Sample SAT Comprehensive Syllabus

This syllabus provides a full, in-depth overview of all major topics covered on the SAT. This comprehensive syllabus is split into 16 sessions (plus additional supplementary sessions for Writing, Reading and Math), each covering a different set of topics, though the program can be lengthened or shortened dependent upon the individual student's timeline and needs. In between each session, students are expected to spend time engaging in the material on their own. Students should aim to complete all assigned practice questions. The tutor will work with the student to clarify challenging concepts, work through practice questions, and reinforce proper exam techniques.

Sample Sessions

A structure catered to you

Your syllabus will be customized, but here is an example of how we work. For the most effective program, we recommend meeting your tutor once or twice weekly for 90 minutes per session

1

Introductions & Overview

Get to know your tutor and your personalized prep plan

In session

  • Introductions; get to know each other
  • Discuss goals, academic history, and standardized testing experience
  • Finalize scheduling and review calendar
  • Discuss homework plan
  • Walk through google log
  • Introduction to the SAT
  • Introduction to Writing
  • Review commonly tested grammar rules

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Writing and Language
  • Review commonly tested grammar rules 
  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Reading and Language
2

Writing Supplement

Passage Logic

In session

  • Relevant information
  • Sentence and paragraph order
  • Infographics
  • Concision
  • Diction, idioms, and register
  • Writing and language strategies 
  • Quantitative graph analysis

Homework

  • The Critical Reader’s Ultimate Guide to SAT: Grammar
  • Barron’s: writing practice
3

Writing Supplement

Sentence Structure

In session

  • Review homework
  • Sentences and Fragments
  • Combining and Separating Sentences
  • Transitions
  • Clause Types
  • Writing and language grammar review

Homework

  • The Critical Reader’s Ultimate Guide to SAT: Grammar
  • Drills from Barron’s practice passages
4

Writing Supplement

Punctuation and Agreement

In session

  • Review homework
  • Comma uses and misuses
  • Colons and dashes
  • Apostrophes
  • Pronoun and noun agreement
  • Verb agreement and tenses
  • Word pairs
  • Parallel structure
  • Dangling and misplaced modifiers
  • Relative pronouns

Homework

  • The Critical Reader’s Ultimate Guide to SAT: Grammar
  • Drills from Barron's practice passages
5

Writing Supplement

Overview

In session

  • Review homework; identify trends in mistakes
  • Begin the Critical Reader’s Writing Practice Test
  • Review grammar rules

Homework

  • Complete the Critical Reader’s Writing Practice Test 
6

Introduction to Reading

Begin work on the Reading section of the exam

In session

  • Review all questions from homework
  • Review grammar rules
  • Work through various passages
  • Review the role of evidence

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Reading 
7

Reading Supplement

Reading for detail

In session

  • Vocabulary in context 
  • Making the leap
  • The big picture
  • Supporting evidence 
  • Vocabulary review

Homework

  • The Critical Reader’s Complete Guide to SAT: Reading
  • Create vocabulary flashcards
8

Reading Supplement

Passage Comprehension and Rhetorical Strategy

In session

  • Literal comprehension
  • Reasonable inferences
  • Extended reasoning and analogies
  • Reading for function
  • Tone and attitude
  • Rhetorical strategies

Homework

  • Review homework
  • The Critical Reader’s Complete Guide to SAT: Reading
9

Reading Supplement

Particulars of Paired Passages and Infographics

In session

  • Review homework
  • Paired passages
  • Graphics & data analysis

Homework

  • The Critical Reader’s Complete Guide to SAT: Reading
  • Barron’s: Evidence based reading
10

Introduction to Math

Begin work on the Math section of the exam

In session

  • Review homework
  • Introduction to section
  • Calculator rules
  • No Calculator problems

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Mathematics
11

Math Supplement

Number Properties, Percents, and Growth

In session

  • Exponents
  • Radicals
  • Exponential vs. linear growth
  • Proportions
  • Rates

Homework

  • The College Panda: Mathematics
  • Barron’s: Mathematics
12

Math Supplement

The Basics of Constructing and Solving Equations

In session

  • Review homework
  • Constructing models
  • Manipulating and solving equations
  • Equation solving strategies
  • Systems of equations
  • Inequalities
  • Word problems 

Homework

  • The College Panda: Math
  • Barron’s: Math
13

Math Supplement

Advanced Equations, Functions, and Quadratics

In session

  • Review homework
  • Lines
  • Interpreting linear models
  • Functions
  • Quadratics
  • Synthetic division
  • Complex numbers
  • Absolute value

Homework

  • The College Panda: Math
14

Math Supplement

Geometry

In session

  • Review homework
  • Angles
  • Triangles
  • Circles
  • Trigonometry
  • Volume

Homework

  • The College Panda: Math
  • Barron’s: Math
15

Math Supplement

Probability and Statistics

In session

  • Review homework
  • Reading data
  • Probability
  • Statistics

Homework

  • The College Panda: Math
  • Barron’s: Math
16

Practice Testing

Review content from past sessions and revisit areas of weakness

In session

  • Identify content weaknesses
  • Identify strategy weaknesses

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Untimed practice test 2
17

Practice Testing

Go over practice test and identify areas that need revisiting

In session

  • Review mistakes from previous test
  • Categorize wrong answers and focus on content categories that might require review

 

Homework

  • Barron’s: Untimed practice test 1
18

Practice Testing

Review your second practice test and continue work on any content that stands out

In session

  • Review homework 
  • Review and update relevant strategies and content weaknesses

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 3: Reading
  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 3: Writing and Language
19

Reading and Writing

Work on timed drills for Reading and Writing sections

In session

  • Review all homework
  • Princeton Review 500: Reading, Writing, & Language Drills

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 3: Math (No calc)
  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 3: Math (Calc)
20

Math

Work through any content gaps in the Math section of the exam

In session

  • Review homework
  • Princeton Review 500: Math

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 4: Reading
    The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 4: Writing and Language
21

Reading and Writing

Review your most recent Reading and Writing practice tests

In session

  • Review most recent practice test

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 4: Math (No calc)
  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 4: Math (Calc)
22

Math

Review most recent Math practice test

In session

  • Review homework
  • Targeted math practice

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 5
23

Practice Testing

Review your first timed full length

In session

  • Review practice test
  • Drills as needed

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 6
24

Practice Testing

Review your most recent practice test

In session

  • Review practice test
  • Drills as needed

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 7
25

Practice Testing

Review your third timed practice test

In session

  • Review practice test
  • Drills as needed

Homework

  • The Official SAT Study Guide: Timed practice test 8
26

Practice Testing & Test Day Overview

Review your final practice test and get prepped for exam day!

In session

  • Review practice test
  • Test day expectations and advice

Homework

  • Independent study until test day
  • Go out there and ace your SAT!

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