Some colleges and universities are still test-optional or test-blind, but many schools are bringing back their ACT and SAT testing requirements. While test scores alone don’t determine whether or not potential students are admitted, they can be the deciding factor between two equally qualified applicants. That’s why SAT prep remains a critical part of the college application process.
Of course, it can be difficult for many students to make time in an already busy schedule for SAT test prep tutoring during the year, making summer one of the best times to prepare for the SAT.
Why Summer Prep for the SAT Makes Sense
Finding time to prep for the SAT during the school year can be challenging. Between attending classes, doing homework, and extracurricular activities, squeezing in an hour of SAT prep every week seems impossible sometimes.
But most high school students have fewer responsibilities in the summer months, giving them the ability to focus on SAT test prep. Even with a summer job or attending summer school, there’s usually plenty of time to study for the SAT and take practice tests.
What’s more, summer is the perfect time for intensive SAT test prep. You can meet with your tutor several times a week—or even five days a week—condensing a 12-week prep program into a shorter, more focused schedule.
When Should Summer SAT Test Prep Start?
Typically, SAT test prep sessions are 12 weeks long. That’s a one-hour session one time each week, giving you time to take at least two practice tests to familiarize yourself with the SAT test and its built-in tools.
The College Board usually offers an SAT test dates in September, October, and November. Find the date you want to take the SAT test (and don’t forget to register early!), then count back 12 or 13 weeks from that test date. That’s when you should start your SAT prep to ensure you’re ready on the big day.
Is Three Months Enough Time to Prep for the SAT?
Three months is plenty of time for most people to prep for the SAT. Taking 12 weeks allows you to space out your sessions so you don’t feel rushed, pressured, or overwhelmed while giving you plenty of time to review the concepts on your own, something that’s critical to your success on test day. Students who feel that 12 weeks isn’t enough time or who want more intensive SAT test prep can meet with their tutor twice or even three times a week..
Students who don’t have 12 weeks to spare for SAT prep may want to schedule more frequent sessions, and summer is the perfect time for intensive prep. You can meet with your tutor as many as five days a week to get ready for an early fall test date.
How Does Summer SAT Test Prep Work?
Preparing for the SAT is generally the same, no matter when you start tutoring.
Each week, you’ll focus on a specific area, like math concepts or reading and critical thinking. You may take a practice test module and review it with your tutor to see how you did, what you got wrong, and what you can do to improve. Your tutor may also review how your studying or preparation has gone since the last time you met, and you’ll learn test-taking strategies for approaching the SAT with confidence..
The only difference with summer SAT prep is you may meet with your tutor more frequently than once a week.
Can You Take the SAT In the Summer?
That depends on how you define “summer.” The College Board offers a June and August SAT test date, allowing you to take the exam after or near the end of the school year and just before or right after it starts. Some high school students find these SAT test dates fit better in their overall schedule.
Keep in mind you want to start prepping 12 weeks before the SAT test date. So, if you’re interested in the June date, you may need to begin tutoring sessions as early as March. Taking the August date means you’ll start preparing in late May or early June, which gives you the whole summer to get test-ready.
The August test date is usually later in the month, making it a great test date for Seattle students who want the summer to prep for the SAT and take the test before school starts.
Get SAT Test Prep in Seattle
Great SAT scores alone aren’t enough to guarantee admission, but they can help. Taking some time during the summer to prep for the SATs gives you distraction-free time to focus on improving your test-taking and study skills so you feel confident on test day.
Emergent Education’s tutors have extensive experience across every module of the SAT, and we can help your student prepare to take the test the first time or work on improving their scores for the next test date. Contact us today, and we’ll pair you with an SAT tutor in the Seattle area who will help your student tackle and tame the SAT.
