The SAT is a big step towards your dream of studying abroad. It’s one of those tests that can open doors to amazing universities and exciting opportunities. 

Not surprisingly, more than 25,000 Indian students take the SAT exam every year, aiming for top colleges in the U.S., Canada, and beyond. While the exam is important, a huge chunk of your success boils down to how you study, not just how much you grind. 

With so much material to cover and so many tips floating around, it’s easy to fall into some all-too-common traps that could hold back your progress. You don’t have to, however. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through some common SAT exam prep mistakes students tend to make and talk about how you can avoid them. 

Mistake #1: Only Practicing What You’re Already Good At

It’s natural to want to stick to what you know. Dedicating most of your study time to subjects or question types where you already excel can boost your confidence. But if you only practice your strengths, your overall score is likely to flatline.

The SAT is a broad exam, covering a wide range of skills and topics. Ignoring your weaker areas means you’re forfeiting points on entire chunks of the test.

The biggest leaps in your score will come from tackling and conquering your personal kryptonite. It’s challenging, yes, but that’s where the real growth happens. 

For instance, if quadratic equations trip you up, spend focused time learning how they work, practising different problem types, and reviewing your mistakes. This way, your study time translates into actual score improvement. 

Mistake #2: Relying Too Heavily on Memorisation

Spending hours memorising vocabulary lists, historical dates, or complex math formulas can feel incredibly productive. Many students carry over this habit from regular school tests, where recall is often rewarded. 

The SAT plays a different game, however. It is designed to see if you can think critically and apply your knowledge in novel situations. 

Simply memorising a math formula or vocabulary words won’t help if you don’t understand when or how to use them. So, push yourself beyond the what and dig into the why and how. 

For math, don’t just drill formulas. Focus on grasping the underlying mathematical principles.

When it comes to SAT Reading, shift your focus to active reading strategies. Read editorials, novels, and academic articles to improve comprehension. 

Mistake #3: Depending Entirely on Self-Study

Self-study has a lot going for it. It’s often free, offers incredible flexibility to fit your busy schedule, and allows you to zero in on what you feel you need to work on. 

However, it’s really tough to be unbiased about your own shortcomings and bad habits without someone else’s input. It’s also difficult to maintain discipline and motivation week after week. What happens when you hit a wall with a tricky concept, and the textbook explanation isn’t clear?

Getting outside support can make a big difference. With good coaching like the one offered by Prep7Edu, you’ll get a learning plan designed just for you, guidance from experienced SAT instructors, and access to excellent practice materials. 

Prep courses are also great. They provide structured learning environments, expert instruction on both content and test-taking strategies, and often come packed with SAT test prep materials and full-length tests. 

Set Yourself Up for Success with Expert Guidance

The SAT exam is just one part of your college journey, but how you prepare for it can make a big difference in your confidence and your score. 

Don’t fall into the trap of studying harder when what you really need is to study smarter. It’s a challenge, no doubt, but with these strategies, it’s one you can definitely conquer. 

And if you’re looking for a structured, results-driven approach to prep, look no further than Prep7Edu. It offers a comprehensive program with live classes, adaptive mock tests, and personalised coaching to help students truly excel on exam day.

Ready to level up your SAT exam prep? Connect with our team of experts today! 

Dreaming of stepping onto the campuses of top international universities? Well, the Digital SAT is a significant milestone on that exciting journey.

While the test may look different now—goodbye long paper booklets, hello screen time—the goal is still the same: show colleges you’ve got what it takes. 

One area where students often trip up is the Reading and Writing part. It’s fast-paced, with short passages and just one question per passage, which means less fluff and more focus.

So, how do you navigate the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section confidently? We’ll share a few strategies here. 

1. Use Official Practice Tests

There’s no substitute for the real thing. The College Board provides free, official Digital SAT practice tests that mirror the actual exam’s format, question types, and timing. Make them a part of your preparation. They will help you understand precisely what to expect on test day.

Perhaps one of the most important things to understand about the Digital SAT is its adaptability. Your performance in the first Reading and Writing module sets the difficulty for the next. Taking official practice tests can help you understand how the difficulty of the test changes and how to manage your time effectively.

You will also get comfortable with the digital interface, including tools like annotation, highlighting, and the option eliminator.  

Another great thing is that these tests simulate the time constraints of the actual exam. You will learn to pace yourself and manage your time across the two 32-minute Digital SAT Reading and Writing modules.

If you’re enrolled in a structured program like Prep7Edu, these practice tests are seamlessly integrated into your study plan.  

2. Predict the Answer Before Reviewing Choices

When you read the question, don’t immediately look at the answer choices. You’ll get distracted by plausible-sounding options.

Before you look at the options, come up with your own answer. This technique forces you to engage more deeply with the question and prevents you from being misled by tempting but incorrect choices.

The SAT is known for its cleverly designed incorrect answer choices, often called distractors. These options can seem very tempting, especially if you’re unsure of the correct answer. 

But if you have your own answer ready, you create a filter that helps you ignore misleading options. You’ll be looking for an option that matches your prediction, rather than trying to decide among several that might sound plausible at first glance. 

3. Learn to Rule Out Three Wrong Answers

It happens: you read a question, and all the choices look equally convincing. But there’s only one correct answer. Your job is to identify and discard the other three incorrect options. 

To do this well, identify answer choices that present information not mentioned in the passage or are simply irrelevant to the question asked. Another approach is to watch out for answers that directly contradict information that is stated in the passage. 

Be particularly cautious of answer choices that use extreme language or absolutes, words like ‘always, ‘never,’ ‘only,’ or ‘must’. These are often too broad and not supported by the nuances of the text.

For effective elimination, focus on why an answer is wrong, not why it might be right. 

4. Brush Up On Grammar Rules

Don’t underestimate the power of grammar. A solid understanding of English grammar rules is not just important for the Writing section of the Digital SAT. But it can also help you decipher complex sentences in the Reading section.

Some key grammar areas to focus on are:

• Subject-verb agreement: Ensuring that singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs
• Verb tense consistency: Using the correct verb tense throughout a sentence and paragraph, unless there’s a logical reason to change it
• Pronoun-antecedent agreement: Making sure that pronouns agree in number and gender with the nouns they refer to
• Punctuation: Mastering the correct use of commas, semicolons, apostrophes, and colons and dashes

Prep Smart with the Right Support

These four strategies can significantly boost your score on the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section. But applying them consistently and correctly often requires expert guidance.

That’s where Prep7Edu comes in. We offer personalised online SAT coaching through 1-on-1 sessions, providing focused attention tailored to your specific needs. 

You’ll learn from experienced SAT coaching specialists who are skilled mentors, capable of adapting their teaching to meet your specific learning preferences. On top of that, you’ll get modular classes for mastering concepts, targeted practice with quality mock tests, adaptive drills, and live doubt-clearing sessions. 

Ready to ace your Digital SAT reading and writing section? Book your free strategy session today! 

Scoring a perfect 1,600 on the SAT is a dream of every student who takes the exam. But how many actually achieve it? Very few do. 

The average SAT score hovers around 1050. That might be enough for some schools. But if you’re aiming for a top-tier university, say, Stanford University or the University of Cambridge, you need to score 1550 or higher. That score is attained through smart studying, not just hard work. 

Good news—Personalised SAT tutoring can help you boost your score quickly. How? Dive in to know. 

1. A Customised Study Plan

Unlike generic preparation methods that often follow a standard curriculum, personalised SAT tutoring focuses on each child’s individual needs. It considers where you are academically, what you excel at, and where you could use some extra help.

You’ll have to take a diagnostic test that helps pinpoint your baseline score and specific areas in Math, Reading, and Writing that require attention.

Once your tutor has a clear understanding of your academic profile, they can create a study plan for you. This means if you’re already strong in mathematics but find reading comprehension challenging, your study plan will likely focus more on developing your reading skills.

Programs like Prep7Edu specialise in this kind of adaptive learning. Our customised study plans evolve as you progress, adjusting focus areas, introducing advanced topics, and refining skills to keep your prep effective and dynamic.

2. Real-Time Feedback and Strategy Tweaks

Practice makes perfect, but only if you know what you’re doing wrong.  

One of the most significant advantages of personalised SAT tutoring is that you receive immediate feedback. 

As you work through practice questions and tests with your tutor, you receive immediate insights into your performance. More than just knowing if you got it right, you’ll understand why you made a particular error. Your tutor can explain the underlying concepts and clarify any doubts instantly. That way, you can grasp the right concept and avoid incorrect methods.

Personalised SAT tutoring is also very dynamic. Your tutor can adjust their teaching strategies and the focus of the session based on your immediate needs and responses. 

If you’re struggling with a particular type of question, they can spend more time on it. They can also explain it in different ways or provide you with extra practice problems right then and there. 

3. Test-Taking Strategies That Suit You

It’s not enough to just know the content. If you want to excel on the SAT, you must also know how to take the test effectively.

Personalised SAT tutoring goes beyond simply teaching you the concepts. It helps you discover, learn, and apply test-taking strategies that are best suited to your learning style.

Not only that, but 1-on-1 SAT tutoring also offers guidance on specific strategies for different question types in both the Math and Reading & Writing sections. 

If you struggle with data analysis questions in Math, your tutor can provide targeted techniques and practice exercises to help you master them. Similarly, if you find reading comprehension passages challenging, your tutor can guide you on effective reading techniques like active reading and identifying the main idea.

As the SAT is now digital, your tutor will help you get used to the online format and tools. You’ll become familiar with the Desmos calculator, learn to use highlighting and annotation and master the option eliminator.

Ready to Boost Your SAT Score?

If you’re aiming for a score of 1550 or higher on the SAT, personalised tutoring offers a clear advantage. Customised lessons, instant feedback, and tailored strategies eliminate the guesswork and let you focus on what is important. 

Looking for a trusted place to start? Prep7Edu is there to guide you. We offer online 1-on-1 SAT coaching, providing you with a fully customised study plan, real-time feedback from experienced tutors, and test-taking strategies tailored to your individual needs. 

For students who benefit from collaborative learning, we offer small group batches with a maximum of just seven students per class. Despite being a group, the limited size ensures you still get significant one-on-one attention from the instructor while also benefiting from peer learning.

Connect with us to discover how we can help you reach your goals and unlock your potential. 

The College Board has made public the SAT registration deadlines and exam dates for spring 2025 through spring 2026. 

With these dates locked in, many students are diving into their prep work. However, they find it hard to sustain that initial motivation when they encounter the seemingly endless online practice questions.

So, if you’ve found yourself zoning out during a study session or putting off practice tests until tomorrow, you’re not alone. 

Online SAT prep can be super convenient, but it also comes with its fair share of distractions and burnout. Here, we’ll share a few tips that can help you stay on track, build better habits, and actually make progress. 

1. Use Proper Study Materials

To prepare for the SAT effectively, you must use quality study materials. Using outdated or irrelevant materials can hinder progress and diminish motivation.

The official SAT Study Guide, published by the College Board, stands as the most authentic resource available. Its materials, like the ‘Official SAT Study Guide’ and the Bluebook app, give you the most accurate picture of what to expect.  

Don’t just rely on it, however. Look for online SAT prep classes. Platforms like Prep7Edu offer structured sessions in reading, writing, math, and test strategies, so you can confidently tackle every SAT section. 

2. Gamify Your Study Sessions

The idea of spending numerous hours studying for the SAT online can sometimes feel tedious. 

However, incorporating game-like elements into study sessions can transform this process into a more engaging and enjoyable experience. This is known as gamification. 

An article published in The Open Psychology Journal backs this up. It states that gamification increases student involvement and boosts memory, concentration, and other mental processes. 

There are many practical ways to make your online SAT prep more game-like. You can set up a personal reward system where you reward yourself after completing small study goals. The reward could be a short break or some leisure time. 

If you’re studying with friends, turn study sessions into friendly competitions with small stakes. That will add an element of fun and shared motivation. 

3. Create a Structured Study Plan

Having no clue what to do next is the biggest motivation killer. This is why having a structured study plan is important. It helps you to stay on track and manage your time effectively during SAT prep. 

Your study schedule must include all subject areas and questions you will encounter. So, divide the entire SAT syllabus into smaller, more manageable topics.  

Then, decide how many hours you can realistically dedicate to SAT prep each day or week, keeping your school schedule and other activities in mind. Ideally, you must study for at least 15 to 20 hours per week. 

Prioritise weak areas first. Spend more time and effort on the sections or topics that you find most challenging based on your diagnostic test results. 

Don’t forget to include regular full-length SAT practice tests under timed conditions. This will help you track your progress and get used to the exam’s timing and format.  

4. Join Virtual Study Groups

Preparing for the SAT online does not have to be a solitary endeavour. Connecting with other students who are also prepping for the SAT can provide a huge boost to your motivation.

You can connect with friends and classmates who are also preparing for the SAT. Or, you can search for online study groups on Reddit, Discord, or Facebook. 

What’s great about studying with others is that you’re exposed to diverse perspectives on problem-solving. Group members can share helpful study materials, notes, and effective study techniques they have discovered.

Also, knowing that others are working towards the same goal can help you stay motivated when your own enthusiasm starts to dip.

Stay Focused and Inspired and Ace the Online SAT Prep  

In need of guidance that keeps you on track? Prep7Edu has your back. We have expert mentors who can create personalised study plans based on your initial assessment, ensure concept mastery, and track your progress. 

We provide targeted practice, quality mock tests, in-depth analysis, and speed drills, all tailored to your specific skill level.

You can choose between individualised SAT coaching or learning collaboratively in our small group sessions. Whatever you choose, rest assured that you will receive the attention, feedback, and focus you deserve. 

So, connect with us today and take the first step toward SAT success.