<p>I'm planning to do hardcore self study this summer, using a lot of the methods used on CC. I plan to take as many practice tests as I can and prepare myself totally to beat the SAT when I take it at the beginning of junior year next year. Is this possible? I want to get at least 2200, hopefully in the 2300 range if I can. I know that it'll take a lot of discipline to study regularly but my writing and CR scores (psat) are already around where I want them to be and math is really where I need to work. any tips for preparing over the summer in terms of how I should portion it out? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I think it is definitely possible if you actually study over the summer. Spend most of your time on math, but continue to study the reading and writing so you can maintain the leve you are at. The thing that helped me the most was just taking practice tests over and over again. I would recommend taking the sat more than once though, my test score went up a few hundred points the second time around.</p>
<p>What I have realized with tests is that the more you stress out, the more nervous you will be at the test and the worse you will do. You are putting this test on a pedestal. Just be nonchalant and be calm about it. Just do your best and don’t rush it or go too slow. Go at your pace and go back and double check your work. See why you picked the answer and reanalyze the question. You can use that time trying to study for the SAT for better things. Like teaching yourself quantum physics; it’s okay if you don’t get it. No one really understands quantum physics. You can teach your self calculus or learn to program. Perhaps, you can build yourself a rail gun. The possibilities are endless. I am saying the time you invest in studying for the SAT can be better utilized to better yourself.</p>
<p>And to be honest with you, I disagree with the poster above me. If you are actually going to study. Read more books. Analyze them, scrutinize every sentence. You can double check every answer in math by plugging the numbers into a calculator, but the reading and writing sections are ambiguous.</p>
<p>The trick to studying for the SAT is to change what you are currently doing. I don’t mean drastic changes, but if you don’t change anything, why would your score change? That being said, learn the general math strategies: number substitutions, working backwards. See if that gets you where you want to be, scorewise.</p>
<p>Beyond that, you’ll learn a lot more about the test by studying the questions you get wrong than those you get correct. Be diligent and study often.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If you are preparing the right way, then 3 months is the perfect amount of time. You can find specific advise in some of my other posts.</p>
<p>Personally, I would say don’t go to hard over the summer. Try to enjoy yourself a bit 
You don’t want to burn out.</p>
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<p>Going hard core is hardly necessary. Do not try to do too much at once; you will give up! </p>
<p>I always recommend to “destroy” the BB (cut it in pieces) and get a stack of folders where you place individual sections. Set aside one or two of the first tests in the Blue Book … in case you’d like to take a full-length tests at the end of your preparation. I do not think this is essential, but some swear by putting yourself through the torture of a full-length test under testing conditions. </p>
<p>Try to work one section a day (that should be less than 30 minutes) and check your answers (the wrong ones AND the right ones.) For anything that does not make immediate sense, post the question on CC for explanations. As you move your piles from “to do” to “done” make sure to mark any problems on the folder as well as your scores. This will help go back to see what problems might require more work. If you go through one test per week, you should be in great shape by Labor Day. It might not be necessary to go through all of them. As you progress, try to identify patterns and shortcuts. </p>
<p>Since you do well in CR and Writing, all you might want to do is read those sections with the answers in front of you. This will help you catch some words that are arcane and keep the SAT grammar fresh in your head.</p>