Google is expanding the role of its AI assistant in education with a move that puts standardized test preparation directly inside a chatbot. As of January 21, 2026, students can use Gemini to access full-length SAT practice exams at no cost, positioning the tool as a potentially meaningful addition to an industry that often comes with high financial barriers.
The update reflects a broader trend over the past year, as AI tools have become increasingly common in classrooms and study routines. Students already rely on assistants to generate flashcards, summarize readings, and help structure research projects, while educators experiment with AI-supported lesson planning and feedback. Against that backdrop, standardized test prep is a logical next step. The SAT, in particular, follows a predictable format that emphasizes pattern recognition and repetition, making it well suited to algorithm-driven practice.
According to Google, the SAT exams available through Gemini are built in partnership with The Princeton Review, a long-established name in test preparation. The company says this collaboration is meant to ensure the practice material closely mirrors what students will encounter on test day. Rather than offering isolated questions, Gemini provides complete, on-demand exams that users can take directly within the chat interface.
Accessing the feature is straightforward. Students can simply prompt Gemini with a request to take a practice SAT test, after which the assistant delivers the exam and, once completed, provides feedback. That feedback highlights areas of strength and weakness and can be followed up with conversational explanations, allowing users to ask why certain answers are correct or how to approach similar questions differently. Google frames this as a way to help students identify gaps and build a more targeted study plan, rather than a replacement for learning the material itself.
This development also feeds into a larger educational push around Gemini. Google recently announced that the assistant will support Khan Academy’s Writing Coach, integrating AI into a platform already widely used in schools and households. Khan Academy has emphasized that its Writing Coach is designed as guidance, not automation. The tool breaks writing into stages such as understanding, outlining, drafting, and revising, with teachers able to choose between feedback-only and more interactive modes. It is currently available for students in grades seven through twelve, with a beta rollout for younger grades in the United States.
Concerns around AI in education remain unresolved. Many educators worry that overreliance on AI could undermine critical thinking and creativity, a fear echoed in surveys such as those conducted by Pew Research Center. Google and its partners argue that careful design can mitigate those risks, positioning AI as a support system rather than a shortcut.
Beyond students, Google is also expanding free access to Gemini features across Google Workspace for Education, including Docs, Slides, Forms, and Sheets. These updates are aimed at helping educators draft materials, analyze responses, and create presentations without additional cost, though rollout timelines vary by product.
Taken together, Gemini’s SAT practice exams highlight both the promise and tension of AI in education. They lower barriers to test prep and add another free option in a costly process, while also raising familiar questions about how much assistance is too much. For now, they offer students a new way to prepare, one that fits squarely into the growing presence of AI in everyday learning.
