<p>I just received my SAT scores and I feel horrible. I've been practicing excessively and I would generally average 610 on my reading during my practice tests, but on my October test I got a 540. What is going on? What should I do? I want to get a 700 or higher on my critical reading for my December test. Is that possible? What should I do? Please help me. Any tips you used and your score improvements please.</p>
<p>Search this site. One strategy you could use is “How I got an 800 on the SAT Critical Reading (A Story and Guide)”.</p>
<p>Try forcing your self to read hard books like the scarlet letter.</p>
<p>Also do practice problems A LOT!!! The trick to the critical reading section is to develope a reading style for YOU where you can tell exactly WHAT IS BEING SAID and WHAT THE STANCE IS. </p>
<p>Through trial and error you should did a reading method that works best for you.</p>
<p>I raised my score from a 590 (January SAT) to a 760 (October). </p>
<p>Just practice, A LOT! I probably did around 16 CR practice tests in all. And then make sure you analyze EVERY question, not just the ones you got wrong. This’ll help you see the patterns in the questions, and the answers. You could also play with a couple of different reading strategies (reading the questions first, marking the lines that the questions ask, doing the “full” passage questions last, etc.) I always found that the easiest way was to just go in order quickly so you have time to double check everything.</p>
<p>And remember, all the answers are “in” the passage somewhere, just in different words.</p>
<p>Next, study lots of vocab… go through all the direct hits and hot words and make flash cards for all the ones you don’t know, and learn all them. It also helps to get some apps on your phone to study in the car, when you don’t have your cards, etc. After learning those words, go online and find some more lists.</p>
<p>And finally, start reading books. There is a lot of nice vocab in them (especially if you’re reading adult books - I like Stephen King the best), and it helps you speed up you’re reading speed.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>