<p>I can't seem to be able to improve in Critical Reading and Writing. I took the SAT in Nov. and April. I got CR:520 M:590 W:400 in Nov. and CR:530 M: 690 W:500 in April. I have also done my SAT 2 and score 730 Spanish, 710 Math 2, 640 Chem. Does anyone have advice on which programs or books are good that improve SAT Reasoning scores? I believe my application is really strong and the only thing hurting my chances of getting into Top Tier schools are my scores. So if anyone has a similar situation that has improved a lot besides studying and practice(which I plan to do) that would be nice. Thanks!</p>
<p>First, congratulations on a 210 point increase! Wow. </p>
<p>My advice would be to read the Wall Street Journal, I swear that’s what brought my scores from a 1670 (580M, 520R, 570W, 8 essay) to a 2040 (630M, 710R, 700W, 12 essay). I studied, but when I was studying I would get around an 1800. Then I started reading the WSJ and my reading and writing (you seem pretty solid with your math score) shot up. </p>
<p>Really, I’m sure any well-regarded newspaper would help. The articles are usually around the same length as the reading passages, and current events give you good examples for essays. To me, though, the WSJ has the most complex vocab and ideas. The editorials (if you can get by some of the most opinionated writers in the paper) are <em>really</em> nice since the writers are trying to impress people with their ideas. </p>
<p>I know that sounded like an endorsement for the WSJ, but…yeah. My .02. :)</p>
<p>Thanks a million! I really appreciate your advice and hopefully me situation will be similar to yours. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I have the same dilemma, any more advice?</p>
<p>Any more help???</p>
<p>My PSAT score was a 187. I was really depressed as I had wanted to go to an Ivy/Top-notch school. I really didn’t have much time to study for the SAT, except a considerable amount during vacations. In general, I actually read the long reading assignments for AP US, AP bio, AP chem, etc, put full effort in my AP Calc BC class, and asked for extra help in my AP lang class. Outside of that, I did study the 5k words from Gruber during my December vacation and skimmed through a couple of SAT prep books. I didn’t even want to take the test as the last practice test I had taken was the PSAT, which wasn’t the best score ever :P. In March I received a 2240 (800M, 760 W, 680 CR) from my PSAT score of 187 (63M, 72 W, 52 CR). The hours I spent on homework helped me build the endurance I needed to take the test and my continuous anticipation of challenges simply at school helped me achieve this. I’m going for 2300+ in October xD</p>
<p>I always encourage my students to begin reading, but I’m going to be more specific and say that just reading the Wall Street Journal or some other top newspaper/periodical is not going to be enough on its own. You need to be reading for comprehension, reading to really dig into the material, not just scanning it because you heard that reading the WSJ would boost your score.</p>
<p>For that reason, I don’t tell my students to pick up WSJ or Economist – I tell them to start reading higher-level material in a field that interests them. I got an 800 CR and the WSJ bores me to death (still does). If you like reading novels, go pick up some good novels from the library. One of my ROTC students started reading a military history. Another student who was considering a conservatory started reading books on music. Read what interests you, but make sure that it is higher-level material – books on par with what your English teacher would assign you to read in your English class.</p>
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<p>Same, haha. Don’t make reading into a chore - read something good that you enjoy!</p>
<p>This is embarassing, but most of the reading I do is chick lit and other teen fiction (… Twilight, anyone?) , and I scored a 700 writing, 750 CR when I took it in May. So I recommend reading what is interesting to YOU! Reading what you enjoy will make you want to read more, and reading a lot leads to an inherent knowledge of sentence structure and how writing in general works. </p>
<p>In terms of vocabulary, I’m obsessed with freerice.com. It improves vocab and (in case you haven’t heard of it) with every vocab word you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice to the UN World Hunger Program. It’s so addicting, and you can play for however long you want to! (lol, I sound like an infomercial for the website haha)</p>
<p>If you just want to do a few practice tests, I would use The Official SAT Study Guide from the college board. I found it super helpful.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Yeah…if you only read the WSJ then I don’t think it would help much, it was just what worked for me. 
I think reading a wide variety is really necessary though. It seems every test there is a passage from something I’ve read before…:P</p>
<p>The Wall street Journal is something that I have started to read, but I do not attribute the increase in my CR score to it. I got a subscription because I am genuinely interested in business and economics. However, even I found many of the articles boring and I usually end up throwing out the middle section with the investing and marketing section. I find the NYT much more interesting and wide-ranging, if you want to find something to read. Only subscribe if you really want to read though; if you are forcing yourself, you will probably want to cancel your subscription within a month, because there is a LOT of material.</p>
<p>Have you tried the ACT? Some students do better on it than they do on the SAT.</p>
<p>Yeah thanks for all your advice! Yes I have tried the ACT! 
Sadly I am not a speedy worker and it didn’t go so well. Secondly, I want to go into business so hopefully WSJ and NYT will entertain me. JENX1234 I will try the freerice.com, Hopefully I will improve by reading WSJ and other magazines and books that I like. Thanks! If there are any more suggestions that would be great. Thanks again.</p>