Why Summer Is the Best Time to Maximize PROGRESS on the SAT
Start Getting Ready Now!
Dear Parents and Students,
With test optional now fading at a lot of the competitive schools, the SAT is once again not just a test, it’s a gateway. Whether your child is aiming for the Ivy League, a top-tier public university, or simply wants to maximize their college choices and scholarship opportunities, a strong SAT score is still one of the most important assets in the admissions toolbox.
At Tigerway, we’ve seen one truth play out year after year: students who begin their SAT prep during the summer consistently outperform those who wait until the school year begins.
In this article, we’ll explore why summer is the most strategic, low-stress, and high-ROI time to begin SAT prep—and how to structure the season for success.
1. Summer Offers the Most Valuable Resource: Time
Time is the most important asset when preparing for a high-stakes exam like the SAT. During the academic year, students are swamped with:
Rigorous coursework and AP classes
Daily homework
Club meetings, sports, jobs, and social obligations
Emotional fatigue and mental overload
Summer clears the calendar. For the first time all year, students have:
Uninterrupted time blocks for learning and test practice
Flexible scheduling for tutoring, mock testing, and rest
Mental bandwidth to focus deeply on skill-building without multitasking
The SAT is a test of both knowledge and discipline. Summer provides the rare opportunity to build both without competing priorities.
2. SAT Score Gains Take Time—Start Early to Maximize Results
Improving your SAT score by 100, 200, or even 300+ points isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires consistent practice, targeted review, and strategic test-taking techniques—all of which need time to develop
Summer gives students the runway they need to spread out their prep and actually enjoy the process. Instead of cramming or grinding through midnight study sessions during the school year, students can:
Develop mastery through repetition
Build muscle memory for question types
Complete full-length digital practice exams under ideal conditions
Work one-on-one with Tigerway coaches to pinpoint weak areas
The earlier you start, the more room you have to grow.
3. Get a Head Start Before the next Year Gets Intense
Most students don’t start SAT prep until it may be too late. But here's what happens during the later years in high school:
The most challenging classes (APUSH, pre-calc, AP Lang, etc.)
Leadership roles in extracurriculars
College visits and the start of the admissions journey
Emotional pressure and identity development
Starting in the summer gives students a clear advantage. Students can enter the year:
With one official SAT attempt already completed (and possibly done!)
With a strong baseline score that reduces pressure
With the freedom to focus on other parts of their college application
Even if they don’t take the SAT until the fall, students who prep during the summer are miles ahead of their peers.
4. Build Better Habits and Confidence While the Stakes Are Low
The SAT isn’t just about knowing content. It’s about:
Time management
Pattern recognition
Decision-making under pressure
Emotional regulation on test day
These are skills that take practice—and summer gives students a safe space to build them.
With the guidance of Tigerway private coaches, students use the summer to:
Develop a growth mindset toward testing
Practice time-based drills and pacing strategies
Learn how to stay calm and focused when under pressure
Turn mistakes into learning opportunities, without the pressure of an upcoming school deadline
By the time school starts, they’re not just smarter—they’re mentally stronger, too.
5. Adapt to the New Digital SAT with Expert Guidance
The SAT has changed. It’s now:
Digital-only (on Bluebook software)
Adaptive, meaning the test adjusts based on student performance
Shorter, with more efficient question formats
More reading-intensive, with higher-level vocabulary and inference skills tested
These shifts mean the old “test prep” methods no longer cut it.
At Tigerway, we’re specifically doing the following with students:
Practice directly in the Bluebook environment
Learn how adaptive scoring works and how to game it
Build digital fluency with onscreen tools and annotation
Receive updated strategy coaching specifically for the new SAT format
Summer is the best time to train for this new test without added school-year distractions.
6. Take Advantage of Earlier Testing Windows
The College Board now offers more frequent testing dates, and summer prep allows students to target:
August SAT (perfect for rising juniors)
October or November SAT (with 2+ months of prep already complete)
December SAT as a strategic retake
By prepping in summer, students avoid the trap of “last-chance” testing. They go into each test with preparation, confidence, and optionality.
7. Start Strong = Finish Strong
College admissions is a game of momentum. When students start early and succeed early, the results ripple outward:
Better scores = broader college options
Less senior-year pressure = more time for essays and applications
More confidence = better interviews, portfolios, and leadership development
Our goal is to help students win early—so the rest of the journey feels achievable, not overwhelming.
A Note to Parents: Use Summer Wisely
If you're a parent, think of summer SAT prep as the best possible time for getting scores higher.
Instead of expensive camps or unfocused summer activities, you’re giving your child an edge that lasts for years.
Test scores still play a significant role in merit scholarships and admissions decisions—especially at competitive schools.
Even if your child is just finishing 10th grade, a summer start sets them up for long-term success with lower anxiety and higher opportunity.
How Tigerway Makes Summer SAT Prep Work
Our program is built for busy families and ambitious students. Here's what we offer:
✅ 1-on-1 or small-group coaching tailored to score goals
✅ Flexible online and in-person options that fit any summer schedule
✅ Full-length digital SAT mock exams with detailed scoring breakdowns
✅ Personalized study plans that adapt as students improve
✅ Access to our team of expert coaches who specialize in the new digital SAT
Final Thoughts: Make Summer Count
The summer months offer something no other season can: time, focus, freedom, and opportunity. Don’t wait until the pressure builds. This summer could shape their college journey and scholarship opportunities over the coming months!
Ready to get started?
Program Director Calvin Cheung has been getting a lot texts (617-749-8421) over the past several weeks. He will be available to take calls after Thursday as the first half of this week is very busy for him.
In the meantime, Program Officers Jasmine Ngo and Sreya Ravi may have more availability in the coming days. Book a call today as availability is very limited!
Talk to our team at Tigerway directly to discuss how our private coaches can help you with your academic subjects & PSAT/SAT Scores as well as shaping your college profile to best stand out.
Calvin Cheung, Program Director (617-749-8421, text today to book a call)
WeChat ID: CalvinGCheung
Sreya Ravi, Program Officer (774-432-7381, text to book a call)
Jasmine Ngo, Program Officer (781-510-0738, text to book a call)
Website (Many educational Blog Posts): www.tigerwayprep.com
We now have Private Coaches who can help with the following subjects:
SAT 1:1 Private Coaching
ACT 1:1 Private Coaching
Academic High School Courses Private Coaching: High School Algebra 2/Pre-Calculus/Calculus. High School Sciences Biology, Chemistry (Sciences are Limited availability, make sure to inquire early)
1:1 Private Coaching for Long-Term College Application Strategy (how to shape application story/extracurricular selection/common application and supplemental essay mentorship)