How to Improve Your SAT Score in 30 Days: A Step-by-Step Guide

Time is ticking, and you’ve only got 30 days until your SAT test date. Don’t worry! With the right strategies and focused effort, you can significantly improve your score in just one month. Whether you’re a junior getting ready for your first SAT, a senior racing against deadlines, or a student aiming for a top-tier university, this guide will walk you through a personalized approach to improving your score. At Inlighten Tutoring, our holistic, small-group tutoring approach has helped countless students raise their scores and unlock their limitless potential. Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Assess Your Starting Point (Day 1-2)

To begin, take a full-length, timed SAT practice test. You can use the official SAT tests from College Board or our Inlighten Tutoring practice resources. This diagnostic test will give you an accurate baseline score and help identify your weaknesses. After reviewing your results, pinpoint the areas where you struggled the most, whether it’s algebra, grammar, reading comprehension, or pacing. These insights will guide your 30-day study plan.

For juniors, this is your first exposure to the real SAT format. Be thorough in analyzing your mistakes, as your goal is to learn from them early in the process. Seniors and students aiming to improve by over 100 points should use this assessment to build on previous experience, focusing on the sections they’ve historically found most challenging.

Step 2: Create a Targeted Study Plan (Days 3-5)

Now that you know where you stand, it’s time to set a realistic target score. Whether you’re aiming to boost your math score by 50 points or your reading score by 100, set specific, measurable goals for each section. With a 30-day timeline, allocate more study time to your weakest areas while maintaining balance across all sections.

Juniors: Focus on mastering the foundational skills in both math and reading.
Seniors: If you’ve taken the test before, this is the time to fine-tune strategies and avoid repeating mistakes.
Top-Tier Aspirants: Emphasize time management and strategy, as every point counts when competing for top scores.
100-Point Improvement Goals: Concentrate on closing gaps in key areas and breaking down complex problems step-by-step.

At Inlighten Tutoring, we focus the first month on math and the second month on reading. For this guide, you’ll follow a balanced approach but can tweak the focus depending on your needs.

Step 3: Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week 1 (Days 6-12): Master the Basics

Math: Review fundamental concepts such as linear equations, quadratic equations, and data analysis. Make sure you remember critical formulas like the quadratic formula and the circle equation.
Reading/Writing: Practice daily reading comprehension by reading and summarizing a topic that is interesting to you. Learn how to spot main ideas, key details, and inference questions quickly. Review grammar rules, paying special attention to punctuation and verb agreement.

Practice Test Tip: Take timed practice sections (math or reading) every two days, reviewing mistakes to ensure understanding.

Week 2 (Days 13-19): Target Weaknesses

This week is all about drilling down into problem areas.

Math: Tackle more advanced topics such as geometry, trigonometry, and word problems. Use Desmos to efficiently visualize graphs and solve complex problems especially since it will be the calculator that is provided on the Digital SAT.
Reading/Writing: Focus on speed reading techniques, as time is one of the biggest obstacles students face. Practice annotating passages and eliminating wrong answers.

Juniors: Continue building core skills.

Seniors and Top-Tier Aspirants: Refine strategies for solving tricky problems faster.

100-Point Improvers: Pay extra attention to mistakes from your diagnostic test and work on breaking bad habits.

Take one full-length practice test by the end of the week. At Inlighten Tutoring, we always recommend reviewing the questions you missed, as they hold the key to understanding what’s holding you back.

Week 3 (Days 20-26): Test-Taking Strategies

This week, you’ll focus on time management and mental stamina.

Math: Work on pacing yourself. Try solving problems quickly and efficiently while checking your work for common mistakes (like negatives or forgotten constants).
Reading/Writing: Focus on the “command of evidence” questions and practice supporting your answers with specific passages from the text.

Simulated Test: Take another full-length practice test under real test conditions to gauge improvement.

Juniors: Start working on how to handle test anxiety.

Seniors: Focus on perfecting timing strategies—this is key for you at this stage.

Top-Tier Aspirants: Hone your pacing and focus on advanced-level questions.

100-Point Improvers: Revisit all your weak spots and keep drilling those areas. This will make all the difference on test day.

Week 4 (Days 27-29): Final Review and Confidence Boost

With only a few days left, it’s time to reinforce what you’ve learned and focus on building confidence.

Math: Review your error log, paying particular attention to formulas you tend to forget (like the quadratic and circle equations). Keep practicing mental math to increase speed.
Reading/Writing: Do a final review of grammar rules and quick reading techniques.

Remember: Confidence is key! Our holistic approach at Inlighten Tutoring emphasizes positive mental preparation just as much as academic skills. Whether you’re aiming for a top university or simply looking to boost your score by 100 points, mental readiness will give you the edge.

Day 30: Rest and Prepare for Test Day

The day before the test, do a light review—no cramming! Make sure you have all your materials ready: admission ticket, photo ID, calculator, and a snack. Most importantly, get a good night’s sleep and come to the test center with confidence. At Inlighten Tutoring, we know that with the right preparation, you’re more than ready.

Final Thoughts

Improving your SAT score in 30 days is absolutely possible with the right focus, strategies, and resources. Whether you’re a junior just starting out, a senior in need of a score boost, or aiming for a top-tier college, following this step-by-step plan will help you see meaningful results. Remember, at Inlighten Tutoring, our mission is to help you unlock your mind’s limitless potential—not just for the SAT, but for lifelong success. Good luck!