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Best SAT Prep YouTube Channels in 2026

  • Writer: Laura (Heslin) Whitmore
    Laura (Heslin) Whitmore
  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read

By Laura Whitmore



As the SAT continues in its digital format, many students use YouTube as a free supplemental resource to support their preparation. While YouTube alone is rarely sufficient for complete SAT prep, several channels consistently provide clear explanations, practical guidance, and useful insights into how the test works.


The channels listed below are not ranked. Each serves a different purpose depending on a student’s needs, whether that’s strategy refinement, foundational instruction, or subject-specific review.



🔍 How These Channels Were Selected


These SAT YouTube channels were included based on:


  • Relevance to the Digital SAT (not the old paper test pre-2024)

  • Accuracy and clarity of explanations

  • Usefulness as a free study supplement

  • Professional hosts with extensive tutoring experience (rather than current students without formal pedagogical training)

  • Viewer engagement

  • Longevity and a consistent posting schedule



Strategic Test Prep — Strategy-Focused SAT Instruction


Strategic Test Prep centers on how students approach the SAT as a test, rather than treating the test as a checklist of academic topics. The channel emphasizes decision-making, pacing, and recognizing recurring question structures that appear across the Digital SAT.


Many videos address common challenges students encounter on the Digital SAT, such as spending too long on early questions, getting stuck between similar answer choices, or misjudging when to move on. Instead of walking through individual questions in isolation, the instruction centers on applying consistent strategies across question types and sections.


Strengths

  • Emphasis on Digital SAT–specific strategy

  • Practical guidance on pacing and efficiency

  • Consistent approach across Math, English, and Reading


Limitations

  • Limited focus on teaching foundational concepts

  • Caters to the 1300/1400 range students aiming for 1500+

  • Requires independent practice to apply strategies


Best suited for: Students who understand core material but want to improve consistency and test-day execution to land a top 1-2% score.



Khan Academy — Foundational SAT Instruction


Khan Academy remains a widely used resource for students building or reviewing foundational SAT skills. As an official partner of the College Board, its content closely reflects the structure and expectations of the Digital SAT.


The instruction is systematic and thorough, making it particularly helpful for students early in their preparation or those who need to strengthen core math, reading, and writing concepts.


Strengths

  • Accurate, up-to-date Digital SAT material

  • Strong coverage of fundamental skills

  • Organized practice problems


Limitations

  • Limited emphasis on test-taking strategy

  • Less helpful for students aiming for top score ranges

  • Feedback can feel generalized


Best suited for: Students beginning SAT prep or rebuilding foundational skills.



Scalar Learning — Advanced SAT Math Support


Scalar Learning is best known for its detailed walkthroughs of challenging SAT math problems. The channel often demonstrates multiple solution paths, which can help students deepen their understanding and improve accuracy on harder questions.


While highly effective for math review, Scalar Learning does not aim to provide a full SAT prep framework.


Strengths

  • In-depth explanations of advanced SAT math questions

  • Clear, step-by-step problem solving

  • Helpful for improving performance on difficult math problems


Limitations

  • Primarily focused on math

  • Minimal reading and writing content

  • Limited discussion of overall test strategy


Best suited for: Students seeking targeted support to strengthen SAT math performance.



Penguin Test Prep — Best New Channel


Penguin Test Prep focuses on explaining individual SAT questions and problem types. The videos are generally clear and approachable, making them useful for reviewing specific topics or correcting misunderstandings.


Because the channel emphasizes individual questions rather than a unified strategy, it works best as a supplemental resource.


Strengths

  • Clear walkthroughs of individual SAT questions

  • Helpful for targeted review

  • Straightforward explanations


Limitations

  • Many videos are limited to Members Only

  • Content depth varies by topic

  • Lacks a structured progression


Best suited for: Students who want additional practice with specific question types.



Settele Tutoring — SAT Question Bank Walkthroughs


Settele Tutoring focuses on explaining individual SAT questions and problem types, with specific focus on question bank problem walkthroughs. If you're using the question bank to supplement your prep, this is a great channel to refer to when you don't understand College Board's convoluted answer explanation.


Strengths

  • Clear walkthroughs of individual SAT questions

  • Helpful for targeted review

  • Straightforward explanations


Limitations

  • Limited emphasis on broader test strategy

  • Content depth varies by topic

  • Lacks a structured progression


Best suited for: Students who want additional practice with specific question types.

SuperTutorTV — SAT Guidance in the College Admissions Context


SuperTutorTV combines SAT preparation guidance with broader advice on study habits and the college admissions process. The channel often focuses on planning, mindset, and general test preparation strategies.


This broader perspective can be helpful for students and families new to the SAT, though the content is less specialized for the Digital SAT format.


Strengths

  • Practical guidance on study planning and organization

  • Clear explanation of how SAT scores factor into the broader college admissions process

  • Valuable context for students and parents preparing for upcoming college applications


Limitations

  • Not laser-focused on SAT, as many videos are about college admissions

  • SAT instruction is more general than detailed

  • Not designed as a comprehensive prep system


Best suited for: Students looking for general standardized test guidance.



👉 Using YouTube Effectively for SAT Prep


YouTube can be a valuable free supplement when used intentionally. Students tend to benefit most when videos are paired with consistent practice, full-length tests, and a clear study plan.


Different channels serve different roles, and many students use a combination of resources depending on where they need the most support.



⏰ Final Thoughts


No YouTube channel can replace comprehensive SAT preparation, but high-quality free resources can make studying more efficient and focused. In 2026, the channels listed above remain among the most useful SAT prep options available on YouTube, each offering distinct strengths and limitations.


Happy Prepping,




 
 
 
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