How to balance SAT Exam Preparation with school studies

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Balancing SAT exam preparation with schoolwork can feel overwhelming. With assignments, tests, extracurricular activities, and other commitments, your daily schedule can seem packed, making SAT prep seem like a daunting task. However, with the right strategies, consistent practice, and a focused mindset, it is completely achievable.

In addition to a strong GPA, a good SAT score significantly elevates our college applications and plays a crucial role in the admissions process. Therefore, finding a balance between schoolwork and SAT preparation is rather crucial. Here’s a breakdown of how to juggle both effectively:

Set Your Goal

The first and foremost step in your SAT exam preparation is to set a clear and specific target score. Having a target score gives you a concrete goal to work towards. It keeps you focused and motivated throughout your study process. It acts as a roadmap and helping you stay on track. The target score not only provides direction but also allows you to measure your progress and accomplishments as you move forward in your preparation.

The SAT is scored between 400 and 1600, and your target score should be based on the average scores or requirements of the colleges you’re applying to. Research the target score ranges of your desired schools to set a realistic and challenging target. Whether you aim for an above-average score to increase your chances or want to meet specific college requirements, setting a target score is the first step toward success.

Set your test date

The SAT is offered seven times a year: March, April, May, June, August, October, and December. This provides flexibility in choosing a test date, but there are several factors to consider:

• School schedule: Avoid selecting a date close to school exams or project deadlines.
• College application deadlines: Ensure you receive your score in time to submit it to your chosen colleges.
• Time for retakes: Don’t wait until the last possible date. Take the test early enough to allow for a retake if you want to improve your score.

Set Up a Study Plan

It’s easy to push SAT preparation aside, especially when school exams are just around the corner. School exams may always seem more urgent, and you might think you’ll have plenty of time for SAT prep once they’re over. However, there will always be other commitments—project submissions, additional tests, extracurricular activities—and the cycle will continue.

That’s why it’s crucial to understand that both schoolwork and SAT prep must be tackled simultaneously. To do this effectively, you need to create a study plan. As cliché as it may sound, consistency is key. A well-structured plan ensures you make steady progress without neglecting either responsibility.

Suggested Read: Tips to Ace SAT Essay

Create a Daily Study Schedule

Make a study schedule that includes a dedicated slot for SAT prep every day. You don’t need to spend hours each day—consistent, focused study time is more effective than long sessions that lack structure.

SAT prep can be broken down into five key steps:

1. Prepare: Break down the SAT syllabus into manageable topics and focus on one or two at a time. Make notes on techniques, tips, and common traps that might appear on the test. Even if you only have 45 minutes on weekdays, this can still be effective.
2. Practice: Work on practice questions using the techniques you’ve learned. The goal is to improve both accuracy and time management. You can use the same 45-minute study window for practice.
3. Test: After learning and practicing a few topics, take practice tests to assess your progress. Weekends are great for longer test sessions, as you can devote more time to simulate real exam conditions and track your improvements. Always aim to improve your accuracy with each test.
4. Review: This step is often overlooked but is critical for progress. Spend time analysing your mistakes and understanding where you went wrong. Use weekends to dive deeper into your reviews, as you’ll have more time to focus on areas that need improvement.
5. Repeat: Continue cycling through these steps until you’ve covered all the topics. Keep practicing, testing, and reviewing regularly until the test day. Consistency and repetition will solidify your knowledge and improve performance.

By following this structured approach, you can balance SAT prep alongside your regular school work and make meaningful progress each day.

Share Your Plan

It might seem unnecessary, but sharing your study plan with your parents or tutor can really help you stay on track. A little reminder, like “Did you finish your SAT practice for the day?” during dinner, might be just the nudge you need to skip that extra episode of your favourite show and stick to your study plan. It keeps you accountable and makes it easier to stay focused, even when other , seemingly more exciting, distractions come up.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun

I can’t stress this enough—it’s important to make time for fun. The pressure of school exams, extra classes, project deadlines, and all the work that comes with building your profile can quickly become overwhelming. To avoid burnout, make sure to schedule some “me time.” Whether it’s watching TV, playing a sport, reading a book, playing an instrument, or just hanging out with a friend, taking time to relax and recharge will help you stay motivated and in the right mindset all the way up to test day.

We at Jamboree offer 4 different SAT prep modes for the students to choose as per their requirements. Our expert counsellors and mentors can guide you through this.

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