<p>I am getting so upset about this stupid SAT and ACT ****. It is making me so mad. I look at all these schools that I really want to go to but I can't get get the scores. I took the SAT and got a 1600 and then when I took the practice ACT I got a 31 on the English, so I was really excited, but then I took another one and it told me I would get a 21. I just can't do it. I am getting depressed because I see all these people who are getting 34 or 2300 who aren't studying at all and are getting these scores, when I am working as hard as I can to get a score that will help me get into the schools, but I just can't do it. It's so discouraging and so depressing because I know that I will never get into the schools I want, and when I work as hard as I can, there's no progress. nothing. I just don't know what's wrong with me, why can't i get a stupid score. Seriously, how does everyone get these scores? I don't know what I am doing wrong or what is wrong with me. seriously. it's the worst feeling ever.</p>
<p>If you can't break at least 1800 on the SAT, yeah, you really don't have a chance at top 30 schools.</p>
<p>Though Wake Forest does come to mind. If your transcript, EC's, recommendations, and everything else are top-notch, you would probably have a good chance at Wake (Wake doesn't require test scores).</p>
<p>Trust me, people who get 2300+ DO practice. They practice A LOT. How are you preparing? what books are you using? Why do you think you aren't doing as well as you would like? Do you run out of time? Are the passages not registering in your brain? Do you tend to get test anxiety? </p>
<p>Think about why you are missing the mark, and then device plans to work around your missteps.</p>
<p>For the SAT, I used the PR, the Blue book, barrons 2400, a SAT class, hot words for the SAT, the list goes on.
for the ACT, I have only started using the red book. I don't know why i'm doing so badly. I am a good student. I don't run out of time, I am always doing fine on time. I don't think the passages are registering very well and yeah i probably do get test anxiety. I seriously don't do well on tests. that's why i'm so upset. I never do well on tests. The only reason I have good grades is because I do really well on homework and projects, but classes that tests are worth 60%+ of my grade, i get a B, because I can't do well on tests. It's just terrible. I am studying by reading the entire book, trying the problems before they explain the answers( I always get those right, but never on the real test) and then reading their explination to learn more about how to approach it, then I try practice tests ( only two for the ACT, both only the English section). Is there like a book I can read that will let me calm down or something? Or figure something out.. I just feel like if I don't solve this problem, I won't do well in the rest of high school or college. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh</p>
<p>Hey, OP, check out this article:</p>
<p>How</a> to Avoid Choking under Pressure: Scientific American</p>
<p>Don't know if it'll help but it might. :)</p>
<p>Also, consider looking at LACs? Bowdoin, Middlebury? Both excellent schools and SAT-optional (unless they've changed the policy in the last few years).</p>
<p>Do you feel that your school has prepared you well for the SAT? How do your classmates tend to do: any idea?</p>
<p>they do well, really well. I think I like 6 kids in my Lit class got the chance to be national merits. But I don't feel like I am. I feel like i'm learning it all over again, but not really but kind of, i dunno. overall, I feel like all I know how to do is read, barely write and do some math. but i'll read the article right now. thanks :)</p>
<p>wait, whats LAC? and yeah i know it sucks, but i really can't let go of those dream schools. I don't know what to do..</p>
<p>I was in the same position--it was SAT scores that kept me out of college due to the fact that I couldn't stand the anxiety of taking them. I had excellent grades and AP scores yet it was hard for me to stay calm about a test that determined my future. I ended up not taking the test and enrolling in a community college (since they do not require testing). I plan on working my way up to transferring into the schools I wish (granted that I'm getting a high GPA).</p>
<p>First year freshmen have a harder time getting into school than transfer students. Keep that in mind.</p>
<p>LAC=Liberal Arts College</p>
<p>I'm in the same boat also. I got a 1600 on my SAT and 24 on ACT. I'm a sucky test taker.</p>
<p>I know the feeling. 181 PSAT. Working on all the BB practices and sucking horribly. I'm just not good at the way standardized tests present questions. If that wasn't bad enough, I can't do good testing under time constraints. I've gone from mildly disliking my Pre-Calc teacher to downright hating her because she's started giving us timed quizzes for material that should be easy, but everyone is suffering for because we're not good with time. </p>
<p>The SAT makes me want to shoot myself...I can't stand the kinds of questions it asks. Even if I can progress my CR and Writing scores to 700+, which is my goal, I'll NEVER get the math score that high. It won't happen. I'm not good enough at math. I can practice for years for it and never get it above a 650...my PSAT math was 53...it's that bad.</p>
<p>Don't feel bad. You're NOT the only with this problem. And all these 2300+ people on CC are just the rarities. The MAJORITY of people who take the SATs, even more than twice, will never get 2300+.</p>
<p>I think i have given up on the SAT. I think i like the ACT a lot more, but i just don't think i'll be able to break the 30 barrier. If I could, i would be so incredibly happy, but I don't think that will happen. Is there anyone who went from a 25ish to a 30 on the ACT?</p>
<p>"Don't feel bad. You're NOT the only with this problem. And all these 2300+ people on CC are just the rarities. The MAJORITY of people who take the SATs, even more than twice, will never get 2300+."</p>
<p>That's because the only type of people who would join CC are the people that really care about their SATs. =P</p>
<p>Um....NO. Your SAT score does not usually indicate whether or not you care about it unless it's rock bottom...</p>
<p>anyone? no??</p>
<p>Haven't taken mine yet, sorry. But, with your experience on the ACT. Did you like it better than the SAT?</p>
<p>Yeah, most def. I felt like all the SAT was trying to do was trick me and I feel like the ACT actually wants to know what I know, not the SAT trying to make themselves feel better because they beat a couple high schoolers. So yes. I like the ACT more.</p>
<p>The first half of my senior year (this year)... I've thrown away being depressed about my SAT Scores. I'm still depressed over it. I studied really hard, took practice tests. Still, I saw no major improvements. I've applied to colleges with whatever I got.</p>
<p>I am a bright student, I do excellent in class, my grades are great shape.</p>
<p>I'm in the same boat as you. My life is surreal right now. All my hopes destroyed because of SAT scores. I know SAT scores don't determine everything but this is how the system is set up.</p>
<p>I wish I can comfort you more but I'm lost too and in need for hope.</p>
<p>:(</p>
<p>@hopeful - Good. I'll be taking the ACT right after school lets out for summer break. My SAT is next month and I just know I won't see any major improvement from now until then.</p>
<p>It's pretty likely that you've already considered what I'm about to say, hopeful2b_yank3e, but here goes anyway...</p>
<p>Maybe, instead of focusing on improving your scores, after so much earnest effort, you should focus in on something else instead ... analyzing what makes those "top" colleges so appealing to you; why you feel so strongly that you must go to one; how you might feel as a small fish in a big pond if you were to attend one (hard tests in elite schools surrounded by students who DO take tests well); and how you might feel in another type of school -- one that's filled with more students like you -- great grades, hard worker, good class rank, and whatever else defines you that you didn’t let us in on. Interesting ECs? Make friends easily? Great writer? Whatever it is that makes you, you.</p>
<p>Our society tells us that those elite schools are dream schools and maybe even that one’s worth is measured by them. Well, there are lots and lots of other excellent schools that are NOT Ivies or what have you.</p>
<p>Maybe you’ve already done this, but can I suggest that you research further to find a different type of school – one that fits your strengths better? Then get out and visit a few of them?</p>
<p>I just can’t help but think your desire for the colleges that exceed your test-taking abilities is borne out of some outside influence – like what other people think. I also can’t help but think that you would ultimately be much happier in a school that was more representative of your own strengths and weaknesses.</p>
<p>When you’re done with your bachelor’s degree at one of the schools where you were challenged but also had fun and kept your self-esteem in tact, as well as your grades, you could apply to one of your current “dream” schools for a graduate degree.</p>
<p>There are so many great schools out there! My son has the stats to get in to many of the top tier schools across the country. But he decided to apply only to those colleges that felt like a great fit to him – and some of those are not known by anybody around here. Only one is considered a top tier college. It’s not that he was afraid to apply, or that he thought he didn’t qualify. It’s just that the factors he favored most when choosing a college were more available at other than ivy league or top tier schools, believe it or not. He does occasionally lament that several of the schools he has chosen are not more widely known or respected when high school faculty or other kids ask him about where he might end up going. But he thinks he’s going to excel at any one of the colleges he picked, AND he’s gonna have a good time, AND he’s going to be marketable for his next step – graduate school. I really like his attitude. And the schools really are very, very good.</p>
<p>I am certain that there is a school out there for you that you can feel proud of and that will help you be the best you can be at whatever it is you want to do. I’m absolutely positive.</p>
<p>So, maybe the answer for you is to simply change your focus.</p>
<p>Well here is the thing. I completely agree with you, but the school I really want to go to really does seem to fit me. Maybe it is that I wouldn't fit in there, and that i'm not looking at the situation right, and I don't belong there, but they have exactly what I want, an amazing economics and/or business school. I dunno. I guess I need to take down my expectations.</p>