Notes on studying, scores, and getting in.

Name: Savalia Academy
Rating: 5

Essays on the science of studying, SAT strategy, and admissions, written by the people who teach it, for the parents who are deciding.

How long should you study for the SAT?

Eight to twelve weeks is a reasonable starting point for most students. But the honest answer depends on three questions most families never ask.

Why practice tests alone don't raise scores

Taking test after test feels productive. But a practice test is a thermometer, not a treatment. What happens after the test is what moves the score.

The forgetting curve, and how to beat it

Students forget most of what they learn within days, and that is normal. The fix has been known to science for over a century. Almost nobody uses it.

What a strong SAT score actually buys

Admission is only the first thing a score purchases. The bigger purchase is usually the merit money, and most families find out too late.

How to tell if tutoring is actually working

You are paying for progress, but most programs only show you effort. Here is what real evidence of progress looks like, and the questions worth asking.

Desmos: the tool every student has and almost nobody uses well

A graphing calculator is built into the digital SAT for every student. Used deliberately, it can solve some questions in seconds. Most students never learn how.

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