Note: To protect the privacy of the student, we’ve replaced their name with Sam for this case study.
Taking the SAT for the first time can make any student nervous, especially if they’ve never taken the SAT before.
Sam, a high school junior, decided to start preparing earlier this year and shares his journey with the Gate+ team, along with details on how he utilized Gate+ to overcome some of his biggest challenges.
Sam’s SAT preparation journey was not without its hurdles. Having tried both paper-based and digital practice tests, he discovered after a few practice runs that he was struggling to stay focused for the full-length of the test.
“Sitting through a two-hour test was tough,” Sam admitted. “I used to lose focus halfway through the reading section, and that made it hard to finish on time.”
The loss of focus midway through the test, also impacted his time management, and made it difficult to complete the sections within the given time — a common challenge for many first-time SAT takers.
Sam began using Gate+, a platform designed to closely replicate the digital SAT experience, and quickly saw its value.
“I asked a few friends that took the SAT before and they mentioned that Gate+ looked and felt like the real thing,” Sam shared. “So I started using it. And it seriously helped me get a lot of practice in while increasing my endurance so I could stay focused throughout the exam.”
Gate+ also addressed one of Sam’s frustrations with other resources: ambiguous question formats. While some questions on other platforms felt confusing or unclear, the Gate+ tests were structured in a way that mirrored the clarity of the actual SAT.
With Gate+, Sam developed a structured practice routine that allowed him to gradually improve his performance. He took two to three practice tests a day, each followed by a thorough review of his mistakes, while spacing out practice sessions throughout the week so he’s not burnt out by consecutive days of practice.
“The more I practiced, the more confident I felt,” Sam said. “Going over the questions I got wrong and understanding why I got them wrong made a big difference, and helped me avoid repeating the same mistakes.”
This consistent practice not only improved his focus and time management but also built his stamina for sitting through the full test.
Sam shared some of the strategies that worked for him, hoping they could help other students:
Sam credits Gate+ for helping him feel prepared and confident going into the SAT. The platform’s realistic test simulations, user-friendly digital format, and focus on improving weaknesses made it a standout resource in his preparation journey.
“Gate+ is making a big difference for me,” Sam reflected. “It’s helping me get enough practice before test day, and my practice scores have been steadily increasing over the last few months. I’m excited to see how I will do.”
For students like Sam, Gate+ offers an invaluable resource for tackling the challenges of the digital SAT. If you’re preparing for the exam, Gate+ can help you focus, improve, and succeed.
