Aaron Andrikopoulos • June 18, 2025
Simply hearing the term “SAT” is enough to send chills down people’s spines—but it doesn’t have to be that way! At TestTakers, along with our main goal of raising your score, we strongly prioritize doing so in a way that helps you manage your stress and believe in your ability to beat the test. Staying mentally healthy during testing season is incredibly important—not only does it keep you physically and emotionally healthy as well, but it also puts you in a better position to stay focused and achieve your goals. To that end, let’s talk about a few key things to keep in mind as you navigate this process.
Set Reasonable Goals
Remember: not everyone needs a 1600! (In fact, only approximately 0.05%—not 5%, not 0.5%, but 0.05%—of all testers will hit that elusive perfect score.) Instead, think about what constitutes a reasonable goal for you so that you put yourself in a position to succeed rather than feel disappointed. Perspective matters! A good rule of thumb is to set a first goal that’s 150 points higher than your starting point, based off an initial test. (Of course, if you’re already starting with a 1450 or higher, consider setting your first goal at 1500 or 1550.) Larger improvements can come down the road, but to get there, you have to hit those earlier goal posts first. And most importantly, research what test scores might be sufficient for the colleges you’re considering: after all, thousands of students are accepted to colleges with a 1300 or 1400 on the SAT, and pushing too hard past that may come at the expense of time, energy, and mental health in ways that do you no good!
Classes or One-on-One Tutoring?
No one knows you better than yourself, so choose the path that makes you most comfortable! Some students thrive in the collaborative environment of a classroom, where other students’ questions and the energy of a passionate teacher can keep the learning process informative and engaging. For other students, a more individualized approach helps them focus better and allows them to ask questions or address issues they may not feel comfortable bringing up in front of other students. (Tutoring can also provide a more flexible schedule for busy students who can’t commit to the weekly sessions of a course.) At TestTakers, we’re adept at both classroom instruction and one-on-one tutoring, so whichever path will keep your stress levels low, we’re here to help!
Applaud Your Progress
Having worked with thousands of students over the past several decades, we see it happen all the time: a student sees solid improvement but still feels disappointed in not yet reaching a higher goal. Take pride in your successes! Celebrate your triumphs! Part of mental health is knowing how far you’ve come, even if you’re looking to go farther. We’re always happy to stick by your side as you strive for even greater improvement, but don’t forget to take a moment to bask in the progress you’ve made. It’s okay to want more, but don’t sell yourself short on a job well done so far. We’re proud of you, and you should be, too!
Take a Break!
This one can be tough for highly-motivated students, but it’s important to remember when you need to take a break. Your mind—not to mention your body—needs a rest, so please don’t neglect sleep. It will be very hard to stay focused (or even stay awake) on test day if you’re sleep deprived, so instead of thinking of sleep as time you’re not working, reframe to think of it as necessary refueling to give your mind the chance to start fresh. Just as athletes’ muscles need rest before they can take on more work, so too does your mind! Burn-out is a real thing, and it doesn’t help anyone, so in additional to sleep, remember the value of leisure activities—hanging out with friends, taking a walk outside, even watching a TV show can be vital in recharging and giving you the perspective you need to remember what matters.
Remember the Big Picture
Speaking of what matters, keep the big picture in mind. Text anxiety can feel crippling, but never forget that you’re so much more than your SAT score! Five years from now, this will all be far in your rearview mirror as you move on to bigger and better things. It’s not about getting into the top college in the country—it’s about finding a college that fits your needs and will provide you with the environment you need to feel good about yourself, grow as a person, and start to discover your path in life.
Ultimately, the SAT process may seem daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it becomes predictable and beatable—and possibly even fun? (Well, if not fun, at least maybe not as stressful as you thought it would be!) For more information about how we can help you prepare, give us a call at (516) 626-6100 or drop us a line at info@ttprep.com!