You're thinking about the SAT, and the question of when to start studying feels urgent.
Should you begin now?
Wait until junior year?
Spend your entire high school career preparing?
The honest answer is that SAT preparation looks different depending on where you are in your high school journey. Most students benefit from starting dedicated, focused prep about 2 to 3 months before their first test date. However, the foundation for SAT success actually begins much earlier, in ways that feel less like "test prep" and more like developing yourself as a learner and thinker.
If you're in 9th or 10th grade, you're in a perfect position to build the skills that make SAT prep easier when the time comes. Reading widely, for pleasure and curiosity, is one of the most valuable things you can do right now. When you read regularly, you naturally develop critical reading skills, improve your focus, and expand your vocabulary without the pressure of test preparation.
You can also start getting familiar with the SAT format. Taking practice questions here and there helps you understand what the test asks of you, without the intensity of full prep mode. Many students find it helpful to explore official SAT practice materials during this time, just to remove the mystery and build comfort with the question styles.
What matters most during these early years is developing genuine confidence in your abilities as a student. When you feel capable and curious, test preparation becomes something you approach with resilience rather than anxiety.
For most students, spring of junior year is when dedicated SAT prep begins in earnest. Before diving into study mode, take a practice test, either the PSAT or an official SAT practice test. Your starting score gives you valuable information about where you are and what areas need attention.
Once you know your baseline, plan for 2 to 3 months of focused preparation before your first actual test date. If you're aiming to take the SAT in March, May, or June of junior year, count backward to determine when your intensive study should begin.
What makes this timing work is that it's long enough to see real improvement without burning out. You'll build momentum, strengthen weak areas, and develop test-taking strategies while still balancing your regular schoolwork and activities.
Some students choose to start their SAT journey the summer before junior year. Without the competing demands of school, this can be an ideal time for in-depth learning and consistent practice. You have the mental space to really understand concepts, not just memorize formulas or strategies.
If you take this route, you might aim for a May or June SAT during the spring of your junior year. Taking the test in late junior year gives you a baseline score and, crucially, leaves room for a retake in the fall of senior year if you want to improve your results.
After taking the SAT in spring of junior year, you'll have real test experience and an actual score to work with. Many students choose to retake the SAT in August, October, or November of senior year. Research from the NCTA shows that students who retake the SAT often see score improvements, particularly when they focus their preparation on specific areas that need growth.
If you're planning a retake, use the summer before senior year or early fall to refine your approach. You're no longer learning the test from scratch. You're analyzing what worked, what didn't, and where targeted effort will make the biggest difference.
Starting at the right time isn't just about maximizing your score. When you begin preparation too early, you risk burnout and frustration. When you start too late, you feel rushed and anxious. Finding the balance allows you to approach the SAT as one part of your larger high school experience, not the defining feature of it.
We believe test preparation works best when it fits naturally into your life and supports your overall growth as a student and person. At LifeWorks, our SAT preparation focuses on developing the deeper skills that unlock higher scores: information processing, logical thinking, time management, and test-taking confidence. We help you build a sustainable study plan that honors where you are right now while preparing you for where you want to go. Get in touch to talk about creating a timeline that makes sense for your goals, your schedule, and your life.
