Increasing from an 1850

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi CC!
So I received my SAT scores last week, and received a CR 580/M 600/W 670 split (8 essay) for an 1850 composite. I'm really unhappy with these scores because I was hoping to at least break 2000 with my first try. </p>

<p>I'm in recovery mode right now, doing everything I can before May SAT/June SAT. My goals for them are a 2200+/33+, so the odds are very much against me. I've enrolled in a month-long Kaplan course, an SAT course at school, and some independent studying. Do I even have enough time to see a score increase that significant, or should I do what I can before June ACT/Fall SAT. If I do, what else can I do to increase my chances. </p>

<p>My final college list is as follows, sorted by interest:
CMU
Lehigh
Princeton
Penn
NJIT
Drexel
for Architecture</p>

<p>THANK YOU!! </p>

2

<p>Add’l Info:
I hadn’t really studied at all before my first SAT because I wrongfully assumed that I was so smart that I didn’t need to prepare myself for a high score, even though I also scored a 185 on the PSAT. I know that that’s shows pretty bad character, but I’m now aware of what it takes and more than eager to take those steps to increase my score. </p>

3

<p>I highly suggest that you buy the Blue Book and practice with the practice tests in the back. After you take them, you can go back and learn every single concept that you messed up on. You will find the same questions with different particulars on the real test. For example, if you don’t know correct pronouns and verb tenses, you will always get those questions wrong. But if you just learn the rules, you will repeatedly get them right in different forms. So since it looks like you are weakest in math, go practice all the kinds of math questions in the blue book that you don’t understand. Once you know the ins and outs of functions, you will never get functions questions wrong. Since there is, for the most part, a limited amount of tested material, you can apply that to anything else you need to learn.</p>

<p>There are also many helpful online resources. I think there is a thread around here about the most helpful free SAT resources. I found this woman’s blog quite insightful and helpful <a href=“http://perfectscoreproject.com/”>http://perfectscoreproject.com/&lt;/a&gt;
Oh and one of the best things I found out was that all of the solutions to the blue book test questions are online, but they are kind of hidden on the collegeboard website. This is the link <a href=“SAT Study Guide – SAT Suite | College Board”>SAT Study Guide – SAT Suite | College Board;

<p>Do some searching online. Many people are trying to do the same thing you’re doing. </p>

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<p>@clo5439
Thank you so much! I have the second edition of the Blue Book in addition to the Kaplan 2013 Book, the Kaplan Book of 12 Practice Tests, and the Barron’s SAT Math Workbook. I am scheduled to take a diagnostic test on Sunday with the Kaplan course so hopefully I’ll know what to work on from there. </p>

5

<p>Here are what happened to my kid:</p>

<p>No preparation -
October 2012 Sophomore PSAT: 194</p>

<p>Took AP Lang & Comp class and prepared with Blue Book -
October 2013 Junior PSAT: 214
October 2013 SAT: 2190</p>

<p>Prepared with official released SAT tests -
January 2014 SAT: 2320</p>

<p>Of course, there were other factors as well.
In general, he grew as a person.</p>

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<p>@steventocollege when you say that he prepared with official released SAT tests, do you mean the Score Report or just practice tests? That’s a phenomenal jump for such a high bracket, by the way! </p>

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<p>Thanks for the kind words.</p>

<p>By the way, I meant the official SAT tests released by the College Board.
These were the tests that were administered previously: January, May, and October.</p>

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<p>@StevenToCollege are they readily available on the CB website? </p>

9

<p>Not that I am aware of.
The tutoring places should have them.</p>

10

<p>I find there are two main variables that determine my student’s score increase:</p>

<ol>
<li>How hard they are willing to work</li>
<li>Willingness to follow the directions and strategies given</li>
</ol>

<p>There is a big difference between what it takes to crack 2000 and what it would take to get a 2200/2300. The higher your score climbs, the more effort it takes to increase your score (the path from an 1850 to a 2000 is easier than the path from a 2150 to a 2300.</p>

<p>However, a major score increase in a short period of time is going to require more than “some independent studying.” If you want to go from an 1850 to a 2300 by June, you’re going to need to go all out. I mean more several hours a night, more than half of your weekends, solid SAT prep. If you can afford it, I would, in addition to the Kaplan classes, get a tutor, and a great one at that. If you can’t, check out the “best of” on here there are some other great resources online (are we allowed to mention other free sites?) and on video for free. You’re going to need to take at LEAST six real CB practice tests and go through all your mistakes.</p>

<p>Also, I wouldn’t take the SAT more than three times, so you should probably wait 'till May or June. With your target schools you should find out about SAT Subject Tests as well (you can’t take those on the same day as the SAT).</p>

<p>I know you’ve learned this, but for anyone listening, when you said:
“I hadn’t really studied at all before my first SAT because I wrongfully assumed that I was so smart that I didn’t need to prepare myself for a high score”

  • Remember the SAT isn’t an IQ test, being smart can sometimes get in a student’s way if it makes them believe they don’t have to study or accept advice/help.</p>
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for anyone wondering/needing advice, here was my progression:

-March 2014 SAT: 1850 (CR 580/M 600/W 670)
-May 2014 SAT (took Kaplan course): 2000 (CR 660/M 670/W 670)
-June 2014 ACT (minimal prep): 32 (R: 31, M: 29, E: 35, S: 34, W: 10)
-September 2014 ACT (no prep): 33 (R: 33, M: 31, E: 35, S: 33, W: 10)

good luck!