Hey guys. I am having trouble increasing my SAT score, after months of practising since my last real SAT.
December SAT = 2250 (690R, 800M, 760W, 12E). However, after months of constant practice and going through like 10 SAT reading guides, my reading score remains between 660 and 690 on the practice tests.
What should I do? I signed up for the June SAT but am not sure if I should take it, as my score may drop. My GPA is fine, but my reading SAT score need MAJOR HELP!
Have you worked on vocabulary? My daughter raised her CR score from 730 in November to 800 in March and, other than taking practice tests, the only thing she did was work on vocabulary. She used Direct Hits (volume 1 and 2) plus a Princeton Review book. I don’t know if that is what led to the improvement but it can’t hurt.
@uesmomof2 Yes I always get perfect vocabulary sections. It is the passages that I either:
a) Run out of Time
b) Choose a Wrong Answer that I do not see why is wrong
Now my practice SAT scores are not changing much overall but my reading is dropping to 650 (Thank’s a lot, Erica Meltzer). I am starting to get consistent 800s in Math and Writing.
Do you think I should retake the test, as my score could possibly drop (If I get < 650R), (even with 800M, 800W, it would drop)?
Also do you think I have ANY chance at schools like UPenn and Cornell with a 650-690R? I have:
4.0 UW GPA (4.74W, AP is out of 5 scale), top 5 out of 800 in school (Though many people ranked lower than me have 2300+ SAT) (Had I not been in Band, I would probably be Valedictorian)
Various Leadership/Regional Bands in Music (Play Trombone)
Grade Category Award in Physics at Tri State Science Fair
Overall Best Materials Science Exhibit at Tri State Science Fair
Admitted to Selective Scholarship summer program where acceptance = 11% (Don’t know how)
But only a 213 (62, 80, 71) PSAT and 2250 SAT (650-690R, 800M, 760-800W) (My aggregate score should remain about the same). Will miss NMSF 
Not a chance thead or forum but you should raise your cr score for cornell since they only count m/cr. Your scores are still amazing. Ever try the ACT? You may do a lot better on that.
I never tried ACT, but I do not have enough time to study (for June, that is the last one I can take). I am already in 11th grade.
You can take the September test as well(11th grader here too lol). I’m just saying you should take a practice test this weekend and see how you do. If you don’t do well then stick to raising your cr score and if you do better than your sat you’re golden. Also pretty sure you can take the october act test and send it too your ed colleges when it comes out.
@Gatortristan I just took a professionaly administered “Mock” test and my score actually DECREASED.
Score = 2210 (610R, 800M, 800W, 12E).
Should I take the SAT again in June?
A strategy that I was taught for the cr section was to read through the questions for each passage before actually reading the passage itself. The idea is that if you find word-specific questions, like the ones asking for synonyms or other questions that don’t actually require reading, and answer those first, by the time you get to the main idea questions you’ll have a pretty good sense of what the passage is about without having to spend time reading it through multiple times.
Although cliche, the only method that worked for me was to have confidence. I took maybe around 40 practice tests before scoring 2350(750 on reading) and about 37 or 38 of them I scored lower than a 700 on cr. A momentous occasion occurred when, during the day before my SAT test, I took a previously released official PSAT test on which I received a 234. I timed myself perfectly and went through the test carefully analyzing the grammar, syntax, and meaning of each word or sentence. On the next day I received a 2350.
My mom and I just decided that we will not retake the SAT. If my score decreases after studying, it is not with to study.
Just got a 2180 (600R, 800M, 780W, 10E) on another mock test…
Which is your desired score?
You must study harder than you have done so far because it’s easy to increase like 1800-2000. But from a 2200+ it requires to be nimble and full concentration on the test. If that score is enough for the schools that you will apply then don’t take it anymore.
@Jr12317 All I want is each score >700. I do not care at all what my overall score is as long as it is >2200.
If my SAT score will decrease even after studying, I might as well just give up and focus my time on other, more important stuff.
Did you take your tests on the same conditions as the real one that could be a factor as well?
Have you considered the ACT? I think you can get a 34 or 35 since you’re studying so much.
Might I ask what is wrong with a 2250 SAT?
Yeah that 2250 is fine for most schools, but some would look the 690 on CR low.
@Jr12317 Yes all I am worried about is the 690R. If it was even 10 points higher I would be higher.
Though I got accepted into my states governor school (acceptance rate = 12%) with only a 2130 PSAT.
I am looking at schools like CMU, UPenn, and Johns Hopkins as my reach schools. Possible majors include physics, mathematics, or nanotechnology (published a research project on nanotubes).