Reading/writing is supposed to my STRENGTH (or at least I thought it was) because I’ve always excelled in my English classes at school, won awards for my writing, etc and am an avid lover of reading as a whole. However I can’t seem to get above 720 on the reading section of the SAT?!
When studying for the SAT I focused on math a lot because my math score is much lower than my reading/writing scores but I’m taken aback by how much lower my reading score is than what I expected. Tips to improve my reading score/get an 800? I’ve read a lot of tips/advice online but I would like to know from people’s experiences and people who have maybe been in the same situation as me.
If you’ve taken the test three times, accept that this is your score. Once or twice, maybe give it another try but realize the more study and more tries does not automatically equal higher score.
There is no magic “study this way” that unlocks higher scores. The “take practice tests and focus on what you get wrong” advice you’re surely read remains the best advice.
Read Erica Meltzer’s SAT books cover to cover and do her workbooks in Grammar. Study through Khan Academy online as well. If you can’t top your 720 after this, then accept that a 720 is a very good score.
Then find colleges that fit YOU and not the other way around. Spend time living life, reading books for enjoyment and doing activities that enrich your life. You’re not just a number.
Oh, sorry, didnt realize this was such an old thread. May be a moot point now. But in many of your threads you’ seem so super-focused on Ivies and other elites…why is that so important to you? Are you getting a lot of pressure from your family or peers? There are other great schools BTW…
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@inthegarden Yes sorry if I seem super focused on Ivies and things like that. My parents really want me to go to an ivy league school. I know I shouldn’t place this much pressure on this though.
I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling that degree of pressure. If it’s something you grew up with your whole life, it’s hard to ignore, and hard to feel pride in your accomplishments if you miss that external mark. What level of school do you feel would be acceptable to your parents if not actual Ivies? Are you afraid they won’t be proud of you, or do you need that kind of school for the considerable financial aid they offer?
It sounds as if you did eventually nail that SAT, though. What worked best for you in test prep?
I think my parents would be proud if I went to non-Ivy but still selective schools like Emory, Notre Dame, etc. However they’re dead set on Ivies right now (I don’t think they know too much about colleges).
For SAT I took a ton of practice tests from Khan Academy and the Collegeboard website. I guess that just really helped me improve. I’m really glad I’m done with SATs now and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.