<p>I've taken the SAT twice and as of now my best composite scores are 550 M 650 V 650 W. This is extremely disappointing and I plan to do something about it.</p>
<p>I really would like some advice on planning some sort of schedule in order to go up 50 points in math, 60 points in V and 60 points in W. Math is my worst subject and I go too slow in it. I know that I need to get the CB Prep Book and just take math sections timed and review what I did right and wrong. Are there any other strategies? </p>
<p>As for verbal and Writing, would reading a lot help? How can I go about improving vocab? I move fast enough through each section, never having to skip any questions, i just think my vocab and essay need work. </p>
<p>Any help is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>First, order your old tests and review carefully. Don't peak ahead at the answers. Force yourself to re-work each mistake first.</p>
<p>For point gains, it should be easiest to grab points on the math and writing sections.</p>
<p>On the reading section, yes, reading will help. But the key to the reading section is dissecting the answer choices. Four of the answers choices are wrong, while only one answer choice is right. Pay attention to adjectives, short phrases, etc. Go over any reading questions that you have missed either in practice or on a real test, and force yourself to figure out why 4 answers are wrong...don't peak at the correct answer until you have reworked the problem.</p>
<p>Math was worst subject initially, but my tutor and I came up with a strategy that worked brilliantly on the test. On the practice tests and PSAT I was constantly scoring in the low 500's. I was making stupid mistakes, didn't have enough time, etc. So we both sat down and realized that the chances of me getting the harder level math questions correct weren't very good. Instead, I went through each math section and answered only 75% of the problems. I took my time through those, went through and checked them over after I did them, and if I had time then maybe I'd try one or two of the harder math problems. It worked, I got a 600 in the math on the April SAT with 2 incorrect answers and 16 omitted answers.</p>
<p>it wouldnt hurt to take a prep class. ive found that taking a prep class has been EXTREMELY helpful for me. i had about your scores but a bit higher and its done wonders for me. however, do not do princeton review for it will not help you in this regard. its best to go to some private sat prep place and get help from there. also, for boosting your critical reading score, i suggest purchasing "wordsmart" by princeton review. it has amazing words that are quite frequently used on the sat.</p>
<p>hope that helps!
if you have any other q's you can always pm me. im gonna take my first sat in june this year. ahh im scared.</p>
<p>I got an 800 on critical reading, and I did no studying for it...I strongly believe that the only thing that works, really works, is reading rigorously and critically (that means don't read Animorphs, read the Great Gatsby! And think about what you have read and what it means). Of course, now it's too late to develop those skills purely from pleasure reading, but reading compulsively over the summer will drastically improve your scores. Also, do a lot of practice tests.</p>
<p>For the writing section, my english teacher handed out a bunch of worksheets that detailed on specific grammar concepts (i.e., an entire worksheet dedicated to using "any other" rather than "any" when you write things like "This skyscraper is taller than ANY OTHER building in the city). My score on that section rocketed from a 690 on the PSAT to a 800 on the SAT. I suggest looking for an SAT workbook that has a detailed overview of all of the grammar concepts that will show up.</p>
<p>Math is the only section I bombed (590). I did no studying for it, and should have gotten approx. 690 according to the PSAT. I'm getting a tutor as well as working my way through lots of math workbooks and practice tests. Already I'm seeing a lot of improvement with the number of practice problems I get right. I'm hoping for in the 700s, and I think this is really possible. </p>
<p>So, good luck! Just do tons of practice tests and get some books! If you get Barron's don't be so discouraged, 'cause they are always 100x harder than the real thing.</p>
<p>I got an 800 too. But I suck at reading since first language is not english. I just did practice tests over and over all 8 of the blue book. just repetitiion and I killed this stupid american test</p>
<p>LOL...yeah...SAT is pretty much easier to study for than my Bio or Chem tests...haha.</p>
<p>haha kill this stupid american test.. same desire ova here too..just wondering do all that " take notes on longer passages, readonly first and last sentence of paragraph" strategy work? any better tactics?</p>
<p>i just go straight to the questions for non-novel excerpt ones. i think it's easier to hunt for the answer since it's in chronological order anyways.</p>
<p>for lit i read first paragraph & every topic sentence (quick skim) and go straight to questions again.</p>
<p>but it worked for me because i'm not an avid reader (i don't read at all, actually). who knows ? :)</p>