<p>So, yeah. I need help with my SAT. The first time I took it I got a 2100. Not good enough for me, since I have overambitious, or as I prefer to call them, presumptuous dreams. So, I took it again: it went down 50 points! I'm not taking it until October next year, so I'm asking for advice from those of you who got a good score on this test(preferably a 2200+). What did you do to get your score?</p>
<p>Standard advice: take Blue Book (the official guide) practice tests and read the online solutions. If vocabulary is a problem, get Direct Hits Volumes 1 and 2.</p>
<p>As someone who didn’t study any vocabulary, I will tell you that that is what held me back for sure. -3 on the CR and 2 were vocabulary questions.</p>
<p>The problem is that I did all that, and it still didn’t help me out all that much.</p>
<p>what exactly should I study for vocab. since I finished DH Vol. 1 and Vol. 2?</p>
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<p>What size of list are you looking for?</p>
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<p>You went through every Blue Book test and carefully reviewed the online solutions for every question about which you were unsure and your score did not improve? If so, you have likely maxed out.</p>
<p>I didn’t study any vocab lists and got an 800 on the PSAT & SAT in CR. IMO, vocab lists are overrated.</p>
<p>I’d recommend reading a lot to improve your CR score, particularly good writing like The New Yorker. Write down and review all words you don’t know.</p>
<p>Continue to take practice tests (you can get old tests).</p>
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<p>I strongly agree with this suggestion; I took three practice tests from the Blue Book, and for me the most beneficial aspect was not taking the test but seeing the answer explanations afterwards. Especially in the critical reading section, the in depth explanations gave me a chance to see inside the College Board’s mind. Once you know their logic, your scores will greatly improve.</p>
<p>Though I think that reading beats memorizing vocabulary any day, if you’re a vocab list kind of person there is an interesting (and enormous, over 4000 words!) compilation of the most common vocabulary words on the SAT here: [Home</a> (sesamewords)](<a href=“http://sites.google.com/site/sesamewords/]Home”>sesamewords)</p>
<p>@silverturtle…not a big list…maybe 200 words or so…I need to finish PR Hit Parade and that’s 300 words.</p>
<p>Also, for the OP’s sake and mine as well,how can we improve CR? Did kameronsmith hit it on the nose with reading a lot and practice tests? What else helps? I need to go from ~680—>750 in a month! How likely and what do you advise me to do?</p>
<p>Buy Direct Hits for Vocab. I just kept on doing SAT practice tests from the Blue Book to understand how to answer the questions. I like Rocket Review’s strategies as well. By using these strategies I got a 2320.</p>
<p>I’ve been looking for Rocket Review, but I can’t find any copies in my area. What are some of the strategies it teaches? I’m not asking for the book in html format, just some examples.</p>