Preparing for a Standardized Test Is Like Training for a Marathon

TL;DR (Read time: ~5 minutes)

Cliché alert, but stick with me! Training for the SAT or ACT is not a sprint, it is a marathon. I know this first-hand because I have actually run a marathon, prepared thousands of students for the SAT, ACT, and CLT, and yes, I have even taken these tests myself. The same winning strategies that help runners cross the finish line, such as starting early, practicing consistently, mixing up the training, and resting smart, can also help you walk into test day confident and ready. You have probably heard this comparison before, but I am going to show you exactly why standardized tests are the academic equivalent of 26.2 miles. This article is packed with resources, so enjoy!

Why the Marathon Analogy Still Works

Yes, we know it is a cliché. But clichés stick around for a reason. Whether you are pounding the pavement or working through math problems, success comes from steady, strategic preparation. Some of the best marathon training plans, like Hal Higdon’s Intermediate Program, offer lessons that directly translate to standardized test prep.

1. Long Preparation Time

Marathon training plans often span 16 or more weeks and require a serious commitment. Test prep is no different.

• Optimal outcomes: Start up to a year in advance.
• Sweet spot: 16 weeks before test day.
  

Early preparation gives you more time to strengthen weak areas, practice pacing, and build confidence without last-minute cramming. Our most successful outcomes are from students who start at the beginning of their junior year. This does not mean a full year of test prep, but it does mean getting familiar with the test format and building test-taking strategies early. It also doubles as preparation for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is used for National Merit Scholarship qualification. Think recognition and free money for college!

2. Consistent Practice

Marathoners do not run 26.2 miles every day. They mix short and long runs throughout the week. Test prep works the same way.

• Break your studying into manageable sessions a few times each week.
• Mix short study bursts with longer review sessions.
• Avoid the “all-nighter before tutoring” approach.

Consistency will always beat panic-powered cramming. Waiting until the last minute is not only less effective, it also builds bad habits. One overlooked purpose of high school is to help you set good habits for college. Spaced repetition is extremely important for retaining information, and there is a body of research supporting it, as pointed out by our partners at Achievable.

3. Variation in Run Lengths (a.k.a. Study Intensity)

Runners gradually ramp up mileage to prepare for race day. Students should do the same with study intensity.

• Treat full-length practice tests like long runs.
• Space them every 4 weeks at first, then every 2 weeks as the test nears.
• Use shorter sessions in between to target specific content areas.

This combination builds stamina, accuracy, and test-day endurance. Our most successful students take practice tests early and often. If you have not already, try one here:

• SAT Practice test (PDF) or Digital test on Bluebook
• ACT practice test (PDF)
• CLT practice test (Digital Only)

4. Ramp-Down Week Before the Race

In marathon training, the final week is about rest, not more mileage. Test prep follows the same principle.

• One week before: Switch to review-only mode.
• Day before: No studying, even if it feels counterintuitive.
• Race/Test day: Follow a routine like the one below.

Have a plan leading up to your big test, like this one:

1. Do not study new material the day before your practice or official test. If you review, it should be limited to less than an hour.
2. Get to bed early and limit screen time. Research shows that quality sleep supports memory retention.
3. Wake up early, get some light exercise, and eat a nutritionally dense breakfast.
4. Take your practice test around 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday, just like most national test days, and do it in a distraction-free environment.
5. Share your results with someone you respect. This accountability will encourage you to take the test seriously.

Optimal standardized test performance is about more than studying content. These steps help you get into the right mindset for peak performance.

5. The Finish Line Takeaway

Whether you are chasing a PR (personal record) or a perfect score, success depends on starting early and checking your progress regularly. The journey is not about doing everything perfectly, it is about steady improvement over time.

Every student knows that one friend who seems to score high without effort. When I was younger, I envied that student. Now that I am more seasoned (codeword for older), I realize that these students often hit a wall later because they have not built strong study skills. The longer you wait to build those skills, the bigger the wall will be. Develop them now to set yourself up for success in college and beyond.

Why Clayborne Education Makes the Difference

At Clayborne Education, we do not just hand you a prep book and wish you luck. We coach you like an elite athlete. Our tutors design custom training schedules that balance strategy with endurance, integrating full-length practice tests, targeted skill work, and stress-management techniques. With our proven approach, students do more than cross the finish line. They cross it confident, calm, and proud of the work they have done. If you are ready to turn test prep into a winning performance, Clayborne is ready to be your training partner from start to finish.