<p>I have worked so hrad to get an 800, but can barely break a 600. What the (beep) am I doing wrong? I mean, I am really good in english, i love it, but sat is just..retarted. I'm frustrated, too, b/c my scores aren't good enough for northwestern. any help or techniques for those who HAVE gotten an 800?</p>
<p>Read a lot. Pay attention in English class.</p>
<p>Reading a lot is the most helpful thing you can do - not like Harry Potter, but actual classic stuff. Reading more technical and political magazines (sci am, economist, the new york is also fantastic but doesn't fit into this catagory) is oddly helpful, I think because you're required to analyze what you're reading. Look up words you don't know. Sign up for dictionary.com word of the day e-mails.</p>
<p>Sorry if that's too general. I haven't recieved below 800 since soph year, but I've never really studied for it so that's the only thing I can think of doing.</p>
<p>Well, I believe CR actually tests one's English aptitude (since the format is not really THAT different from what is done in a high school) So, talk w/ ur english teacher a bit. Well, getting 800 in any portion depends on a bit of luck too! But certainly one can prepare oneself for some 700 (as long as the person can identify the right way to study!) So, best of Luck!</p>
<p>Its all about practicing "Active Reading", when you read something, especially higher literature, such as classics (ie Wuthering Heights) and magazines such as the New Yorker be sure you pick up the tone, attitude, and main ideas</p>
<p>I find that some q and a's are really ambiguous... I feel like I've understood the passage and there is no vocab problem usually. I'm trying to figure out what it is, because I'm stuck around 700. I analyse my mistakes, but still can't figure out why I'm wrong! Has anyone has this problem and solved it?</p>
<p>Read a lot, especially literature. Become acquainted with difficult words, sentences and grammar. Understand the basis of literature analysis (tone, author's intention for example). Practice a lot.</p>
<p>idealist and Jeremybeach, I think that you need to refer back to the passage before you answer any question that starts with according to the author...., according to the passage..., and even "the passage/author implies..." You need to specifically go back and check to see what they are trying to say usually the answer choices are one of the things that the author mentions -> it helped me go from low 600's on practice tests to low to mid 700's (on practice tests)</p>
<p>prey to God.</p>
<p>ahaa. doesn't work</p>
<p>Don't over anyalize. I have a 740 CR, and I'm pretty sure that other than the SC all the passage questions I miss are from over-thinking and going back to change answers.</p>
<p>i think practising more and doing it smartly will help... just that shud suit you...</p>
<p>I got the schools highest score on my English 11th regents final and a perfect score on my English 12 final. Yet I barely broke 600 on the CR. I don't get it.</p>
<p>Though I didn't get 800, personally got 780 for CR, I think that the best way to quickly improve ur score is to analyze what kind of questions u have got wrong in the CR section. Is it inference question or idea summary question? After u kinda sort out the pattern, u can see what your weak area is. Then, work hard on that area. Besides, I don't think Kaplan is good choice for CR. It is too misleading and some straightforward questions are unnecessarily complicated. Good luck.</p>
<p>Order the SAT Online Course, Official SAT Guide and the 10 Real SATs and do all the tests. You also may want to purchase their answers and explanations although I have to say that CB's explanations for most CR questions are pretty crappy. Here's another trick: arrive at the testing center 30-40 minutes early. Bring with you a copy of a political/scientific magazine and read some articles. It will help you "warm up" for the SAT critical reading passages. This technique really helped me. One last thing: READ!!!!!!!</p>
<p>630 - - -> 700+ possible?</p>
<p>Anything is possible. :)</p>
<p>I think it depends on luck. I got a 700 on the psat and then it went down 50 points on the real thing.</p>
<p>Starting from 700, any score depends upon one's luck and state of mind (not really one's ability) I think there isn't a big difference btw the one who made 2400 and the one who made 2250!</p>
<p>So my goal is realistic?</p>