Connecticut students: The SAT Is Inevitable – so start training

By General Education Advice

Why SAT Preparation Should Start Early for Connecticut Students

“Start training immediately!” Luke replied when I posed a hypothetical question.

I described a scenario: imagine you must run a marathon in a few months. Completing it in a reasonable time is essential for your future. You have not begun training. You dislike running. You are busy.

Luke didn’t hesitate. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “If you have to run the marathon and it affects your future, you start preparing now.” He laughed as he realized I was guiding him toward advising himself about the SAT.

The SAT Is Not Optional for Connecticut Public School Students

Every public school student in Connecticut—whether in Old Saybrook, Madison, Guilford, Branford, Essex, Old Lyme, or East Lyme—must take the SAT to meet state graduation requirements. Beyond graduation, the test plays three major roles for most students:

  1. Admission: SAT scores influence where students can reasonably expect to be admitted.

  2. Financial Aid: Merit scholarships often rely heavily on standardized test performance.

  3. Confidence: Strong scores frequently improve a student’s academic self-perception.

Why Early Preparation Matters

The encouraging aspect is that the SAT is trainable. With structured practice, targeted instruction, and consistent effort, Connecticut students dramatically increase their chances of:

  • Expanding their college options

  • Reducing overall college costs through merit awards

  • Strengthening academic self-belief at a key moment in adolescence

My opinion: treating the SAT like a marathon—an event that rewards preparation over raw talent—is the most effective mindset for students in our region.

Preparation Makes the Difference

The SAT is inevitable. Thoughtful training turns that inevitability into an advantage. Starting early pays off academically, financially, and personally.

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