<p>Being my asinine, overconfident self, I took the SATs twice without studying(once in Nov and then in Dec), just to get roughly the same score both times (1970, 1990). </p>
<p>i know that this doesn't show my true potential and that i can do a lot better if i just apply myself a little bit and actually prepare. i aim to improve my score by at least 150. any tips from people who had similar situations? what have you found are the best ways of studying? do classes help? does going through prep books page by page help?</p>
<p>the official sat blue book by college board helps a lot, esp if you review everything that you didn't get right and make sure you understand the concepts behind it.</p>
<p>I was in similar situation with you. In fact, I raised my SAT by 110 points between second and last SAT (300 total points from first SAT). </p>
<p>Basicially, I used Xiggi's method: Take practice tests. After you finish each test, review the answers and the explanations carefully for each problem, even the ones you got right. This is very important as you want to make sure you know why you got each problem right so you can start to recognize patterns and similar questions. The best book to take practice tests from is Collegeboards blue book. You have to be comfortable with the material tested. Use your old SAT as well. Review and learn from your mistakes; try to avoid repeating them.</p>
<p>on my PSAT, I got 4 wrong in CR, and all four of them were due to vocab, so i'm making huge lists and memorizing about 30 a day. so far it's worked pretty well. i've reached the Cs!!! lol :). </p>
<p>and ill use Xiggi's method when it comes to the math!</p>
<p>Lilkiller, you can keep taking practice tests and taking your time to review the answers. When you run out of tests, buy more prep books such as 10 Real SATs. If you still want more, take practice tests on Collegeboard's website (online course but costs $60). At the same time, don't try to overstress yourself. Good luck!</p>
<p>CR=Practice
Writing=learn rules that they test
Math=Always know the Triangle Inequalities Property...it appears on every standardized test ever....like I swear it was on my SATII American in November.</p>
<p>im in the exact same situation...i decided that i was too smart to study and got a 1990 :( im going through blue book, barrons, and maybe princeton review and i heard that reading papers like new york times and stuff helps a lot with critical reading so im reading an article or two from that every morning!! hope this helps!</p>
<p>Well, I used a lot of books and practise tests, I think I got through about 20 of them, for CR and verbal what I can suggest is to read a lot of books, particularly the old classics, you might find the recommended books in the "Blue book" to be useful. :)</p>
<p>1) Read the Newspaper, a national syndicated one. This REALLY helped me with my CR score. It not only boosts your vocabulary, but helps you with grammer and when you write your essay. You should have no problem getting a 12 e with this.</p>
<p>2) After you take practice tests, practice tests, and mroe practice test; get yourself a spiral notebook. And take time to literally write EACH wrong question down in the book then solve it in the book. Then every week or so, look back at the book and review the questions to make sure you remember how to do such a question. This will help you identify the areas in which you have problems in and review. Most of all, however, by writing out the full question you'll be able to write, think, and see the question as you memorize it. </p>
<p>...Actually a third point, study vocabulary!</p>
<p>the guy taking his test beside me during the November SAT, was caught looking at my answer sheet and working on previous sections...he was escorted out of the classroom by some guy- it was pretty intense. </p>
<p>i thought that all this chaos was the reason i did so poorly the first time...but the second time proved me wrong- ;)</p>
<p>thanks again, everyone. the barron's SAT book has an extended list of SAT vocab that I'm currently going through...it's been helpful...i'm already recognizing more words even though i've only reached the D's!</p>