Last-Minute May SAT Tips That Actually Boost Your Score

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By Laura Whitmore

If you’re gearing up for the May SAT administration, this is your final tune-up. The last week before the test isn’t about cramming more content—it’s about making smart, strategic adjustments that help you perform at your best on test day.

I’m Laura Whitmore, a 1590 scorer and founder of Strategic Test Prep. I’ve been coaching the SAT for nearly 20 years, and these are the exact last-minute shifts my 1500+ students use to maximize their scores right before the exam. These strategies are simple, practical, and designed to help you walk into the test feeling focused, confident, and ready.

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💡Tip #1: Start Strong: Warm Up Your Brain Before the Test

One of the most overlooked strategies is what you do right before the test begins. Your brain works like a muscle—you don’t want to go in cold.

Instead of scrolling on your phone or sitting passively, spend a few minutes in the parking lot doing a short warm-up. Light, easy questions—both English and math—are enough to get your brain into test mode. The goal isn’t to challenge yourself, but to activate your thinking so you feel sharp from the very first question.

To make this easy, we’ve put together a free SAT warm-up set you can use right before walking into the exam. It includes a mix of simple English and math questions designed to build confidence and get your brain focused—so you’re ready to go from question one.

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💡Tip #2: Be Strategic with English Timing

The hardest and most time-consuming questions on the Digital SAT English section are typically the reading passages, especially the “command of evidence” and “logically completes the text” questions.

A smarter approach is to save these for last. Many high scorers jump ahead to the grammar questions first, finish those quickly, and then come back to the reading passages with more time and focus. Another option is working backward through the section to break up the reading and give your brain small mental resets.

The key is to avoid getting stuck early on the hardest questions.

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💡Tip #3: The Night Before Matters More Than You Think

It’s tempting to cram everything the night before—but that usually backfires.

Instead, set a cutoff time in the late afternoon. Do some light review earlier in the day—look over notes or revisit questions you’ve already missed—but avoid full practice tests or heavy studying. After that, shift into relaxation mode.

Think of the SAT like a marathon. You wouldn’t run a race the day before the big event. Resting your brain is one of the best things you can do to improve performance.

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💡Tip #4: Use Simple Grammar Shortcuts

Some grammar questions can be solved almost instantly if you know what to look for. For example, if you see semicolons used in a list, that’s often the correct answer choice. Similarly, when you’re stuck between two comma options, choosing the one with fewer commas will often increase your odds of being correct.

These small patterns save time and reduce overthinking.

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💡Tip #5: Don’t Leave Points on the Table

There is no penalty for guessing on the SAT, so never leave a question blank.

If you’re running out of time, it’s better to choose a consistent letter or make educated guesses than to skip questions entirely. Just be careful not to rush too quickly—take a few seconds between answers to stay deliberate and avoid careless mistakes.

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💡Tip #6: Keep It Simple: When in Doubt, Use Fewer Commas

Comma questions can quickly become confusing, especially when answer choices look very similar.

If you find yourself stuck between two options and overthinking the rules, there’s a simple fallback: choose the option with fewer commas. While this isn’t a rule that applies 100% of the time, it significantly increases your odds of getting the question right when you’re unsure.

On test day, efficiency matters just as much as accuracy. Instead of spending too long trying to justify every comma, use this as a quick decision-making shortcut and keep moving.

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💡Tip #7: Manage Your Time on Vocabulary Questions

Words-in-context questions should move quickly. Either you know the answer or you don’t.

Spending two or three minutes on a single vocabulary question will cost you valuable time elsewhere. Aim to spend no more than about 30 seconds, make your best choice, and move on.

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💡Tip #8: Use Backward Solving on Math

When you’re stuck on a math word problem, don’t force a complicated setup.

Instead, use the answer choices. Plug them back into the problem and see which one works. This “backdoor” approach is often faster and more reliable, especially under time pressure.

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💡Tip #9: Look to the Last Sentence on Reading Questions

A powerful strategy for many reading questions is focusing on the final sentence of the passage.

For main idea, purpose, or structure questions, the answer is often reflected there. This won’t work every time, but when it does, it can save you significant time and help you move more efficiently through the section.

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💡Tip #10: Double-Check Module 1 Math

If you’re aiming for a high math score, accuracy is everything.

Module 1 tends to feel easier, which makes it easy to rush and make careless mistakes. If you finish early, go back and redo each problem rather than just scanning your work. Actively solving the problem a second time is one of the most effective ways to catch errors.

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Final Thoughts

The last week before the SAT isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what works.

Focus on staying sharp, managing your time, and avoiding common mistakes. These small adjustments can make a meaningful difference in your score.

If you want to learn more tips, tricks and strategies to get you ready for the May test this weekend, you can still purchase the recording and notes for our 2-hour Advanced SAT Crash Course. Register here and we will send it to you!

Good luck on the May SAT—you’ve got this.

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Laura Whitmore is the founder and CEO of Strategic Test Prep. She has 19 years of SAT tutoring experience and scores a 1590 on the Digital SAT.