Guide for an 800

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello everyone. </p>

<p>I think its time I made a quick and easy guide for the tests I took. </p>

<p>Before I get started let me say this: 800s on SAT subject tests are completely independent of SAT1s. Now I know you guys are thinking "of course", well let me rephrase: you can get in the 2100s on SATs and EASILY get all 800s on 3 tests. </p>

<p>I received a
780 Math II
800 Chem
800 Us History</p>

<p>I will outline MY STUDY PLAN for each test. Note: a 780 for Math II is low on the percentiles. I can easily retake and get an 800, but I choose not to (I will explain later)</p>

<p>For Math II I recommend you read someone else's guide (someone who got an 800). This is just what I did. I started studying Barrons about beginning of April. I took Math in May. This gave me plenty of time to study polar coordinates and learn all the crap my teachers failed to teach me lol. I took a practice test about every week and took multiple tests in the week leading up to the test. A 780 is approximately 7 wrong which translates to -9 which is a 41/50. I can retake this test at a later date but I will not as you should NEVER RETAKE ABOVE A 750 unless you are trying to go to MIT or some competitive ass major. It can actually be detrimental to retake a 750+ because admissions will see you as a no life nerd. Even if it is MathII, do not retake. Also, with your score report comes a score range which admission officers see. The score range for my test was like 750-800. So on a given day a person who gets a 750 can get an 800 the next time he or she takes it. Admission officers know this, so the score range will save you if you don't get the magic 800. </p>

<p>I started practicing for Chem April as well. Although, since the AP test was coming up, I was studying that as well. If you count AP studying I guess it was yearlong, but without I started in April. I took a practice test every week and did pretty much the same thing as I did in Math. Also, I used Barrons. I didn't read the book because Barrons is a load of crap, but I skimmed maybe the last 3 chapters. If you are taking this test use your school textbook and Princeton's AP review to review and use Barrons for tests. Barrons, I found had the best tests for MathII and Chem. </p>

<p>For US History, I found that Barrons is TERRIBLE. Its tests are way too difficult and specific. (I'll post all my practice test scores for you guys to compare and see where you should be). Next, I tried using Princeton Review which I found decent. Then, my friend told me about Sparknotes and I heard good things about it, so I picked up a copy. I found Sparknotes the absolute best testwise (As you may have noticed I don't read the books. I find them a waste of time more or less. The practice tests are what I use). I started studing for the US AP exam a few weeks before so I had most of the content in mind 2 weeks before the June Test date. I started studying for the subject test then, taking a practice test every day lmao.
If I could go back and redo it, I would have started studying much sooner, and I would have bought AMSCO or whatever that is because its supposed to be a quick effective review. </p>

<p>My practice test scores:</p>

<p>MathII:
Test.
Diagnostic: 700
1. All ranged from 670-720 and I scored mostly around 700.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.</p>

<p>Chem:
Test.
Diagnostic: 650-680 (Taken before studying for AP hardcore)
1. 750-780 (Taken during studying for AP)
2. 780-800
3. 720-750
4. 800</p>

<p>US History
Test.
Diagnostic. Barrons doesn't even deserve recognition lol.
620
1. 650 (I was considering not taking the test at this point)
1. Princeton 720
1. Sparknotes 680
2. 710
3. 730</p>

<p>Now the BEST PRACTICE TEST BOOKS:</p>

<p>Math II</p>

<p>Barrons (easily the best; harder than the real thing, expect at least 50+)</p>

<p>Chemistry</p>

<p>Barrons (very accurate; expect roughly the same score)</p>

<p>US History</p>

<p>Sparknotes (harder than the real thing, expect at least 50+; also has a very good review although I didn't look at it lmao)</p>

<p>Princeton (about the same as Sparknotes but just stick with Sparknotes)</p>

<p>Please don't make the same
Mistake I did and give yourself plenty of time to study. I kinda cut it close for USH but for everything else I had enough time for a good pace. Also, pay attention in class and study for the AP test. A lot of material overlaps. </p>

<p>Well thanks guys,
Now I'm off to study for SATs. Can't have a score in the 2100s with good subject test scores for Ivys now can we? Lol</p>

<p>Peace and good luck everyone.</p>

2

<p>I would not reccomend Barrons for Math 2. It’s extreme difficulty deludes people from actually understanding the nature of the test.</p>

3

<p>The reason why Barrons works best imo is because it actually has a really good review (i actually read some of it lol). The tests are a bit harder, but they cover most of the super hard problems which is what makes it beneficial and worth it.</p>

4

<p>I disagree with Peppino. I used Barron’s and got an 800. Tons of CC’ers have used Barron’s and scored 800s. If you are fairly strong in math and want an 800, Barron’s is the book for you.</p>

5

<p>I used Barron’s, and I did not get an 800. Barron’s actually did not cover concepts in June’s test. Also I consider myself decent in Math (don’t hate). For instance, that logic problem and those percent error problems were not covered. One mistake on my part was probably only completing 3 of barron’s 6 tests.</p>

<p>Someone told me that College Board releases an official guideline for the material that’s covered. If I retake the test, I’ll definitely check this out.</p>

<p>Also, I should have completed some of CB’s official released SAT 2 tests. This would have been smart practice.</p>

<p>In the future, I think we could expand on “use Barron’s”
This would mean:

  1. Use Barrons, and complete ALL 6 tests (maybe this is a given, but I didn’t do it)
  2. Read the CB official guideline for material (if this exists)
  3. Complete some of CBs official released tests (you can buy these)</p>

<p>I believe this is a more complete strategy. I got a 770, btw.</p>

<p>Actually, some other things that may have been to my detriment:

  • I did not sleep well the night before.
  • It was the second test of the day, and I was tired.</p>

<p>It’s probably very smart to set a daily routine where you get up at 5am or something. It’s probably also smart to only take 1 subject test on any given testing day (if possible), so that you can work with optimal energy and focus all studying time on that particular test.</p>

6

<p>I agree^. In retrospect, Barrons missed out on a few key Statistics topics that would have gotten me an 800 easily. </p>

<p>I am a very strong math student and my teacher was actually sad/disappointed that I didn’t get an 800 but oh well. 750-800 is a score range so im pleased :)</p>

7

<p>How I got an 800 on Math II: Wake up around 1-2 am the morning of the test. Study. Go to test center. Take test. Get 800 (:</p>

8

<p>Yes. Waking up significantly early and “prepping” your brain before a test seems to be a surefire strategy if you want to excel. It seems so obvious, but many students (me included) don’t take advantage of it.</p>