Breaking 2300

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>First of all, for anyone who just took the exam today, I wish you the best of luck! I took my first SAT 1 test back in January of this year as a sophomore and did successfully break 2200. 22~~, by all means, is a score that I am proud of (otherwise I wouldn't post about it). However, because I took the exam as a sophomore and still have plenty of time to take it again, I was wondering if anyone had advice as to what I should do to prepare? I didn't use many preparation books for the exam; I only used the Official SAT Study Guide from the College Board and other practice tests from Princeton Review. My worst section is Critical Reading and I'm equally as good (I would estimate) at Math and Writing. Could you suggest any preparation books, drills, schedules, or any other advice that you might have? I plan on taking the exam in December. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>~Scholar35</p>

<p>you’re already at a high score, so you probably don’t need to actually study information. Just do a ****load of practice tests.</p>

<p>@satman1111: Do you think I should take practice tests throughout the summer as well? Granted I have six months until I take the exam again, I’m not sure how to disperse my studying time.</p>

<p>I found that Barron’s SAT 2400 had some pretty good test-taking strategies for answering SAT questions, but as you already have a high score, you might as well just do practice tests to a get higher score. I would think you do not need to really worry about studying over the summer for it per se, but read some books. Learn and integrate some new vocabulary. Keep somewhat fresh on math topics and formulas. </p>

<p>You got time, relax for a little bit and let your mind rejuvenate itself from the school year (if you are already out of school). Then start hitting up topics you are not entirely confident on and start doing practice tests.</p>

<p>@CaptainFrost: Thanks for the helpful advice! I wasn’t necessarily planning on intensive summer training right off the bat; I just want to keep my math, reading, and writing skills where they currently are as school ends. I think I might invest in purchasing Barron’s 2400 and probably reading it during the school year. I’ll definitely go through some of those classics that I’ve always wanted to read! Perhaps one practice test a month over the summer is reasonable?</p>

<p>What are you consistently weak in? Do you mind sharing what your subscores were for some sections?</p>

<p>Edit: “Weak” is the wrong word, whoops. I meant weaker :P</p>

<p>Tbh there is no 2300 barrier. Once you’re up there (2200’s) it mostly depends on luck.
I took the SAT as a sophomore and got 2250.
No practice took it again during December of my Junior year and got 2340. Sure, you should review some vocab/grammar rules to make sure you don’t become rusty, but I don’t think there’s any sure-fire way to go 2200->2300.</p>

<p>I would disagree. Perhaps you got lucky and passed this imaginary barrier, but I would say it’s just as possible to go from 2200->2300 as 2100->2200.</p>

<p>Of course it’s possible. I did didn’t I? I’m saying there’s really specifically to do to go from 2200->2300, as opposed to prepping and going from 1500->1600 or 1600->1700 etc.</p>

<p>If I take the test again I’ll still score anywhere between 2200-2400. It all depends whether or not you’ll get that one esoteric vocab word you never saw or make that one or two careless math mistakes.</p>

<p>I would say it’s harder, but I wouldn’t chalk up entirely to luck. There may be a stronger element of luck, but it is definitely possible to guarantee a 2300+.</p>

<p>Well then, find out the guaranteed way to get a 2300+ and write a book about it. You’ll be rich as hell, assuming you won’t get any lawsuits from disgruntled buyers.</p>

<p>Hah!
There are hundreds of books out there with ways to “guarantee” scores. Obviously, not everyone who has read those books gets the score that they guaranteed.</p>

<p>Getting from a 2200->2300 clearly requires more work than 1600->1700. I’m saying that with enough practice (I should clarify: with enough GOOD practice), it’s possible.</p>

<p>@Extractum11–Generally my math scores are above 760, my writing scores are above 740, and my CR scores are above 710. This information is all from the last five or so diagnostic tests I took before the exam. </p>

<p>@Niceboat–Even if it does depend on luck, I still have to figure out a way to put myself in the best position in December. At times I’m tempted to just switch to the ACT and see how well I could do but it’s hard for me to decide…</p>

<p>Why not switch? I find the ACT so much less agonizing than the SAT.</p>

<p>What can I expect with perfect in math, -1 in CR, and -2/-3 in writing (assume 10 on essay)</p>

<p>@Preply–I’m considering it…I’m just not sure at this point. Wouldn’t taking the ACT require a lot more work as I would have to learn the knew format?</p>

<p>i would really focus on repetition of problems. its what worked for me when i took the SAT. I just took one test everyday and went over all the problems I missed thoroughly.</p>