How many hours should I study?

There’s no single answer — and anyone who gives you one without asking about your starting point is guessing. Here’s what the data and experience actually say.

It depends on three things.

Your starting score, your target score, and how many hours per week you can genuinely commit to studying.

Realistic timelines by score range
555 → 625 · 10–12 hrs/week · 6–10 weeks
585 → 655 · 12–15 hrs/week · 8–12 weeks
625 → 705 · 12–15 hrs/week · 10–14 weeks
655 → 735 · 15+ hrs/week · 12–18 weeks

Why quality matters more than hours

Ten hours of unfocused practice is worth less than four hours of deliberate, error-focused review. The students who improve fastest are the most honest about what’s not working.

Realistic timelines by score range
555 → 625 · 10–12 hrs/week · 6–10 weeks
585 → 655 · 12–15 hrs/week · 8–12 weeks
625 → 705 · 12–15 hrs/week · 10–14 weeks
655 → 735 · 15+ hrs/week · 12–18 weeks