<p>After much time and effort I would say I pushed my critical reading score from the 500s to now the low 700s which is fantastic don't get me wrong. I recently took a practice test from the online course and scored a 710, did a PSAT critical reading only to conserve practice test and got a 70 on that. Now, how do I really push for that 800? on the PSAT practice test I noticed that 3 of my errors involved knowing vocabulary, so essentially if I had been on my A game with vocab and all I would be at a 75. I have 9 more practice tests from the online course. I haven't really thoroughly analyzed the blue book ive only took a practice test look what I got wrong, see online explanation take next test, rinse and repeat. So should I thoroughly analyze my wrong choices? Any suggestions please reply!!!</p>
<p>bump!!!</p>
<p>I would like to know too. Bump</p>
<p>come on! someone ought to know!</p>
<p>Get a book that focuses on Critical Reading strategy-- Erica Meltzer just released one (she also has a blog which has some free advice!) or there’s the SAT Black Book (free rental for Prime members!) or a few other “strategy” intensive guides you can find on Amazon. You need to learn how to scrub answers to figure out the best answer now that you’ve gotten it down to two best for each. Really going over wrong answers from your blue book tests could help you, also. You could also get a 3rd party “explanation” book to help in that process (there are a couple on Amazon as well). </p>
<p>Also you need to know at least 1000 SAT vocab words. Get an app or get on quizlet and immerse yourself.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>SAT WORDS is free on iphone-- it’s 1000 words…(not mindsnacks-- the beige/brown one)</p>
<p>Just analyze why you got the questions wrong. There’s not mystical secret out there.
If you want that 800, work for it. When doing CR, just stay focused to detail and instead of looking for a right answer ,first, look for 4 wrong answers. It’s usually obvious when you read the passage carefully. I got great tips from the SAT BLACK BOOK. On amazon. CR tips were amazing.</p>
<p>Hmm hoping to have that problem eventually…I think analyzing previous mistakes is a good idea!</p>
<p>VOCAB: Anyone can learn every word on the test. Download any of the reputable lists and learn them all.
Careful skipping: “Overall” this passage is about, “tone” questions, and “which statement, if true, would (weaken / strengthen)…” are all tough and can be skipped while still staying in the 720+ range.</p>
<p>Keep practicing that’s all I can say.
I went from a low 600s before to high 700s, usually only missing 1 critical reading and like 2 vocab by doing lots of practice… that’s all you can usually do</p>
<p>@highschoolerer,
Read up on this. [Noitaraperp’s</a> Critical Reading Method](<a href=“http://criticalreadingmethod.blogspot.com/]Noitaraperp’s”>http://criticalreadingmethod.blogspot.com/). The article literally took me from missing 6-8 PBR questions to 0-2, 3 if i’m really tired xD. The approach described in the article really is the most time-efficient (with a bit of practice) and least prone to error. I read it twice and took it to heart, best 1 hour of my life spent. As for the vocab, memorize (DHs, wordsmart)! Your already at the 700s, from there to an 800 its a matter of perfecting your vocab, minimizing error in PBR, and a little bit of luck!</p>
<p>Sorry for bumping this thread up, but here’s what worked for me(670->730->800).
Read The Economist. Most of their pieces are approximately the same length as your average CR passage, and use fairly advanced vocabulary. In addition, they’re usually about things that most high schoolers don’t really care about (Currency depreciation in emerging markets because the Fed is lowering interest rates? Mehh), also typical of the SAT. The New Yorker also helps, especially with the more esoteric passages. Simply put: 3 months of (expensive) tuition and prep got me a 730. One week of reading the above two publications, and a bit of practice earned me an 800.</p>
<p>Good advice from Stanfordmania. There’s all kinds of research that people read best when it’s material they’re familiar with. The wider your frame of reference, the better off you’ll be. Reading the arts, science, business, and week in review sections of the Times isn’t a bad idea either. It’s also worthwhile to try writing some SAT questions also: think about the way the answers are constructed.</p>
<p>The Direct Hits Core and Toughest Vocabulary books helped me to improve my Reading and Writing score.</p>
<ol>
<li>Do Past QAS tests</li>
<li>Read “The Economist” or “New Yorker” Newspaper </li>
<li>Do the OFFICIAL SAT practice tests on collegeboard website 2013-2014 and use the answer and explanation to see why the answer is correct</li>
</ol>