Improving Critical Reading score

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi all. </p>

<p>I am a rising Junior. Taking 2 APs (Chem and US Gov) without much challenges as a sophomore, I consider myself as an "above average" student. However, about 4 months ago, I took a diagnostic test in a tutoring company named C2 education, and got the score of: </p>

<p>Math: 690</p>

<p>Reading : 420</p>

<p>Writing: 400</p>

<p>Yes. Composite score = 1510 . . . </p>

<p>I was disappointed. However, after 2 months of self studying of the writing section, I managed to pull my score up to <em>740</em> with a 12 on the essay.
(That is, the score of 600 ish to 740 depend on my essay score ( 200-340 increase ) . I don't think i can get a 12 on the essay currently, but Collegeboard website automatically gave me a 12...)</p>

<p>Now it is time for me to focus on the Reading section. </p>

<p>Here are my resources: </p>

<p>Blue Book</p>

<p>Princeton Review 2010 version</p>

<p>12 Practice tests from Kaplan</p>

<p>Kindle (with Direct Hits)</p>

<p>Some other SAT vocab workbooks (The ultimate and non peril SAT vocabulary, SAT vocab 800 book B, C, D)</p>

<p>The Internet.</p>

<p>I plan to study all summer, mostly reading section, and I am willing to spend 5 hours each morning. But the problem is, HOW? </p>

<p>Personally, I think I should do countless of practice passages and learn from my errors. At the same time, read DH and work on other SAT vocab workbooks. On the other hand, my parents insisted me that I should read remarkable/famous novels on the college board list, which I hate, everyday and my critical reading score will improve itself. My parents think that doing practices would only improve a little.</p>

<p>My goal, for either the November or the December SAT ( I haven't signed up yet ), is to get 650+ on Writing, 750+ on Math, and 600 on Reading. With a composite score of hopefully 2000 +. But how can I improve my reading score from 420 to 600? </p>

<p>Should do practice tests and review my errors?
Or Should I read books? and
Does doing Practice test actually help?</p>

<p>Please share your testimonies and provide some advice for me. </p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>First of all, don’t worry about the C2 Education score. After I already got a 2000+ on the real SAT test (took as a trial in middle school), I went there at the end of 9th grade and the people said I only got a 1800. -_____- (btw, I’m also a rising junior)</p>

<p>I didn’t really trust them, so I decided to study on my own. I didn’t really do that much prep over the years, but I just gradually built up my score by looking at vocab occasionally, doing a practice test every 1-3 months, etc. Also, I found that going online to read random news articles helped my reading score immensely. Even reading those trashy popular teen novels will help build your reading base, especially if you jot down some vocab you aren’t too sure about as you read.</p>

<p>I took the real SAT a second time in January and made a 2300+. To be honest, before January, I hadn’t taken a practice test in about half a year. For the month up to the test, I just flipped through the Barron’s SAT book (which IMO is the BEST book out there) for quick grammar tips and for vocabulary (about 5000 words in there!). I also took vocab online quizzes and such. Practice IS important, but not so much as your “base” (how good your reading skill is, how well you can write, did you memorize vocab?, etc.)</p>

<p>I’m planning to take the October SAT test for that 2400, so I guess I’m trying to actually get into that “testing mode” now. For now, I’m just reading whatever I can get my hands on and memorizing vocab. (: </p>

<p>For writing, I’m just reviewing grammar rules and occasionally writing an essay. </p>

<p>I actually don’t have much to say about preparing for the math section, but just make sure you know your algebra well. Actually, since you can bring a calculator into testing, you shouldn’t worry too much about it. </p>

<p>Good luck! :D</p>