<p>I know some of my friendsare spending their summer either by participating in an SAT institution or going for SAT lessons where they are going to be exploited till they shrivel. My friends and I are all rising Seniors with high goals.</p>
<p>Anyways, i have taken the SAT exam twice and im planning to take, although reluctantly, my third and finale October SAT exam. I been told that colleges usually like applicants who took it twice but with my score of 1860(580CR 660M 620W) im aware that i dont have a shot at Northwestern and Georgetown. </p>
<p>So should i devote my summer into SAT? Btw, i've been into a cram course and sat tuition for straight month...</p>
<p>Also, i read alot of post regarding when the SAT2s should be taken and im wondering, instead of working my butt off for my third SAT and SAT2's isn't life much easier for me but also to <em>all the students</em> in my scenrio that we take the ACT?</p>
<p>I am in the same situation as you. My SaT and Sat II are low so i have been studing for the SAT ever since school got out. BUt I just decided to shift my focus to study for the ACT because i feel i can do better with alot of studing for the ACT. Also, there are 2 act test dates before you apply for early admissions. SO if you think you can do better by studing alot for the ACT, then i think it would be wise to study for the ACT.</p>
<p>hey tn91. Im glad i have an sympathiser-a shrewd one too-. Most of my depressed SAT friends dont know what the ACT is mainly because we are all IB students. </p>
<p>I think im more disadvantaged though. In Singapore there are only October and December test dates and the problem is i have a important trip on October-which im willing to skip despite the fact that i paid for everything. </p>
<p>But does colleges like Georgetown, Northwestern or even Cornell accept my ACT from December?</p>
<p>i studied a bit for my SAT and i didn’t even come close to what i wanted until my third try.. however, i took the ACT cold turkey to see how i’d do and i ended up doing A LOT better when looking at the conversion</p>
<p>maybe the same will happen to you, and yes they do accept the ACT in december as long as you’re not doing any early plan</p>
<p>I hit my target score range…but now i just want to be bette. and CC doesn’t help. It makes me want a better score even more.
I go back and forth about retaking the SAT in october like every couple of hours!!!</p>
<p>I have the same exact problem as you. It’s frustrating having everything but the score. I’m doing the same thing. I switched my efforts over to the ACT only because the possibility of increasing my scores 3-4 points is greater. I don’t have September to take the ACT though, only October So hopefully it’s all well.</p>
<p>I think spending a whole summer, especially the summer just before senior year, on SAT prep is a waste of time and money, and not very good preparation for college.</p>
<p>I think taking one test prep course is plenty…
I took the princeton review one and it helped me seeing as i didnt have the dedication to look at it on my own.
I took the class my junior summer.
took the test a few times and did a lot worse than i expected ( had 2 months in between class and first test) On class practice tests i got around 2100 and on the real test i got 2090 and 2020. I had previously taken it sophoomore summer and expected the 2020 to be my final 3rd time and i realized that i was sooooo mad. My writing +CR had gone up by 30 points nad my Math went down from a 780 to a 680.</p>
<p>In May i took the test over 5 months past the course for the fourth time, spent 3+ hours a day at the library for a week and a half doing practice tests and i got a 2290. All the class actuallly teaches you is how to be careful and to be aware of some tricks that they throw at you. The rest is really up to you.</p>
<p>I also took the ACT a week eariler than that SAT and took hte same amount of time doing practice tests and was pretty prepared for the time squeeze and the need to be careful that i learned in the SAT course</p>
<p>Test prep courses are overrated. You can easily get the same experience by buying several test prep books, going through them diligently, and taking tons of practice exams. Don’t waste the money - save it for actually paying for the SATs and then for paying for college :P</p>
<p>i think it depends on which prep courses you attend. prep courses offered by princeton review and kaplan are a waste of money and time. if you live in california, there exists a wide variety of sat institutions run by asians who know what they are doing. i got a 2010 and i am planning on retaking the sat in october for 2150+. i as well am a rising senior. good luck to you</p>
<p>I too think prep courses are a waste of money. Mostly because they try to teach you everything. you do not want to waste time studing materials you already know. I took a prep course for the SAT that cost $700 and found it useless. My score did not increase at all. However, if you hve the money, private tutors can be a worthwhile investment. They go at your pace and help you on areas you struggle with it. However, if you have engouh dedication and time, you only need review books to do well.</p>
<p>I think it’s helpful to study and practice on your own, but I’m not really sure whether private tutors are all that helpful. I went from an 1850 to a 1940 on my SAT’s just from practicing on my own. This summer I plan on practicing more and I hope to get a 2000+ I think it just takes practice and studying on your own to improve.</p>
<p>Im not taking any prep courses. Im just using barrons prep books for each section and their book of tips on getting a 2400 and princeton reviews practice tests and studying for about an hour and a half to two hours a day. I dont think its worth getting a tutor if you are a driven person that will make yourself study. I got an 1860 on my June SAT and wasnt happy so Im thinking I can get atleast a 2000+ if I keep up with the studying since I didnt crack a book when I last took it.</p>
<p>Really? THere are numerous prep courses for the ACT from where I live. But i think self-studying with the right review books would be much more helpful.</p>
<p>The overall agreement seems that spending the whole junior summer into just SAT is redundant and inefficient. Then, what is the <em>best</em> way to spend it?</p>
<p>One good thing to do is to read interesting books and magazines about subjects you like. That will boost your verbal scores anyway, and that will help you get ready for college.</p>
<p>I don’t know…I’m in the same situation. I’ve found that by really dedicating myself, I’ve increased my score 150 points in the past month. So I think spending the time over the summer is an investment–think about how relaxed you can be next year-the summer before college with not standardized tests to worry about and knowing that you did your best. The major/only thing lacking in my application as it stands are sat scores and I think if you really want to get into your dream college like I do, you will be willing to give up some time and really focus on it.</p>
So hopefully it’s all well.</p>