<p>Hey guys, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm taking the SAT for the first time in May.</p>
<p>I was wondering, how many practice tests is ideal for preparing for this test? I have friends who have taken only 4 practice ones, and some others who have taken 10+</p>
<p>I need the right balance of practice time plus studying time, without overworking myself. Thanks.</p>
<p>Someone in my school took 23 practice SAT tests >_></p>
<p>For this really isn’t a matter of how many practice tests take. It’s how well you can consistently take them. Make sure that you understand the questions that you get wrong and make sure that you notice some improvement between practice tests.</p>
<p>In my opinion, taking practice tests is NOT the best way to prepare for the SAT. The best way to prepare is:</p>
<p>(1) learn SAT specific strategies
(2) practice problems for 10 to 20 minutes per day every day, ideally for about 3 months up until test day (but take the day before the test off).
(3) periodically redo problems that you get wrong until you can get each of these problems correct on your own without looking at the solution.</p>
<p>If you are doing all of this, then 4 practice tests before the SAT is enough. Keep in mind that practice tests are mostly used for the following:</p>
<p>(a) check your progress so far - is your score improving?
(b) practice pacing.
(c) make sure you are answering the desired number of questions.
(d) prepare for the endurance needed to take the test (this will only work if you do the whole SAT practice test in one sitting).
(e) make sure you are applying all the right test taking strategies in a timed situation.
(f) alleviate some of the anxiety associated with taking the test.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t need more than 4 “trial runs” to get all of this right.</p>
<p>If you follow principle (3) above with the questions from your practice test, then you can squeeze a little more usefulness out of taking the practice test.</p>
<p>But keep in mind that you learn the most in short bursts. If you usually keep your practicing down to at most 20 minutes at a time, then you will retain most of what you study.</p>