Study Smarter, Not Longer: SAT Tactics That Actually Work

If you’re looking to get the most improvement in the least amount of time, this post is for you.

These study tips aren’t just opinions — they’re backed by cognitive science and drawn from powerful research, including insights from the book Make It Stick, a favorite among learning experts. We’ve taken those findings and turned them into actionable SAT prep strategies.

Let’s dive in.

1. Master the Basics, Then Mix It Up

Here’s something surprising: students who struggled more during practice ended up performing better on the final test.

In one study, two groups of students were taught how to solve geometry problems:

• Group A practiced the same type of problem over and over again (30 triangle volume questions, then 30 sphere volume ones, etc.).
• Group B got a mixed set every time — a random shuffle of different problem types.

During practice, Group A seemed stronger. But on the real test? Group B crushed it — with a 3x performance boost.

Why? Because mixed practice forces your brain to switch gears, apply different strategies, and truly understand what’s being asked — not just memorize patterns.

What this means for your SAT prep:
Don’t just do 20 of the same question in a row. Start that way if you need to build confidence, but once you’ve got the hang of it, blend your practice.

• Mix circle problems with angles, then throw in a little algebra.
• Alternate grammar questions with transitions and punctuation.
• Jump between reading passages that test tone, purpose, and evidence.

Yes, it’s harder. But your brain will thank you later — on test day.

2. Want to Remember? Forget First.

Cramming might help you score high tomorrow, but a week later? That info is gone.

Real retention requires forgetting — then recalling.

Here’s the science:
In one study, students who crammed remembered 50% less within 48 hours. But those who spaced out their learning barely lost anything. In another experiment, people memorized word pairs. Those who had to wait and recall the pair (after seeing 20 other words) remembered more than those who saw it again right away.

Why? Because effortful recall rewires your memory. When your brain has to work to remember, it stores that info deeper.

Your SAT action plan:

• Spread out your vocab review — a little bit every day.
• Revisit grammar rules you learned a week ago.
• Redo questions you missed after a few days.
• Don’t be afraid to forget — it means you’re priming your brain to lock it in for real.

3. Test Yourself to Learn — Not Just to Measure

Many students wait until they feel ready before they take a practice test.

That’s backwards.

Taking practice tests early and often isn’t just a way to check progress — it’s one of the best ways to learn.

In a study highlighted by The New York Times, students who were quizzed on what they read remembered twice as much a week later as students who just read and reread. Another classic study with thousands of middle schoolers found that once a student had taken an initial test, their knowledge stuck — even if they delayed reviewing again later.

Why this works:
Testing forces you to pull info from memory. It exposes weak spots. It makes you aware of what you actually know (vs. what you think you know).

So start testing yourself early.
Use practice quizzes, timed drills, and full-length sections. Even when you bomb them at first, you’re building recall muscle.

At Preppinbee, our platform makes this easy — from full practice tests to AI-powered explanations that show you what to focus on next.

4. Struggle Now, Score Later

It might sound counterintuitive, but easier studying often leads to worse results.

Remember the earlier word-pair study? Students remembered words better when they had to figure out the missing part (like “arm-sl__ve”) than when they just saw the full answer (“arm-sleeve”).

Why? Because the struggle deepened their learning.

What this means for you:
Stop avoiding the hard stuff.

If you’re always doing the questions you’re comfortable with, you’re not learning — you’re reinforcing what you already know. That feels good in the moment, but won’t move the needle.

Instead:

• Challenge yourself with topics you hate.
• Tackle confusing passages.
• Push through questions that make you uncomfortable.
• Make mistakes — then study them.

That uneasy, frustrating feeling? It’s a signal that your brain is growing.

Final Thoughts: The Shortcut Is Doing the Work (The Right Way)

These strategies may not be flashy, but they’re wildly effective:

• Mix your practice
• Space your review
• Test before you’re ready
• Embrace the hard stuff

You don’t need to study more. You just need to study smarter.

And Preppinbee is here to help you do exactly that.
Try our free practice questions, personalized study guides, and smart test generation tools built to help you study the way science says works best.

‍

Start your smarter SAT prep now => https://sat.preppinbee.com/signup

‍