Is this supposed to happen???

<p>I take a Kaplan prep class for the SAT, and my scores for the diagnostic test (test 1) were : critical reading: 680, math: 480, and writing: 690 (with essay score of 5), so a total of 1850. I then took a practice test on my own (took different sections at different times, not under test like conditions) from the Purple book of SATs that kaplan provides. My scores were: critical reading: 650, math: 500, and writing: 700, so a total of 1850. Then, for my second test in class, my scores were: critical reading: 680, math: 510, writing: 680, with essay score of 5, so a total of 1870. My question is why does my writing score keep wavering? I had a 700, and then it went down 20 points! I don't understand why, I'm really upset about this. Yeah my math went up but not by that much. Are my scores supposed to waver a bit before continuously getting scores in a certain range? I'm afraid they'll continue to go up and down. Also, is it realistic of me to aim to get at least a 2100, when I'm taking the SAT in may?
Btw, i know these scores totally suck, so no one has to say that.</p>

<p>What the heck are you talking about? +/- 10 points isn't "waivering". That's equivalent to missing 1 more or one less question each time you take the test. If scoring 1850, 1850, and 1870 isn't consistent, I don't know what is.</p>

<p>yeah but i had a 700 in writing and it went back to the 600's</p>

<p>There's not a huge difference between 680 and 700. That's probably just one question difference.</p>

<p>okay, thank you. do you think it's possible that i can get my writing score back to 700, and higher than 700, like 750?</p>

<p>It's possible to get a 800 so yeah you could get a 700 or 750...</p>

<p>lol yeah i know it's technically possible, but is it realistic? to get a 750?</p>

<p>If you're taking the test in May, I think you can do it.</p>

<p>Problems:</p>

<ol>
<li>You're using Kaplan tests</li>
<li>20 points is only a question's difference</li>
<li>You're using Kaplan tests</li>
<li>Did I mention that you're using Kaplan tests?</li>
</ol>

<p>Bigb14: thanks for the not so subtle comment about Kaplan being bad lol. I've heard good and bad things about a lot of test prep companies so i don't know what to think anymore..</p>

<p>The main problem isn't the company itself. There can be a few competent tutors/instructors within the company, but the company is not TCB. They might have some idea of how TCB comes up with their questions, but they will never know unless information is leaked or some test maker joins the company... Authentic TCB tests are the only way to go!</p>

<p>good point, driscol, however do you know if TCB dumbs down their practice tests? this is what i've heard.</p>

<p>^No, some people on here just don't know what they're talking about... :&lt;/p>

<p>if it's made by the ETS, it's the real deal.</p>