Taking SAT Practice Tests Can Help You Gain About 115 Points

Quick Facts

• The next SAT will take place on May 7, 2022, and the results will be released on May 20, 2022.
• The registration deadline for the June SAT is May 5, 2022.
• Based on official records, over 10 million students utilized free SAT practice during the five-year period before COVID.
• Research also shows that individuals who studied using official SAT practice materials for 20 hours achieved an average score increase of 115 points.

The vast majority of students taking the SAT review their study materials multiple times. However, the value of practice exams cannot be overstated. Beyond helping you identify your strengths and weaknesses, it is essential to understand how the SAT differs from school or board exams. The test assesses abilities like critical thinking and logical reasoning, and you should develop your test-day strategy based on your results in these practice sessions.

Specialists note that because the exam spans multiple subjects and must be completed under strict time limits, SAT preparation needs to be comprehensive. For anyone wanting to better understand the time restrictions, test format, and material, practice exams are essential. These mock tests should be approached as if they were the real exam.

Taking these practice exams can also help you determine and manage the time you should spend on each question and section. Leaving the hardest questions until the end works wonderfully for most students because it preserves essential time. You can always return to tackle the difficult questions later.

Suggested Read: SAT to go online in 2023

What The Data Indicates

Based on official records, over 10 million students utilized free SAT practice during the five-year period before COVID. The College Board, which administers SAT practice assessments, teamed up with Khan Academy to create a tailored online platform for students preparing for the exam. This resource featured sample questions, prompt feedback, video guides, and full-length practice tests.

A 2019 survey involving more than 65,000 SAT examinees found that roughly four times as many students prepared using Official SAT Practice compared to commercial preparation services.

Research from a few years back indicates that candidates who prepared using official SAT practice for 20 hours experienced an average gain of 115 points. Out of 250,000 examinees analyzed, more than 16,000 secured an increase of 200 points or more between the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT.

The testing organization has also discovered that shorter preparation periods are connected to meaningful score improvements. This implies that roughly six to eight hours of practice with Official SAT Practice can result in an average score boost of 90 points.

Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, previously emphasized this positive link between personalized practice and improvements in college readiness. Nevertheless, every student must develop an individualized strategy and focus, since SAT practice tests do not rely on a single study plan that fits all candidates equally.

The College Board offers personalized recommendations to each applicant regarding the specific skills they need to strengthen most. Students can also access numerous questions that have been reviewed and approved by the experts who design the SAT.