Hi KT,

Thanks for reaching out to me! Yes, of course it’s totally fine to ask a question when you’re not a current client. I’m happy to help.

This is a common concern that many of my students and parents have when preparing for the SAT. I’ll do my best to clarify whether the real SAT is harder than the practice tests.

First, remember that the SAT practice tests are designed to be as similar as possible to the real SAT. They’re created by the same organization (The College Board) and follow the same format and structure. If [your son] is doing well on the practice tests, that’s a good indication that he’s on the right track.

So my short answer is that no, the real SAT is not harder than the practice tests. But it sure feels that way.

That perception comes down to a few factors:

1. Test Conditions: The real SAT is a timed, proctored exam taken in a controlled environment. This makes the real test feel more challenging due to the pressure of the test-day environment. Practice tests taken at home don’t have the same constraints, which can make them seem easier.

2. Test Variability: The SAT is supposed to follow a consistent format, but the specific questions can vary in difficulty from test to test. This means that some students may find the actual SAT harder or easier than their practice tests based on the specific questions they receive. Imagine your weak spot is factoring and you just happen to get a real SAT with more factoring questions than usual. Feels harder, right?

3. Psychological Factors: Test anxiety can play a big role in a student’s performance. The knowledge that the results of the real SAT count towards college admissions can make the test seem harder than the practice tests.

To better prepare [your son] for the real SAT, try to simulate test conditions during his practice tests. Have him take the practice test in a quiet, distraction-free environment, strictly timed, and with only the allowed breaks. No phone, either! Use a stopwatch or kitchen timer. The phone is too much of a distraction.

This can help him get used to the conditions he’ll experience on test day and minimize any surprises.

The key to doing well on the SAT, as with any standardized test, is consistent practice. If [your son] continues to work diligently on his practice tests and does error analysis to understand why his incorrect answers went wrong, he’ll likely find the real SAT no harder than the practice tests he’s been taking.

I hope this helps ease any concerns you and [your son] might have. Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or you’d like to discuss further.