5 tips to prepare for the SAT one month before test day

The October SAT is one of the most popular test dates of the year. With just a month to go, now is the time to sharpen your skills, build confidence, and focus on the strategies that will give you the biggest score boost on test day. Here’s how to make the most of the final four weeks.

Focus on core content

In the last month, concentrate on the material that makes the greatest difference::

• Grammar rules for Writing & Language

• Reading techniques to find evidence quickly. Practise skimming for key evidence, identifying argument structure, and answering detail questions quickly. Familiarise yourself with common passage themes and develop a process for active annotation.

• Math strategies with extra emphasis on algebra, and review frequently tested concepts such as linear equations, systems, and word problems. Develop methods for checking your work efficiently.

• Get comfortable using the Desmos graphing calculator. Integrate it into your problem-solving routine so that calculation and graphing become second nature, enabling you to save valuable time under timed conditions.
  

Sit 1–2 full tests each week

At this stage, practice tests are your best tool. Treat each one like the real thing: set strict timing, eliminate distractions, and start at the same time your real test is scheduled. Afterwards, you can redo every missed question and write out why you got it wrong (whether it is knowledge gap, misread, or timing). Turning mistakes into actionable feedback is the secret to effective improvement.

Manage timing anxiety

If you are struggling to finish sections on time, try training in smaller bursts.

• Practice 1 to 5 questions at a time, allocating the exact amount of time you'll have on test day (i.e. giving yourself 7.5 minutes to do 5 math questions, or the equivalent in Reading & Writing)

• Pay attention to question types you can complete quickly and which ones slow you down. Use this to adjust your approach and prioritise your efforts.

• Forgive yourself for needing more time – remember that you will NOT answer all the questions anyway on the test day. You will want to guess on the hardest questions of the module and move on.

Use the College Board Question Bank

Don’t just repeat full tests. Use the official College Board question bank to practise specific domains like punctuation, algebra, or data analysis. Targeting weaknesses in this way is one of the fastest ways to improve and build lasting mastery in specific areas.

Balance revision with rest

With the stakes high for the October SAT, it’s natural to want to maximise every moment, but we know burning out won’t help. Build a steady prep routine and be sure to schedule regular rest days. In your final week, scaled down the workload, replace heavy study with focused review sessions, light practice, and restorative rest, so you arrive on test day fresh and ready.

Need help boosting your SAT score and master your test-taking approach?

A-List Education offers intensive 5-day SAT courses and bespoke private tutoring to help you identify strengths, address gaps, and develop robust strategies tailored to your needs.

Book a free session with one of our consultants today to discuss your best path forward.

Final thought

The last month is your chance to bring discipline and structure to your SAT preparation. Concentrate on foundational concepts, make practice tests count, and adopt time strategies that work for you. By blending consistent review with calculated rests, you’ll enter the exam room with confidence and clarity.