Best YouTube channels for SAT prep
YouTube has become one of the best free resources for SAT prep. The top channels are run by experienced tutors and high scorers who break down question types, walk through practice tests, and teach strategies that are hard to pick up from a book. The quality of the best channels rivals what you'd get from a paid prep course.
YouTube works best as a complement to practice, not as a replacement for it. But as a way to learn how to approach unfamiliar question types, understand strategies, and see how high scorers think through problems, it's hard to beat.
Math
LearnSATMath (129K subscribers). One of the most popular SAT math channels despite having only about a dozen videos. The standout is "All of SAT Math Explained in 26 Minutes," which covers every major topic in one dense, efficient video. Also has a comprehensive Desmos guide, which is worth watching since the Desmos calculator is built into every Math section of the digital SAT and many students don't know how to use it effectively. Good for students who want a fast, focused overview.
Tutorllini Test Prep (34K subscribers). Solutions to every digital SAT math problem ever released by College Board. The "Problem Sette" series drops seven hard problems before each test date, making it useful for students in the final stretch before a specific SAT. Best for students who have the fundamentals down and need to push their score higher.
Reading and Writing
Penguin Test Prep (34K subscribers). Run by a tutor with a Master's in Education and over a decade of teaching experience. One of the few channels that covers Reading and Writing in depth, including grammar rules, passage strategies, and question-type breakdowns. Frequently recommended on Reddit for the English side of the test.
Settele Tutoring (62K subscribers). Has a 10-episode strategy series that works as a starting point for students new to the SAT, covering both Reading and Writing approaches and common trap answers. Also publishes full-length Bluebook practice test walkthroughs.
How to get the most out of SAT YouTube
Watch with a pencil. Pause the video when a problem comes up, try it yourself, then watch the explanation. Watching someone else solve problems feels productive but doesn't build the skills the test measures. The learning happens when you struggle with the problem first.
Use channels for specific gaps, not general studying. If you're losing points on transitions in Reading and Writing, search for a Penguin Test Prep video on transitions. If you need help with systems of equations, search Tutorllini or LearnSATMath. Targeted viewing is more useful than watching an entire prep course start to finish.
Don't skip the Desmos content. Many students underuse the Desmos calculator on the digital SAT because they've never been taught how to apply it to test questions. LearnSATMath's Desmos guide and Tutorllini's Desmos playlist are worth watching even if you skip everything else. We've written more about Desmos on the SAT here.
What YouTube can't do
YouTube can teach you how to approach a question type, but it can't track your mistakes, build a study plan around your weak areas, or adapt as you improve. The strongest prep pairs YouTube with structured practice. Sharp provides targeted drills, mistake tracking, and a personalized study plan that adjusts as you progress.
Sharp is designed for every student, no matter their starting point.
SAT Tutor & Co-founder
Kim scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT and graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth. She's spent years tutoring students and helping them get into top colleges. After working as a software engineer at Apple and Airbnb, she founded Sharp to bring high-quality, personalized SAT prep to every student.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prep for the SAT using only YouTube?
You can learn the content and strategies, but you also need to practice under timed, test-like conditions. YouTube doesn't provide that. Use YouTube for learning and tools like Bluebook and Sharp for practice.
Which channel should I start with?
For math, LearnSATMath's overview video covers all the major topics in under 30 minutes. For Reading and Writing, Penguin Test Prep has the most thorough coverage.
Are these channels updated for the digital SAT?
All of the channels listed here cover the current digital SAT format. Avoid channels that haven't posted in over a year, as they may only cover the older paper-based test.
How much time should I spend watching YouTube vs practicing?
Most of your prep time should be spent practicing, not watching. A good ratio is about 20 to 30 percent watching or learning and 70 to 80 percent practicing and reviewing mistakes.
