<p>Hello everyone. I would appreciate any advice that you can share with me. I am 23 years old, and have been in the Army since I was 19. I was a home schooled student and I tested for an received my GED. I am now preparing myself to transition out of the military life and back into the civilian world. One of the many challenges presented to me is application to competitive universities and institutes of higher learning. I signed up (at no cheap fare!) for the CollgeBoard official online SAT prep course. I have completed my diagnostic pre-test and scored a 1740 overall; 530 Math; 610 Writing (12 Essay); 600 Reading. I know that these scores are by no means excellent and I am driven to improve upon them. I am registered to take the SAT in March, '10.
The question that I present to you is this: 'How can someone who has been outside of an educational environment for 7 years regain all of that precious and perishable knowledge?' Obviously from my stated scores my most challenging subject is Math, which seems to be an infinitely more perishable skill than reading or writing. What is the best course of action I can take to buff back up on my math knowledge? I have to attempt to replicate a 4 years high school education that I never had.</p>
<p>I know that you all have your own concerns and problems to deal with, but I would greatly appreciate any advice that could be given in order to put me back on the right track.</p>
<p>hello, Soldier! let me tell you how to prepare and some good news.<br>
To Prepare: First, buy the 1st and 2nd Edition of the College Board Blue Book with SAT Tests in it. Some of the tests have been made by CB just for that book; other tests have been actually administered. This is the most reliable book, and the 1st priority. Afterwards, for improving Math, pick up a BARRON’S or GRUBER’S SAT book. there you will find the most challenging questions that will help your Math score like no other. but DO NOT use them for CR and W. </p>
<p>For CR, i jumped from a 640 or so to a 720 by just using this self-taught strategy: do less thinking, and more finding. That means you should be doing almost NO thinking or interpreting of your own; if you find an answer choice ur not sure of, put the number of that question next to a line that supports it. FIND how it can be right, don’t THINK how it can be right. You’ll find there isn’t all that much thinking needed (figured this out after about 5 months or so).</p>
<p>Writing - No real help here, just make absolutely sure to use 3 examples in your essay, and make it succinct (almost guarantees a 10). try and get more questions on multiple choice right though.</p>
<p>Good News - Math is the easiest to raise. You want to study all the way up to ALGEBRA 2 (highest level of difficulty on SAT), and dont waste time on Trig or Calculus concepts or anything.</p>
<p>Happiness to help a trooper and boredom on a summer day made me write this; good luck!</p>
<p>For someone who has not been doing schoolwork… you’re really scoring quite well. Start just like any other person, and read through the threads in the sticky. The review material covered in the suggested books will mostly cover review material; not strategies. With a bit of prep, you’ll be getting 2000+ in no time. Good luck.</p>
<p>The good news for you is that Math scores are easier to improve with preparation than are CR and Writing. </p>
<p>Consider finding a tutor to re-teach some of the math material - it doesn’t necessarily have to specifically be an SAT tutor - but just to review the Algebra I and II and Geometry concepts.</p>
<p>Also browse in a bookstore for different SAT prep books to find a couple different ones that would be most helpful for you. The CC conventional wisdom - the Xiggi method saying to work through the problems in the Blue Book, is probably not the best place for you to start, because your background is atypical for CC. I think you would be better off with a book that provides more explanations, rather than just jumping into practice tests. I think the SparkNotes study guides are more of the explanation type. (My son found them helpful for the SAT Subject Tests, but didn’t use them for the SAT itself, so I don’t know.)</p>
<p>^^ Also, should have mentioned before, it is probably worth getting your hands on textbooks for Algebra I and II and Geometry. Schools are always changing editions, so I imagine you could buy used “last year’s editions” pretty cheaply somewhere.</p>
<p>Thanks for quoting me, but that is not exactly what I have recommended. The reason to use the existing tests as a springboard is to maintain a direct focus on what IS tested. The process of checking the answers is interactive. </p>
<p>Wow! You are all on top of your game and I am deeply appreciative of the advice. I have already ordered The Official SAT Study guides (both editions on Amazon). I am not able to go book shopping on an immediate basis because I am currently in Iraq and due to return stateside in November.</p>
<p>I am working through the CB OC in order to provide myself with the most accurate representation of my current level of preparation. I do, however, have a difficult task of finding the time in order to spend 4 hours on a practice test due to my current situation (although the save and exit option is available, I feel that it takes away from the realistic mental stress that I need to prepare for). In addition I am very limited in my options for my IHL of choice. The military GI Bill limits me to in-state tuition and fees, unless the IHL participates in a special ‘yellow ribbon’ program.</p>
<p>English comp and grammar have always been a natural strong point for me, and I am not overly concerned with the task of improving on my current scores in CR and WR. I am very concerned with the task of improving on math which is neither natural nor properly taught to me. </p>
<p>I will take every single shred of advice that you all have so graciously provided into consideration. My unit is not supportive of any personnel seeking to leave the Army for any reason and I am glad that you all are providing me with a safe refuge from that sort of close-mindedness.</p>
<p>Sincerely, a grateful Soldier,
Specialist Sean T, 82nd Airborne Infantry</p>
<p>PS</p>
<p>Xiggi, you’re kind of a big deal on CC, from what I can tell. I’m actually a kind of bewildered that you replied to my post. Thank you.</p>
<p>This is a link to the sticky that Big14 was talking about. There’s a lot of helpful threads including personal strategy threads, links to free practice tests, and other helpful tips. Hope it helps!</p>
<p>The best advice to give you is to do the following: buy a book called Rocket Review Revolution in addition to the Official SAT Guide. You should use them in conjunction. You read the RR for strategies and perhaps schedule a test every so often to “practice” those strategies. Your score will sky “rocket” from using Rocket Review.</p>
<p>Just practice! everyone can do it highhhh I believe.
I want to share my story for you.
I’m international with good english skill compared with normal student here.
My first time score was lower than 1500, (CR lower than400!)</p>