<p>I'm attempting to take the SAT for the last time in October, and my superscore right now is 2290. I'm perfectly good at math, but I need to boot my reading (low-mid 700s) and writing (mid 700s) up to 800 since I hope for a 2400. Are there any prep books (that aren't super long) that I should buy to boost my score up 100 points? Also, what are some tips to reach 2400? I already have/used the blue book and I have direct hits vocab.</p>
<p>this is kind of sucky advice but with standardized tests, once you get to a certain score there’s nothing that can really prepare you. its all about how you feel that day and the material that’s on the test that day. i don’t think there’s much prep you can do honestly. sorry if this isn’t what you wanted to hear </p>
<p>I hate you. </p>
<p>Haha don’t know how to take that so assuming compliment…</p>
<p>Literally practice makes perfect. Find the questions you keep getting wrong/skipping and keep reduing them and understand why that answer is correct. If your out of cb prep books then you can buy another one.</p>
<p>This depends on how old you are, how much time you have, and how many times you’ve already taken it. If you think that a 2400 SAT will make up for lackluster EC’s and essays, think again - because your 2290 will be just as good as a 2400. In other words, those 110 points will not help. If you’re a rising junior, then congrats - since you have some time, feel free to take it again. If you’re a rising senior and you have already taken it twice or thrice, forget about retaking and focus on other parts of your app. Even if you spend just 5-10 hours this summer studying for an additional SAT, that time would be better spent writing a couple essays.</p>
<p>However, to answer your question - whatever you have will suffice; try to perfect what you have (so learn all the Direct Hits words and perfect the reading and writing sections in the Blue Book). One way to improve on reading is to do untimed practice (slowing down to understand the questions and passages thoroughly). To prep for writing, you may want to brush up on some advanced grammar rules, but just reading the sentence and getting a feel for it should get you to your desired score (I got an 800 on the Writing without formally studying any grammar rules). To get that 800, you also need to ensure that you consistently score at least a 10 on the essay, so if you are lacking there, practice. </p>
<p>You don’t need a 2400. </p>
<p>Ironically, I was just like you. I ended up buying 3 books to read in three weeks before the SAT to push myself to a 2400 by mastering CR. I did fairly well on practice tests, but when it came to the real thing, my performance didn’t really change much at all even though I had so many new strategies and concepts under my belt. </p>
<p>I don’t mean you shouldn’t try to score higher, if that’s what you really want. I’m just saying that that high score you want to get doesn’t just have to be a 2400. My friend got into MIT and Caltech with a 2320 in one sitting and 2340 superscore.</p>
<p>My superscore is ok, but my single sittings are meh. I’ve taken it twice, but I went down the 2nd time. Plus, after prepping for the SAT again, I feel like I’ve improved (probably from AP lang mc), so I want to try one last time.</p>
<p>@caffeinemolecule That’s great and I encourage you to do so (that’s almost like me, with the exception that I scored unexpectedly low my first two sittings and average the third time). </p>
<p>Direct Hits is a great resource already. If your writing isn’t 780-800 already, I’d brush up and practice with grammar rules that can be found on Erica Meltzer’s website or her book. I used her other book for CR (hoped I’d get an 800 but there were a lot of tricky questions) and it is quite insightful, but only boosted me, personally, 20 points (YMMV). For math, if you need it, just try to do as many practice problems you can (perhaps from PWNtheSAT or something). Also, remember that there is a logical solution to every math problem. Some of them are tricky, but if you can’t seem to find an answer or don’t understand the question, just know that the question was designed to have a solution and that it exists. Sounds a bit redundant now, but it helped me get an 800 on math when I faced 2 fairly difficult questions. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>@caffeinemolecule omg way to rub in the scores LOL help me via pm pls.</p>
<p>Remember that colleges don’t always look for the 2400 in a person though. What sets you aside from other applicants are the things you do outside of school and your essay 
I know you will write a terrific essay though :x </p>