Preparing for the SAT as a Junior in High School

Your second-to-last year of high school is full of obligations and opportunities, including standardized testing. Preparing for the SAT during your junior year can feel like a big task, but it’s one that pays off. Whether you’re aiming for competitive college admissions or merit-based scholarships, your SAT score is more than just a number; it’s a signal to colleges that you’re ready for the challenges ahead. The good news is that with smart planning and the right strategies, you can walk into test day feeling ready.

Why Juniors Need to Think About the SAT

Your junior year is the ideal time to start taking the SAT seriously. You’ve had time to build foundational skills in reading, writing, and math, and you’re still early enough in your high school career to improve your score before college applications are due. Even if you’re not sure where you want to apply yet, starting now gives you flexibility. Colleges look at your highest SAT score, so the earlier you begin, the more chances you have to retake the test and improve.

Many juniors don’t realize how quickly senior year fills up. Between AP classes, college visits, extracurriculars, and applications, time slips away fast. By getting a head start now, you’ll avoid rushing later. You’ll also reduce stress in the long run. Future you will thank you!

When To Start Preparing

The best time to begin studying for the SAT depends on your goals, schedule, and how much time you can realistically commit. As a general rule, you’ll want to give yourself at least three months to prepare, and many students prefer their results when they start even earlier. If you plan to take the test in the spring, starting in January gives you time to build skills gradually without cramming.

You don’t have to study every day to be effective. The key is consistency. Studying two or three times a week for shorter periods often works better than marathon sessions once in a while. By starting early, you’ll be able to balance SAT prep with everything else on your plate and avoid burnout.

The PSAT vs the SAT: What’s the Difference?

In addition to thinking about the SAT, juniors also need to think about the PSAT. The PSAT is a test that’s meant to be taken before the SAT, but it doesn’t have to be. The real importance of this test is that it’s the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholars program, which awards substantial scholarship money every year. Some colleges automatically give scholarships to National Merit finalists, so the PSAT is worth your time and attention, too!

While you can take the PSAT up to three times, only the score achieved during the fall of your junior year counts for National Merit awards. But even if you don’t qualify, it’s a good introduction to the SAT. The PSAT is slightly shorter, and the questions are a little less difficult, but the format is similar. Think of the PSAT as a practice run. Use it to identify patterns in your performance. Were there certain types of questions that slowed you down? Did you run out of time? Did you notice gaps in grammar rules or algebra skills? Those insights are useful for tailoring your SAT prep.

That said, scoring well on the PSAT doesn’t guarantee the same result on the SAT. The SAT is longer, slightly more complex, and carries more weight in the admissions process. So while the PSAT is helpful, it’s only the beginning.

Taking The Exam Early

There’s no rule that says juniors can’t take the full SAT. In fact, many high-performing students take it for the first time during their junior year. Taking the test early gives you a sense of what to expect and allows you to set a benchmark score. If you’re happy with that score, great! You’re done, and you don’t have to worry about it anymore. If you want to improve, you have time to make a plan and try again.

Most students see score gains on their second or third attempts, especially if they use their first test to identify areas that need work. Testing early gives you options. If your first attempt isn’t your best, you still have plenty of time to regroup and adjust your prep. Taking the test early gives you more time to see what works and what doesn’t. 

Self-Study or Prep Tutoring?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for the SAT. Some students thrive with independent study, while others benefit from expert guidance. Think about how you learn best. Do you like following your own schedule and using online resources? Or do you prefer structure, accountability, and feedback from a knowledgeable instructor?

Self-study can work if you’re disciplined and know where to find reliable materials. But it can be easy to fall into unproductive habits, like doing the same practice tests without learning from your mistakes or not spotting the patterns in what you find challenging. That’s where tutoring and prep classes come in. They offer structure, clarify confusing topics, and teach strategies you might not figure out on your own. 

Whether you choose to work independently or with help, the key is to use high-quality materials. Don’t waste your time on outdated books or websites that don’t reflect the current version of the SAT. Make sure your prep aligns with the most recent test format– the SAT is digital now, so if you only practice using books, you may struggle on test day.

Strategies You Need

A big part of SAT success isn’t just what you know; it’s how you approach the test. Time management is one of the most important skills to develop. Each section of the SAT is timed, so practicing under timed conditions helps you learn how to pace yourself and avoid rushing through key questions.

You’ll also want to work on process-of-elimination strategies. Many SAT questions include answer choices that look tempting at first glance but fall apart under closer inspection. Learning how to spot these traps can save you from second-guessing yourself and wasting time.

Another overlooked factor is reading stamina. The SAT Reading section asks you to absorb dense passages and answer detailed questions in a limited time. If you’re not used to reading actively, it can be exhausting. Make time to practice reading nonfiction articles and summarizing key points to build focus and speed.

Finally, don’t forget the importance of review. It’s easy to move on after finishing a practice test, but the real learning happens when you go back, find your mistakes, and figure out why you made them. The more you understand your patterns, the more intentional your studying becomes.

Finding The Right SAT Prep

Whether you choose self-study, one-on-one tutoring, or SAT prep classes, the right preparation makes a huge difference in your SAT outcomes. Anybody can claim that they know how to teach SAT strategies, so you need to make sure that you’re learning from experts who can back up those claims with evidence.

When you work with one of the Prep Expert® SAT prep tutors, you can feel confident knowing that your tutor has scored in the top 1% of all SAT test takers. They’ll teach you how to master the new digital format and use time-tested strategies to eliminate distractor issues and move through the test with confidence. 

Prep Expert®’s classes are also backed by our score improvement guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not the prep class will really help. Ready to get started? We have SAT prep classes available for every upcoming test date, as well as individual tutoring options and PSAT prep. Explore our course catalog to get started!