<p>Hi, I'm a Freshman and this is my first post in CC :D
So 2 weeks ago I decided to start studying for the SAT/PSAT because I want to get a high score (2300+). The resources I have so far are: BB, DH 2011, and Grammatix (for CR, didn't really help). For the first test in the Blue Book, I got 1990... 640 CR, 730 Math (careless mistakes), and 62 Writing MC (didn't do the essay because I'm researching 20~25 examples for it). For Math, I decided I'll buy/read over Grubers, and memorize DH for vocabulary. How would I study for the passages in CR and the grammer in WR? I heard RocketReview was good for grammar but its out of print and expensive... I'm following all the tips from the stickied "best of SAT Prep"... Any suggestions?</p>
<p>BUMP 10char…</p>
<p>PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!</p>
<p>I used to be absolutely terrible at critical reading passages. To reach that high score, just do as many practice tests/exercises as possible. Most importantly, make sure you read answer explanations to understand where/why you went wrong. Same with the writing. A lot of prep books/courses teach you how to get a decent, but average score. Practicing by yourself will get you where you want to be.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! I’m glad to know I’m on the right track since that’s what I’m doing right now. So for CR I’m just going to keep practicing/memorizing vocab and for WR I’m going to read through a prep book for the rules and then practice. What book do you recommend for grammar? I know Rocket Review is good but its out of print. Is the Maximum SAT (recommended by Xiggi) any good? </p>
<p>Also, I saw alot of vocabulary that I didn’t know in the passage questions in CR. Are these words in Direct Hits too?</p>
<p>
I’ve asked this question many times myself XD. Best case scenario is you will not miss any. Worst case scenario you will miss two max, but most people only miss 0-1 after memorizing DH. Make sure your using both first and second editions btw.</p>
<p>On the January SAT, there were almost 20-30 words from Direct Hits, in both sentence completion answer choices and in reading passages. I would recommend memorizing all of the words from Direct Hits, even if that is the only thing you do to improve your CR. Besides that, practice!</p>
<p>WOW at least 20 words? Awesome!
Guys, thanks alot for your help!!!
Last question… 
I made like a SAT prep schedule… is it any good?
Monday-Friday
Critical Reading Review/Practice Tests (Week 1)
Mon: Review
Tues~Thurs: 3 Practice Tests
Friday: Review Past Tests
Grammar Review/Practice Tests (Week 2)
Mon~Tues: Review
Wed~Thurs: 2 Practice Test
Friday: Review Past Tests
Math Review/Practice Tests (Week 3)
Mon: Review
Wed~Thurs: 3 Practice Test
Friday: Review Past Tests
Repeat</p>
<p>Saturday
Research Examples (2~3) <---- for essay
Read Example Novels <---- essay
Essay Practice </p>
<p>Sunday
vocab Review</p>
<p>BTW, i’m following this (<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html</a>) for the essay</p>
<p>last bump…</p>
<p>my advice is, don’t go through the practice tests too fast, at least not the official collegeboard ones. there are only so many actual exams released, and after a certain level of preparation you’ll start to notice the difference in the feel of exams made by test prep companies and collegeboard itself. unless you’re confident of scoring your goal of 2300+ by sophomore year or something, you want to save some practice tests for later years.</p>
<p>^Thanks for the advice…
My goal was to get a good score in SAT I in sophomore year so I wouldn’t have to worry about it in junior year… I guess I should slow down in case I get a bad score next year (the PSAT will be kind of like a preview haha)
Currently I get around 2000 (on the first test i got 1990 on the second i got 1980)… I haven’t studied any vocabulary/ grammar yet… And for math I know all the material already I just make stupid mistakes (maybe because I’m not used to the SAT? idk)… How hard will it be to raise about 300 points? (1990->2300+)</p>
<p>Edit: Is it a good idea to practice CR passages from PR prep book to save blue books for later?</p>
<p>I would save the blue books for last.</p>
<p>Keep a positive attitude, stay motivated, and you should be able to reach your goal. I wish I had started prepping as a freshman. :)</p>
<p>Haha thx I’m pretty glad I found this site early 
Is one practice test per month too much? I would run out by September (I have 8left). What other practice tests are good?</p>