Insights and tips for the August 24, 2024 SAT: The largest exam of the year and how to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The August 24, 2024 SAT exam is the largest exam of the year by number of students, especially those who crammed during the summer. Here's what you need to know going into the exam:
August is typically the most popular SAT exam date due to several factors.
Firstly, many students have spent the summer preparing intensively, taking advantage of the break from school to focus solely on SAT preparation. This makes the August exam a prime choice for those looking to capitalize on their summer study efforts. Students who studied with tutors or enrolled in SAT bootcamps are also instructed to sign up for this exam.
Secondly, rising seniors see this test offering as a crucial opportunity to solidify their scores before college application season begins. For many, this is their last chance to take the SAT before early application deadlines in the fall.
Finally, the end of summer marks a return to school routines, making it challenging for students to find time to prepare for the SAT once the school year begins. The August exam, therefore, becomes a strategic choice for many who want to avoid the added stress of balancing SAT prep with schoolwork and extracurricular activities (and college applications for high-school seniors).
The difficulty of the August exam is expected to match that of the March, May, and June exams.
This means students should prepare for a rigorous test with challenging questions, especially in the latter modules. Expect Module 2 for both the Reading and Writing and Math sections to remain particularly challenging.
In terms of difficulty, College Board has not indicated any plans to make the exam easier, so students should expect a similar level of difficulty to previous exams.
We recommend focusing on high-difficulty practice questions. This will better prepare students for the actual exam. Practicing with materials on par or even more difficult than the real SAT can help students build the skills and confidence needed to tackle the most difficult questions on test day.
As with previous exams, time management is still a critical aspect of succeeding on the SAT. Many students reported running out of time to finish the hard second modules, particularly on the math sections.
Students should practice completing sections within the allotted time to ensure they can effectively manage their time on test day. This includes pacing themselves, prioritizing questions, and knowing when to move on from a challenging question to avoid getting stuck.
Due to high demand, the August exam registration is nearly full. Students should register early for future exam dates to secure their spots. This is especially important for those who are planning to retake the SAT or who need specific test dates to fit their college application timelines.
This exam marks the end of summer, with many schools not offering test centers. Consequently, available spots fill up quickly. Students who haven't registered yet should act fast to avoid missing out on their preferred test center and date.
Planning ahead is essential. We advise students to look into alternative dates if they haven't registered yet. The College Board offers several SAT dates throughout the year, and registering early can help ensure students have a spot reserved for their chosen date.
For those who miss the August registration deadline, there are still opportunities to take the SAT in the fall. The October, November and December exams are popular choices for students who need additional time to prepare or who are retaking the test to improve their scores.
Finally, we always recommend students to be wary of registration deadlines. The College Board typically closes registration about a month before each exam, so students should be mindful of these deadlines and plan accordingly.
If there's still availability, we highly recommend rising seniors who haven't taken an SAT before to take this exam. Taking a first SAT in August will allow students to retake it again before college application deadlines (if necessary), providing a cushion in case they need to improve their scores.
Rising juniors don't need to rush into taking their first SAT now. They have the flexibility to take it later this year or even in March next year (we typically recommend this sitting for first-time juniors). This allows them more time to prepare and develop their test-taking skills before their first attempt.
Strategically timing the test dates can help alleviate pressure. It ensures students are fully prepared when they take the exam. For juniors, spreading out their test dates can help balance SAT preparation with their regular schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
Juniors, seniors, and all other students taking the SAT should take advantage of available resources such as practice tests and study guides. Test Ninjas provides the most comprehensive Digital SAT practice platform with over 10,000 practice questions, dozens of practice tests and unique study guides for every problem type on the exam.