This past October 3rd Test, I received a 770, one off from an 800. I would like to share with you how I improved from a 630 to a 770.
Vocabulary: No secret, really. Just go on Quizlet and search for top 1000 most frequent SAT Words or get the Direct Hits series. There are no shortcuts to an expansive vocabulary.
Short Passages: This mainly tests your focus. After every few sentences, sum up in your mind what stance the author is taking. Does he/she support or disapprove a view? Do the two authors of the small passages agree with each other or disagree?
Long passages: This is exclusively what I like to use and it might not work for everybody. Initially, I go to the questions and search for the line references for EVERY SINGLE question. I then quickly put a bracket around the line references in the passage. I leave the “big picture” questions for last. Then, I carefully read the passage. When I come to the bracketed lines, I read that line extra carefully and then immediately go to the question for the line I JUST read, the one in brackets for that specific question. I then continue on with the reading.
Duo-Two Author Patterns: Do the same for the Long passages technique above, except add an additional item. After a few sentences, sum up in your mind what stance the author is taking. What is his/her stance on the topic and does the second author agree with the first?
This is a method that has worked for me but keep experimenting until you find one that works for you! Good Luck! I would love to hear your techniques!