Preparing for the SAT can often feel overwhelming, especially when time management becomes a challenge. What I learned from personal experience is that pacing isn’t just about rushing through questions, but being strategic about how you allocate your time. One technique that truly transformed my test-taking was setting a strict per-question time limit. If a question takes too long, I’d flag it and move on, ensuring I didn’t get stuck and lose valuable minutes. Equally effective was identifying my ‘draggy spots’—topics or question types where I typically slowed down—and drilling those specifically. Using question banks like Lumist helped me target weaknesses with adaptive practice, significantly speeding up those slow sections. Doing full-length, timed practice tests built my internal sense of timing so I wasn’t caught off guard on test day. The difference between an average score and a great score often comes down to finishing the test on time. Training your pacing as a skill, not just cramming content, can substantially raise your SAT score. This method gave me the confidence to tackle even the toughest questions with a clear plan and time left to review. For those who always hear ‘pencils down’ too soon, focusing on pacing is a game changer that’s well worth the effort.