<p>I plan on going through as many practice tests as I can (from just about every book available at my library haha)...</p>
<p>But should I do anything before starting practice tests? Should I read the material from a book?
If so, which book?</p>
<p>Please answer :)</p>
<p>Bump.</p>
<p>10char</p>
<p>Purchase a Literature SAT II review book - I used Kaplan. It comes with a lot of interesting/helpful information regarding general test taking techniques as well as material that pertains to what you will see on the test. There’s 4+ practice tests (I forget how many exactly) as well as a diagnostic one. I took that one dry just to see what I would get and how I could build upon my skills to reach a goal. </p>
<p>Honestly? Don’t bother going out of your way to read works of literature in order to prepare. Odds are they are going to pick the most obscure pieces they can get their hands on for you to analyze. Being a generally well-versed reader tends to give people a leg up on this test - not in familiarity with pieces on the test, but rather they possess the ability to swiftly comprehend the passages (as you don’t have that much time to get through them). If you aren’t too good with ‘Shakespearean’ speak, I would look over these. My study book warned me I might encounter pieces with outdated language, so it wouldn’t hurt to become comfortable with that. </p>
<p>Review literary terms (stuff like antithesis and synedoche). Know the different structures of different forms of poetry - sonnets, ballads, etc - and how to tell them apart. Some questions as you to identify the structure of the poem, proving studying this to be quite helpful.</p>
<p>Take a lot of practice tests. Some people might say “read a lot of classic lit works” well that’s not true. If you are taking the Lit test, you honestly should have been reading classic books, and literary works long before now! Or at least had some solid coursework in literature. </p>
<p>So basically what you want to do to review is review literary terms so you can be familiar with questions that will pop up relating to literary vocabulary (think metaphor, apostophe, quatrain, allegory, etc). Some good prep books are Kaplan, Barron’s, and Princeton Review. Also buy the College Board bluebook of all sat subject tests and take the practice lit test which is the first one in there.</p>
<p>But also in those books they will help you with how to effectively read and analyze poetry (which is what I really needed work on when I started my prep) prose, and plays (although plays rarely come up on SAT and there wasn’t any in my test). </p>
<p>You really want to practice pacing yourself (with this test, it is very important that you learn to read and analyze passages quickly yet effectively because although 1 hour might seem like a lot, you really do have to keep yourself going to get through it all with time left to check your answers!) and become familiar with the types of questions that will come up, and practice recognizing the ways the SAT will try to “trick” you. Once you master this, you will be golden!</p>
<p>Just saw you guys’ posts today.
Thanks!
I will definitely review terms and whatnot.
Then take a looooooot of practice tests.</p>
<p>I actually think this is the hardest test to study for. Try to read material that is not in your comfort zone and from different time periods. As others have said, definitely know the vocab and practice. I used the Princeton Review Book but I’m not sure how well it helped - don’t have my scores yet. Good luck with your studying!</p>
<p>Thanks!
Just a few more days before scores are posted! Good luck :D</p>