I’m aiming for a perfect score, and I have gotten 2400 a couple times on practice tests, but it fluctuates between 2360 and 2400. Usually the distribution is 800 CR - 780 W (10-11 E) - 780 M. I’m stuck for methods on how to nail the last couple points. I’ve done 2 (official) practice tests after my first 2400 and have gotten 2360 and 2380. My weaknesses are the 35-question writing section (mainly error ID, occasionally improving paragraphs) and math - best subject in school and doing calc BC this year, but that appears to have little bearing on the SAT math. Occasionally it’s a stupid mistake, but it’s often misinterpreting the question, so I consistently get 1-2 wrong in writing and 1 wrong in math. For CR, I usually get 1 sentence completion wrong, but the curve makes that irrelevant. I’ve used Barron’s 2400 for grammar only and have the blue book. I’ve also tried simply studying the concepts behind every question which I get wrong, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. And especially since my school is starting next week, I won’t have time to take a huge volume of practice tests. My question is this: What resources can I use to practice efficiently from here? I know colleges don’t really differentiate between 2360 and 2400, but with the amount of effort I’ve put in, I would be shortchanging myself by not aiming for the top.
Thanks
Have you taken the actual SAT yet? Slight score fluctuations are normal when you hit the score limits (which you are basically at). If you’re a rising junior, you have plenty of time to take the SAT at least twice. It sounds like you’ve prepped a lot already, so give the real thing a go and see what happens, then go from there.
And you’re right, top colleges don’t differentiate much within the range that you’re scoring in. If you miss the 2400 but get the 2370+, it’s not THAT advantageous to take it again.
I think when you’re consistently getting those scores, there’s really nothing you can really do.
It all comes down to test-day performance and luck sort of. Be well rested, eat a good breakfast, bring some snacks and water, and don’t panic during the test.
That is why colleges don’t differentiate between a 2360 and a 2400, because a kid could just get lucky on the sentence completion (he knows all the vocab) or he got lucky on the writing MC (especially on the confusing pick the error, he guess right) or he got lucky on the essay because its a topic he knows about or vice-versa.
So I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Harvard wouldn’t care if you got a 2400 or a 2360 as everyone knows that getting a perfect score is not all based on skill; there’s plenty of luck involved.
I’m signed up for the October 3rd sitting. I’m a rising junior but would still prefer to take it now and forget about it. So is there absolutely no method for prepping which can help with those last points? I understand that it doesn’t matter much- but I’d feel a lot more confident going into the test if I knew I was capable of a perfect score, and more than anything I want the 2400.
If you’re consistently scoring more than 2360 on your practice tests, you should feel VERY confident going into the test! Seriously, don’t worry about it too much, and don’t stress about getting a perfect score. If you score 2360+ on the SAT you are very safely within the 98-99th percentile, and at that point colleges are looking more at your essays and you as a person to decide whether they want you or not.
For the writing section just keep on practicing the grammar rules, that score is probably easier than math to improve. Honestly, you just need to make sure your test taking skills don’t get rusty between now and October. I guess do some practice questions each day in the 2-3 weeks leading up to it?
Honestly the 2400 doesn’t mean much more than 2360. You might get bragging rights, but no one in college will care and neither will future employers.
That said, try your best, make sure your scores don’t slump, and make sure you are alert and not nervous during the test, but it’s not really a big deal.
Alright, thanks. Will definitely keep up the practice- maybe it’ll even help me improve, but if not, whatever. Probably better to focus on AP classes anyway.