Where to start with the SAT? Topic weights and a step-by-step study plan

First look at your target schools' rules

The SAT is an exam run by College Board. Some universities ask for an SAT or ACT score in the application and some do not. So before you start studying, we suggest you look at the test rule of every school on your target list.

• MIT and Yale ask for an SAT or ACT score in first-year applications.
• Princeton does not ask for tests from students starting in fall 2027. SAT or ACT will be required from fall 2028 entry.
• Cambridge looks at the SAT score for applicants using the US system. For 2027 entry it asks for at least 1500 (750 or above in math) for most science fields and economics. In other fields the expected score is at least 1460.
• In Europe, the Stockholm School of Economics and Aalto University in Finland accept applications with SAT or ACT results for English-taught bachelor's applications.

It helps to take the target score from these pages too. The gap between this score and your first practice result decides how long you need to study.

Get to know the exam briefly

The SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. The exam is taken at a test center, on a computer, with the Bluebook app. The total time is 2 hours 14 minutes, with a 10-minute break between the two sections.

Each section is scored from 200 to 800, and the total score is between 400 and 1600. A wrong answer does not take points away. So we suggest you leave no question blank.

We explain how the modules adapt and how the exam differs from the old paper exam in a separate article.

2026 and 2027 exam dates and fees

According to College Board's international calendar, the remaining dates are:

• Deadlines close at 11:59 pm US Eastern Time.
• Until June 2027 the fee is $111 in total, made up of a $68 registration fee and a $43 international fee.
• Those who miss the first registration date pay a $38 late registration fee.
• College Board has also shared the planned dates for fall 2027. They include 28 August, 18 September, 6 November and 4 December 2027.

According to the dates in the table, scores are released to the student about two weeks after the exam. It helps to take the exam at least one session before the application deadline. That way you have time to retake it if needed.

How many questions come from each topic?

College Board publishes the approximate breakdown of questions by topic area. Dividing your study hours according to these weights makes your job easier.

Math

• Algebra: about 35%
• Advanced Math: about 35%
• Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: about 15%
• Geometry and Trigonometry: about 15%

Reading and Writing

• Craft and Structure: about 28%
• Information and Ideas: about 26%
• Standard English Conventions: about 26%
• Expression of Ideas: about 20%

In Math, Algebra and Advanced Math together make up about 70% of the questions. We suggest you give priority to these two areas.

A sample three-month plan

The time you need depends on your starting score and your goal. The plan below is a suggestion. You can lengthen or shorten it to fit your own calendar.

1. Month one: seeing where you are. We suggest you download Bluebook and take a full-length practice test. It helps to open your score in My Practice and read the explanation for every wrong answer. Write the weak topics in a list.
2. Month two: topic study. You can work through the topics on the list in order. Khan Academy Official SAT Prep, which College Board points students to, has thousands of practice questions, videos and lessons.
3. Month three: practice tests and timing. We suggest at least one full practice test a week, followed by error analysis. Sorting mistakes into knowledge gaps, attention and time makes it clear what to work on in the last weeks.

A calculator is allowed in all math questions. Bluebook has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, and you can also bring an approved calculator. It helps to try both in practice tests and pick the one that feels faster to you.

If your score is below your goal

You can take the exam more than once. Before you retake it, we suggest you look at the error breakdown in My Practice and rebuild the plan.

• Score Choice: You can choose which test date's score to send to which school.
• Superscore: Some schools combine your highest section scores from different dates.
• Some schools ask for all scores to be sent.

These rules change from school to school. So we suggest you read each school's score use policy separately.