<p>What was your range on critical reading in the Blue Book vs. your actual score?</p>
<p>For example: Range: 620-720 Score: 650</p>
<p>I took two practice tests and here are the ranges compared to my actual scores:</p>
<p>CR:
range:
770-800
770-800</p>
<p>actual: 800</p>
<p>Math:
range: 800, 760-800 actual: 790</p>
<p>Writing: range: 800, 770-800 actual: 800</p>
<p>generally you would have to assume - your score is in the middle of the range and then depending on the curve it may increase or decrease.</p>
<p>CR:
range:
690-790
700-800
Actual.........650...***</p>
<p>Math:
range: 800, 800 actual: 750</p>
<p>Writing: range: 800, 730-800 actual: 700</p>
<p>I'm retaking obviously. I know a 2300 is possible...........</p>
<p>I have designed my own scoring curve for the Blue Book tests to use with my students. The curve has worked very well to predict actual, officlal scores for CR and Math, although the Writing scores from the April exam seemed to be lower than my predictions for some reason (perhaps CB somehow "deflated" these scores artificially, although I find that highly unlikely). Without the curve, here are some general guidelines for scoring the exams:</p>
<p>For the CR sections, take the lower end of the range as the actual score.
For the Math sections, the midpoint of the range is usually an accurate score.
For the Writing sections, the ranges in the book vary too much from my curve to give a general rule. In general, the true score is probably lower than the midpoint of the range.</p>
<p>I hope this helps!</p>
<p>Range: Actual:
M: 690-770 690
CR:560-620 540 :(:(
W: 620-760 600</p>
<p>Test Scales:</p>
<p>CR: 690-790
M: 720-800
W: 670-800</p>
<p>Actual Scores:</p>
<p>CR: 770
M: 720
W: 710</p>
<p>I just took CollegeBoard's free online practice test and scored it.</p>
<p>I got a 2210.
770 cr, 670 m, 770 w</p>
<p>But...I took a practice SAT from PR's 2005 SAT prep book, and I only got a 2100 (ew, much worse numbers).</p>
<p>I also read the thread on Xiggy's method, which advocated studying ONLY the actual SAT questions, that is, ONLY the practice/past tests created by CollegeBoard made available through their new blue book or past three editions of 10 Real SATs.</p>
<p>So...I'm thinking that this thread readily validates my thought that the blue book should serve as my only SAT study guide? </p>
<p>Unlike the tests in the CB blue book, however, the free online practice test offered definite numbers for each raw score. (And, apparently, that online test was identical to CB's first practice test in the blue book.) The ranges are a little disconcerting, I wish CB released another edition with definite numbers instead of ranges.</p>
<p>I have to respectfully disagree with Xiggi that only CB questions are suitable for practice. While there is no doubt that they are the best questions to practice with, they are sometimes not enough for some students (yes, some students can actually work through 15 tests), and the other practice material, which usually comes with explanations (something the Blue Book lacks) -- sometimes illustrating good strategies that CB would never recommend or acknowledge, can sometimes be quite instructive. So don't necessarily limit yourself to the Blue Book, but be careful and selective when using other books for practice.</p>
<p>I have to "respectfully disagree" with you. Nothing can simulate the real test as well as the Blue Book. If you want 6 additional tests, buy the online course and then you will have explanations for all test questions in the Blue Book. There is also the free practice test online. Giving you a grand total of 15 tests with explanations. If a student can work through all 15 tests (quite a feat indeed), look for someone with the Question and Answer Service or work through all 15 again. Going through the same questions a second time around is good since you will KNOW what you are weak at if you get a question wrong. That was what I did. Inhuman? Yes, I slaved away for the SATs baby. A standarized test must have only 1 right answer. Just remember that when doing the tests.</p>
<p>Hikaru,</p>
<p>My advice is not borne of armchair theorizing. I advise what I do after having worked with hundreds of SAT students, and years of experimenting with different books, methods and techniques, and finding out what works and what doesn't, not from merely having one or two success stories. If you read my earlier post carefully, I already stated that the CB questions are the best to use, -- I do not question that -- but I can tell you that my students work through even MORE than those 15 tests. They also have access to explanations for all or most of those 15 tests. The CB tests alone are excellent practice for most, but sometimes even those are not sufficient (for a huge improvement). I use about 6-8 different books in a standard SAT course with my students, including the Blue Book. Of course, some books are better than others. Our students typically improve by 300 to 500 points (composite) on the exam, so I will let CCers judge whether my advice is valuable or valid.</p>