A downward spiral of doom and despair - a thoroughly disheartened senior for Saturday

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>hi guys,
I'm really getting upset with my lack of progress on my scores. I got a 660 on my previous exam in Critical Reading, and I wanted to bump it up by 100 points so I could get 2300+. I started practicing for the October 1st exam in the beginning of August with vocab, and the past month on just taking practice exams.</p>

<p>I'm essentially in a downward spiral that is making me both disheartened and upset. My first practice exam in September I got only 5 wrong. My second test, I got 7 wrong. My third test, 15 wrong. My fourth test, well, it's only getting worse it seems. I just don't know what to do, I'm so hurt by my lack of progress despite having worked so hard in an attempt to get a higher score.</p>

<p>Before I'm told that it's a high score, and it's silly for me to feel upset over the 660, I've worked so hard to get a higher score with no avail - that is the thing that is most upsetting. I'm also applying to top tiers/ivy leagues, so a 660 in CR just isn't cutting it.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any advice or kind words? I'm just so depressed and not ready to take on the exam on Saturday at all, knowing how poorly I've been doing.</p>

2

<p>Well the first question is, have you been proctored? As in, have you timed yourself or been timed by someone else? Because taking practice tests untimed is just waste…just saying.</p>

3

<p>I started from a 60 CR and rose it to an 800 CR in 2-3 months of studying so I understand your situation. I wrote a relatively concise guide on the critical reading section here on CC. Here’s the link if you want to read it for some advice.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1024138-how-i-got-800-sat-critical-reading-story-guide.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1024138-how-i-got-800-sat-critical-reading-story-guide.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Warpclaw - I agree, I always time my practice tests.</p>

<p>Apoc - It was a very nice guide, I had read it, unfortunately to no avail :(</p>

5

<p>bump :frowning: 10char</p>

6

<p>I feel you bro
I started with 5 wrong and I’m getting 12 wrong now.
I was so depressed.</p>

<p>Are you using the test on the online course?</p>

7

<p>nah, the blue book</p>

8

<p>maybe its just that the difficulty of the tests get higher same thing happened to me. just know that its going to be easier on the actual test.</p>