<p>I'm a rising junior in high school right now. My PSAT/SAT scores are pretty good, but I want them to be higher. My last PSAT was a 209, and two years ago was 210. I've taken three practice tests in the past three weeks, and they were 224, 222, and 224 respectively. I'm preparing for this year's PSAT and then taking the SAT a couple months later in January. I'm preparing with Karen Dillard's and am also self studying at home with Amsco's SAT Math, the Collegeboard blue book, Princeton 2011 Cracking the SAT, Kaplan Math Workbook, and the REA book, 3rd edition. I'm still having problems getting better scores, though. Any advice? I'm aiming for 240 and 2400 on PSAT/SAT. My dream is to be a National Merit Scholar and to get admitted into Stanford.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I got a 2100 and I didn’t take any classes or get any help tutoring. It was just me, late nights, multiple timed practice tests by myself at home on the weekends, and hundreds of homemade vocab cards. There are no special keys or tricks on the SAT. It’s just hard work and determination which you seem to have!
The thing about the SAT is that it tests long term knowledge. Meaning that if you’ve been great at reading and writing since you were a kid, reading books since you could remember, then you have an advantage to a lot of other people who try reading Shakespeare a month before the test. Drills, drills, drills. Don’t look around too much looking for the special answer, if you want that 2400 you can get it if you work really really hard :)</p>
<p>I see. Thanks! The thing is, I really have issues getting a perfect score because I always make silly mistakes. There’s always 1 or 2 in every section and that’s why my score gets dragged down. I feel like doing practice isn’t helping me, though, because the issue isn’t the content, it’s me.</p>