geometry category.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 20:

estimated time: 150 minutes

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

day 21:

rest or catch-up

week four

day 22:

estimated time: 60 minutes

score and review your test

do a deep-dive into your practice test. here are some questions to guide your review and analysis:
• do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
• are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
• did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
• were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

day 23:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
for the last week of prep, you really need to rely on what you’ve learned about yourself. if you are performing well on most of the math topics and only missing the hardest question types, devote time to watching relevant lesson videos from the following categories: statistics, data analysis, passport to advanced math: trigonometry, and/or passport to advanced math: extra topics.

however, if you are still struggling with any of the math categories that we’ve already covered in this schedule, stick with those for more intense review, including watching lessons a second or third time. you want to be sure you are as comfortable as possible with content that is more frequently tested on the sat if you want to maximize your score potential.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 24:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue to dig into advanced topics, review previous topics, or a blend of both.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 25:

estimated time: 60-90 minutes

in your magoosh dashboard

math custom practice
continue to dig into advanced topics, review previous topics, or a blend of both.

question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the math subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

reading and writing question practice & review
launch a 5-10 question custom practice with either all the rw subjects selected or a particular subject for which you need more practice and review.

day 26:

estimated time: 150 minutes

full length practice test

you can either launch a practice test from your magoosh dashboard or you can take one of college board’s official bluebook tests.

remember to do your best to mimic the experience you’ll have on test day!

day 27:

estimated time: 60 minutes

score and review your test

do a deep-dive into your practice test. here are some questions to guide your review and analysis:
do you notice trends in the types of questions you missed?
are there content areas that are emerging as weak points?
did you make a lot of careless mistakes?
were there questions that took you way too long to solve?

give yourself up to an hour for this activity

day 28:

take a bow

you did it!!! congratulations. now, let’s talk about what you should do if you have some time remaining before you take your official sat test.

week 5 and beyond

at this point, if you have been following the schedule, you have done a lot of work, an incredible number of questions! excellent job! for the remaining days until the test, keep practicing.

your first priority should be to finish any remaining unanswered questions in magoosh. your second priority should be to re-answer any questions you got “incorrect.” if, when answering previous incorrect questions, you get the vast majority of them correct on the second try, then the supply of “incorrect” questions will dwindle. many students have found that seeing questions more than once really deepens their understanding.

best of luck!

the post how to study for the sat: your one month study plan appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

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!

the post 3 days to the sat review guide appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

only one week until the sat? there’s still a lot you can do to boost your score. with that said, though, there are a few things you should know before starting your sat cram session!

this is a crash-course study schedule. i don’t recommend it to those who are scoring in the 1000 range and suddenly want to jump up to the 1300 range. for that, you’ll need considerably more prep time.

however, if you’ve already taken the sat, this one week sat study schedule will be the perfect refresher course/sat cram plan. or, if you are already a 4.0 student who has always excelled at standardized tests but wants a little bit of a “tune up,” then you’ve come to the right place.

table of contents

• disclaimer
• materials and resources
• the sat one week study schedule

disclaimer

you’ve got to be pretty amped up to deal with this one week sat study schedule. i’m not going to give you a couple of easy things for you to check off each day. so, pedal to the metal, as they say.

to keep up with this schedule, you’ll be spending 2-3 hours each day. i’ve set this up so that day 1 corresponds to a saturday, day 2 to a sunday, and so on. day 7 will be the day before the sat (you’ll get a little bit of a study reprieve for that day).

materials & resources

magoosh sat prep

that’s us! our sat prep includes lessons and questions that you will work through, thereby increasing your sat familiarity. bonus! magoosh’s digital format mimics what you’ll see on test day.

prefer studying on your phone? our sat test prep app makes studying on the go easy for both iphone and android users.

official digital sat study resources

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.

if you don’t have a personal device and plan to use a school tablet or laptop, ask permission before downloading bluebook on school devices. check in with your school’s test administrator for help.

khan academy official sat 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.

your daily one week sat study schedule

day 1

this is the big day: the start of your sat cram course. turn off all electronic gadgets and for the next 2.5 hours commit yourself to the sat.

• do the first bluebook practice test or take a practice test through your magoosh account.

after you’ve finished, do the following:

• grade the test
• figure out your score
• review the questions you missed, figuring out why you got them wrong
• write down two to three things you’ll do differently for the next test
• write down a reasonable target score you hope to get on the real test. (shooting for 50-100 points over, given the one-week constraint, seems pretty reasonable)

day 2

in addition to the self-guided viewing of magoosh lessons, do the following:

• 15-20 math questions
• 10-15 reading questions
• 10-15 writing questions
• deep-dive review of the above, which includes watching any relevant lesson videos

whenever you miss a question, go back and figure out, to the best of your ability, why you missed the question. though you won’t always be able to do this, just trying to work it out will help your performance next time around.

day 3

• 15-20 math questions
• 10-15 reading questions
• 10-15 writing questions
• watch two to three magoosh lessons of your choice. it might be a good idea to find videos relating to any of the concepts or fundamentals you struggle with during the practice you’ve done today and yesterday. at this point, you should be able to see some trends in the questions you’re missing. use those trends to guide your study. you might also dig into any kahn academy content that relates to your weak points.

day 4

today, you need to really drill down on your weaknesses. that’s why we’re suggesting you do fewer practice questions. no matter what practice materials you’re using, be sure to sift through and find questions that you’ve identified as challenging. if you have a magoosh account, be sure to set up custom practice sessions that align with your weaker areas.

• 10-15 math questions
• 5-10 reading questions
• 5-10 writing questions
• spend extra time reviewing your answers to the above, especially if you are still missing questions or taking a really long time to arrive at the correct answer. in addition, either watch a few more lesson videos magoosh lessons of your choosing or rewatch the ones for topics that are still giving you trouble. again, don’t forget the kahn content if you have any additional time to devote to study.

day 5

take your second, full-length magoosh or bluebook practice test!
after you’ve finished, do the following:

• grade the test
• figure out your score
• deep-dive review of the questions, which includes watching any relevant lesson videos

day 6

take your third, full-length practice test! this one really should be from college board’s bluebook
after you’ve finished, do the following:

• grade the test
• figure out your score
• deep-dive review of the questions, which includes watching any relevant lesson videos

day 7 (the day before your sat)

how to cram for the sat the night before? you can’t! don’t try to shove a ton of extra material into your brain today. instead, keep going with your practice early in the day, then get a good night’s sleep—you’ll perform far better, i promise!

• 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.

all right, you made it through the one week sat study schedule! congratulations, and good luck on your sat!

don’t forget to let us know how you do!

the post one week sat study schedule appeared first on magoosh blog | sat.

]]> //www.catharsisit.com/sat/one-week-sat-study-schedule/feed/ 19 one week sat study schedule //www.catharsisit.com/sat/new-digital-sat-format/ //www.catharsisit.com/sat/new-digital-sat-format/#respond thu, 31 oct 2024 21:10:48 +0000 //www.catharsisit.com/sat/?p=6315 how is the new sat different from the old sat? our charts break down all the differences in format for every sat section: reading, math, writing, and essay.

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the sat exam has gone through many changes over the years, including most recently in 2024. anyone—anywhere in the world—taking the sat today now takes the test in its new digital format (instead of the old, paper-based format). if you’re a student gearing up for the exam, you might be wondering how this change affects you. is the new version of the test harder? do you need to adjust your study strategies? we’ll answer those questions as we explore the new digital sat format in detail.

• the new digital sat format
• the digital sat reading & writing section
• the digital sat math section
• additional tools and features of the digital sat format
• the new digital sat vs. the old paper sat
• is the new sat harder?
• do you need to study differently for the digital sat?

the new digital sat format

test structure

the new digital sat format is, of course, just that: digital. that means you’ll be taking the test on a computer or tablet instead of on paper. you’ll have roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes to answer 98 total questions.

the test is split into two sections: reading & writing and math. each of those sections is also divided into two separate modules. note that the sections and modules always come in the same order.

here’s a more detailed breakdown of the test’s structure:
 

sat module	number of questions	time limit
reading & writing module 1	27	32 minutes
reading & writing module 2	27	32 minutes
math module 1	22	35 minutes
math module 2	22	35 minutes
total	98	~2 hours and 15 minutes

module adaptivity

one essential thing to know about the digital sat is that the difficulty of the 2nd module in a section adapts based on your performance in the 1st module. in other words, this is what your experience on the test will look like:

• module 1: you’ll get a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions
• module 2: if you do well on module 1, you’ll see harder questions; otherwise, you’ll see easier questions

the digital sat reading & writing section

the reading & writing section is a total of 54 multiple-choice questions in 64 minutes. let’s take a look at what those questions entail:

passage and question format

short passages: each question is based on its own brief passage (about 25-150 words).

variety of topics: passages cover a wide range of subjects, including literature, science, history, and social studies.

one question per passage: each question focuses on assessing specific skills without requiring extensive reading.

categories of questions

the reading & writing questions are divided into four main categories, each of which tests different skills:

• 1. craft and structure
• understanding word meanings in context
• analyzing text structure and purpose
• 2. information and ideas
• identifying main ideas and details
• interpreting data from charts and graphs
• 3. standard english conventions
• grammar, usage, and punctuation
• sentence structure and formation
• 4. expression of ideas
• improving clarity, style, and tone
• organizing ideas logically

for more details about the individual question types that fall under each category—along with tips on how to approach them—check out our top sat reading tips.

the digital sat math section

the math section is a total of 44 questions in 70 minutes. unlike the reading & writing section, the math section has two different question formats: multiple choice and grid-in. grid-in—or “student-produced responses”—are questions without any answer choices, so you have to supply your own answer. both of these question types test your problem-solving and analytical skills.

you can use a calculator—whether you bring your own approved one or use the built-in graphing calculator—on the entire section.

categories of questions

the math section questions are also divided into four main areas, each testing different skills:

• 1. algebra
• linear equations (like y = 3x + 10) and inequalities
• systems of equations (like being given 2y + 4x = 10 and 3y + 5x = 14)
• 2. advanced math
• nonlinear expressions (like x² + 4y² = 44)
• functions and their properties (like f(x) = 7z + 3)
• 3. problem solving and data analysis
• ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning
• interpreting and synthesizing data
• 4. geometry and trigonometry
• area and volume calculations
• right triangles and trigonometric functions

for tips on how to approach the math section as well as sample math questions, check out our article on sat math practice.

additional tools and features of the digital sat format

since the sat is now taken a computer, you have access to more tools that you should definitely take advantage of:

flagging questions: you can bookmark any question that you’d like to return to later. thus, if you’re struggling with a question, take your best guess, flag it, and then jump back to it to try again if you have time remaining once you’ve finished a module.

highlighting and note-taking: you can highlight important text in passages to make it stand out or even leave yourself digital notes to help you remember important details.

on-screen graphing calculator: on the math section, if you don’t bring your own calculator, you can use the built-in graphing calculator to access functionalities like graphing equations and analyzing functions.

the new digital sat vs. the old paper sat

similarities between the digital sat and the paper sat

despite the shift in format, the digital sat retains many of the core elements of the traditional test:

• purpose: it is designed to assess college readiness by measuring your critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• use: it is accepted by colleges and universities for admissions purposes.
• core subjects: it still focuses on the same main areas: evidenced-based reading and writing, and mathematics.
• scoring scale: the digital sat maintains the 200-to-1600 overall scale, and each section is scored between 200 and 800.

differences between the digital sat and the paper sat

along with the obvious difference in medium (computer—with its additional tools and features mentioned earlier—vs. paper), the transition to a digital format brings several notable changes:

• adaptive testing: the paper sat couldn’t adapt to your performance since all the questions were preselected ahead of time. however, the digital sat analyzes your performance on the first module in a section and then adjusts the difficulty of the 2nd module accordingly.
• shorter duration: the digital sat is a little over two hours long, whereas the paper sat was three hours long.
• organization: the digital sat is just two sections, whereas the paper sat had four: math (no calculator), math (with calculator), reading, and a separate writing section.
• content: though many of the topics and question types remain the same on the digital sat, one key difference is its passages on the reading & writing section. the paper sat had very long passages (500 to 700 words!) that asked multiple questions about the passage. contrast that with the new version, where the passages are much shorter and ask only a single question.
• calculator use: the paper sat limited your access to the calculator to a single section, whereas the digital sat lets you access it on any math problem.

is the new sat harder?

the difficulty level of the digital sat is intended to be similar to that of the paper sat. the adaptive nature of the test aims to provide a more precise measure of a student’s abilities by adjusting the difficulty of questions based on their performance. here’s what this means for you:

adaptive testing: if you answer questions correctly, you may receive more challenging questions in subsequent sections. conversely, incorrect answers may lead to slightly easier questions.

performance reflection: the adaptive format can make the test feel more tailored to your skill level, potentially reducing the frustration of encountering too many questions that are either too easy or too hard.

overall, whether the test feels harder may depend on your comfort with the digital format and adaptive testing rather than the content itself. give our free digital sat practice test a try to see for yourself!

do you need to study differently for the digital sat?

much of the content remains the same or similar, so how you will study won’t change in that regard. the only major content change is that reading & writing passages are much shorter and only come with a single question. thus, you’ll want to practice quickly understanding and analyzing brief passages.

as for the digital sat as a whole, you do want to familiarize yourself with its format ahead of time so that you don’t run into any surprises on test day. this means taking digital sat practice tests and learning how to effectively use features like flagging questions and passage highlighting tools.

likewise, since you can use the calculator on every math question now, make sure you’re adept at using either your own or the on-screen one provided to you during the test. the more that calculator usage is second nature to you, the better you can pace yourself through the math section.

lastly, you’ll want to get comfortable with the adaptive modules. treat each question with equal importance, as early performance can influence the difficulty of later questions. additionally, stay positive and remember that encountering harder questions can be a good sign that you’re performing well!

closing thoughts

while the format and some features have changed, the essence of the test—the assessment of your readiness for college—remains the same. by understanding these changes and adjusting your preparation strategies accordingly, you can approach the digital sat with confidence. gain even more confidence with a magoosh sat premium plan, which gives you access to more digital sat practice tests and questions, as well as lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know for the exam.

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