Ms. Doan’s Proven SAT Plan (From a Perfect-Score Math Coach)

One of the most common questions I hear from families is:

“When should my student start preparing for the SAT?”

My answer is shaped not only by years of teaching, but by my own experience as a student. The SAT plan I recommend today is the same one I followed myself and it’s designed to reduce stress, build confidence, and protect what matters most in high school.

Here’s what I did, and what I recommend for my students at Doan Math Academy.

9th Grade: Start Early, Study Calmly

I started studying SAT-style math in freshman year.

At that stage, I wasn’t worried about test dates or scores. The focus was simply on:

• Building strong algebra and problem-solving foundations

• Learning how SAT questions are written

• Getting comfortable with challenging problems

• Studying at a low-pressure, steady pace

Starting early allowed me to build skills deeply, without stress. This is why I encourage students to begin SAT preparation as early as 9th grade, not to rush, but to learn well.

10th Grade: Take the SAT (Fall & Spring)

I took the SAT for the first time in sophomore year, once in the fall and again in the spring.

This timing was incredibly helpful because:

• I gained real test experience early

• I learned how the SAT felt—timing, endurance, pressure

• My scores gave me feedback, not anxiety

• I still had plenty of time to improve

This is why I recommend that most students take their first SAT in 10th grade. It removes the fear of the unknown and turns the SAT into a familiar process instead of a one-shot, high-stakes test.

11th Grade: Focus on AP Classes and College Essays

Junior year is one of the busiest years of high school.

Because I had already taken the SAT in 10th grade, I was able to use 11th grade to:

• Focus on AP classes and grades

• Invest time in extracurriculars and leadership

• Work on college essays without SAT stress

Students may choose to retake the SAT in 11th grade if needed, but it should be strategic and limited. Junior year is not the time to be cramming for a first SAT attempt.

Why I Recommend This Timeline

This approach allows students to:

• Start preparing early without pressure

• Take the SAT when there is time to grow

• Avoid overloading junior year

• Approach college applications with confidence

In my experience, as both a student and a coach, timing matters just as much as preparation.

A Final Word

At Doan Math Academy, I don’t believe in rushing students or creating unnecessary stress. I believe in helping students plan wisely so they can move through high school with confidence and peace.

This SAT plan isn’t about perfection.

It’s about preparation, clarity, and trust in the process.

If you’d like help creating a personalized SAT plan for your student, I would be honored to support you.

从恐惧到自由：上帝如何通过数学救赎我

Jasmine Doan

2025年8月1日

我从未真正分享过自己的故事。我之所以选择成为一名中学教师，是因为中学时期曾是我生命中最黑暗的阶段之一。

那段经历充满了矛盾。六年级时，我在数学竞赛中还是寂寂无名；但到了八年级，我已经成为我所在的县乃至州的第一名。表面上，这看起来成功，但人们看不到的是我内心深处的痛苦。那几年，我常常独自在父母店铺的里屋学习，与此同时，我还要与绝望甚至自杀的念头抗争。脑海中不断回荡着一个安静却致命的谎言：“你活着的唯一目的，就是学习、赢得数学竞赛、得到完美的成绩。” 我感到无比空虚。

2011年5月：夏威夷州长Neil Abercrombie给我颁发夏威夷州数学AMC8比赛第一名奖项

2014年5月：檀香山市长Kirk Caldwell给我颁发夏威夷州数学碗第一名奖项

因此，进入高中后，我刻意与数学保持距离。对我而言，数学早已与焦虑、恐惧以及无休止的竞争紧紧绑在一起。于是我把精力投入到演讲和志愿服务中，试图在新的领域找到新意义。然而，这种对数学的畏惧始终挥之不去，从高中一路甚至延续到我踏入斯坦福大学之后。

一切在2018年春天发生了改变。那时我深陷抑郁，跌到了人生的谷底。在那黑暗的深处，经历了一个深刻的领悟：我的成功不能定义我，我的错误和失败也不能定义我，不能阻碍我成就祂的心意。圣经说：“神的恩赐和选召是没有后悔的。”（罗马书 11:29）我不再需要把自己与他人比较。我只需要成为上帝创造的最好的“我”，善用祂赐给我的恩赐、才干与经历。上帝并不要求我成为世界上最优秀的数学家，或是湾区最顶尖的女企业家；祂要的，只是让我对祂所托付给我的一切保持感恩，并忠心地使用。我虽然犯过许多错误，但圣经给我带来希望，世上没有任何事情是上帝不能救赎的。祂能在灰烬中行神迹，使之化为美丽。

教导孩子们认识自己是上帝的王子与公主

教导青少年如何与上帝建立朋友般的关系

这正是上帝如今在我生命中所做的事。过去我总觉得，那些为数学竞赛投入的上千小时都是浪费，它们似乎只对申请斯坦福有用。但现在我明白了，那一路以来都是上帝在塑造我。现在的我几乎可以毫不费力地解决数学题，有时甚至一边看电视一边做！比这更重要的是，我在用这些能力去帮助他人的过程中，找到了真正的喜乐与使命感。

通过 Doan 数学学院（Doan Math Academy），我把自己一路走来所学到的一切教给我的学生，那些策略、规律与思维方式，真正帮助我攻克了代数、AMC8、SAT等数学中的各种关键点和难题。但超越公式与解题技巧，我还要分享更伟大的真理：他们每一个生命在上帝眼中都有独特的意义。

曾经带给我恐惧的事，如今成了上帝用来为他人带来希望的工具。 我的祷告是：每一位来到 Doan 数学学院的学生，离开时不仅数学更强，也在信仰与自信上更加坚定。

如果数学曾让你感到渺小、焦虑或迷茫，请相信，你并不孤单。你是有能力的，你人生是有意义的，而你的故事，仍在被上帝亲手书写。

From Fear to Freedom: How God Redeemed My Story Through Math

I’ve never really shared my story before. One of the main reasons I became a middle school teacher is because middle school was one of the darkest times of my life.

It was paradoxical - in 6th grade, I wasn’t even ranked in math competitions. Yet by 8th grade, I had become the #1 ranked student in my county and state. On the outside, it looked like success. But what people didn’t see was the deep pain I carried inside. During those years, I often studied alone in the back room of my parents’ business, battling thoughts of hopelessness and even suicide. A quiet lie would echo in my mind: “The only purpose of your life is to study, to win math competitions, and to achieve perfect grades.” I felt so empty inside.

May 2011: Hawaii Governor, Neil Abercrombie presenting the 1st Place Hawaii State AMC8 award

May 2014: Honolulu Mayor, Kirk Caldwell presenting the 1st Place Hawaii State Math Bowl Award

Because of that, when I entered high school, I tried to distance myself from math. To me, math had become associated with anxiety, fear, and endless competition. I threw myself instead into public speaking and volunteering, hoping to find a new sense of purpose. But the truth is that I continued to carry that fear of math all the way through high school and even into Stanford University.

Everything changed in spring 2018, when I hit rock bottom in depression. In that dark place, I had a personal revelation in my heart, not just in my mind that God has a UNIQUE plan and purpose for my life. My mistakes and past failures do not define me or disqualify me from fulfilling it. The Bible says, “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29) I no longer needed to compare myself to others. I just needed to be the best Jasmine God created me to be, using the gifts, talents, and experiences He had given me. God wasn’t expecting me to be the best mathematician in the world or the top businesswoman in the Bay Area, but simply to be thankful and faithful with what He had entrusted to me. I have made mistakes, but the Bible gives me HOPE that there is NOTHING God cannot redeem. He does miracles bringing beauty from ashes.

And that’s exactly what God is doing in my life now. I used to think the thousands of hours I spent studying for math competitions were a waste-that they were only useful for getting into Stanford. But now I see that God was shaping me all along. Today, I can solve word problems almost effortlessly, sometimes even while watching TV! But more importantly, I’ve discovered joy and purpose in using those very skills to serve others.

Through Doan Math Academy, I teach students everything I learned myself-the same strategies, patterns, and ways of thinking that helped me master difficult topics like Algebra 1, AMC 8, and SAT Math. But beyond formulas and problem-solving tricks, I get to share something far greater: the truth that their lives have purpose in God. 

Teaching children about their identity as a royal prince and princess of God

Teaching youth about friendship with God

What once brought me fear has become the very thing God uses to bring others hope. My prayer is that every student who comes to Doan Math Academy leaves not only stronger in math, but stronger in faith and confidence.

If math once made you feel small, anxious, or unworthy, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Your mind is capable, your life has purpose, and your story is still being written by God.