The SAT: 17 Crucial Things You Should Do to Prepare

If you’re a student-athlete trying to get recruited, there’s a good chance your SAT score could be a deal-breaker. You’re training, traveling, competing — and now you’re expected to crush a standardized test that could determine your college future?

Yeah. It's a lot.

But here’s the truth: the SAT doesn’t care about your schedule. And neither do some admissions offices. So the best move you can make is to control what you can — your prep.

Let’s break down 17 things you absolutely need to do to give yourself the best shot, especially if time is tight.

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1. Register Early

SAT seats fill up. Fast. Especially in smaller cities. Lock in your test date as soon as possible so you can plan training and tournaments around it — not the other way around.

2. Build a Realistic Prep Schedule

Don’t try to cram for the SAT in one weekend. Spread your studying out across 6–8 weeks, and schedule shorter, focused sessions that fit between practices.

3. Take a Diagnostic Test First

Before anything else, figure out where you stand. Use a free full-length SAT to establish a baseline score — and understand your weaknesses.

4. Use Official Practice Tools

Khan Academy’s free SAT prep is powered by the College Board — meaning it’s as close to the real thing as it gets. No guesswork, no fluff.

5. Target Your Weak Areas

If you’re already strong in reading but bombing math, double down on math practice. Efficient prep = smarter results.

6. Drill Vocabulary Weekly

Even though the new SAT leans more toward context clues, strong vocab still helps — especially when you’re fatigued mid-test.

7. Know the Math Formulas Cold

There’s a reference sheet, sure. But speed matters. The faster you recall formulas, the more time you have to solve problems.

8. Practice Timed Sections

You can’t improve pacing without practicing under the clock. Simulate real conditions. Learn to manage the pressure.

9. Track Your Progress

Don’t just study — measure your improvement. Use spreadsheets or apps to track your scores over time and adjust your strategy.

10. Avoid Burnout

You don’t need 3-hour cram sessions. You need consistent 20–40 minute blocks, 4–5x per week. Quality > quantity.

11. Take Full-Length Practice Tests

Build stamina. The SAT is a marathon, and if you’ve only done short quizzes, the real test will drain you.

12. Review Every Mistake (Not Just the Wrong Answers)

It’s not just what you got wrong — it’s why. Was it a careless error? A concept gap? Fix the root, not just the result.

13. Use Flashcards for Grammar Rules

SAT writing has patterns. Subject-verb agreement. Modifier placement. Comma splices. Get these down with daily flashcard reps.

14. Simulate Test Day Conditions

Take a practice test in the morning. No snacks. No music. No pausing. Your brain needs to get used to that 8 a.m. grind.

15. Eliminate Distractions

When you study, shut it all down. No notifications. No tabs open. Set a 25-minute timer and go all in.

16. Ask for Support

Let your coach know what’s going on. Ask if you can shift one training session a week for SAT prep — it’s temporary and strategic.

17. Don’t Wait Until Senior Year

Start early. The earlier you prep, the more test dates you’ll have. More shots = less pressure.

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Bottom Line

Student-athletes face a brutal balancing act — academics, sports, recruiting, and now standardized testing. But if you break the SAT into manageable pieces and attack it with the same discipline you bring to your sport, you’ll be just fine.

Prep smart. Protect your schedule. Show up ready.

You’ve got this.