Goal Setting
Learn
Setting effective goals is essential for SAT/ACT success. Vague goals like "get a better score" rarely lead to improvement. This lesson teaches you how to set SMART goals that will guide your preparation.
SMART Goals for Test Prep
- Specific: "Improve my algebra score by 50 points" instead of "do better at math"
- Measurable: Use practice test scores to track progress
- Achievable: Set realistic targets based on your current level
- Relevant: Focus on skills that appear most on the test
- Time-bound: Set weekly and monthly milestones
Short-term vs Long-term Goals
Short-term (weekly): Complete 20 algebra practice problems, review 50 vocabulary words
Long-term (monthly): Raise practice test score by 30 points, master ratios and percentages
Examples
Example Goal Statement
Weak goal: "I want to get better at the SAT."
SMART goal: "By the end of this month, I will improve my SAT Math practice test score from 520 to 560 by completing 30 minutes of algebra practice every weekday and taking one timed practice section each weekend."
Breaking Down a Large Goal
Big goal: Score 1400 on SAT by test date (June)
Monthly milestone: Raise practice score by 30-40 points each month
Weekly task: Complete one full practice section in each subject
Daily habit: 30 minutes of focused skill practice
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding of goal-setting principles.
Question 1: Which is a SMART goal? (A) "Study more math" (B) "Complete 5 algebra practice sets by Friday"
Answer: B
Option B is specific, measurable, and time-bound.
Question 2: If your current SAT Math score is 480, what is a realistic 3-month improvement goal?
Answer: 530-560 (50-80 point improvement)
Most students can improve 20-30 points per month with consistent practice.
Question 3: What makes a goal "measurable"?
Answer: You can track progress with numbers or specific outcomes
Practice test scores, number of problems completed, or accuracy percentages are measurable.
Question 4: True or False: You should only set one goal at a time for SAT prep.
Answer: False
You can have multiple goals, but they should be organized (e.g., one per skill area or subject).
Question 5: What should you do if you don't meet a weekly goal?
Answer: Analyze why, adjust the goal if needed, and continue
Don't give up - use it as data to refine your approach.
Question 6: Which daily habit supports SAT math improvement? (A) Studying 3 hours once a week (B) Practicing 30 minutes every day
Answer: B
Consistent daily practice is more effective than infrequent long sessions.
Question 7: How often should you review your goals?
Answer: Weekly
Weekly reviews help you stay on track and make adjustments.
Question 8: What is a "milestone" in goal setting?
Answer: A checkpoint or smaller achievement on the way to your main goal
Milestones help you track progress and stay motivated.
Question 9: If your goal is to improve reading comprehension, which is a better weekly target? (A) Read more (B) Complete 3 timed reading passages with answer review
Answer: B
It's specific, measurable, and includes a learning component (review).
Question 10: True or False: Goals should never change once you set them.
Answer: False
Goals should be adjusted based on progress, changing circumstances, or new information.
Check Your Understanding
- Have you written at least one SMART goal for your SAT/ACT prep?
- Can you identify the weekly milestones needed to reach your goal?
- Do you have a system to track your progress?
Next Steps
- Write 3 SMART goals: one for each test section (Math, Reading, Writing)
- Create a simple tracking sheet or calendar
- Move on to the next lesson to learn from common mistakes