<p>The title is pretty self-explanatory. I am shooting for a perfect score in October and I wanted to make certian that I am on the right track. So far, I've been taking 2-5 hours everyday (excessive?) doing sections of Collegeboard tests, learning strategies that could potentially be helpful from Barron's books, and have been doing more reading than I usually would. I'd say I am at around 2100-2200 realistically at this point according to my practice tests. Sorry for all of the superfluous information, but I really just wanted to know if there are any other methods you'd suggest that can improve my chances of obtaining my goal. Other than studying, I have been trying to remain as confident and optimistic as possible but am afraid of letting myself down on testing day. Give me anything you know about getting a perfect score, whether it's even worth stressing on, and if you think with enough mental strength it is feasible. Sorry for adding another "2400" topic but I am very willing to take on this task. Thanks...</p>
<p>Thoughts anybody?</p>
<p>I can hardly study half an hour(my goal is an hour a day) let alone 2-5 hours. Jesus christ.</p>
<p>It's definitely due to my OCD. But yea, Im pretty much obsessed with the test. Ridiculous, I know.</p>
<p>Funny thing is, the 2400 doesnt matter. It's all about ranges. Even then, it doesnt mean anything. Someone with a 2000 could get in while your 2370 gets you rejected. You're wasting your time.</p>
<p>It's all about probablity though, and you and me both know that someone with a 2370 would have a much better chance of being accepted than someone with a 2000. Assuming their other accomplishments were similar.</p>
<p>Not really. Admissions could like the 2000 person more, feel he fits in better, doesnt need finaid, comes off as more genuine and an all around person whereas the 2370 might seem like a study crazy bookworm who brings nothing to the table.</p>
<p>You bring a good point loslobos. It also, however, depends on which schools each applicant applies to and how other aspects of their application make them unique. Considering I am a first-generation applicant, I'd say a 2370 would only help.</p>
<p>It's a silly opinion (unless of course you do indeed bring more than just academics and academically oriented ECs to the table...)</p>
<p>Loslobos, take into consideration that I am not applying to HYPS and don't have any aspirations to attend crazy-competitive schools. NYU is my school of choice.</p>
<p>You definitely don't need a 2400 to get into NYU...</p>
<p>no amount of studying will guarantee you a 2400. the SAT was designed to be, and remains to be, an aptitude test. learn how to do the problems instead of doing a million of them. understand the thought process behind the right answers, but more importantly, the wrong answers as well. </p>
<p>that said, the blue book is the best, hands down. and - if you're scoring 2100-2200 without studying, you have a good chance of getting a 2400.</p>
<p>I've literally gone through every test in the blue book and all but one or two from the online course. I also have a few from the Red book I've been working on. When you say understanding the format of questions, do you mean recognizing patterns? For every math question, I immediately know the formula; for the reading and writing I feel as if a bit more of luck is involved. What are good ways to increase confidence on both sections?</p>
<p>I also get 2100-2200 WITH studying.</p>
<p>"Not really. Admissions could like the 2000 person more, feel he fits in better, doesnt need finaid, comes off as more genuine and an all around person whereas the 2370 might seem like a study crazy bookworm who brings nothing to the table."</p>
<p>you're basing that on the applicant's OTHER qualities...the POINT is that getting a perfect score on the SAT 1 will DEFINITELY HELP in the admissions process</p>
<p>i mean: 1. for math - know why you got each problem right/wrong. there's no way you can account for the curveballs they could throw at you, so it's most effective for you to learn the thought process invovled in getting the right answer. there are a million threads on this, search if you're curious. </p>
<ol>
<li>only thing you can do for reading/writing is 1. read way more - and make sure it's hard stuff: if you can understand the material in one sweep, it's too easy. and 2. memorize the grammar rules that they test you on, search around online to find the aggregated list. then, employ those rules in whatever forms of communication you use on an everyday basis - it'll help you get used to drawing upon them/get used to them/etc</li>
</ol>
<p>again, the dean of admissions at penn, lee stetson, said himself that beyond a certain point, generally in the high 2100s, the difference in SAT scores does not necessarily correspond to higher intelligence in the higher-scoring candidate but rather the ability either 1) not to make dumb mistakes or 2) guess luckily. </p>
<p>so take that for what it's worth.</p>
<p>This is gonna be long...</p>
<p>
[quote]
What are good ways to increase confidence on both sections?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Answer: Know the test. Practice, practice, practice.</p>
<p>My Most-Valuable Tips:</p>
<p>Math--
+Be VERY careful when you read: watch for "not," "even," "sum," etc.
+Watch your variables. Don't bubble the solution of x instead of y.
+Double-check your formulas.
+WATCH YOUR NEGATIVES!!</p>
<p>Writing--
+Look for "they" instead of "him or her."
+Watch for subject-verb agreement. (Do this by crossing out prepositional phrases.)
+Watch for pronoun-antecedent agreement.
+PARALLEL STRUCTURE, PARALLEL STRUCTURE, PARALLEL STRUCTURE.
+Subject vs. object pronouns.</p>
<p>Essay--
+You don't have time to change things. I started writing about Dorian Gray and it wasn't working...but I went with it. Got a 10...decent I guess.
+Try to write as neatly as possible. Studies have shown...
+Bring out counter-arguments. Then argue them down.
+Make sure you have a conclusion.</p>
<p>Reading--
(Excerpts)
+The answer is always in the text.
+Never assume. You know what they say...
+DO NOT OVERTHINK THESE QUESTIONS. Take them literally.
(Fill-in Vocab)
+Always eliminate words you know are wrong.
+Break words down. Look for prefixes, suffixes, etc.
+Try to relate the words to all studies: (I found bio particularly usefuly.)</p>
<p>Okay, so that's probably all in the book. But hey, I didn't read it. This is what I learned from my practice tests.</p>
<p>One last thing::</p>
<p>I always struggled with reading. I'm good at math. I'm good at grammar. I wasn't worried about either. I was even expecting an 800 math. (I actually had checked over the sections during the test and put my head down for 5 minutes a couple times after math sections.) But come result day, I scored a 770M, 790W, and 800CR.</p>
<p>Moral of the story: DON'T GET OVER-CONFIDENT.</p>
<p>PS: Keep track of time.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot everyone, especially Billy for that in-depth information. I feel as if being EXTREMELY meticulous with the SAT is very important. Do you suggest memorizing prefixes and suffixes by heart? and does anyone think that only certain people are capable of perfect scores? I am not innately talented in any subject, maybe besides math. Do you think practice is essential? I just don't want to waste my time studying non-stop when there is a big risk of dissapointment. any other tips would be awesome.</p>
<p>Have you taken the SAT before? How did you score? </p>
<p>I'm in the same boat as you are -- I intend to get a 2400 this October. For writing, just learn the errors that they test and do lots of practice (get a workbook to practice? I'm using Kaplan's). You'll be up to an 800 in that in no time. </p>
<p>For reading, just...learn lots of vocabulary. Memorize Barron's 3500 word list or something. If your vocab is rich then you won't really have a problem understanding even the most abstruse passages the SAT will throw at you.</p>
<p>Yes, I've taken the SAT twice thus far. My first time I score a 2200 (March) and in June I went down to a 2120 :/ I've always gotten 800's in math, but for writing and reading I feel as if I am very inconsistent although my essay's are typically 11's or 12's. At this point, I need to MASTER the writing MC and the reading. Ashraf, I also intended to memorize a few high-frequency lists from several companies and also memorize prefixes/suffixes. The 3500 list would be essntial to me, but it's a lot to remember. I never have a problem dissecting meanings of sentence completions or passages, but at times vocab can act as a road-block. I assume by now that using a workbook to learn each error and tons of practice is enough for the writing.</p>
<p>Also, if anyone would like to collaborate through AIM or any other instant messaging program, feel free to PM me. I'd love to share thoughts and techniques.</p>