Dear Prep Procratinator,

If your SAT test date is approaching and you have been putting off your SAT prep you may be starting to regret your procrastination.  You may even be teetering dangerously close to an SAT-panic spiral and thinking, "If only I'd spent some time prepping last weekend instead of watching that Monk marathon . . . " And while it's true that there is nothing can replace weeks of prep and years of paying attention in school, there are still some things you can do to quickly help you get more prepared for test day. 

Heading into the test you should know that, like it or not, your SAT score will be a reflection of two things - 1) your knowledge of the things you've learned in school and 2) your ability to take a standardized test.  Here are some suggestions for some quick prep in both areas:

First, learn about the standardized test you'll be taking - the SAT.  Start by reviewing the lesson "Part I:  About the SAT" to learn about the test's overall design, the question types it contains, and how the test is score. Then review the lesson "Part II:  Test Taking Strategies for the SAT" to understand how to use what you've learned to help you maximize your score.  Reviewing these lessons takes less than an hour in total and will quickly get you up to speed for what to expect on test day.

Once you've done that, focus on your knowledge of the topics tested.  Begin by taking a Practice quizzes in each of the three areas.  When you come to a question you have trouble answering, click on the "lesson" button for the question and polish your skills.  By the time you complete one quiz, you will have learned several things you don't know while familiarizing yourself with the overall style of the questions.

Nothing will replace weeks of prep and years of school, but by following these steps you'll be able to familiarize yourself with the test and polish a few of your skills.