How To Increase Your SAT Score By Up To 250 Points And Impress Your Dream Colleges By Using an “SAT GPS”
Worried that a low SAT score could hurt your child’s chances of getting into a top college? There’s a proven 5-step strategy that’s helped our students increase their SAT scores and land spots at their dream colleges for 20+ years.
When Maya took her diagnostic SAT test, she got a score of 1250.
Determined to help her get a better result on the real test, we helped Maya implement the “SAT GPS Strategy” as the base of her study plan.
After working hard throughout the fall, Maya took her first official test in October. She scored a 1360 – an increase of 110 points from her diagnostic test.
Less than 2 months later, she took the test again. Maya achieved a final score of 1500.
That's a 250-point boost from her starting point and a 140-point jump between her first and second official attempts.
Here's what Maya's parents had to say about her SAT preparation experience:
Let me explain how she did it...
The SAT GPS Strategy let us tailor Maya’s study to her unique skill set and focus on building up her weak spots. This framework played a critical role in her preparations and helped drive her increased score.
And she’s not the only one… plenty of other students have used it, too:
Scored 1560 on 1st official attempt (diagnostic score was 1470 - that’s +90 points):
My son did SAT prep (online) with your company. Sharing with you good news, that
his first SAT score was 1560 and his first ACT score was 36. THANK YOU for an awesome program you have.Jennifer L. – Parent
+120 points, now comfortably in range of dream colleges:
We just wanted to let you know that
our daughter got a 730 on the math portion of her SAT. That’s a jump from 610 and gives her a superscore of 1520,
which puts her comfortably in the range of all of the schools she’s interested in.Sarah T. – Parent
Best scores yet (superscore of 1510):
I just wanted to let you know
I got my best score and best reading score to date on my August SAT – 750, 740 split EBRW and Math, so a total for a 1490.
This is my best and last SAT score I will receive before I submit my superscore for my college apps. Thank you so much...
my superscore is a 1510 (750,760).Liam P. – Student
Total score of 1560:
Just wanted to let you know
I got a 1560 on my SAT. Pretty happy with it! Thanks for your help.Aiden C. – Student
+200 points, now comfortable and confident about future:
Thank you so much. You helped me
raise my score over 200 points and made me more comfortable and confident about my future.Sophia R. – Student
+70 points:
Our son’s most recent official
SAT score was up 70 points from his prior test.Michael R. – Parent
With this SAT preparation strategy, students have:
Boosted their SAT scores by anywhere from 70 to 200+ points
Met (or exceeded) SAT score requirements of their dream colleges
Confidently walked into SAT re-sits feeling prepared, focused, and confident
Not by working endlessly with no direction...
But by using a strategic, results-driven approach to SAT preparation that builds knowledge, sharpens test-taking skills, and helps students perform at their absolute best on test day.
This SAME strategy can help you and your child:
Create a clear, structured, and highly effective SAT preparation plan
Master key test-taking techniques and apply them with confidence
Conquer mental blocks that sabotage test-day performance
Achieve significant score increases and crush their target score
Dramatically improve their chances of getting into top-choice colleges
WITHOUT…
Burnout from endless, ineffective studying
Stress spiraling out of control before test day
The fear that a low score will derail college dreams
But let’s be clear. This system ONLY works for students who are willing to put in effort. It’s a strategic approach backed by 20 years of proven success – but it requires commitment.
If your child is ready to take control of their SAT prep and maximize their score, then pay close attention to every word on this page.
SAT GPS Strategy solves 3 big problems for parents who want to help students increase their SAT score
“SAT preparation is overwhelming – we’re not sure what resources to use, the best study strategy, the proper study timeline. We don’t even know where to start.”
Are you frustrated and confused by the wide range of SAT prep options out there? Are you worried you’ll waste precious time on strategies that simply won’t work for your child?
The Solution: A prep strategy tailored to your child’s strengths and weaknesses. The SAT GPS Strategy starts with a diagnostic test to pinpoint problem areas. Your study plan is built specifically around those weak points, focused on the specific skills your child needs to improve.
“My child knows how to succeed in school subjects, but we’re having trouble translating that knowledge to test preparation.”
Does your child do well in class, but struggles to prepare for tests? Does the pressure surrounding the SAT make it feel impossible to prepare for?
The Solution: An SAT preparation framework that is tactical and strategic. The SAT is actually a very predictable test. The SAT GPS Strategy removes the guesswork, breaking the test down into predictable patterns. Once students understand the blueprint, prepping for the SAT becomes as straightforward as studying for any school subject.
“College admissions are more competitive than ever. We want to give our child every advantage to secure a spot at their dream college.”
Are you concerned about low college admission rates? Are you stressed about what that means for your child’s opportunities and their future?
The Solution: A preparation strategy that combines knowledge and test-day tactics. The SAT GPS Strategy trains students not just to know the material, but to apply proven test-taking techniques. This strategic edge helps them earn higher scores – without extra stress or wasted effort.
Taking the SAT Without a Strategy Is Like Driving Without a GPS
Sure, you might eventually get to where you want to go…but not without wrong turns, wasted time, and endless frustration.
A GPS won’t drive the car for you or hand you any cheat codes. But what it WILL do is:
Identify exactly where you are and where you need to go
Find the fastest, most efficient route to get there
Provide clear, step-by-step directions so you never feel lost
This is exactly what the SAT GPS Strategy does for students.
It gives them a structured roadmap to tackle the test with confidence. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, they know:
What to expect on test day
How to avoid pitfalls that trip up unprepared students
How to maximize their score with precision and strategy
We’ve spent 20+ years refining this approach. Here's what we've found works best:
The SAT GPS Strategy
Step One: Shift Your Mindset
A student’s mindset can be one of the biggest obstacles they face in the SAT preparation process. Before diving into any study materials, they must first reframe their thinking.
The most important shift is understanding that the SAT is not a test of intelligence. It’s a test of specific knowledge and skills, all of which can be learned and trained.
Even more importantly, the SAT follows a highly predictable format. The key to effective prep is leveraging that predictability to your advantage.
By knowing things like…
What the test covers
What it doesn’t cover
How to identify the different types of questions
…you can work smarter, not harder by tailoring your approach.
Here’s an example:
Imagine you want to increase your score by 200 points.
A broad, general approach might involve panic – studying everything in sight and burning out before test day.
But a strategic approach would be different…
“200 extra points means answering roughly 15 more questions correctly. On my diagnostic test, I missed 9 algebra questions, 6 punctuation questions, and 4 reading comprehension questions. If I start off by strengthening my algebra skills, then working on targeted grammar practice, followed by learning the most effective reading comprehension strategies, I can easily increase my score by 200 points.”
Tactical, strategic, and most importantly, calm and confident.
Step Two: Know Your Starting Point And Tailor Your Plan
Smart SAT prep focuses on the weakest areas that will bring the biggest gains.
We can get specific on what that means by splitting this idea in two:
1. Take a diagnostic test to identify problem areas
When taking this diagnostic, simulate the environment of the real test as best you can for an accurate reading of your weak spots.
Look at the questions you answered incorrectly and analyze your results:
What sections had the highest number of incorrect answers?
What question types did you struggle with the most?
And be specific. Rather than saying, “I got a lot of math questions wrong”, say, “I got a lot of linear equations wrong”.
2. Determine which skills will bring the most score gains
Look at your diagnostic results. Find the specific skills in each section that:
- Have the highest number of incorrect answers, and
- Are most commonly occurring on the test.
Any skills that tick both of these boxes should be top priority on your study plan.
Here’s an example:
Your diagnostic results showed that you correctly answered:
0/3 Geometry questions
3/9 Standard English Convention (grammar and punctuation) questions
Focusing on geometry might gain you 3 more correct answers and increase your score by 50 points.
But improving grammar & punctuation could give you 6 more correct answers, boosting your score by 100 points.
What this means for your prep plan: Grammar and punctuation should be prioritized. Geometry is also important, but should take up a smaller portion of your study time.
BONUS TIP: Be sure to give yourself some quick wins. When looking at the types of questions you missed, pick out ones that are fast and easy to learn and add them into your study plan (grammar and punctuation questions typically fall into this category).
Adding some quick wins into your prep plan builds confidence and motivation – two incredibly valuable tools in both preparing for AND taking the SAT.
Step Three: Build Your Strategy (And Knowledge) Toolbox
A high SAT score requires a combination of knowledge and strategy:
Knowledge allows you to answer questions correctly.
Strategy gives you time and confidence to follow through.
Building Knowledge:
The most effective way to build knowledge is by drilling the concepts that you struggled with in your diagnostic test.
Drills involve repeating a skill until you develop fluency. In kindergarten, you learned to write all the letters of the alphabet by doing it over and over until the knowledge became second nature. It’s the same idea.
Do NOT time yourself while building knowledge. Adding time pressure too early only slows down progress.
Mastering Strategy:
Knowledge only gets you so far in the SAT. A toolbox of strategies will save time during the test, giving you extra minutes up your sleeve for questions that really need it.
Start with what you know: Scan the section, answer the easiest questions first, and save the hardest for last
Eliminate incorrect answers: For hard multiple choice questions, learn the most effective process of elimination (POE) techniques. Quickly cross out obvious wrong choices to save time and improve guessing odds.
Get comfortable with DESMOS before the test: The SAT's built-in calculator can save tons of time – if you know how to use it. Get familiar with it now so you don’t waste precious test time fumbling around.
Reverse-engineer reading questions: Many reading questions can be answered without reading the full passage. Learn to spot key ‘signal’ words in the question and answer choices, and jump to relevant sections.
Learn the 18 fundamental rules of grammar: Nearly every SAT grammar question is based on just 18 rules – that’s it. Master them, and you'll crush this section.
Step Four: Measure Your Progress And Adjust Your Plan Accordingly
Tracking progress is critical to making sure your hard work translates into a higher score. You need to:
- Determine if you’re able to demonstrate your new knowledge on a real test and...
- Evaluate your current study plan, see what’s working (and what’s not), and adjust accordingly.
The best way to do this is by taking timed, official practice tests.
1. Start with timed practice sections.
Focus on your weakest sections first.
Compare new results to your diagnostic test – are you improving?
If not, adjust your study plan early enough to see improvements before test day.
2. Next, do full practice tests.
It's one thing to answer algebra questions during a math-focused session. But answering them after spending an hour on reading and writing is a whole other ball game.
Full practice tests will ensure you have both the endurance and the mental adaptability required to perform well on test day.
3. Add timed drills to your routine.
For skills you still need to hone, incorporate timed drills into your study sessions.
This creates test-like pressure without the time requirements of completing entire practice sections or the full test.
Step Five: Prime Yourself For Optimal Test-Day Performance
Test-day pressure is real. And it robs countless students of the opportunity to accurately demonstrate their true skill and knowledge.
A student’s SAT score often comes down to how well prepared they are for the intensity of the testing environment rather than the content of the test.
Optimal performance requires endurance, confidence, and poise. Developing these attributes should be the focus of your final stage of SAT prep.
1. Do a trial run
Dedicate at least one of your full practice tests to a trial run. Replicate the testing environment as closely as you can here.
The more times you can do this, the better. Replication familiarizes your mind with the test process and environment, and reduces anxiety around the real thing.
2. Identify your pressure points
During your trial run, notice any habits or issues that impact your performance. For example:
Do you rush under pressure?
Do certain question types trip you up when nervous?
3. Add pressure-relieving strategies to your toolkit
Find strategies to work around your pressure points and practice implementing them in your practice sessions. For example,
Slow down: Practice reading questions thoroughly and use the dSAT’s highlighter and annotation tools instead of rushing.
Save tricky questions for later: Flag the questions and tackle them when you’re calmer.
There are a few reasons why the SAT GPS Strategy is so effective for SAT preparation:
It’s tailored to the student. The SAT GPS Strategy uses the student’s diagnostic results as the core of their preparation plan. Their study is built around their strengths and weaknesses – not someone else’s.
It goes beyond just knowledge. The SAT GPS Strategy builds a toolkit of strategies to maximize precious test minutes, giving the student time to fully demonstrate their skills. Because being able to answer every question correctly means nothing if you can’t do it within the time limit.
It strengthens test day performance. The pressure to perform can easily throw students off their game and impact their score. The pressure testing built into the SAT GPS Strategy allows the student to walk in on test day feeling confident and primed to excel.
But the best part about the SAT GPS Strategy is the simplicity.
SAT prep doesn't have to be overwhelming. Boosting your score doesn't require endless hours of exhausting study sessions.
With the right plan, smart strategy, and targeted focus, students can see real score improvements without unnecessary stress.
When it’s done right, the SAT GPS Strategy gives students results like these:
If you’d like to see how the SAT GPS Strategy can prepare your child for the SAT and give them the tools they need to increase their score…you have two options:
Option 1: Do It Yourself
You can take the steps outlined today, look at the strategies provided, and build your child’s own personalized SAT preparation plan.
A strategic prep plan isn’t anything new. We’ve just found a way to simplify the process of tailoring SAT preparation to individual students.
Option 2: Work With Us (And Get A Competitive Edge)
Get private 1:1 online SAT tutoring with PrepMaven. Take the time, confusion, and stress out of SAT preparation, and gain a competitive edge with world-class private tutoring.
Here’s what it looks like to work with PrepMaven:
A Tutor Perfectly Matched to Your Child
World-class tutors from Princeton, PhD candidates, professors, published writers – even former aerospace engineers turned educators. Every tutor is rigorously vetted and highly experienced.
Pinpoint Problem Areas with a Diagnostic Test
We don't just assess broad topics. We identify specific weaknesses so we can tackle the exact skills holding your child back.
Custom-Tailored Lessons
Lessons are built for your child, using expertly designed in-house coursebooks and strategy guides that focus on common SAT traps and proven techniques for success.
A Step-By-Step Study Plan
No more guessing what to study next. Your child will follow a structured plan that ensures consistent progress.
Real-Time Progress Tracking & Adjustments
We continually monitor your child's improvements, adjusting strategies as needed and keeping you informed every step of the way.
This level of detail and commitment to student success has made us a trusted resource for many families. PrepMaven has 50,000+ hrs of tutoring experience, 100% student recommendation rate, and 500+ happy reviews – just like these:
+170 points:
You did an excellent job with preparing our daughter for the SAT. She took the exam in early March and improved her score by approx 170 points. We are very grateful for your help. We highly recommend your tutoring services to other students who are serious about improving their scores. Thanks and keep up the good work!”
– David M., Parent
+60 points after 6 hours of tutoring:
We just wanted to let you Our son got his score this afternoon — 1460, his English was boost 60 after Kate’s coaching only for 6 hours.Thanks for introducing Kate to us and thank you all for your help!”
– Lisa H., Parent
Perfect Math Score and 1530 Total Score:
I got a 1530 on the test -- a 730 on Reading & Writing and a perfect score on Math!
Needless to say, the 3 hrs classes on Sundays and the three mock/diagnostic tests were really helpful. In addition to those, I have found the PrepMaven Grammar Workbook and the Math Coursebook super handy to me.
Thank you for everything you guys put into the SAT MasterClass to make it one of the best SAT tutoring class! I would totally recommend it without hesitation to anyone that needs an extra help on the SAT!”*
– Ethan B., Student
Drastic improvements after 1-1 support:
My SAT score increased drastically from my first practice test to first official. My tutor was very kind and understanding, and helped me understand and master concepts quickly.
The personalized tutoring was more effective for me than group sessions and self tutoring. Truly recommend.”
– Olivia S., Student
Risk-Fee & Satisfaction Guaranteed
PrepMaven makes no promises or warranties with regards to a student's performance as a result of any tutoring provided. However, if you are not satisfied with a session, whether it's the 1st or the 20th session, please let us know and the next session is on us (up to one hour). We'll work with you until we find a suitable replacement tutor. In rare cases where we are unable to resolve the issue, we're happy to process a refund for any unused hours.
Ready to get started? Book an SAT Score Boost Consultation below!
No obligation. No pressure. Just expert guidance.
Here’s what we’ll cover in your free consultation:
Get expert answers to your biggest SAT questions: Our team will clarify key details about the SAT, test prep strategies, and what to expect.
Learn How Our Personalized Tutoring Works: Discover how our 1:1 approach adapts to your student’s needs for maximum results.
Ensure the Perfect Tutor Match for Your Student: We’ll get to know your student’s strengths, challenges, and goals to pair them with the best tutor for success.