Complete an official SAT practice test. Access a free one from the College Board website by clicking on "SAT," "Practice," "Full Practice Test" and then "Free Practice Test." Simulate the test-day experience by timing yourself in accordance with the instructions at the top of each section.
Submit your answers and essay online for automatic scoring at the same web page from which you accessed the practice test.
Read the answer explanations for your practice test errors. They are provided once you complete the automatic scoring process. Identify and make a list of the weaknesses and concepts that caused your errors in each section.
Practice problem areas to boost your familiarity and comfort with the question types you missed most on your practice test. Search for lessons and worksheets concerning each concept online, and use SAT preparation books to guide yourself through extra practice. Enlist a tutor for help with strategies, concepts and question types in sections that continue to baffle you.
Practice writing a solid essay in 25 minutes. Read the sample essays and analysis provided with your practice test's answer explanations. On the College Board website, click on "SAT," "Scores" and then "Understanding Your Scores." Scroll down to the section titled "SAT Writing Section Subscores," and click on "Scoring Guide" to access and study the rubric used to score SAT essays. Then on the College Board website, click on "For Professionals," "Testing," "Helping Students Prepare" and then "SAT Essay Prompts" to access prompts from past SAT administrations. Use the prompts for your timed practice.
Study the most commonly tested SAT vocabulary words. Websites such as Major Tests (See Resources) contain lists of such words.
Complete another official practice test. For access, purchase the "Official SAT Study Guide, Second Edition" and subscribe to the Official SAT Online Course. Each contains 10 distinct official practice tests, so purchasing both yields a total of 20 to utilize.
Score the practice test. Visit the Official SAT Study Guide Book Owners Area of the College Board website for a free practice score report and answer explanations. Or, if using the Official SAT Online Course, your practice tests will be scored automatically.
Repeat steps 3-8, adding new trouble areas to your list for extra practice as they arise with each new practice.
Register for the SAT on the College Board website once you're satisfied with your progress.
Get a full night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the SAT so that you're fully alert and at your best throughout the test.
Retake the SAT on as many of the dates offered prior to your admissions deadlines as you desire, to aim for further score increases.