From 1540 to 2310- my success story and how to improve your score

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>My freshman PSAT score was a 154 (48 CR 51 W 55M). I know, not so hot. The following year my score jumped to a 177 (51 CR 67 M 59 W). Again, not so hot, and it was at this point where I really began to worry that I would never achieve that 2200+ or even 2000+ score that I so desperately wanted. So after my sophomore year throughout the summer I began to 'prep' and was able to achieve a 2090 (640 CR 750 M 700 W) on the October SAT. While this was a good score I new I could improve. On my October PSAT, which was actually only about 11 days after the October SAT, I managed to get a 221 (78 W 80 M 63 CR) which I was thrilled about; however I knew my reading could be improved upon. I re-took in March and I got a 2310 (800 Math 800 Writing 710 Reading) and for the most part, practice tests were my main method of preparation. For all of those who are interested in how this type of improvement can be achieved, here is my advice. </p>

<p>For critical reading, I may not be the most qualified person to give you advice, but I did improve my CR from 48 (9th grade PSAT) to 710 (SAT 2nd try). If I were you I would definitely purchase the College Board's "Official SAT Study Guide" aka the 'Blue book' from Amazon. It's relatively inexpensive and is certainly one of the best available tools to improve your score in every section. The 10 real past tests it provides are excellent tools for improvement. I'm not sure exactly how you go about answering the Critical Reading questions or what your 'method' is, but I must say my score saw an immediate increase just by following the tips in "How to attack the SAT Critical Reading Section Effectively". That guide provides a new approach to reading the passages and answering the questions and has helped me tremendously. Beyond that I haven't done much else to prepare besides memorize some Vocabulary which can be found all over the internet - just google "SAT Vocabulary". If you want an actual book with the best words than both DirectHits and 'The Essential 500' are excellent sources.</p>

<p>I really did nothing to prepare for math besides take a few practice tests, I'm just naturally gifted in that area, and I do loads of competition math (AMC, AIME, etc) which make the SAT math questions look like a joke. With that being said, I've heard great things about "Gruber's Complete SAT Math Guide" and if you're interested in additional materials, besides just the 'Blue Book', it may be worth the money. Gruber's along with the Blue Book should be all you need to improve tremendously in math. As with anything, the cliche "practice makes perfect" holds true with SAT math.</p>

<p>Now writing I firmly believe is the easiest section to improve drastically on, as I've improved immensely from a 51 (9th grade PSAT) to a 59 (10th grade PSAT) to a 700 (SAT 1st try) to an 800 (SAT 2nd try). The essay was one area where I really improved from 1st to 2nd. I got an 8 on my first essay and an 11 on the 2nd essay and I would attribute most of this success to my amazing AP english lang teacher. However, if you aren't in AP lang or are not fortunate enough to have such an excellent teacher, don't worry you can still improve the same amount. One of the best tools out there for quick improvement on your essay that truly teaches you how to write it and captures the essence of what the SAT graders are searching for is AcademicHacker's "How to Write a 12 Essay in Just 10 Days". I would certainly read through this and start forming your 'template'. Now in terms of Grammar, much of my improvement was a direct result of simply brushing up on basic Grammar rules and going through practice SAT-type questions in Erica Meltzer's "The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar". Again, like Gruber's and like the 'Blue Book', this is an excellent source that can be picked up on Amazon. However, not everyone may want to purchase a book and there are excellent online alternatives. "StrangeCamus's SAT Grammar Guide" on CC is an excellent source of information for SAT grammar and costs nothing. Now it won't cover the material like the Meltzer's book, but nonetheless is a great source.</p>

<p>Now a tutor is also an option; however, in my honest opinion, there isn't anything that a tutor can teach you that the immense resources available on CC, and on the internet in general, cannot. I do understand that some kids learn better when an actual human explains questions and techniques to them, but almost all of the questions you can possibly have can be easily answered right here on CC at your own convenience! People are practically drooling to comment on the typical "help me with this math problem" threads. Tutors and SAT prep programs are often used to keep kids who are a little less motivated and less disciplined on the right track and make sure they are actually doing practice tests. If you know you are going to practice often and you're motivated to improve then you most likely will not need a tutor. Now others may have a different opinion, but this is what I believe, and I base it off of my own improvement and the improvement of countless CC users.</p>

<p>Here is a list of all of the aforementioned resources (and a few others):</p>

<p>Must-buy's</p>

<ol>
<li>the College Board's "Official SAT Study Guide" - $12-15 on Amazon</li>
</ol>

<p>Suggested/Recommended Materials that can be purchased on Amazon (not necessary though)
1. Erica Meltzer's "The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar" - $18
2. Gruber's Complete SAT Math Guide -$60 (a little expensive, yes but it's not 100% necessary)
3. Direct Hits Core/Toughest Vocabulary - $18-22 total
and/or The Essential 500 Words - $14</p>

<p>Must-Reads</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Noitaraperp's Guide to Critical Reading
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li>
<li><p>StrangeCamus's SAT Grammar Guide
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammar-guide.html"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammar-guide.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li>
<li><p>Academic Hacker's "How to write a 12 essay in just 10 days"
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li>
<li><p>Xiggi's time-honored preparation methods:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li>
<li><p>Silverturtle's Guide
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li>
</ol>

<p>Extremely Helpful link with numerous resources:
<a href="http://papers.xtremepapers.com/SAT/"&gt;http://papers.xtremepapers.com/SAT/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Great thread man, I took the march SAT and aced the CR but the math and writing not so much (690,700). I’m going to purchase Erica Meltzer’s grammar guide, PWN the SAT Math, and Gruber’s math workbook. Do you think this will be sufficient? I’m looking to increase my score by about 110+ points to hit the 2300+ range in my next SAT. Also when would you recommend taking it again considering that AP’s are in May and I’m considering taking SAT II’s in June. </p>

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<p>Yeah those should certainly suffice. Meltzer’s Grammar Guide in combination with “How to write a 12 essay in just 10 Days” took my writing from a 700 to an 800, so there’s no reason the same thing can’t happen for you. I would probably take it in October of next year (maybe November) if you are doing the Subject tests in June. You could take it in May; however, this gives you very little time to prepare, so I would not recommend it. Take it in October or November because that way you’ll have the entire summer to really focus on preparing for it without having to worry about AP exams. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for this thread! Gives me hope!</p>

<p>Just took my first SAT in March and got a 2070 (CR 610 M 770 W 690 10 Essay) and I’m a little disappointed. Writing is usually my best with around a 730-750 average and then math is low 700s and critical reading is high 600s low 700s.So the math was really surprising to get a 770. I think I’m going to take it again in October because I have some APs, SAT IIs, and regular school to study for for the rest of the year.</p>

<p>I guess my main question is this: if I want to get a really good score (2200+) should I continue to prep until October or leave it until the summer? I feel like I should be prepping consistently because the SAT stuff is so fresh in my mind. I guess I’m also worried that I’ll be less motivated during the summer. Any recommendations?</p>

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<p>@dn4144</p>

<p>plz help me !!!
may 2013 1410 ( 410c , 590m , 410 w )
october 2013 ( 1670 460c , 620m , 590w )
i will talk again in may 2014 and i really need an 1910 ( for critical an memorizing the 800barron’s , 400 direct hits , 500 essential ) are those books sufficient or not > </p>

<p>and on math ( while solving in my home i usually ace it ) also in the exams i always solve math my ease * but i don’tknow why my scores are so bad in it ) plz reply soon i got onle 30 days ( thnks )</p>

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<p>Yeahh. finally you did it.guys 1. Noitaraperp’s Guide to Critical Reading is very helpful to improve your critical reading. my average CR score 500-600 before Noitaraperp guide. now i know that i can get 800 on CR very helpful guys !</p>