<p>Hello,
I once took the SAT back in January and got a 1740.
I gave up to say the least since I thought I Studied quite a bit using Kaplans software for computer.</p>
<p>Anyway, I was convinced by a Yale Alumni to take it again and I signed up late registration for the Dec. 3 test.</p>
<p>How can I best prepare? I really dont know what to do since what I have done before hasn't worked well.</p>
<p>What books should I use, etc?</p>
<p>Please, getting into Yale or equivalent has been a dream of mine since I immigrated to this country.</p>
<p>Direct hits volumes 1 and 2 for vocab.
Grubers for math and reading.
Barrons 2400 for reading and writing
Once you run out of grubers tests start from the BB
Make sure to go over each practice test and understand the best possible solutions for math and exactly WHY a CR answer choice is correct.
For writing just familiarize yourself with idioms and the types of grammar errors (subject verb agreement, diction, idioms, ect)
Essay read the how to write a 12 essay in 10 days thread</p>
<p>Some highschool dropout by the name of Albert Einstein once said that you have to learn the rules of the game and then play better than anyone else.</p>
<p>SAT is like a game you just have to become really familiar with it and then everything will just fall into place.</p>
<p>The reason that colleges use SATs is not only to test your skills and quick thinking using repeated tricks, but to also see how hard you work. I got an improvement of 130 points from one test to the next from pure practice. I did literally 32 practice tests. I know you probably do not have that kind of time, since I devoted my entire summer to this and working in a research lab, but the true key is practice. </p>
<p>Math is all about tricks and is barely school related. For example, if they give you x+2=9 and ask for 4x+8, don’t solve for x. Multiply each side by 4 to get the answer. Tricks like these will help you with time and accuracy- you can go back and check the answer by solving for x if you wish.</p>
<p>Critical Reading is difficult, and was honestly my weakest point. I went from a 690 to an 800 just from practice. When in doubt, go for the milder answer and make sure you support you answer with the text in your mind. If you picked an answer, try to prove it wrong. If you cannot prove it wrong in any way, it must be the correct answer. This section is all about eliminating what’s wrong and being left with maybe not an awesome answer, but the best out of the 5 that are given.</p>
<p>Grammar. Oh boy. This one is sometimes about luck, but again, practice will definitely help you here. I’d first learn about the different mistakes: misplaced modifier, subject/verb agreement, etc. Knowing these things will obviously help you point them out during the test. Don’t be afraid to choose E; 20% of the answers will end up being “No error”- that’s a fact.
For the essay, don’t actually write them because this takes up a lot of time. What I would do is look at practice questions in SAT books or online, and simply map it out. Ask yourself: Do I have two or three solid examples to support my view? Do I know enough to write a persuasive essay on them in about 20 minutes? This part is basically about really knowing what you’re writing about. I usually choose two examples and then describe them in depth so that it makes up for not having a third- it’s worked both times for me.</p>
<p>Overall, practice is key. Once you are familiar with the test, you won’t be so hostile towards it as you used. Good luck and I hope you do well!</p>