<p>I just took my diagnostic test for the Princeton Review course offered in school. I got an overall score of 1810, with a 640 in reading, 630 in writing, and 540 in math. English has always been my best subject (I scored higher in reading/writing than the average college senior when I took the SAT in seventh grade), whereas math is not my strong suit. I'm hoping to improve my math score to atleast a 600, is that possible? The course claims that most students see an increase of 200 points. Like I said, I'm taking SAT Prep as an elective and I do all the required work. Right now I'm a junior taking Algebra 2/Trig, and I plan to take the SAT in June.</p>
<p>Extra information: I'm currently looking at colleges and am thinking of applying early decision to Haverford in the fall. I'm also considering Vassar and Barnard. I know these are very selective schools so I really feel the pressure to improve my SAT score.</p>
<p>It is certainly possible for your math score to jump from 540 to 600 and above, but I recommend you do not take an SAT prep course and instead just do the 10 or so practice tests from the Official SAT Study Guide. Not only does this book cost less, but it is made not by an independent company like Princeton Review but by the College Board and the test makers themselves. It’s really a no-brainer. If you are done with that book, then look for practice tests released by the College Board over the years on the internet. There are many. Plus there is an online course on the College Board website that you can pay for to get additional tests. Not only should you study for the SAT with material only from the test makers, you should study by yourself, not get taught by an instructor who most likely knows nothing that you don’t already know. The test is simple, it doesn’t require instruction, there are no secrets to doing well. All you need to do is take practice tests.</p>
<p>Honestly, I took the PR course you’re speaking of and I could’ve done without it. You’re better off self-studying through PR 11 Tests or BB, way better chance of improvement. Your math might go up 20-30 points at best, depending on how much you commit to the course and blah blah.</p>
<p>@Crazy Bandit:
Thanks for the advice/encouragement. I’ll definitely study on my own and buy that book. There’s no advantage in cost in regards to self studying vs. the review course though, considering I’m getting the course and materials for the Princeton Review for free.</p>
<p>@GreedIsGood:
What schools do you consider competitive (besides the obvious choices like Ivies)…? Vassar is ranked twelth in the nation among liberal arts schools, which is pretty high up there. It also has the same admittance rate as Haverford, which you didn’t mention. I haven’t done as much research on Barnard, but considering graduates receive a degree from Columbia, I doubt they’ll accept just anyone…</p>
<p>I took the princeton review and it might help you in math. But it is kinda expensive and time consuming so in the end the decision is left to you. And a 540 to a 600 is achievable. Do you just make silly mistakes or are the questions actually hard. If they are hard than the course in my opinion might help cause they teach you the short cuts. But these strategies are in practically every prep book anyway but still it helps to have someone that can explain it to you.</p>
<p>The diagnostic test isnt accurate, trust me. It was made by them to be much harder than the real thing. I took the course, and yes, most peoples scores did improve by 200 points, only because the tests get progressively easier. I went from a 1710 to a 2180. It wasnt because I learned all that much.
If you want a more accurate score, take a blue book test.</p>
<p>yea, the first test pr gave was extremely hard and it progressively got easier. i think they do that so you think the course helped, but honestly, i didnt learn much from the course. if you can already hit 1800, just doing practice tests will help more</p>