SAT Prep

Half Year Course – Fall; 90 minutes

Early equations ...

Question: Why should a college-bound homeschooler take the SAT? 

Answer: SAT scores increase opportunities for merit-based scholarships, support transcript grades, and enhance college applications. Some colleges, such as CSM, use SAT scores to meet entry-level math course prerequisites.

This course will teach how to confidently and accurately complete the new Digital SAT. Help your teen boost their SAT scores through knowledge of the testing layout and familiarity with the question types while using time-saving strategies, including when and when not to use a calculator. This class also targets key Verbal and Math concepts. Review activities and games will be included weekly.

Grading is based on class participation and the on-time completion of assignments. The homework establishes the regular practice of SAT practice questions – the best way to prepare! Grades will NOT incorporate practice test scores.

When should students take this course? 

  • To ensure readiness to tackle the SAT’s Math content, it is recommended that students have completed both A) Algebra 1 AND B) either Algebra 2 or Geometry.
  • 12th-graders: Use this course to achieve a strong or improved SAT score in the spring of the senior year. This course is for seniors who want to raise their junior year SAT scores or those who took Algebra 1 in the 10th grade.
  • 11th-graders: This course prepares juniors following a typical or advanced math progression for the 2026 spring semester SAT testing dates.
  • If your teen took this course as a 10th or 11th grader last fall, he or she may repeat the class to continue improving their skills with accountability for weekly practice.
  • Advanced 10th-graders: This course begins to prepare 10th-grade students with advanced math or logic aptitude to compete for National Merit Scholarships in the fall of 2026, their 11th-grade year. See https://www.nationalmerit.org for the scholarship’s details.
  • SAT Prep is NOT appropriate for a student currently enrolled in Algebra 1.
  • Thinking about the ACT? The overall testing strategies and tips for many math and verbal question types are beneficial for any standardized test. 

Prerequisite(s):

  • Required: Algebra 1 with a strong C (75%+) or higher
  • Strongly Recommended: Algebra 2 or Geometry with a C or higher
  • If Algebra 1 was challenging, complete another year or two of math to improve math skills before attempting SAT Prep.

Text(s) and Resources: Purchase NEW or  “Like new” USED books to ensure clean pages.

  • TEXTBOOK: Princeton Review Digital SAT Prep, 2026, ISBN: 978-0593518359 (Beginning 6 May 2025) Book must be purchased new, ~$25 at Amazon.
  • Practice Questions WORKBOOK: SAT Level Up! Verbal, (Princeton Review), ISBN: 978-0593516546 (New $17 at Amazon; used copies available)
  • Practice Questions WORKBOOK: SAT Level Up! Math, (Princeton Review), ISBN: 978-0593516539 (New $17 at Amazon; used copies available)

Required Free Online Resources:

  • Individual student accounts for:
    • ThinkWave Student Account (CCT email)
    • Princeton Review (QR code found inside the textbook)
    • College Board
    • Khan Academy
  • Install the Bluebook app (College Board) on your laptop or home computer.
  • Access online Kahoots or Quizlets using a cellphone or laptop
  • Optional: LINK your College Board account to your Khan Academy account

Required Classroom Materials:

  • 1” binder with 12 tabbed dividers, with a small amount of lined paper
  • Pen for notetaking; pencil for in-class math practice
  • Five highlighter pens (blue, yellow, green, pink, and orange or purple)
  • One pack of small or medium sticky notes
  • Recommended: Bring a laptop to class every day.
  • Download the DESMOS calculator app to your laptop and/or phone.
  • Optional: A personal scientific calculator is only recommended if you already own one and have been using it consistently for a few years.

Homework: 

  • Plan for 10-20 minutes, four to five days a week. Daily regular practice improves SAT scores more effectively than cramming.

Other Information:

  • For parents saving pre-2023 paper-based SAT books or programs, THROW THEM into a recycling bin. Outdated SAT guides teach incorrect information. Invest in Digital SAT instruction dated 2024 or later.
  • The Digital SAT overhauled the paper SAT by using adaptive learning technology, shortening the testing time, revising the question types, and developing a streamlined testing environment with its online interface. Provide the updated, correct info for positive results!

Additional Fee:

  • $35 for classroom activities, handouts, printed DESMOS Calculator guide, and online (Kahoot and Quizlet) practice activities.

Instructor: Carolyn Graessle

Revised: 11 April 2025