Blog
Study strategies, SAT tips, and updates from the College Test Coach team.
September 24, 2026
How to Improve Your SAT Reading & Writing Score: The Skill-by-Skill Approach
Find which of the four SAT Reading & Writing skill areas are costing you points and choose what to practice next.
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September 24, 2026
How to Use the Desmos Calculator on the Digital SAT
Every Digital SAT Math question allows a calculator. How Bluebook's built-in Desmos graphing calculator works, and when it saves time versus when it doesn't.
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September 24, 2026
SAT Accommodations on the Digital SAT
Extended time, extra breaks, and other accessibility supports on the Digital SAT—and how they work in Bluebook.
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September 24, 2026
SAT Superscore and Retakes: How It Works
What superscoring means, which colleges use it, and how to decide whether to take the SAT again after you have a score report.
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September 24, 2026
SAT Test Day Checklist: Bluebook Setup and What to Bring
Download Bluebook before test day, confirm your device, and pack what College Board requires for the Digital SAT.
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August 6, 2026
How to Read Your SAT Score Report: Every Number Explained
Your SAT score report has more in it than the total. Here's what the section scores, percentiles, and skill-area ranges actually mean.
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June 22, 2026
Got Your SAT Scores Back? Here's Your Next Move
SAT scores just dropped. Whether you hit your goal or not, here's how to read your results and what to do next.
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June 12, 2026
Best Free SAT Prep in 2026: Every Option That's Actually Free
Our complete guide to free SAT prep apps, includes College Test Coach, Khan Academy, Bluebook, Gemini, and OnePrep, and how to combine them.
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June 11, 2026
Best SAT Prep Apps in 2026: An Honest Comparison
There are now dozens of SAT prep apps. Here's a breakdown of what each does well and who it fits.
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June 10, 2026
Can Gemini Really Prep You for the SAT? An Honest Review
Google's Gemini now offers free SAT practice with Princeton Review-vetted questions. Here's a fair look at what it does well and where it falls short.
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June 1, 2026
SAT Score Not Improving? Here's Why (And the Fix)
If your SAT score has plateaued, you're probably studying the wrong things. Here's the real reason scores stall and how to break through.
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May 29, 2026
SAT Prep by Grade: When to Start and What to Focus On
A grade-by-grade guide to SAT prep detailing what 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th graders should (and shouldn't) be doing, and how to use the PSAT along the way.
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May 28, 2026
The Digital SAT Format Explained (2026)
Everything about the Digital SAT format: sections, adaptive modules, Bluebook, timing, question counts, and what changed from the paper test.
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May 27, 2026
SAT Score Percentiles 2026: What Your Score Really Means
Full percentile tables for the 2026 Digital SAT (Total, Math, and Reading & Writing) plus how to set a realistic target score for your school list.
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May 17, 2026
SAT vs ACT: Which Test Should Your Student Take? (2026 Guide)
The SAT and ACT are both accepted by every major college, so which is right for your student? The answer depends on their strengths, not fixed rules.
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May 12, 2026
How to Study for the SAT in One Month: A Week-by-Week Plan
One month is enough time to meaningfully improve your SAT score if you plan your time strategically. Here's a week-by-week plan that prioritizes high-impact work.
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May 5, 2026
What Is a Good SAT Score? (And How to Get There)
A 'good' SAT score depends on what you're trying to do with it. Here's a breakdown of score ranges, what colleges expect, and how to reach your target.
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May 3, 2026
PSAT vs SAT: Key Differences and How to Prep for Both
The PSAT and SAT test the same skills but serve different purposes. Knowing the differences helps you use both strategically for National Merit qualification.
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May 1, 2026
How to Help Your Child Prepare for the SAT (Parent's Complete Guide)
Parents want to help with SAT prep but aren't sure how. This guide covers what works, what backfires, and how to support your student without stress.
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April 30, 2026
The 8 SAT Skill Areas Explained (And Which One Is Costing You Points)
The SAT tests 8 specific skill areas across Math and Reading & Writing. Learn what they each cover and how to minimize lost points.
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April 27, 2026
How to Improve Your SAT Math Score: The Skill-by-Skill Approach
Find which of the four SAT Math skill areas are costing you points and choose what to practice next.
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April 23, 2026
When Should You Start Preparing for the SAT? (By Grade Level)
When you start SAT prep matters as much as how you prep. Here's a grade-by-grade guide to when students should begin, and what to focus on at each stage.
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April 21, 2026
How to Improve Your SAT Score by 200 Points
A 200-point SAT score improvement is achievable for most students, but only if you study the right things. Here's the systematic approach that works.
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