Easy way to get started preparing:
I recommend the question-a-day.
Free help:
There are also practice tests online at college board.
Tutorials:
The Official SAT prep manual (also available directly from College Board) is also a great tool. The math section is best used with the Khan Academy SAT math prep.
The SAT essay:
The last bit I would say is practice those essays. The sample questions in the study guide are a good place to begin, but there are SAT essay prompts everywhere. Here are two from prior tests and 1 original (just double-click and then print).
Write the essay on a sample SAT essay answer sheet. Time limit is 25 minutes.
But just as important as writing them is talking over the response with an intelligent and thoughtful person afterwards.
When to take the exam:
The best time is at the end of Junior year (11th grade) and then again in early Senior year (12th grade) if improvement in scores is needed. I'm shocked at how many smart students are not signing up for the SAT at the end of Junior year. It's easy to do online. And it provides a good baseline from which to gauge what colleges and universities would be safety schools, match schools, reach schools and out-of-reach schools.
