In today’s environment, there are many reasons why you should self study for the SAT. While COVID-19 fundamentally changed standardized testing, we are beginning to see a resurgence of SAT requirements for the more competitive schools (Yale, Harvard, Stanford anyone?). Since standardized testing was pretty much universally optional, the reintroduction of SAT-required college applications, along with the introduction of the digital SAT, is making people question how exactly to best study for these big tests in the first place. Traditional in-person boot camps have fallen out of favor because of poor results relative to the price tag. A conducted government study on standardized testing boot camps found that only 40 points are gained on average. They’re definitely not worth the several thousand dollars it costs. So why not self-study for the SAT Exam? It’s efficient, safe, and can yield a whole lot more than 40 points for [almost] free.




 



Who Should (& Who Shouldn’t) Use SAT Self Study



First, let us start with who shouldn’t. Self studying for anything requires self determination, self discipline, and self motivation. If you consider yourself to be a slacker who is not self-motivated, then SAT self studying is not for you.



However, if you are self motivated, open to learning, and willing to make adjustments, then self studying is for you. In fact, we believe it is the ideal starting point for preparing for the SAT or ACT. 



Why Self Study For SAT Testing



Self studying is, well, self explanatory for the following reasons:




* Practically free
* Highly personalized
* Flexible to your other commitments




In general, self studying costs between $0 to a few hundred bucks. The most expensive option accounts for buying a considerable amount of practice tests and potentially hiring a tutor to relearn old material.



Secondly, self studying is highly personalized in that, who knows your strengths and weaknesses better than you do? And even if you don’t, free tools like Khan Academy can even help you determine them just like a tutor would. They also provide you corrective lessons and exercises to improve upon both your strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, you can always relearn concepts you’ve forgotten by reviewing online material or even textbooks, in tandem with instructional content on YouTube.



Third, self studying is the only option that works around your schedule. In the grand scheme of college admissions, standardized testing is overrated when it comes to so many other things, from summer learning experiences and programs to volunteering and helping your community. Too often parents, and by extension their students, prioritize SAT training over the summer only to find a minuscule point gain and lost time for other opportunities, including sleep. After all, who likes going to a one-size-fits-all test center for 5-7 hours a day anyways? Not only does it not work most of the time, it’s boring and expensive.



How to Self Study for SAT Exams




* Determine your baseline score.
* Diagnose your content weaknesses, or knowledge holes.
* Reinforce & Relearn: strengthen your strengths and lessen your weaknesses.
* Adopt test-taking skills.
* Practice without pressure. Learn how to combine new knowledge with test-taking skills.
* Practice with pressure. Simulate the experience.