How much time should I dedicate to studying for standardized tests each day

Okay, so I’m prepping for the GRE, specifically, but I’m also thinking this question is pretty universal for any big standardized test. I’m aiming to take it in about 3 months. I’m working a pretty demanding job (45-50 hours a week) and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life. I’ve got the official ETS guide and a couple of Kaplan prep books. My baseline score on the diagnostic wasn’t terrible, but definitely needs improvement, especially in the quant section. What’s a realistic, sustainable amount of time to dedicate to studying each day, considering everything else? I’m worried about burning out if I try to cram too much in. Should I focus more on weekends? Weekdays? Is one hour enough, or am I kidding myself? I’m really aiming for a high score, so any advice is appreciated! And what about days where I just feel completely wiped out? Is it better to force myself to study a little, or take a complete break?

Answer

The amount of time you should dedicate to studying for standardized tests each day depends on several factors, including:

1. The Specific Test:

• SAT/ACT: These are comprehensive college entrance exams covering reading, writing/English, math, and often a science section (ACT). They require significant preparation across multiple subjects.
• GRE/GMAT: These are graduate school entrance exams. The GRE focuses on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The GMAT emphasizes verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing assessment. The content and format require focused preparation.
• LSAT: This is the law school admission test, heavily emphasizing reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning (logic games). It demands targeted practice and strategy development.
• MCAT: This is the medical college admission test, covering biological and biochemical foundations of living systems, chemical and physical foundations of biological systems, psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior, and critical analysis and reasoning skills. It’s a very content-heavy and demanding exam.
• Other Standardized Tests: Many other standardized tests exist (e.g., professional licensing exams, certification exams). The required study time depends on the exam’s scope and difficulty.

2. Your Baseline Knowledge and Skills:

• Strengths and Weaknesses: Identify your areas of strength and weakness in the subjects covered by the test. Spend more time on weaker areas. A diagnostic test can help determine this.
• Academic Background: Your prior coursework and academic performance in relevant subjects will influence how much new material you need to learn or review.
• Learning Style: Consider your most effective learning methods. Some people learn best through focused study sessions, while others benefit from more spaced-out review.

3. Your Target Score:

• Desired Score Improvement: How much do you need to improve your score to reach your target? A larger desired improvement will require more study time.
• School/Program Requirements: Research the average scores of admitted students to your target schools or programs to determine a realistic goal score.
• Competition: Understand the competitive landscape for the programs you’re applying to. Highly competitive programs may require higher scores.

4. Your Timeline:

• Test Date: How much time do you have until the test date? A longer timeline allows for a more gradual and less intense study schedule.
• Other Commitments: Consider your other commitments, such as school, work, extracurricular activities, and family responsibilities. These commitments will limit the amount of time you have available for studying.

5. Study Resources and Methods:

• Self-Study vs. Courses: Are you studying independently or taking a prep course? Prep courses often provide a structured study schedule.
• Quality of Materials: Use high-quality, official or reputable practice materials. Practice tests that accurately reflect the actual test format and difficulty are essential.
• Effective Strategies: Learn and practice effective test-taking strategies, time management techniques, and question-answering approaches.

General Guidelines:

While the ideal amount of study time is highly individualized, here are some general guidelines:

• SAT/ACT: 10-20 hours per week for 2-3 months is a common recommendation. Students aiming for significant score increases may need to dedicate more time. Some students may benefit from studying for longer periods of time.
• GRE/GMAT: 10-15 hours per week for 2-3 months is often recommended. However, some may need longer.
• LSAT: The LSAT often demands more time investment. 15-20 hours per week for 3-4 months is a reasonable starting point.
• MCAT: The MCAT requires a substantial time commitment. Many students study for 20-30 hours per week for 4-6 months.

Key Considerations for Scheduling:

• Consistency: Regular, consistent study sessions are more effective than sporadic, long sessions.
• Breaks: Incorporate regular breaks into your study sessions to maintain focus and prevent burnout. The Pomodoro Technique (e.g., 25 minutes of focused study followed by a 5-minute break) can be helpful.
• Active Recall: Use active recall techniques (e.g., practice questions, flashcards, teaching the material to someone else) rather than passive review (e.g., rereading notes).
• Practice Tests: Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual test experience and track your progress. Review your mistakes carefully.
• Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust your study schedule based on your progress and performance. If you’re not seeing the desired results, re-evaluate your strategies and allocate more time to weaker areas.
• Rest and Well-being: Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, and stress management. Adequate rest is crucial for effective learning and test performance. Burnout can significantly hinder your progress.
• Spaced Repetition: Review material at increasing intervals to improve long-term retention.
• Focus on Quality over Quantity: A few hours of focused, productive study are more valuable than many hours of distracted or ineffective study. Minimize distractions (e.g., social media, phone notifications) during study sessions.
• Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to seek help from teachers, tutors, or study groups if you’re struggling with specific concepts or topics.

Example Study Schedule Outline (Illustrative – Needs Adjustment Based on Individual Needs):

This is a sample schedule for someone studying for the SAT with 2 months to prepare, aiming for 15 hours/week:

• Week 1-2: Diagnostic and Content Review
  • Day 1: Full-length diagnostic test (3-4 hours)
  • Day 2: Review diagnostic results, identify strengths/weaknesses (2 hours)
  • Day 3-7: Focus on content review in weakest areas (Math, Reading, Writing) (2 hours/day)
• Week 3-6: Focused Practice and Strategy
  • Day 1-3: Practice problems in specific areas (e.g., algebra, grammar, reading comprehension) (2 hours/day)
  • Day 4: Learn and practice test-taking strategies for each section (2 hours)
  • Day 5: Review mistakes and refine strategies (1 hour)
  • Day 6-7: Full-length practice test (3-4 hours), review results (1-2 hours)
• Week 7-8: Refinement and Final Practice
  • Day 1-5: Targeted practice on areas needing improvement based on practice test results (2 hours/day)
  • Day 6: Full-length practice test (3-4 hours)
  • Day 7: Final review and relaxation (1-2 hours)

Remember to customize this schedule based on the specific test, your individual needs, and your available time. Good luck!

Author

Studentanswers Editorial Team

University Admissions, GPA, SAT/ACT, Teacher Careers, Student Finance Expertise: Education Content Specialist & Research Writer 19 years of experience

I'm Mustafa Bulut, an education researcher and content specialist with over a decade of experience helping students navigate the complexities of academic life — from decoding GPA scales to understanding what top universities actually look for in applicants. My work focuses on making higher education accessible and understandable. I've spent years researching university admissions processes, standardized testing systems (SAT, ACT, TOEFL), and the real-world career paths that follow graduation. Whether you're a high school junior trying to figure out if your GPA is competitive for Ivy League schools, or an adult learner weighing the cost of going back to school, I write with you in mind. I cover five core areas on StudentAnswers: university admissions and GPA benchmarks, SAT and ACT test preparation strategies, teacher career outlooks and education job markets, global literacy trends and education access, and student finance including loans, scholarships, and hidden costs of higher education. Before launching StudentAnswers, I worked extensively with education data — analyzing acceptance rates, salary statistics for education professionals, and literacy reports from UNESCO and national education departments. I believe that good education content should give readers a clear answer, not just more questions. Every article I publish goes through a research and editorial review process. I cite primary sources wherever possible — official university data, government labor statistics, and peer-reviewed education research — because students deserve accurate information when making decisions that shape their futures.

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