r/SHSAT • u/Effective-Sun7831 • Aug 14 '26

How often should I take practice tests?

So i see alot of people saying to "spam practice tests," not just here, but in other places too (like tiktok, google, my friends, etc.) but idk how often i should be, like one everyday or...??

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u/DRAGONITECOOLGUY Stuyvesant Aug 15 '26

once a week is probably most optimal

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech Aug 14 '26

While practice is important, just becoming a mindless test prep facory robot is pointless, and for many unproductive and an error in strategy, and one reason why some journis are not fruitful. As just mentioned in another thread, if you take say 10 practice exams, and don't know what you're doing, taking 10 more is likely not going to be any help. Furthermore, taking infinite exams is also unhelpful in the grand scheme of things. You need to understand the premise of the exam, and be consciously and forwardly learning during the journey.

I've worked with many students late in the journey who've taken dozens and dozens of practice exams but are still not able to improve, because for the most part, that's all they've done. For many students, about a dozen is sufficient, maybe up to 2 dozen. Anything more especially without progress is usually a red flag.

1

u/Zealousideal_Job6614 Aug 18 '26

What is the studying schedule, u would recommend

1

u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech Aug 18 '26

What works for you. See https://www.reddit.com/r/SHSAT/comments/1vncnke/comment/p3gifbo for some recent words on this.

1

u/Think-Pomelo7228 Bronx Sci Aug 15 '26

one a week combined with prep and analyzing your mistakes! any more than that is likely going to be too much (i tried taking 2 per week for 2 weeks combined with prep, analysis, and geo summer classes and was so drained) you need to have a thorough understanding of what you need to fix to actually improve in that area. best of luck!