How Early Should You Start Preparing for the SAT?

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The SAT is a critical milestone in a student’s academic journey, influencing admissions to prestigious colleges around the world. It’s a highly conceptual exam that tests a student’s proficiency in grammar, reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and mental math. While some students find SAT preparation relatively easy with regular study habits, others may find it more challenging to keep up with the daily rigor required to excel.

That’s where Examily comes in—offering comprehensive, AI-powered SAT prep solutions to help students learn smarter and score higher. But when exactly should you start preparing for the SAT?

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When to Start Preparing for the SAT

Here are some key insights to help you decide when to begin your SAT preparation:

1. Start in 11th Grade

The junior year of high school (11th grade) is widely considered the optimal time to start preparing for the SAT. At this stage, students have a solid academic foundation and the maturity to comprehend complex material. With two focused years of preparation, students can effectively cover all the key topics tested on the SAT.

Examily Tip: Start by setting a realistic target score based on the average SAT score required by the colleges you’re aiming for. Use Examily’s personalized SAT study planner to stay on track with your goals.

2. Focus on Intensive Reading

SAT reading comprehension requires a strong command of language and the ability to analyze long passages. If you’re at a point where you can read and understand complex materials, it’s time to start preparing. Regular reading—whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or academic articles—helps build the skills necessary for the SAT.

Examily Tip: Broaden your reading horizons by engaging with diverse reading materials. Our AI Tutor offers real-time reading comprehension drills to sharpen your skills for the SAT.

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3. Leverage Online SAT Preparation Tests

Practice makes perfect, and taking mock exams is essential to succeeding in the SAT. Students often neglect practice tests, focusing more on theory, which limits their understanding of the exam format and question types.

Examily Tip: Start your SAT prep by taking Examily’s free SAT practice tests. Our platform tracks your progress and helps you focus on areas that need improvement.

4. Build SAT Aptitude Early

To excel in the SAT, students need a strong set of analytical and logical skills. Parents and teachers should begin fostering these skills from an early stage, ensuring students are well-prepared for the SAT’s competitive nature.

Examily Tip: Our AI-powered adaptive learning platform identifies each student’s strengths and weaknesses, providing tailored exercises to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

5. Develop Mental Math Skills

The math section of the SAT often requires quick mental calculations. It’s important to practice mental math from the start of your preparation to improve speed and accuracy.

Examily Tip: Our mental math drills are designed to enhance speed and precision, ensuring you’re ready to tackle even the trickiest SAT math problems.

Optimal Timing for SAT Preparation: When Should You Begin? Start Now!!

The Bottom Line

Preparing for the SAT is a long-term commitment, not something that can be crammed into a few weeks. Developing the necessary skills—whether it’s reading comprehension, logical reasoning, or math—takes time and effort. The earlier you start, the better prepared you’ll be to achieve your desired score.

At Examily, we recommend starting your SAT practice tests as early as your 11th grade. Set a target SAT score based on your dream college’s requirements, and take the SAT by September or October of your senior year. This way, if you don’t hit your target score, you’ll have time to retake the exam in April or May.

Ready to Unlock Your SAT Potential?

Take the first step by signing up for Examily’s free trial class and access our AI-powered personalized study plans, practice tests, and real-time feedback. Learn smarter, and score higher with Examily!

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Join thousands of students who have aced the SAT with our comprehensive online preparation resources to achieve the high scores that will open doors to your ideal college.

Join thousands of students who have aced the SAT with our comprehensive online preparation resources to achieve the high scores that will open doors to your ideal college.

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