HELP! The SATs Rush

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hi guys,
Well here's my problem. My combined SAT scores from my first test on June 4th was a 1440 (R:500 M:510 W:430 w/ an 8 on the essay) and my scores just recently, which is the October 1st test, is a 1430 (R:500 M:510 W:440 w/ an 8 again) which I was extremely disappointed with. Now I've had a Princeton Review tutor since mid August, but 2 weeks later a lot of schedule and meeting conflicts (because Hurricane Irene actually caved in the roof at the Princeton Review HQs) pushed the tutor dates (w/ 2 new tutors, b/c the one I had previously couldn't make it) to about late September where I only had 1.5~2 hours with my new tutors before taking the test. The tutors do help somewhat now, but I need more help to boost my SAT scores.</p>

<p>I am currently kind of trapped into taking the November test because Rutgers' deadlines won't meet in time for the December test and the November test marks the 3rd test. I really want to get a 1800, but I don't know if I can do it. I've made a commitment and a pledge to myself that I was going to cut all things unrelated to the SATs or my school work until the November test date. Today I took several math sections in the Blue Book and found I averaged to a 550. I mean I've gotten good grades, up to now in AP Calc, (I have an 81 in the class, but from what I heard from my peers in the class all the 10% tier are also in the range of the 80's) so I'm wondering why my Math won't budge past 600?</p>

<p>A couple of problems my tutors and I found out were that my focus goes out when something attracts my attention. An example of how severe I get distracted is when my tutor and I were at Panerea, because the library closed. In the back room there was a lady there while I was doing my 10 minute Writing section and I was subconsciously eavesdropping on her phone call. That part I got 5 right and 7 wrong! That I know is a huge problem b/c when I'm reading the CR passages, my eyes will move, but nothing won't stick. And when nothing sticks I go back and reread it 3 times and sometimes after that, it still won't stick. That's why today I didn't even bother doing a CR section because I'm afraid of them. I try to motivate myself saying 'oh this is interesting,' (b/c something that is of interest will tend to stick better in my mind) but it won't work. My writing section problem is I go to fast and I spot errors that sound bad to my ears, and not what I see. I never really knew what pronouns or adverbs or idioms or even parallelism was until my SAT teacher went through them with me. I was really never taught these grammar rules in elementary school and I learned what sounded right through children novels and songs. What I'm planning to do is read those rules religiously until the November date. In summary, what can I do to focus better on the CR and writing? </p>

<p>I kind of feel there's some kind of big chunk I am missing too. I have a friend that has the same problems as me and our grades are identical in terms of the same class, but he got a 1700. I have another friend who has only taken up to Algebra II and has taken all CP courses and scored a 1600! All my other friends seem to get better scores than me and I think there is some vital information I am missing...</p>

<p>If it helps...
I am a senior in HS (block scheduled HS) w/ 90.96 (Unweighted w/ a class rank of 36/183) and 94.29 (Weighted w/ a class rank of 30/183)
I've been taking all CP English's but teachers always recommended me to go on to Honors, b/c what I come up in my papers after explaining them (b/c my grammar has been horrendous in the past) they are impressed. (Fresh: 83 Soph: 84 Junior: 90 Senior: Not yet taken)
I am taking right now AP Calc. My Pre Calc teacher told me before I went to AP Calc was to be careful in AP b/c even though I tend to get most of the concepts, on the harder concepts it takes me more time than the other kids, but in the end I get it.
People told me that I'm more of a right minded (that's creative minded I think) thinker.</p>

<p>I have the 11 Test Book from Princeton Review, the Blue Book, Sparknotes 3 combo package, Hot Words for the SATs, and Cracking the SAT book from Princeton Review. Which one is the best to study from and which test book in terms of the actual 8 section test is better to use? Because I heard the Princeton review's tests were harder, so I'm figuring that they would be better to test from? Also with all the information what are my chances in getting into Rutgers New Brunswick? </p>

<p>Sorry to be dragging this on as a newcomer for this long, but in advanced, thanks.</p>

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<p>Actually 2 friends who took up to Algebra 2 got 1600’s… And they told me they didn’t even try…</p>

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<p>The SAT is one of those tests were certain people do better than others. Just keep studying from the Blue Book. Figure out why you got what wrong.</p>

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<p>I am, but it seems like it won’t work. I’m so freaking frustrated that one test is getting in the way of me going anywhere in my life.</p>

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<p>That type of thinking, while understandable, is counterproductive. Is it not? So stick positive, be ambitious, and try your best. Look at your score independently from others. Best of luck</p>

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<p>I will, thanks.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry, but I need to bump this thread. I need more help guys!</p>

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<p>Get a PR review book. It boosted my math 80 points, which I REALLY needed. </p>

<p>To me, it’s more of a strategy test than anything.</p>

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<p>Rezeys, you don’t need a thousand books or the most expensive tutors all around. You need two things. Determination, and the BB.</p>

<p>You need to study endlessly, and not just ‘study’. You need to study with passion. You need to love the subject, and be enthusiastic about every practice test sitting you endure. You have to love it, if you’re going to succeed. I’m sure this sounds unreasonable, like, who likes studying? Doesn’t matter. You can create the enthusiasm within yourself. Your mind controls your body, not the other way around.</p>

<p>Other than that, you have to solve as many practice tests as possible, and really contemplate your mistakes and be determined never to make them again. Gather tips from all sorts of prep. books (Barron’s, Kaplan, Princeton). Just get an overview of the most recommended tips and strategies recommended to improve performance during the exam.</p>

<p>And you have to get one fact straight. The SAT isn’t a test of intelligence. It’s a test of extremely tedious preparation, monotonous and relentless practice, focus and concentration, and last but not least: confidence.</p>

<p>Good luck, Rezeys.</p>

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<p>I think you should also consider that your school might have grade inflation. I used to go to a school where I got nearly a 100 average without trying. I transferred out to a prestigious magnet school the following year; I had to try even harder than I did before and only got a 90 average. </p>

<p>If that’s not the case, you might need to work on your concentration. No offense intended but you might have ADHD. Ask your doctor and if you indeed do, you can get pills to correct your attentiveness problem.</p>

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<p>Anyone can do good on SAT its just a test where you need to understand the logic of questions. If you understand the logic of questions,then you will start doing it great.</p>

<p>First I suggest doing khanacademy.com watching videos on algebra,Geometry,Pre-Algebra,Arithmetic,Trignometry.</p>

<p>Try not to do math as mechnical thing try to understand its logic,because the SAT is really testing on logic of math,so do stuff according to memorization know that you won’t do good on it.</p>

<p>When you start also solving math try and do false errors try to understand the logic of why its true not just say its just this way.</p>

<p>Many people did bad scores because either they didn’t get good education or didn’t pay attention in class if you truly understand the logic of the questions you won’t do bad in it.</p>

<p>I don’t agree with ClassicLays though on ADHD its just something people may say in order for them to not work hard on understanding the subject :).</p>

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<p>@GenericMath
I feel like I did pay attention enough, but I think it might be some bad teachers I’ve had in the past. In Geometry I had to teach myself to get a 90 in that class and I had no clue what the arcs of a circle were. I think it might be a concentration problem from all what other people tell me though… </p>

<p>@ClassicLays
I think I might have ADHD because I just cannot concentrate on tests. But for some reason in class subjects that attract to me I am guessing ‘subconsciously’ concentrating on them… I feel like I picked this and dyslexia out of no where… I used to never be like this when I was younger.</p>

<p>@SirWanksalot
I know exactly what you’re talking about. In my APUSH class I truly made my self love EVERY single aspect of American history and not the test. On the mock ups my teacher gave us in the beginning I did poorly on because I didn’t enjoy the tests and I was never calm with them even though they never counted for anything. Once I got to the exam I found myself loving to answer the multiple choice b/c of how much I loved studying the APUSH and my nerves felt more relaxed, which in the end I got a 4 on. </p>

<p>I did try this before and make myself loving to do the SAT mock ups, but only the Critical Reading I have a problem with because I just CANNOT concentrate on the whole passage. Any tips in solving on this? </p>

<p>@CPUscientist3000
I have a lot of PR books, in fact my tutors are from there, but I feel like I need more from the books. Did you get more out of the books when you read them? What were the essential tips?</p>