<p>Lots and lots of practice tests!!! These help so much. You start to really get a feel for timing, which can make or break you, and for the CR meaning/author’s purpose type questions.</p>
<p>Most likely the deadline is January 1st. I am a rising senior too. Your best bet is to take it again in October. really study hard over the summer so you can take it once more and be done with it. also I am pretty sure UCs require SAT 2’s so make sure you fit that in sometime before applications are due. If all else fails…Take the ACT :D</p>
<p>If you are thinking of taking any SAT courses, i recommend that you NOT take Princeton review. </p>
<p>I scored 2310 on my first sitting, but I got 720 CR, so i decided to try a class to see if they can raise my CR score. It was the most agonizing experience i’ve ever felt while sitting in front of my computer. I have screen shots to prove this, but they get many questions wrong. Especially math. Not only that, but their diagnostic tests are rigged. Since they “guarantee” that you’ll raise your score -with a sinister asterisk lurking behind the last e- the first diagnostic test is so vague and difficult that i scored 1800+, with a 5 essay. On the actual test, i had scored a 12 essay. </p>
<p>Anywho, just a heads up.</p>
<p>As for actually studying, (especially for CR) memorize vocab if you’re on a tight schedule. I know that sounds tedious and ineffective, but you’re not memorizing vocab so that you’ll know all the words on the vocab sections, rather, you’re familiarizing yourself to more words in a shorter span of time, than, say, a dicken’s novel. Having seen more words lets you guess better. In all my practice tests, never have I ever written one where I didn’t know the meaning of at least 1 word. Memorizing vocab teaches you how to guess. And knowing how to guess is a huge advantage.</p>
<p>I got a 2070. CR - 660, M - 790, W - 620.</p>
<p>Basically, I read the CollegeBoard Official Guide, took 1 practice test from there (which I got a 1980 on) and then read 2 books focused on helping me get a 2400. However, the books did nothing at all because the only section I improved on from my practice SAT was Math, and I didn’t study Math at all since it was my strong point.</p>
<p>The Blue Book is a godsend. There’s really no better way to prepare for the SAT than with the practice tests produced by College Board itself. There’s a ton of review material for all of the sections.</p>
<p>I used the Princeton Review book for the PSATs, which has a really good vocab section. I went through it and made flashcards for words I didn’t know and would do a bit of reviewing if I had a spare moment. In general, I’d say that it’s better to do small batches of review for multiple weeks before the test than spend the last week cramming.</p>
<p>I scored an 800 in CR, which I think has to do with reading a lot, not overcomplicating my thought process–the questions really are looking for the most complete and straightforward answers–and getting sleep and coffee before the test. I don’t care if you’re Superman; you’re not going to be able to think critically to the best of your ability if you’re running on zero sleep.</p>
<p>I got a 2190, and I didn’t really do anything. The best thing you could probably do is become really familiar with the test by taking practice tests and exposing yourself to as many different types of questions as possible.</p>
<p>If you want to get 2000+ in SAT, you need to just buy the 10 real tests and the ez solutions sat series of books - this is a tried and proven strategy by many of my students for last few years.</p>
<p>I started off with a 205 on the PSAT and I took a practice SAT early in my junior year and I was around a 1900 without studying. Then my parents hired a really great tutor who helps a lot of kids get to 2400 and I ended up with a 2310. For math, writing, and the essay it’s almost like a formula. Once you’ve taken enough tests, you know what to expect on those sections and writing the essay just use a bunch of examples from history/literature and use quotes. I’ve always found the reading to be the one which fluctuates the most; it used to be my lowest section and then randomly in my most recent SAT it jumped to my highest. Just do a lot of practice tests, particularly from the blue book.</p>
<p>@testguru how much does this ez solutions book cost? I’m currently having trouble financial-wise.</p>
<p>buuuuummmpp</p>
<p>@viva1994 I agree completely
Took in January 770 M 690 CR 770 W</p>
<p>For one month, I just practiced and practiced a bunch of CR sections and figured out that essentially the test never changes - it’s always main idea!!!</p>
<p>March: 790 M 800 CR 770 W</p>
<p>Any improvement is possible, and I’m not one of those freaky-smart English kids so just practice and you can do well.</p>
<p>1)motivation
2)practice
3)perform - with a little bit of luck =)</p>
<p>I try anything at this point!</p>
<p>Identify your weak areas (maths for me) and just work at practice test after practice test until you find out what really works for you. Start without timing yourself and then move towards increased conditions of stress. And KEEP IT UP - it’s better to study like hell in the 3 weeks leading up to the exam than 3 weeks over summer, because at least it’ll be fresh in your mind.</p>
<p>If you need a quick score boost - writing is the easiest to improve, you just need to grasp about 10-15 grammar errors and identify them whenever they pop up. But beware, it’ll do permanent damage to your brain 
I still can’t listen to Bad Romance without wincing at the fact gaga says “You and me could write a bad romance” instead of “You and I.”</p>
<p>The collegeboard blue book is undoubtedly the best prep book out there, the others give rather stupid advice and are way harder than the real test.</p>
<p>I got 194 on my PSAT in 10th grade, 223 in 11th, and I just got 2340 on my actual SAT - M 740, CR 800 and W 800. Don’t believe what some people say - big score jumps are possible, it just takes some self studying and a bit of luck :)</p>
<p>It annoys me when people say they got 2000+ with no prep…like seriously, getting a tutor is prep… taking practice test is prep…</p>
<p>^^^Everybody answers according to their own definition of “prep”</p>
<p>Flash cards are the way to go.</p>
<p>I had a tutor. And didTONS of practice tests. Well over 20.</p>
<p>My psat in 10th grade was 153 and i got a 2240 on the jan. SAT this year.</p>
<p>Sent from my T-Mobile G1 using CC App</p>
<p>^ how much are the cost of tutors?</p>
<p>How about those 1000 dollar review classes, do they work?</p>