SAT is a standardised exam which is required for various universities across the globe for admissions into various undergraduate programs. After quite a few months of hard work and dedication, finally you have chosen your SAT exam date and it is just around the corner.

Many people think that it is only about months of preparation that can actually make or break your SAT. However, it is true to a great extent, but last minute SAT preparation tips also play a crucial role in actually deciding your fate.

In this article we will be discussing about few last-minute SAT Preparation Tips from brushing up your basics to plan an exam day checklist.

SAT Exam Pattern

Section — Nos. of Questions — Section Time Limit

Reading & Writing

54 questions

32 minutes each (64 minutes in total)

Mathematics

44 questions

35 minutes each (70 minutes in total)

SAT exam preparation is a daunting task and giving and clearing SAT exam is just one part of the entire process. The complete procedure of applying to colleges can be overwhelming and thus, it is important to prepare everything well in advance. However, there are a few quick last minute preparation tips that will help you.

In this blog we will be discussing everything from revising all your basics to preparing a checklist for the exam day and planning your SAT prep strategy accordingly.

Brushing Up your Basics

Studied well for your SAT exam and practiced a lot of questions? It’s time to take some mock tests for immediate brushing up your basics. As far as last minute SAT preparation is concerned, revising all your basics will actually help. Revise all basic formulas and any other fundamentals. It is not advisable to pick anything new and fresh in these last few days as this may lead to confusion.

Exam Day Checklist

Talking about exam day checklist, it can be divided into under few categories:

Test Day Essentials

It is important to keep all these important documents handy:

• Photo ID proof
• Calculator
• Printout of registration slip
• Sharpened pencils (carry extra!)
• Pencil Sharpener
• Eraser
• Bottled water

Don’ts in Your SAT Exam Checklist are:

• Mobile Phone
• Electronics such as smart watches or any fitness devices etc
• Any other stationery which is not required

Plan your SAT Last Minute Strategy

Revising is one of the crucial aspects of planning a last minute SAT exam strategy. Time management is quite an important factor to ace the SAT exam, however while you are practicing questions, practice these under timed conditions and analyse all your areas of improvement. Even your planned strategy needs to be improved on a time to time basis, but avoid making any major changes at the last minute as this may lead to confusion.

Test Taking Strategy
Since we are talking about last-minute SAT preparation tips, we must also include test taking strategy in account. Few of which are mentioned below:

• Knowing and remembering the difficulty order of the questions is a priority
• It is advisable to use the elimination technique in order to reach the right answer. Keep eliminating wrong answers and eventually you will be left with a correct answer.
• Spending much time on one question can actually leave you in a panicky situation later. It is not advisable to manage your time wisely.
• Quickly answer questions the one you know are less time consuming as this way you will be able to reserve time for tougher questions later.
• Underlining or highlighting key details in a question can be helpful while solving SAT questions.
• There is an optional 10 minute break in the SAT exam. Utilize your break time wisely.
• Since there is no negative marking, don’t leave any question unanswered. If unsure, make an educated guess and move on to the next.
• Ensure you complete each section on time as this will help you achieve a good score on the SAT.
• If at any point you feel stuck, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and move onto the next question.

Relax

Preparation for your SAT exam can be overwhelming, however it is important to take short breaks at regular intervals and avoid burnout. Go for walks, chat with friends and do what makes you feel rejuvenated and relaxed. We often ignore this, but relaxation at regular intervals is a primary aspect that can actually help you in achieving your goal.

SAT Preparation Tips 2025

As far as SAT preparation goes, here are some SAT preparation tips which students must follow this year.

• Understand and get familiar with the test format
• Build vocabulary
• Practice SAT questions and mock tests regularly
• Improve time management
• Analyze your practice tests and discuss your performance with your SAT tutors or faculty

These are some last-minute SAT preparation tips which students must follow in order to ace the exam.