I’m a sophomore who took the SAT in December because my brother is a senior and my parents decided to sign us both up. I scored a 1460 (770 Math, 690 Reading & Writing, 6/6/6 Essay) by studying a couple hours each night for three nights on Khan Academy with my brother. I’m happy with my math and essay scores, but I really want to improve my reading and writing. My 690 came from 11 wrong on reading and 6 wrong on writing. Since then, I have learned A LOT about the importance of the SAT and PSAT and decided to continue practicing on Khan Academy. The problem is that while I ace all the math stuff, I can’t seem to improve on the reading and writing portions. I constantly get 7-8/11 on the practice modules and can’t seem to correct what I’m getting wrong. I’m in honors English in school and am taking AP Lit next year (school doesn’t offer AP Lang), but I’ve heard those classes don’t mimic the SAT Reading as much as the SAT Literature Subject Test. I plan on going into the humanities/social sciences in college, so I feel like I need a perfect 800 to maximize my chances at good schools. Has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone solved it effectively? Which prep books are the best for getting an 800 on reading?
First of all, I don’t know what schools you are aiming to get into but a 1460 is a FANTASTIC score. I got a 1410 the first time I took it and that is the only time I took it. Unless you are aiming for like Harvard you don’t need a perfect 800 on CR. I got a 700 on the CR. Honestly I think the best way to improve your reading comprehension skills is just to read as much as possible. I love books and personally I didn’t study at all for the SAT I just read a lot and did everything organically. I know that I probably could’ve done better had I studied more, but honestly a 1460 is really good and can definitely get you into most outstanding schools. I’m sorry if I’m not much of a help but obviously you are extremely smart so maybe if you try to grow in your reading skills that will help. If you take AP Lit next year that should definitely help you out. Good luck and don’t stress too much!
You don’t need a perfect 800! You already have a fine score…if you are aiming for very selective schools, getting into the 700 range will make you competitive.
Since you’re only a sophomore, if you continue to study (but not obsessively, please) and read for the love of reading, your practice scores should gravitate up in the next year. You might want to buy a study guide, as well as doing Khan Academy…it would make sense to me that different study methods would suit different students. I have read that the Erica Meltzer book is good. Have you been able to zoom in on what TYPE of questions you are getting wrong? Identifying a pattern might help you to focus on your weaknesses.
Work on this, sure, but be a whole person, not a slave to stats. Really, the whole point of the tests are to assure schools that you have the ability and skills to do the work…so focus on the skills themselves, not perfect scores. Try not to have a dream school but an array of “great fit” schools that you can be excited about. Do other things you like to do…(being committed to humanities/social sciences means embracing the intrinsic values of learning and living , right?) Great grades and test scores get you in the door, but it’s your overall personality, values, curiosity, spark and the things you do in your life that will distinguish you. Don’t kill the spark by overwork.