Hi @Zoe003 , I did use Kaplan and Princeton Review at first before I settled on the Blue Book, so using some other books is helpful for extra practice and foundational work. What kinds of questions are you having trouble with in Critical Reading? If you PM me or post here, I can help explain how to tackle certain types of questions in more detail if you’d like. Thanks!
Hi again, @JuicyMango , I would recommend focusing more on practice sections and reviewing rather than reading an entire book right now if I had to choose between the two. Have you already taken your next SAT yet? How much time do you have?
@Apoc314: I’m retaking on December 5th so I don’t have much time :/. I’ve been noticing that if I quickly write down a brief main idea for a passage, it helps me keep track of my thoughts a lot better. Also, I tend to assume things that can’t sufficiently be supported by information from the passage. I guess I’ll keep those weaknesses in mind and take practice sections. Do you recommend I just take CR practice sections one after the other, or should I take a full practice test? I can reliably get 800’s in math and writing so they aren’t an issue for me. But I feel like it’s harder to concentrate on CR if I blend it in with the difficulty of having to do math and writing, then switching my brain to comprehend critical reading.
Hi @JuicyMango , that first strategy of writing down a brief main idea for a passage is definitely valuable. For the second part, use the devil’s advocate technique of asking yourself if an answer choice cannot be supported by the passage. Look at the answer choice and go back to the passage and try to find a lack of support - if there actually is direct support, that answer is correct. Assuming things that can’t be directly supported is a common weakness, and it is good that you recognize it. I would recommend practicing CR sections one at a time and then reviewing the answers for all questions thoroughly to help you learn it. When it is closer, I would take a full practice test, but for now, I recommend focusing more on individual CR sections.
@Apoc314 Hey! I got a CR 730 and overall 2250. My first attempt was 590 :P. Thanks!
@Apoc314 thank you. I was able to raise my score to 700 on November at last.
I will pratice more for 750 - and since you’re experienced - would this take too long?
Hi @SATgeek ! Congratulations on your new score! 730 is fantastic! Glad I was of help!
Hi @BethanyD , I think you should be able to reach 750 in a few weeks or so if you keep on building on your previous practice experience - good luck!
Got an 800 CR, 730 M, and 740 WR on my first try. How do you recommend I increase my writing score to an 800?
@RiceEater108 I’m the exact opposite of you - writing is my best and CR is my weakest! We should help each other 
I have scored 770 on the writing section of the SAT (1 mistake, harsh curve) - does that qualify me to give you tips? I scored 700 on CR and hope to have 750 by January, any tips?!
@Apoc314 thank you! I’ve been solving critical reading daily for the past 3 weeks, but I’ll probably be focusing on reading articles and vocab only this week (my issue is time, and how much time I take depends on whether I’m familiar with the passage topic or not)
so I decided to analyze articles on topics that baffle me on the SAT. After December, I’ll be practicing with sections again. But for December I’ll focus on perfecting my math and writing.
@Apoc314 I found your guide really helpful and it was a factor in my 800 last month. Thanks for your contribution to the CC community!
Hi @RiceEater108 , what parts of the Writing section seem to be giving you the most trouble? Is it the essay or more of the writing section?
All right, sounds like a good plan! Blessings to you, @BethanyD !
Hi @ambitionsquared , you’re very welcome! Glad my guide helped!
Hey, do you have any day-before strategies for the SAT…especially the CR portion? Or maybe some tips that helped you for the CR section the day- of. All tips will be appreciated as I’m aiming for a 700 in CR this weekend! (: @Apoc314
Hi @Cece0499 , I will recommend just taking a breath and remembering that no matter how the test goes, everything will be all right. Take each section as it comes and try not to focus so much on how if you make a mistake on one part how it impacts your whole test. Take it as it comes and remember to move on to a new question if you get stuck. Apply the devil’s advocate technique and make sure your answers have direct passage support before you select the correct one. Blessings!
I got a 10 essay and 3 MC wrong. On my previous tests I only got 1 wrong on MC writing.
Hi @RiceEater108 , it seems like you’re doing pretty well on the writing and your understanding is pretty high. I would just recommend continuing to practice - does it seem like the questions you do get wrong are similar in type? If they’re not, I would just continue to review and practice, but if they are, perhaps I could help point out some thought-processes to help you answer them all correctly.
This was a big help. On the December SAT, I scored 760 CR, up from 700 in October. I missed only 3, and I was 1 mistake from an 800. Thanks @Apoc314