Hello, I am 12th grade and I need to tackle the SAT effectively as I might retake it in December. I took it for the first time in 11th grade and got a terrible score of 1530 (Critical reading:460, Maths:480, Writing:590) despite I answered lots of practice tests and studied from Princeton Review books.
Now that I have only 5 months to prepare, I need to know if anyone’s score improved from 1500 to 1900+ in a short period of time. If so, I am in an urgent need of SAT hints especially for the critical reading and maths sections. I also need a killer SAT prep book besides Princeton.
I would also like to add that I am preparing for the GCE A-level (UK-based) exam which I will sit for by the end of October and it is really tough. So for those who took AP classes and prepared for the SAT at the same time, please tell me how you managed your time. Thanks!
:-S
Well, I went from 1470 to 1900 in 3 months. I reviewed basic math concepts, got the writing book by Erica Meltzer and expanded my vocabulary. Practice tests are at the end of the preparation. Also, practice with a watch to control your time. And review where you tend to make more mistakes.
@paoloppd Hey buddy , what did you use to increase your vocab "
Direct hits and Barron’s flashcards. Also, every time I missed a vocab question I will look up on the Internet
@paoloppd, thanks! Just 2 questions: is the College board SAT study guide a helpful book for preparation? And should I start answering practice tests around November?
Depends on your study style. I would take practice tests right from the beginning. See what questions you missed, and review the mathematical concepts that are involved in each missed question. And yes, buy the SAT guide by the collegeboard. It’s super helpful and is the only source of authentic SAT questions, straight from the makers of the test.
First, use the blue book wisely. I will advice that first go through the topics that the sat tests. And then at the middle and at the end of your preparation go and do the blue book.
Taking practices is only worthy as long as you make it worthy. Don’t waste the material, you can find good sat practices on the Internet. But as I said, review first the topics, be sure you are ready, take a practice, review your strengths and your weaknesses, study more, take practice.
Thank you, everybody especially @paoloppd! May I also know for how many hours should I read the SAT study guide? Is 3 times a week good enough?
@Meesho, this depends on how long you study per day, and how well you are able to focus on the SAT’s. I would recommend you take 1.5-2 hours a day if you plan on studying 3 days a week - and that is 1.5-2 hours of concentrated, focused studying.