<p>In anticipation for the March SAT (my very first SAT I) I went to the library this morning and took a full practice SAT (test 9 in the blue book.) During the test, I was frustrated because I felt less prepared than I actually was (I studied quite a bit for each section). My score ended up not being as terrible as I thought, but I am still not content. The score range was 2020-2280, and using the scale from one of the first tests, it would be 2150. This makes my scores low 700s on each section (all within 20 points of each other).
How do I improve? My goal is 2350, is this too far of a reach? I have gone through the blue book with the exception of 7 of the practice tests in the back. Would simply finishing these tests be the best solution before worrying about my score? I have also used the Kaplan SAT CR workbook and the writing section of the McGraw Hill 2011 SAT book. Time seems to be a big issue too; it's not that I do not finish, but I barely make it and the rushing through questions makes me stressed and more likely to answer incorrectly.
Also as a small digression, if you receive the maximum amount of points on AP Language essays (9/9 I think it is) would that mean that you will most likely get 12s on the SAT essay?</p>
<p>Thank you for reading, I know it's quite a lot of anxious complaining.</p>
<p>could i please have your 2100??? lol im struggling to get into the 2000s so i dont have any great advice. Personally, i feel taking a lot of practice tests is the best form of preparation</p>
<p>Haha we’re sort of in the same boat then. I think practice tests are key too, but I was just trying to see if people had any other advice, considering all my scores are about the same (no strongest section.) Good luck to you though, I am sure you will improve soon. :)</p>
<p>I score pretty high on all my AP Lang essays, usually from 7-9 and from what I’ve gathered it should reflect in your sat essay. Generally it is harder to formulate the essay only given 25 min but your strong writing skills should reflect!
You seem to be doing great! I’m taking my first sat in march and the essay is iffy to me too :/</p>
<p>Btw, my blue book practice test I took today I got 1900-2155 range as I used a range of scores I could have gotten on the writing. I assumed I could have gotten an 8-10 on my essay.
The thing that helps me the most is taking practice tests. I do section by section usually to compare how ive been improving and it helps to see trends. Focus on those.
If you miss a lot of sentence completion for ex, you would work on vocab. 2100+ is considered great. So be proud! I’m jealous!</p>
<p>Yea your score is good. College Confidential though lowers your confidence because everyone gets like a 2250+ but that is not realistic. The national average is below a 1800. As for your 2350+ that may be stretching it but with a lot of practice and luck you should be able to attain it. As for the time problem try doing the practice tests at first without focusing on the time. When you can confidently do the problems than try to time your self. Also its your first test. You can always retake it.</p>
<p>Took another practice test today (after going over the last one in detail) and my score went up by 50 points to a 2200. Not sure how accurate this is, but it’s an encouraging improvement. Hopefully the trend continues XD</p>
<p>You will be able to get 2350+ with a lot of practice. I improved in 2-3 months from a 203 PSAT to a 2360 SAT on the Oct 9 SAT. I practiced and was hovering at the 2200 range for a few weeks until all that practice’s benefits kicked in and helped my score rapidly rise.</p>
<p>Wow nice job, Apoc314. I’ll definitely practice a lot. It helps to hear from people who have accomplished such a goal (my PSAT was 204, so essentially the same). Did you find all your scores were about the same? Mine are close together, so I feel like there isn’t a particular section to focus on anymore.</p>
<p>@Apoc314: Any tips you can give us? Did you just practice using the blue book? I would love to get my score up to that high if I dedicate a lot of time this summer to that. Might as well try! Amazing job btw</p>
<p>I used mainly the Blue Book. I did write a guide on the CR section. The link is below. For math and writing, I just kept practicing and drilling to get to 750+ range. My guide below might help with some specific CR strategies though, as that tends to be the most difficult section to improve. My overall breakdown was 800 CR, 800 Math, and 760 Writing on the Oct 9 SAT.</p>
<p>What would you suggest for someone who understands the concepts pretty well but makes little mistakes like misreading certain conditions indicated by the problems? Would making flashcards for missed problems help?
I’m making some stupid mistakes on the math section that I usually understand when I’m going over the q’s and I feel so dumb later</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about making flashcards for the questions you’ve missed, especially if the mistakes you’re making really are careless misreading mistakes, and not borne of misunderstanding. If you really understand the concepts, the best thing you can do is to slow down and make sure you pick up all the easy points. </p>
<p>Think of it this way: #20 is the LEAST important question. If you get everything but that one, you’ll be well above the score you’re getting now.</p>
<p>I would suggest taking the math sections without a time limit. This way you can see if you can, while reading accurately, get all the questions. After that just work on concentration. I had the same problem and now I only miss a few questions, and they are usually just concepts I have forgotten or problems I made more complicated than they were. So now, it’s a matter of getting used to the questions rather than missing many because of carelessness. I timed the math sections and worked on each problem with the utmost concentration, it should help you to try that.</p>
