You can prepare for the SAT for free with official practice tests, free lessons and question banks from test prep sites. The official practice tests show you the real format, while prep sites give you extra questions and study plans. Take full-length practice tests in the digital format you'll sit on test day.
The SAT can feel like a mountain when you're staring at it from the bottom. The good news is that you don't need a big course to climb it, because a lot of the best preparation is free.
Here are nine free places to prepare, listed in no particular order and sorted alphabetically. Some offer full practice tests, some offer lessons and question banks, and a few offer study plans that adapt as you go.
The aim is simple. Find out where you're losing points, practise those question types until they feel easy, and get used to the timing before the day itself.
There's one detail about practice tests that matters more than most students realise, and it's in the next section.
Free SAT prep sites at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the site's own pages describe free access, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated there. Free access often comes with limits, so check what's included before you rely on it.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrackSAT | SAT practice site | Free practice tests and questions | Yes |
| Khan Academy | Free learning platform | SAT lessons and practice | Yes |
| Magoosh | Test prep company | Free practice test and study resources | Yes |
| PrepScholar | Test prep company | Personalised study plans | Trial only |
| Test Innovators | Test prep platform | Practice tests with feedback | Yes |
| The Princeton Review | Test prep company | A free practice test | Yes |
| Union Test Prep | Free study site | Study guides and practice questions | Yes |
| UWorld | Test prep company | A free full-length practice test | Yes |
| Varsity Tutors | Tutoring company | Free practice tests by section | Yes |
Nine free SAT prep resources
CrackSAT
Best for: Students who want plenty of extra practice questions to work through.
Khan Academy
Best for: Students who want free, structured lessons that build skills step by step.
Magoosh
Best for: Students who like video explanations and a free practice test to start.
PrepScholar
Best for: Students who want a study plan built around their weak spots, starting with a trial.
Test Innovators
Best for: Students who want practice tests that highlight their weakest areas.
The Princeton Review
Best for: Students who want a free practice test and score report to find their starting point.
Union Test Prep
Best for: Students who want free study guides sorted by topic.
UWorld
Best for: Students who want detailed answer explanations after a full practice test.
Varsity Tutors
Best for: Students who want short practice tests for one section at a time.
Why your practice test format matters
Here's the detail many students miss. The SAT is now taken on a device, and the College Board points students to official full-length practice tests in its Bluebook app. Its practice page describes the downloadable paper versions as nonadaptive.
That matters because the digital SAT adapts to how you're doing, so a paper practice test won't feel the same as the real thing. Take at least one or two full-length practice tests in the official app before test day, and use other sites for extra questions and lessons in between.
Building a free SAT study plan
- Start with a full practice test: it shows you where you're losing points.
- Focus on your weakest areas: extra practice there moves your score most.
- Practise little and often: short daily sessions beat weekend cramming.
- Review every mistake: understanding why you got it wrong is the real learning.
- Practise timing: get used to the pace before the real day.
A simple four-week routine
- Week one: take a full practice test and list your weak areas.
- Week two: work through lessons on your two weakest topics.
- Week three: practise mixed questions under time pressure.
- Week four: take a second full practice test in the official format.
- Review your mistakes and rest the day before the test.
Keep a simple notebook of every question type you get wrong and why. By the second week you'll see patterns, and those patterns are where your extra points are hiding.
Writing and study skills that help
If college applications are coming up too, here's how to write a college essay on time, step by step.
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Do you make test prep or study tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free SAT prep
Begin with an official full-length practice test in the real format, then use free lessons and question banks to work on your weak spots. That combination covers most of what a course would give you.
Keep it steady rather than frantic. Thirty minutes a day for a few weeks will do more for your score than one panicked weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Can I prepare for the SAT for free?
Yes. Official practice tests, free lessons and question banks cover a lot of what you need.
Is the SAT taken on paper or a device?
The SAT is now taken on a device in the College Board's testing app.
Are paper practice tests still useful?
They help with content, but they're nonadaptive, so they won't feel like the real test.
How many practice tests should I take?
Most students take a few full-length tests spread across their study time.
What should I do after a practice test?
Review every wrong answer and practise those question types.
How long should I study for the SAT?
Many students study for several weeks, with short sessions most days.
Do free SAT prep sites have answer explanations?
Many do, and reading them is one of the best ways to learn.
Should I focus on maths or reading first?
Start with whichever section your practice test showed was weaker.
Can I take the SAT more than once?
Yes, many students take it more than once to improve their score.
Is a tutor worth it for the SAT?
It can help if you're stuck, but many students do well with free resources.
What should I do the day before the SAT?
Rest, check your device and test day details, and get a good night's sleep.
How do I manage my time on test day?
Practise with a timer beforehand so the pace feels familiar.
