All students and parents know the feeling. It slowly creeps up throughout high school for all college-bound students. And then, before you’re ready, it’s here.
The SAT®.
This standardized test maintains an almost mythical grip on our imaginations. Students (and parents) feel like the score on this exam will make or break the next few years of their lives. Despite some universities dropping the SAT for admission, it remains an important component of college applications, and many scholarships are tied to SAT scores.
First, take a deep breath. SAT scores won’t determine the rest of your life. My score was nothing to write home about. And yet, I graduated at the top of my class in undergrad, earned a Master’s degree, and never paid a dime for any of my higher education. There are ways to afford college and thrive in your career without a stellar score.
In all honesty, though, college-bound students will have a much easier time if they score well on the SAT. The scholarships alone can be life changing. Most thorough test prep, however, is notoriously expensive and out of reach for many families.
Fortunately, there are still some good free or inexpensive resources available to all. Ready to learn more? Take one more deep breath. Okay. Let’s dive in!
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is the official College Board partner for test prep. This resource includes practice test breakdowns, video examples, and more. There’s also a section on College Board’s website with Khan Academy study tips.
Bluebook App (for digital practice)
The Bluebook app was developed by College Board and enables students to take official practice SAT and PSAT tests. A lot of test-taking anxiety arises from fear of the unknown. Consistent practice may help you feel more prepared on test day.
College Board’s PDF Practice Tests (for pen and paper)
Want to practice the old-fashioned way? College Board provides a full suite of official practice tests you can download and print off. Keep in mind, however, that the SAT is now fully digital. When you take the exam, you’ll need to use a laptop or tablet.
Generative AI
AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini can produce tailored, interactive test prep. Start with a prompt like, “Give me practice problems for the math section of the SAT” or “Test my SAT vocabulary skills.” Just be aware: AI does make mistakes, so treat the results with a grain of salt.
College Board’s Official SAT Study Guides
Looking for a low-cost option? College Board publishes an official SAT study guide. At the time of this article’s publication, the price was around $30 on Amazon.
We hope this information is helpful. Good luck!
