Got 1810. Need 2000. One month. Can I do it?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hey, guys. For my first SAT, I got a pretty disappointing score:</p>

<p>1810
Reading: 590
Writing: 610 - 9 essay
Math 610</p>

<p>I was not expecting to get this low of a score. I was scoring at least 1900 on my last few BB practice tests.</p>

<p>All in all, I need help. I need at least a 2000. I know I am capable of getting this score because I have scored 2k at least twice on BB tests. I am taking the Jan. SAT and I really want to make this one count. I was especially surprised at my Writing MC. I'll get into that later.</p>

<p>Here are some explanations of my methods/how I felt. Maybe this stuff can help you if you choose to give me advice.</p>

<p>Reading: Was expecting at least 620-670. My score fluctuated a lot among my practice tests. One time I got a 690 and the other 590. Some were also in the middle 600 range. I have a direct hits list, but I did not memorize it cold. I only have one month to prepare for reading until January. What are the best methods to do this? I want at least 620. My goal would be 650. Honestly, during the test, I didn't think I did half bad on thee CR sections. I definitely did not think I would score higher in Math than on CR. i don't know what happened. Essentially, I just need tips.. The ones that have really helped you guys score high on CR.</p>

<p>Writing: I consider this my best section. It is always the highest on my practice tests. I score 700s constantly. That is why I am so surprised at my 610. As for the essay, I was rushing very hard toward the end, and my third example was not good at all. I also wrote my conclusion outside the lines/margins. Maybe that played a factor? I read the thread by AcademicHacker, but I BSed all of my three examples on this test because I got a prompt that really confused me at the beginning. Also, my handwriting was just ugly toward the end. I feel like I could have gotten at least 10 if I had managed my time more efficiently. What should I use to study even more? Any other essential guides that helped you guy? Should I memorize SilverTurtle's grammar guide? </p>

<p>Math: I was aiming for at least 650. After the test, I realized I made a lot of silly mistakes. Also, in the grid in section, I made a bubbling error had affected the whole thing. I caught that and fixed all of them, but maybe my score was still affected. I know Math is supposed to be the easiest section to master along with Writing. I have never been a genius at math to begin with, but I know I am capable of a 650+. I just need specific strategies. Any tips that have really helped you guys?</p>

<p>Sigh, I was really expecting at least 1900. My goal is still 2000, and I truly believe I can get it in Jan. I feel like I need to specialize with material more before I tackle the practice tests again. The problem is, I only have, basically, one month. I want to learn the best material in that time span. Should I pay for the SAT online course for more tests? I am running out.
Any help and tips are appreciated. Thank you for reDing through this if you went through the whole thing. Happy holidays, CCers.</p>

2

<p>Your best chance is to get a very good SAT tutor.</p>

3

<p>Its very possible, Practice EVERY SINGLE DAY, if it means pushing back hw do it. I dont think you need an SAT tutor, I never had one.</p>

4

<p>Although I don’t know about the legitimacy of this claim, I read somewhere on CC that an hour of studying is equivalent to about 1-2 points on the SAT. 10 hours would be 10-20 points.</p>

5

<p>Writing is just memorization. There’s no other way around it. You either know the grammar, or you don’t. If you have a good ear for english it might be easier for you.
Vocab operates in a similar way. In addition to memorizing words, I would HIGHLY recommend also hitting the roots/prefixes list.</p>

<p>For reading, you should start off by taking untimed tests. If you make a mistake, try to think WHY the answer is the answer. Then, check CB’s explanation (this is assuming you have the blue book), or ask around here.</p>

<p>For math, you just need to find your weaknesses and improve on them. Take an untimed test and figure out where you’re getting your stuff wrong. If you make careless mistakes, you should underline and circle important details. Keywords like “AT LEAST”, “ADDITIONAL”, and “LEFT/REMAINING” should be circled and made very conspicuous. If you see a logic operator like “and” or “but”, make sure to circle that too.</p>

6

<p>Definitely.</p>

<p>For math, just be careful, go slowly, recheck, and READ THE QUESTION. It’s very simple stuff, and the issue most of my friends have with it is the silly mistake business. </p>

<p>Going from an 1810 to a 2000 shouldn’t be too difficult.</p>

7

<p>Trust me, it’s possible. I jumped up a lot, a lot more than 200, in a month or so, so it should be possible. </p>

<p>First of all, be confident. That’s the key. You will never be able to concentrate on things if you do not have the confidence.</p>

<p>Second, study the vocabs. They really helped me in both passage reading and the sentence completion. Also, practice, practice, practice… Practice increases your reading speed and concentration. You will also start to like CR once you practice and see improvement.</p>

<p>Third, learn grammar rules. I read the Blackstone Review’s Maximize your SAT Writing Score. It explained the rules neatly with examples scattered here and there.</p>

<p>As for math, I have no idea as math came naturally to me. I didn’t do anything in Math; I just tried to be more careful and got the perfect score.</p>

8

<p>The writing part is the easiest to improve upon since it is mostly memorizing and looking out for pitfalls but some schools don’t look at the writing section scores. Your writing score seems a bit low, go memorize more vocas.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone.</p>

<p>Right now I am reviewing Direct Hits Fast Review (which is a little over 400 words) for about an hour each day. </p>

<p>Then I am going through Barron’s SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score. After I finish that then I will be going through Gruber’s Complete SAT Math Workbook, 2nd Edition, that I will be purchasing from Barnes and Noble later this week.</p>

<p>After I finish those 2 resources, I’ll review Spark Note’s 7 Deadly Errors each day along with DH. Then I’ll finish the remaining 2 BB practice tests I have and review answers and record the incorrect ones in a journal with an explanation of what I did wrong.</p>

<p>Finally, I’ll purchase the SAT Online Course from Amazon for another 10 tests, and continue to mark down answers and what I did wrong.</p>

<p>Does this seem like a feasible plan that I can accomplish by the Jan. SAT date? How much do you think it’ll help me?</p>

<p>Anyways, have a great Christmas everyone.</p>

10

<p>You should make flashcards for direct hits. then use them as bookmarks/stick them around your house until you memorize them and are sick of seeing them. That is what I did.</p>

11

<p>Hey!! I’m on the same boat. I was SUPER disappointed with my score : 1890 because on my PSAT, I scored a 202 and was expecting an 1900 at the least…
I’m not too disappointed though, because without studying I don’t know what score I would have gotten.
I also got 610 fo rmath, along with 600 for CR and 680 for writing with a 9 essay. How similar are we :smiley: So I’m gonna go ham this winter break and do a practice test per day and hopefullyget a 2100 something by january, and then 2200 o nmy last try.</p>

12

<p>Slow down on math! I had the same mistake and I slowed down and recieved a lot higher score from doing so. Read a lot of books for CR. It will make it easier to comprehend the passages.</p>