How much can one realistically raise his/her scores?

<p>I realize ths may seem like a naive question, but I would really like to get some of your opinions on scores as far as improvement. I've only taken the sat once, and i got a 800 CR, 690 Math, 730 writing (69 mc/11 essay). I plan on applying to some ivies and other exclusive programs, so I'd like to try to better my scores as much as is realistically possible. It seems that no matter how many practice tests i take, I stay around the same score range no matter what i do. I realize practice tests may not be too good a measurement of real test performance, but I was wondering how much, if i were to work at it over this summer, I could raise my scores? Also, how would I go about doing this? more practice tests, more review, etc.? Any books you would recommend?</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Theoretically, you can raise your score to a 2400, or something very close. You would need to have the right books and do a lot of practice, but it's doable. And having an expert tutor to help you, of course, would not hurt (although you would have to make sure that the tutor is very intelligent and has achieved an extremely high score himself or herself).</p>

<p>i raised my score 120 pts without studying at all, so if you do study i imagine you could be very successful at raising your score.</p>

<p>your scores seem pretty good already and practice tests are usually harder than the real one anyways... it depends on how hard you work as to how many points your score is raised but as Godot said... get a good tutor .. practice, practice, practice!</p>

<p>I live in a rural area, and the nearest tutoring service is 4 hours away, so I think I will have to just study on my own. What is the best tactic for self-studying that you guys have found to be helpful? </p>

<p>Right now I am using Kaplan for reviewing, but some say that PR is better. Which books would you recommend using?</p>

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What is the best tactic for self-studying that you guys have found to be helpful?

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<p>See the IMPORTANT thread at the top of this forum's thread listing: </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=68210%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=68210&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I believe 200 pts is feasible.</p>