Let’s be real. If you’ve ever taken the SAT—or worse, retaken it—you probably know the exact feeling I’m about to describe: that mix of hope, dread, and caffeine-induced nausea as you sit in a freezing classroom on a Saturday morning, wondering why you voluntarily signed up for this again.

And yes, I said again. Because most of us didn’t just take the SAT once. No, no.

We fell into the retake spiral—you know, where your score goes up barely 30 points and you start questioning your entire academic career. I remember my first retake. I thought, “I’ve got this—I’ve been studying hard.” But after seeing my score barely budge, I was crushed. It was like all that effort was for nothing. I started hearing friends say the same thing: “I thought this would be easier after all the prep, but I’m not seeing the results I expected.” And it felt like we were all stuck in the same boat, paddling hard but not moving forward.

It starts with optimism. You study a bit, take a few practice tests, maybe even download that Bluebook app and convince yourself you’re becoming a “data-driven test-taker.” I vividly remember staying up late, feeling productive with every problem I solved, but then my scores on practice tests didn’t seem to reflect the time I’d put in. The night before, you drink a green juice, go to bed early, and tell yourself, This time, it’s different.

You do all the “right” things—sleep, hydrate, and pep-talk yourself—but then you wake up for test day, and it feels like your brain is still asleep. You get to the test center, all geared up, but your mind goes blank during the first section, and you wonder if the prep books actually prepared you for this mental battle.

It’s not.

Because here’s the trap: the SAT feels like a game that promises success if you just try hard enough—but it often ends with you staring at a score report thinking, How did I get a lower math score when I studied harder?! I remember hearing from a friend who studied with a tutor for months. They worked through practice problems, dissected every concept, and felt confident going into the test. But then the score came in—and it was the same.

The same score. After all that effort, nothing changed. We joked that maybe the SAT was just a test of patience and willpower. But in reality, it’s a test of endurance, not necessarily intelligence.

Even though more colleges are going test-optional, the pressure is still there. We hear that “it looks good if you submit a high score,” so we chase that number like it’s a golden ticket to Harvard—even when our third attempt leaves us sobbing into our College Board login. I remember being at a party where everyone was talking about their SAT scores—some boasting, others staying quiet, but the tension in the room was thick.

It wasn’t just about the score anymore. It was about what that number represented: the ability to get into a good college. And for many of us, that pressure made the whole process more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be.

Let’s not forget the cost. Between registration fees, prep books, and tutors, the SAT isn’t just stressful—it’s expensive. And if you’re paying $60 each time for College Board to gaslight you into thinking “you’ve made progress,” it adds up fast.

A friend of mine was taking prep courses, and every session felt like they were trying to plug a hole in a leaky boat. Each new method they tried seemed to get them closer to a breakthrough—until they realized they’d spent so much money that they could’ve bought a plane ticket for the vacation they were desperately dreaming of instead. It made me question: how much of this is actually worth it?

So how do we survive this academic rollercoaster?

Image Credits: energepic.com from Pexels

SAT Survival Tips

Coming from someone who’s been there.

Take it early and move on.

Try your best junior year, submit your highest score, and then let it go. It doesn’t define you.

Simone’s story is a great example of this. She took the SAT in the spring of her junior year, feeling a bit nervous but relieved just to get it over with. When her score came back, it wasn’t perfect, but it was solid. Instead of stressing about retakes, she focused on her GPA, extracurriculars, and application essays. Simone decided that one test wouldn’t determine her future.

By choosing to move on, she didn’t let the SAT hold her back. Her decision not to retake the test was a huge part of what kept her stress-free during the rest of her senior year. She eventually got into the college of her choice without ever looking back at her SAT score.

Focus on practice, not perfection.

Instead of cramming, do short daily reviews using apps like Khan Academy or UWorld. Consistency > burnout.

Simone also used short practice sessions every day to stay consistent. Instead of cramming for hours, she dedicated 15 minutes a day to reviewing key concepts. She said that because the sessions were short, she didn’t feel overwhelmed, and by the time test day came, the material felt more like second nature. She even said it helped her sleep better knowing that she was doing a little bit each day. Her approach paid off—she didn’t burn out and still felt ready for the test when the time came.

Treat your test day like a performance.

Wear something comfy, bring snacks, and don’t pull an all-nighter.

I once tried to study until 2 AM the night before an exam—big mistake. The next time, I made sure to relax, even watched an episode of my favorite show, and got a full night’s sleep. On test day, I wore something that made me feel comfortable and confident—a favorite hoodie. And when I brought snacks, I realized how much they helped keep my mind focused during those long stretches. It’s about setting yourself up for success with the basics.

Be real about your goals.

Not every school needs a 1500. Know your target score range and don’t over-test trying to impress a college that might already like you for you.

A lot of my peers thought they had to hit a perfect score to get into any good school. But after talking to a few admissions officers, I learned that many schools don’t look at test scores as the make-or-break factor. Instead, they care about your character, your GPA, and what you bring to the table beyond the number. That alone took so much of the pressure off.

Remember, test-optional is your friend.

If your score doesn't show your potential, skip it. Focus on what does, like your GPA, essays, or passions.

Simone didn’t submit her SAT scores to all the schools she applied to. She felt that her application, which focused on her community involvement and leadership, was a stronger representation of who she was. She didn’t feel that her score reflected her true potential, so she chose to leave it out—and it didn’t hold her back.

Sometimes, you have to trust that other parts of your application will shine brighter.

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Final Thoughts

The truth is, the SAT feels like it’s supposed to measure intelligence, but more often it just measures how well you can survive 3 hours of multiple-choice mental gymnastics while suppressing a breakdown. But that’s okay.

So, is the SAT the worst thing ever invented? No. But does it deserve the fear and power it holds over stressed-out juniors and seniors trying to build a future? Also no.

The good news? You’re not alone. We’re all in this test-prep chaos together. And whether you submit a score or not, your future does not depend on one Saturday morning in a cold classroom with a broken pencil sharpener.