<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I have taken the SAT three times. The first time I was nervous and scored about a 460 on my Critical Reading section. The second time, with more preparation, I got a 490. The third time, I was sick and had a bad testing environment and got a 440 (terrible). </p>
<p>Now, I have tried the ACT recently. I have a 610 in Math and 620 in Writing for SAT. I did not have much time to study for the ACT due to A LOT of school work, and thus I didn't score what I wanted to. However for ACT, I feel it was easier than the SAT. So I was going to simply study for the ACT intensely, in which I'd re-take it one more time and score much higher.</p>
<p>But then I thought for a second and realized, if I take the next two or so months studying for the ACT, I'm learning a new format of a test, adjusting to a different time frame, and then practicing a number of practice tests. Given my Math and Writing scores, I feel if I take the two months I would spend learning a new test, towards improving my SAT Critical Reading score, then I would have a much more satisfactory SAT score.</p>
<p>My aim is AT LEAST a 600 on the Critical Reading section. My best score so far is a 490. In short, I need a 110 boost. I am not concerned about my Math or Writing scores, those I feel confident with. The colleges I am applying to superscore the SAT, so I just need to FOCUS intensely on this reading section.</p>
<p>IN SHORT, from the time interval of right now up until before the December 3 SAT test, what are the best tips for me to use in improving in SAT Critical Reading? What is the BEST book for vocab.? What is the best strategy that worked for you? And do you think I should just forget about the SAT and focus fully on ACT or start re-focusing on SAT?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help and have a nice day :)</p>
<p>Practice with blue book. Do each practice test timed. Get rocket review. </p>
<p>Your reading is well below average, consider getting serious tutoring.</p>
<p>Final words: Do 25+ practice tests each timed according. Completely simulated as the SAT, with only 3 breaks.</p>
<p>Get 10-20 reasonably priced tutor classes.</p>
<p>That, above, is your key to success.</p>
<p>Books:</p>
<p>Blue Book
Direct Hits 1+ 2
Rocket Review
Barrons 2400</p>
<p>The average Critical Reading score is about a 500. I don’t think I’m well under the average at all. </p>
<p>I should also mention that I only have about 9 weeks until the SAT in December. I have been tutored before but it has not helped very much; from advice I’ve heard by many others, the best way to study for the SAT is by yourself and to learn your own techniques. That being said, I think doing 25+ practice tests will be good, however, I don’t think I’ll need to do 25+ FULL practice tests, just the reading sections. My endurance for taking a 3 hour test is pretty strong; I make sure to eat snacks and drink water appropriately in break times.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice on what books to get. I think with 25 practice tests, I’ll be ready. My next step is to plan out when to do these practice tests and how to fit them into my busy schedule. Thank you again.</p>
<p>For a 600 in critical reading, I think you should at least do Direct Hits. Doing a lot more than that could overload you on unhelpful words.</p>
<p>As for practice tests, just do timed CR sections until you’re comfortable. There isn’t a set amount. There are certain strategies out there. Pick one and that’s what you want to be practicing in your practice sections. Learn to tackle each section quickly, basically. It’s not so much learning the rules (as you do for math and writing) but learning how to use your own method so you don’t have to figure it out on the actual test.</p>
<p>Something else you want to pay attention to is what sort of answers tend to work. When you are stuck on a question, go back to the passage and find specific evidence that supports each answer. There are no true “inferences” on the SAT. If it’s a tone question, for example, find words that would specifically suggest one tone or the other. Don’t operate on your general assumption after reading the passage.</p>
<p>That’s another important thing about knowing your vocab cold. If you don’t, then you’ll hit a tone question, to use the same example, and there won’t even be a point to look for evidence in the passage if you don’t know what 2 of the words mean.</p>