<p>I just cannot sit down and take a practice test. How do you all do it? Especially on the math section (my worst, everyone else's best). I can't even stay concentrated through the 25 minute sections. Do you take just one section at a time, or do you sit down and practice for the full almost 4 hours?</p>
<p>This is more importantly prep for the PSAT, but I figure if I can do the SAT I can certainly take the PSAT. I'm really counting on National Merit. I think I need around 216 in Ohio. Last year my score was 186, with no prep.</p>
<p>Is there an effective method for practicing? I'm using Princeton Review now but I'll probably buy the Blue Book sometime soon.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how much prep time I will have in long blocks since I will have a full course load at school, piano on Wednesday, and work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning, but I suppose I can always sleep less.</p>
<p>Look up again, since you probably forgot all my questions by now.</p>
<p>yeah, i definitely don't like taking a test under timed conditions, but it really is the best way to simulate the real thing. </p>
<p>I like to do one or two sections (one math and one critical reading), and then take a break, and then go back to it. I don't like to use timed conditions. I prefer to spend as much time as I can trying to get the question right.</p>
<p>If you can't get the answer to a question with lots of extra time, you're not going to get the answer in timed conditions. </p>
<p>Definitely don't practice when you're tired! I know from experience. A lot of times I'd say to myself This is so boring, and I don't want to do this... And I just won't do well.</p>
<p>yes, before you start timing yourself, take a long time for each question and try to get every single question right. Once you can get a good score without timing yourself, then go for timed conditions.</p>
<p>Read Zen in the Art of the SAT. It's very interesting. It might not answer your questions, but it's a very interesting book. </p>
<p>Should you practice for like 4 hours straight? If you get tired, then take a break. Don't keep going until you feel more awake. Get out of your room, jog around the house like 5 times, drink water, wash your face. Then get back to it.</p>
<p>I’m taking a practice PSAT through my school in a couple weeks, through my school. I’m a sophomore, its practice, but should still prep for this one? I REALLY want to be an NMF and I’m not a great test taker (27 ACT), but I’m planning on studying a lot over the summer for the PSAT/SAT and ACT.</p>
<p>Would it be better to get my raw, 1st time, abilities and use them to build off? Or is it better to just start now? I’m guessing I’ll get around a 180, and I’ll need about a 215 to be NMF in Ohio…</p>
<p>Well ,I used to do sections only ,for example today 6 WR sections from 3 practice tests,tomorrow 6 CR sections from 2 tests,but now I realized when you do the same thing over and over again ,you actually dont improve and only waste your prep materials.So i will start taking full length practice tests ,2-3 per week</p>
<p>It’s easier than it sounds. Time passes by quickly when your timing yourself.</p>
<p>The only suggestion I have with regards to getting tired/bored in the middle: Take it 1 hour or so after you wake up on a weekend (but not after more than 3 hours). You will feel fresher, less tired and less bored. This worked for me and I found that it helped me gain a very accurate assessment of how well I will do on the real test.</p>
<p>I recommend against taking sections out of the BB tests and doing each separately. I suggest doing 1 full practice test each weekend and saving at least 1 for the day before the test.</p>