SAT/ACT Countdown: What to Study Four Weeks Before Test Day

In the month before you take the SAT or ACT, it is important to have a prep plan in place. Particularly during busy months at school, it can be challenging to set aside enough time, so it is beneficial to designate specific periods in your calendar to study. Many students find assigning a particular task to each study block helpful. For example, on Monday from 4-5 pm, review reading section.

Here are some tips to maximize your studying in the weeks before your test:

Week 1

1. Ensure you are familiar with the layout of the test and have sufficient practice material available. Students taking the SAT can download the Bluebook test app, giving them access to several practice exams.
2. Complete and mark a full practice test. Determine your target score and your current score. During the following days, review your answers, paying particular attention to incorrect ones. Take the time to reflect on each mistake and why you made it. You can then apply this understanding to similar future questions.
3. Consider if there is a specific concept you need to re-review. For example, do you find remembering the rules connected to colons challenging? If so, it will be helpful to study this grammar rule and complete additional practice questions.
4. Download a vocab list. For students taking the SAT, this is a particularly beneficial strategy as you will be asked to review words in context. First, identify unfamiliar words, then look up the definition and write a sample sentence using that word in context. Writing information by hand is proven to help with memory retention, so it is a strategy you may want to employ!

Weeks 2 & 3

1. Build your endurance and complete two more practice tests. Try to simulate a test environment as closely as possible: take the exam in a quiet room with limited distractions.
2. Practice pacing yourself. Be cognizant of which questions take you longer and which you can answer with ease; this familiarity will enable you to use your strengths to your advantage!       
3. Similar to the previous week, after you mark your test, focus on incorrect answers to determine which areas remain more challenging.  
4. Continue reading and reviewing vocab lists to increase your comprehension.
5. Review your time-management strategies.

While revision is essential in the weeks before your test, it is also important to ensure you factor in time for rest. It is a great idea to block off one day a week to relax and reset. 

If you’re interested in learning strategies for the week before your SAT or ACT, stay tuned for the next article in this series, and if you need more help studying for the SAT or ACT, our writing coaches are here to help. Contact us today to book in!