How to Build Your Spring Test Prep Schedule
Saying hello to the spring semester doesn’t just mean back-to-school festivities and the start of a new semester. Usually, high schools all around the country are encouraging their students to start registering for upcoming SAT test dates and ACT test dates. This is also a great opportunity to strategically build confidence for test day and ensure you are set up for success. With a well-organized, manageable test prep schedule designed to avoid last-minute cramming, you can approach the SAT and ACT with calm and readiness. Below is a breakdown of how you can structure your test prep over the course of the spring semester, helping you thoroughly prepare for one or both of these pivotal college admissions tests.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- SAT Test Prep Schedule
- ACT Test Prep Schedule
- Two-for-One: Studying for the SAT & ACT
- How to Plan Your Test Prep
- ACT vs. SAT Quiz
SAT Test Prep Schedule
The SAT is composed of two sections: Reading & Writing and Math. The best way to study for the SAT is by focusing on one section at a time. Since you have about 2-3 months to study from the start of the normal spring semester, it may help to focus on establishing a study schedule that spans 8-12 weeks.
For the first 4 to 6 weeks, focus on polishing your skills for the Reading & Writing portion. Whether you are using SAT test prep books or free online SAT resources, practice reading various passages, and find comfort in easily noting important information while reading.
For the second 4-6 week block, focus on the SAT Math section. Practice your math skills and polish your knowledge of various formulas and mathematical concepts that are covered on the SAT. Remember to always think practically and to brush up on your knowledge when you are both right and wrong. If you’re looking for more structure and support as you prepare for the SAT, consider taking an SAT prep course to guide your studies.
After studying hard, don’t be afraid to give yourself a day or two to take a much-needed brain break before test day.
[ KEEP STUDYING: SAT Math Topics: What to Know ]
ACT Test Prep Schedule
Unlike the SAT, the new enhanced ACT gives you more flexibility and choice on what subjects to take and in what format–print or digital. The test consists of three mandatory multiple-choice sections in English, Math, and Reading, and two optional sections in Science and Writing. This leaves room for even more block scheduling and can limit your time spent studying for the ACT if not planned right.
With about 9-12 weeks to study for the big test day, spending two to three weeks on each ACT section will help you study the best. Be sure to take into account which version of the ACT you plan to register for as you plan your study schedule. For example, leave plenty of time to brush up on your science skills if you plan to take the optional ACT Science section.
Take advantage of free online ACT practice resources or sign up for an ACT prep course to level up your prep.
[ READ NEXT: 10 Must-Know ACT Math Tips ]
Two-for-One: Studying for the SAT & ACT
Are you a test-taking mogul about to attack both tests in the same semester? If so, we’ve got you covered! If planned right, you can study for both the SAT and the ACT at the same time. Don’t expect that it will be easy, but also don’t fret. Luckily for you, both tests do cover some similar material.
On the ACT, there is an optional Science section and an optional Writing section that can be easily covered by following this schedule if you plan to take these. If you do not plan on taking the optional ACT Science and/or Writing section, you can modify the schedule accordingly.
For the first two weeks, study for the ACT Science section. For the second two weeks, focus on ACT Writing, which requires you to write an argumentative essay.
After studying for these ACT-specific test sections, you can then spend three weeks each on Math and then on Reading & Writing/English (no essay writing). If you want to make sure you are preparing for each of the test sections properly, break these three-week study sessions into two week-and-a-half sessions in order to spend some time studying the same material by each tests’ standards. By doing all of this, you are covering all your bases in about 10 weeks’ time.
Keep practicing all tested SAT and ACT skills as your test days near to maintain your edge on every section.
How to Plan Your Test Prep
Need more help planning your prep time for the SAT and/or ACT? Here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you organize your study schedule.
Step 1: Count how many weeks you have before test day.
Let’s say today is January 22, and pretend that I’m going to take the ACT or SAT on April 8. Pop these dates into a handy online date calculator. The calculator tells me I’ve got 76 days, which I’ll divide by 7 to get the number of weeks: 76 divided by 7 is 10.857, so I’ll round up. Okay, that means I’ve got 11 weeks to prep.
Step 2: Determine how many hours you’ll prep per week.
Be realistic! Let’s say that during the week, I’m busy with school and homework and band practice and stuff, so I can only spare one hour a day, three days a week. Some people choose to take Saturdays or Sundays off from test prep to catch up on TV shows or spend time with friends. Just try not to take off both weekend days, as you’ll miss out on valuable study time you don’t get during the week.
My personal off day is Saturday, and I prep for two hours on Sunday. So that’s 3 + 2 = 5 hours per week of prep. It might not seem like a lot, but consistency really adds up over time and will allow your brain to adequately process the information.
Step 3: Check whether you have enough time.
First, multiply the numbers you got in Steps 1 and 2. I’ve got 11 weeks to study and 5 hours per week, so my total will be 11 × 5 = 55 hours of prep. How do I decide if that’s enough? One quick method is to count how many practice tests you want to take.
Each test takes between 2 and 3 hours to take and about 6 hours to review. Remember, you should review every problem, right or wrong, that you ever take. You learn nothing by doing questions; you learn by reinforcing your correct behaviors and by finding and fixing your mistakes. That happens in review, which is why it takes twice as long to properly review a question as it does to answer it in the first place.
So now we’re looking at 9 hours per practice test (3 + 6). If I want to take five practice tests before my ACT or SAT, I’ll need 9 × 5 = 45 hours just to take the tests. Hmm, that leaves me only 55 – 45 = 10 hours for all my other prep, which seems awfully light.
If you’re happy with your total prep time, move on to Step 4. If not, make an adjustment right here. Either cut back on your prep time (not advised!), push back your test date, or commit to more prep time per week. In this imaginary scenario, I might decide to add an hour of ACT or SAT prep on Saturdays. That one extra hour a week yields an extra 11 prep hours over my 11 weeks, putting me at 21 additional prep hours above my testing time—much better!
Notice how important planning your study schedule is. If I hadn’t counted my time, I would have sold my ACT or SAT test prep short. And notice, too, how easy it was to course-correct because I planned out my prep.
Step 4: Make a calendar and treat your prep like class.
In my made-up example, I’m going to prep 1 hour each on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and 2 hours on Sunday. I’ll put that in my calendar for the next 11 weeks. That’s the easy part.
The hard part is committing once the prep is in your calendar, and that requires you to treat your test preparation just like you would treat a class, an important social event, or a school extracurricular activity you’re committed to. It may be tempting to skip test prep if a cool new show pops up on Netflix or your friends invite you out.
Just ask yourself: would you skip English class to play a video game? Would you skip basketball practice to go to a movie? Imagine that your prep is no different than any other scheduled activity, and you’ll have a much easier time committing to it as the weeks go by.
Prep like a boss, and get an awesome test score. If you’re not testing soon, bookmark this page and come back to it when you do begin to prep. A teeny bit of arithmetic and planning up front can help you feel a lot less stressed about your upcoming prep time.
ACT vs. SAT Quiz
Trying to decide which college admissions test is right for you–or whether you should take both? Answer our quiz questions to find out!
Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Sarah Seymour, Executive Director, Pre-College and Heather Waite, Director of Content and Curriculum, Pre-College.
