How to Improve SAT Score? 8 Proven Steps Explained!

Full-length SAT practice tests, targeted drills, and focused topic revision help you track progress and strengthen weak areas effectively. However, by following the right steps, you can boost your performance in Reading, Writing, and Math while managing time effectively. 

Consistent practice not only boosts accuracy but also builds the stamina and confidence needed on test day. In this blog, we guide you through estimating your SAT study time and improving your SAT score with simple, actionable steps.

How to Improve SAT Scores? 

Improving your SAT score starts with understanding where you stand and building a strategy that actually works for you. With the right mix of analysis, planning, and consistent practice, even a small shift in your approach can lead to a major score jump. 

The steps below break down exactly how to study smarter, fix weaknesses, and move steadily toward your target SAT score.

Step 1: Begin with Research

If you’ve already taken the SAT, start by analysing your score report to understand where you lost points. Look at the pattern of correct and incorrect answers to identify weak areas clearly. If you’re a first-time test-taker, take multiple official College Board practice tests under real exam timing to get an accurate idea of your starting level and what skills need the most attention.

Step 2: Set a Target Score

Before you start preparing, decide how much you want to improve. Students scoring below 500 can realistically aim for a 200-point increase, while higher scorers can target a 100-150 point jump. Create small, section-wise goals so your progress becomes measurable and more focused throughout your preparation journey.

Step 3: Create a Study Plan

Preparation becomes easier when you follow a structured study plan. Set aside fixed hours each week for SAT practice, revision, and full-length mock tests. Use a calendar to block these study sessions and stay consistent. If you’re opting for SAT online coaching, list all the topics you need to cover and revise them weekly to stay aligned with your goals.

Step 4: Use Official SAT Study Materials

Always build your foundation using official SAT questions and practice tests since they match the real exam’s format and difficulty level. Download the Official SAT Study Guide from the College Board and rely on official sample questions while revising. Third-party materials can be helpful but should never replace authentic, test-maker content.

In addition, practicing with authentic SAT Sample Papers helps you understand question patterns, time management, and difficulty levels more effectively.

Step 5: Join a Study Group

Studying with peers helps you stay accountable and motivated. A study group lets you exchange strategies, ask questions freely, and work toward common goals. If you can’t find an existing group, consider forming one yourself. The College Board even provides guidelines for starting an SAT study group, making the process easier.

Step 6: Seek a Mentor or Expert Guidance

If you’re struggling with concepts or are unable to improve, getting help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor can make a major difference. You can also enrol in an SAT prep course for more structured learning. If cost is a concern, look for free SAT prep programs offered by schools, libraries, or non-profit organisations.

Step 7: Clear Doubts With Prep Platforms like Khan Academy

Online Prep Platforms like Khan Academy offer free, personalised SAT practice in partnership with the College Board. You can watch concept videos, solve sample problems, track your performance, and understand difficult topics easily. It’s one of the most reliable and accessible platforms for SAT preparation.

Step 8: Read Something Challenging Daily

To strengthen your SAT Reading performance, make a habit of reading complex material regularly. This includes articles, essays, scientific journals, and non-fiction books that improve comprehension skills. As you read, focus on understanding the author’s tone, structure, main arguments, and key details, skills that directly improve your SAT Reading score.

Suggested: SAT Question Papers

How Much Time Do You Need to Improve Your SAT Points?

The number of study hours depends on the score improvement you’re aiming for. Start by comparing your baseline score from a full-length practice test with the target score required by your preferred universities. The bigger the gap, the more structured and focused your study plan needs to be.

Here’s a simple guide showing the typical preparation hours based on your target score increase:

For example, if your full-length SAT practice test score is 1180 and your target is 1350, you need a 170-point improvement. According to the table, this typically requires around 40 hours of focused preparation, which can be spread over 4-6 weeks depending on your schedule.

By following this approach, you can estimate the study time you need based on your current score and your target, ensuring a structured path to achieving your goal.

How to Improve SAT Scores by Section?

Now, improving your SAT score becomes easier when you break your preparation into the two major skill areas the test evaluates: EBRW and Math. Each section demands a different approach, and refining your technique can help you move from average to competitive scores. 

Here’s a simple, subject-wise framework to help you study smarter and score higher.

To Improve Your SAT EBRW Score

• Focus on understanding the main ideas rather than reading every detail. Skim smartly and return only for line-specific questions.
• Train your eye to spot keywords in questions first so you know exactly what to look for in the passage.
• Strengthen grammar basics like punctuation, verb tense, and sentence structure. They form the backbone of writing questions.
• Read surrounding sentences and not just the underlined part for context-based questions, such as transitions or tone.
• Build pacing habits: allocate a fixed time per passage and avoid spending too long on tricky comprehension questions.

To Improve Your SAT Math Score

• Review each wrong answer after every mock and track repeated mistakes to identify patterns.
• Strengthen fundamentals like algebra, functions, linear equations, and word problems, since they form most of the Math section.
• Learn when to skip and return; spending too long on one tough question can cost several easier ones.
• Practice both with and without a calculator to ensure you’re comfortable switching between formats.
• Use official SAT Math questions to get used to the exact style, logic, and wording used by the test-makers.

From the Desk of Yocket

Planning your SAT preparation effectively can be the difference between meeting your target score and falling short. Understanding how much time to dedicate based on your current score and target score ensures that your efforts are structured and productive. 

With Yocket Prep as your study partner, you can access a clear study plan, focused practice, and strategic mock tests. You can confidently aim for a higher SAT score and boost your chances at your dream universities.