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By Laura Whitmore Summer is the best time to study for the SAT. Without daily schoolwork and packed schedules, students have the chance to significantly improve their SAT score before fall. But effective prep needs structure — not random videos or last-minute cramming. Here’s a simple week-by-week SAT study guide I use with my own students to help them feel confident and ready on test day! Want a break from reading? Watch my YouTube video now! 💡 Step 1: Schedule — Structur

By Laura Whitmore If you’re feeling the urge to cram for the June SAT, you’re not alone! With the test just days away, it’s natural to want to make the most of every remaining minute. The good news? You still have time to tighten up your approach and walk in feeling more prepared and less stressed. I want to share 15 practical, last-minute tips that can help you feel more confident, reduce anxiety, and perform at your best on test day! They’re grouped into three categories:  

By Laura Whitmore The June SAT is right around the corner, and based on recent trends and firsthand test-day experience, these are the top 10 predictions for what’s most likely to show up on this month’s exam. At Strategic Test Prep, we track SAT content patterns closely—either I take the test myself, or one of our tutors does. We analyze the types of questions being asked and adjust our strategies accordingly. These predictions are designed to help students focus their final

By Laura Whitmore Prepping for the SAT takes more than just time and effort—it also requires the right approach. After working with hundreds of students at Strategic Test Prep, I’ve identified the most common mistakes that hold students back. These issues come up again and again, and they often prevent students from reaching their full potential. Below are the 10 most frequent SAT prep mistakes—and what to do instead for better results. Want a break from reading? Watch my You

By Laura Whitmore Inference questions are some of the hardest on the SAT English section. If you’ve ever felt confused or second-guessed your answer on one of these, you’re not alone! These “Logically Completes the Text” questions tend to show up later in the English modules, and they trip up even high-scoring test-takers. Whether you’re taking the SAT yourself or supporting someone who is, the strategies below can make a big difference—potentially raising English scores by 8

By Laura Whitmore The May SAT is right around the corner, and whether you've been prepping for months or you're just starting to focus in, now is the time to fine-tune your strategy! With less than a week to go, it’s all about working smarter—not harder. Here are 10 proven tips to help you feel confident walking into the test. These are based on real data from students I’ve coached and the trends we’re seeing on the Digital SAT in 2024 and 2025. Don’t feel like reading? Watch

By Laura Whitmore After analyzing recent trends and past tests, I've selected five math and five English problems that are highly likely to show up on your upcoming exam. I'll also explain quick, practical strategies to solve each one, so you can feel confident on test day! Not up for reading? Watch my YouTube video instead! English 🔮 SAT Reading Trick: “Last Sentence Strategy” For certain SAT Reading questions—usually numbers 4 through 10—you often don’t have to read the

By Laura Whitmore If you're aiming for a top score on the SAT Math section—whether that's a perfect 800 or something north of 700—you already know that the second module often ends with some of the hardest math problems on the test! These are the ones that trip up even strong students, especially under timed conditions. Our tutor team has taken the SAT multiple times (yes, officially!) and earned perfect scores on the math section. We’ve recently put together a collection of

By Laura Whitmore If you've taken or prepared for the SAT, especially Module 2 (math section), you've probably felt that moment when a really tough geometry question pops up. Your heart might start racing, your stomach churns, and suddenly you're feeling overwhelmed. Trust me—this is completely normal. Geometry problems on the SAT can be notoriously tricky, but here's some good news: I'm about to break down three of the hardest geometry problems that show up repeatedly on the

By Laura Whitmore Curious about what really happened on the March SAT? In this post, you’ll hear from Andy—one of our top tutors—who sat...

By Laura Whitmore With the March SAT just around the corner, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of nerves and excitement. Whether you’ve been studying for months or just started thinking about the test, I’ve got you covered with my top 10 last-minute tips to help you feel more prepared and confident on test day. Remember, if things don’t go as planned, you can always take the test again—so take a deep breath and let’s dive in! Want a break from reading? Check out my YouTube

By Laura Whitmore The March SAT is just around the corner, and whether you've been preparing for months or are just getting started, knowing what to expect can make a big difference! Based on my experience, here are my top eight predictions for what you’ll see on the March SAT—and how to tackle them! Not up for reading? Watch my YouTube video instead! 🔮 Prediction 1. System of Equations with Variables in the Answer Choices Expect a system of equations problem where the answ

By Laura Whitmore Vocabulary plays a bigger role on the SAT than it has in years. When College Board redesigned the test in 2023, they brought back vocabulary-heavy questions, especially in the first part of each module. On the old paper test, students could often figure out the correct word just by looking at the surrounding context. Now, many of these questions require knowing the actual definitions of words. If reading regularly has never been a habit, it's tough to build

By Laura Whitmore Finding the right tools to prepare for the SAT can be a challenge. While the College Board offers some excellent resources, many students run into a common problem—they run out of official practice materials before they feel fully prepared. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Many students hit this roadblock, and it can leave them searching for high-quality alternatives. At Strategic Test Prep , we’ve incorporated The SAT Crash Course into our progra

By Laura Whitmore Preparing for the SAT can feel overwhelming, especially if the March test is right around the corner. With nearly two decades of experience as a test prep coach, I’ve helped hundreds of students reach—and often exceed—their SAT goals. In this guide, I’ll walk you through five things you should do to prepare for the March SAT, as well as five common mistakes to avoid. These strategies will help you stay focused, organized, and confident leading up to test day

By Laura Whitmore Does tackling SAT Reading passages feel like wading through quicksand? You’re not alone! The SAT Reading section is notorious for being time-consuming and overwhelming. Many students feel stuck, unsure how to tackle complex passages under pressure. Thankfully, there’s a simple and effective strategy to simplify the process, save time, and boost scores. Here’s how to approach the SAT reading section smarter, not harder. Want to skip the reading? Head over to

By Laura Whitmore Achieving a 1500+ on the SAT is a significant goal, and with good reason—it places you in the top 1% of test-takers nationally. If you're reading this, you're likely aiming for this benchmark or helping someone who is. Effective preparation requires strategies specifically designed for the digital SAT, as the test has evolved significantly in recent years. In this post, we’ll explore eight essential tips to help you or your student prepare effectively for th

By Laura Whitmore College is expensive. With tuition, room, board, and other fees, it’s no surprise that families are looking for ways to reduce costs. One often-overlooked strategy is merit-based aid. Unlike need-based aid, which depends on family income and assets, merit-based aid is awarded based on your GPA, test scores, or a combination of both. Learn more about how merit-based aid works, why it matters, and how to maximize your chances of receiving it! Want a break from

By Laura Whitmore The December SAT has wrapped up, and if you or someone you know took the test, congratulations on making it through! I know how much time, effort, and energy goes into preparing for a test like this. To give you a better understanding of what to expect moving forward, I sat down with one of our incredible tutors, Puneet, who recently took the December SAT herself. Here are the top takeaways and actionable advice for anyone prepping for future tests like Marc

By Laura Whitmore The December SAT is just around the corner, and with it comes a mixture of excitement, nerves, and plenty of questions...