The 10 Biggest SAT Study Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

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 YouTube video instead!

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❌ Mistake 1. Not Reading the Question Carefully

This one might sound obvious, but it's the number 1 mistake for a reason. The SAT is designed to trick students who rush or skim. A question might ask, “By how much more did person A win?” but students answer as if it asked, “How much did person A get?” Or the question might ask for the product of two values, and a student only solves for one. Always double-check what the question is actually asking before selecting an answer.

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❌ Mistake 2. Overanalyzing the Reading Passages

In school, students are often trained to find symbolism, tone shifts, and deeper meaning in literature. But the SAT isn’t looking for creative interpretation—it wants literal understanding. The test rewards students who can find direct textual evidence to support their answers. Think of it more like reading a user manual than a novel. Accuracy and precision matter more than analysis.

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❌ Mistake 3. Not Adjusting Pacing in Module 2

The SAT is split into two modules per section, and Module 2 is adaptive—it gets more challenging based on performance in Module 1. If students move at the same pace in Module 2 as they did in Module 1, they may run out of time. It’s critical to shift gears and work with urgency, especially when a question feels tough. Knowing when to skip and come back later can make all the difference.

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❌ Mistake 4. Avoiding Weak Areas

It’s common for students to focus on the sections they’re good at—math lovers may keep drilling math, even if their English score is lagging. But real improvement happens when students face their weak areas head-on. Think of it like working out: training your strongest muscle group over and over won’t lead to overall progress. Focusing on the hard stuff is where the growth is.

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❌ Mistake 5. Not Reviewing Mistakes

Taking a practice test is only part of the process. The real learning happens during review. If a student doesn’t go back and figure out why they got a question wrong, they’re likely to repeat the mistake. I encourage all of my students to keep a “misses journal” where they log their errors, note the reason behind each one, and revisit them a few weeks later. That’s how true mastery happens.

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❌ Mistake 6. Cramming the Night Before

You can’t cram for the SAT the way you might cram for a history test. It covers a wide range of concepts and skills that need time and repetition. Trying to cram everything the night before usually leads to stress and underperformance. Instead, I recommend building a study plan that spans one to three months, depending on the target score and starting point.

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❌ Mistake 7. Setting Unrealistic Goals

I’ve had students come to me hoping to raise their score by 400 points in three weeks. While anything is possible, that’s not a realistic expectation for most. On average, students improve about 100 points per month with consistent, high-quality prep. It’s important to set goals that are challenging but achievable, and to give yourself enough time to get there.

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❌ Mistake 8. Putting Too Much Weight on One Practice Test Score

One high practice score doesn’t mean it will happen on test day—and one low score doesn’t mean you’re doomed. What matters is consistency. If you’re scoring around 1350 on multiple tests, you can feel more confident that’s your range. And if you’re using the College Board’s Bluebook tests, keep in mind that many students find the real test a bit harder. I typically recommend mentally adjusting Bluebook scores down by about 30–40 points to get a more realistic estimate.

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❌ Mistake 9. Comparing Test Answers with Friends

After a real SAT, I always tell students not to compare answers with their friends. Everyone gets a slightly different version of the test, and the SAT recycles passages, questions, and answer choices with small variations. Comparing answers only leads to unnecessary stress. What matters is your own performance, not what someone else put for the question about circles.

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❌ Mistake 10. Ignoring the ACT

Some students are so focused on the SAT that they never consider trying the ACT. But colleges treat both tests equally. I’ve seen students who struggled with the SAT take a practice ACT and immediately score the equivalent of 50–100 points higher. It’s worth taking a free ACT practice test to see if it’s a better fit. You might be surprised.

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✅ A Smarter Way to Practice

If you’re looking for a convenient way to build SAT skills without committing to a full-length test every time, I highly recommend checking out Preptly—our mobile SAT prep app. It’s designed to be practical and engaging, with question types that reflect the actual test, customizable quizzes, and even an AI tutor that quizzes you based on your weak areas. It’s great for students who want to get in consistent daily practice and see real results.

If you or someone in your family is prepping for the SAT, I hope this list helps you avoid the most common pitfalls and build a smarter study strategy. And if you're looking for more structured help, we offer self-paced courses, live strategy classes, and 1:1 tutoring to support students at every level.

Happy prepping!