How to Boost Your SAT Score Fast (Using Science-Backed Study Strategies)

If you're short on time and looking to squeeze the most out of every SAT prep session, you’re not alone. Good news — there are proven learning strategies that can help you make real progress, faster.

These tips are inspired by research in Make It Stick, a book that unpacks what truly helps students retain knowledge. Spoiler alert: It’s not mindless repetition or cramming the night before.

1. Mix It Up to Master It

In one experiment, college students were taught how to calculate the volume of unusual shapes. One group practiced by category — first 30 questions on one shape, then 30 on another, and so on. Another group got the same problems, but shuffled — a mix of all shapes throughout.

The twist? The group that had mixed practice scored much higher when tested a week later — despite struggling more during practice.

A similar test with kids tossing beanbags showed the same thing: those who practiced at different distances (not just the target one) performed better when tested.

So what’s the takeaway for your SAT prep?
Don’t just grind through the same question types. Once you understand the core concept, push yourself by mixing up question styles. For instance, instead of only drilling triangle area problems, toss in questions about angles, coordinate geometry, and volume. Better yet, combine math, reading, and grammar exercises in one study session. The more your brain has to shift gears, the stronger your recall later.

This is why at Preppinbee, our question bank and Predicted Questions feature vary your practice every time — so you're not memorizing answers, you're actually learning.

2. To Remember More, Let Yourself Forget

It may sound strange, but forgetting something is actually part of how you learn it.

Research shows that when you space out your studying and return to material after a few days, your brain has to work harder to recall it — and that effort makes the memory stronger. In fact, people who cram might do well on a test the next day but forget most of it a week later. Those who space out study sessions hold onto the material much longer.

Try this:

• Review vocab every few days instead of cramming the night before.
• Revisit a tricky math concept a week after you first learned it.
• Spread practice tests out over a few weeks — not all in one weekend.

Each time you struggle to remember and then recall the info, you’re reinforcing it. So don’t panic if you forget — that’s when the real learning happens.

3. Use Tests as a Tool — Not a Final Step

It’s common to think tests come after you’ve studied. But the smartest learners use tests as part of the learning process.

In one study, students who read a passage and then took a quiz remembered twice as much after a week than students who only re-read the passage.

Why? Because testing forces you to actively retrieve information — it makes you face what you don’t know. It’s harder than reviewing notes, sure, but way more effective.

So instead of thinking, “I’ll take a practice test once I’m ready,” flip the mindset:
Take the test to get ready. Review your mistakes. Learn what you missed. Then try again. This is how learning gets sticky.

At Preppinbee, our platform helps you track your progress, target weak areas, and test yourself often — because that’s how you grow.

4. If It Feels Easy, You’re Not Learning

When practice feels easy, you’re probably just reviewing what you already know.

One experiment showed that people who had to fill in missing letters in a word (like “arm-sl__ve”) remembered the word better than those who just read it. Struggling a little during learning led to stronger recall later.

The same applies to SAT prep:

• Feel stuck on paired passage questions? Keep at them.
• Hate functions? Time to tackle more.
• Grammar rules giving you grief? That’s your cue to lean in.

Challenge is a sign you’re stretching your brain. That discomfort? It’s progress in disguise.

Push outside your comfort zone. Don’t aim for a false sense of accomplishment by breezing through easy problems. Aim to get uncomfortable — that’s where the biggest gains are.

Final Thoughts

At Preppinbee, we believe in smart prep — not just more prep. We build tools designed to help you study efficiently, challenge yourself, and actually retain what you learn.

So the next time you're planning your study session, remember:

• Mix your practice.
• Space your reviews.
• Test early and often.
• Embrace the challenge.

You’ve got this — and we’ve got your back. 🐝

Sign up for free and start prepping smarter → https://sat.preppinbee.com/signup

‍