<p>The title says it all... I score in the 2150-2250 range on practice tests in the BB but I never seem to get above that. Obviously I am aiming for top schools; how can I improve my score?</p>
<p>Usually I get ~ 700 CR/760 M/780 W</p>
<p>I did it 
I don’t know what you do already, but some random tips! For me, critical reading and math were my strongest sections, and writing was my weakest, but maybe this will help you…</p>
<p>For critical reading, try reading the questions first, and then searching for answers. Make sure you read the intro blurbs, there’s usually some helpful info in them. Also, if the answer seems really random, then it’s probably not right. For example, the questions on author’s tone or purpose, there’s sometimes distractors, like sarcastic or ironic or reverent. If a passage seems straightforward, it’s probably not going to be secretly ironic or sarcastic. Aka don’t think too hard.</p>
<p>For writing, go over collegeboard/sat’s grammar rules. I don’t agree with some of them, but memorize them anyway! For the vocab, try to flip through the dictionary and find random fun words. Then write one word and definition a day in a notebook to make your own personal dictionary. During the test, context clues are key! It also helps to know how prefixes/suffixes change the meaning of words. Also, eliminating wordiness is key. If this post showed up as an answer choice, it’d be wrong! (I am very bad at wordiness, but it’s not like anyone’s grading me… right??) Shorter answers that still contain all the info tend to be better than longer, flow-ier, prettier answer choices.</p>
<p>For the math section, I always wrote a lot in the test booklet, so that when I had extra time, it was a lot easier to check over answers. I also used symbols to mark which questions I was 100% sure about, so that I would know which ones to check. I would circle the numbers of questions I was unsure about. And when I checked each question, I would literally make a check next to the question. </p>
<p>That goes for all sections. When I finished each section, I had about 3-4 checks on each question. (Yes, my test booklet was really messy). </p>
<p>Also as you do practice tests, always do them timed, and subtract a few minutes from the actual time. For example, on the 20 minute section, it helps to practice that section in 17 minutes instead of 20. That way you get a bit of leeway on the real exam, since nerves and whatnot. It also helps to circle answers in the test booklet, and then transfer over to the answer sheet after each page or so. This helps eliminate bubbling errors, and it gives you a change to quickly gut-check if those answers are acceptable, and it helps keep you focused (especially in the reading section, with each passage).</p>
<p>Oh wow… That was a long post… EDIT: Don’t go crazy with the practice tests. Personally, I just went over some grammar rules the day before, and it went… well. Like magic. Maybe a section every day or week or so. It’s better to space learning/practicing out than to cram it all in a few days.</p>
<p>thanks @RandomMuse </p>
<p>bump</p>
Urgh, I’m on the same boat as you. After reading these hopefully I can get into the 2300s. Thanks @RandomMuse