<p>Background..
-> I've taken the SAT once before and scored a 1620; 560 Math, 530 W & CR.
-> I didn't prepare whatsoever for the first SAT and am now beginning my preparation (urggh) for my second one.
-> I took my first in March.</p>
<p>I've read (and will continue to read) a multitude of threads on this forum which offer stellar assistance on this subject, but am wondering what you guys would recommend as a studying method with less than one month to prepare for the upcoming SAT?</p>
<p>I've several .pdf forms of SAT study guides (since I'm too cheap to purchase the real thing) and the actual Blue Book that I purchased today (and have it in my hands now).
..pdfs include "Direct Hits Core Vocabulary for the SAT", "Barron's How to Prepare for the SAT", "SAT Math for Dummies" alongside Kaplan and Grammatix Inc.'s versions of the study guide.</p>
<p>Practice tests from bluebook.
Analyze each problem you do after you finish.
Read up on more strategies from the studybooks
Comeup with your own tricks
More practice tests
More study questions
Write a long essay 1.5+ pages
Good luck</p>
<p>As an SAT tutor, I completely agree with SilverOwl - good old fashioned practice practice practice is the way to go!</p>
<p>Do as many questions as you can, see what you get right, see what you get wrong and try to learn from your mistakes. Try to ‘categorize’ the questions you get wrong so that when you see one on a future test you can attempt to apply what you learned from your previous attempts. For example, if you see a system of equations question, remember that often times you can just stack the two equations on top of each other and add or subtract straight down to get your answer and save a minute.</p>
<p>Try to take one test each week and go through the questions thoroughly after doing so. Time yourself as strictly as possible - basically attempt to replicate test day conditions.</p>
<p>A very important question to ask yourself as you do your practice tests is what your goal score is. This greatly impacts the strategy component of your preparation and helps you decide how to attack the sections themselves as you prepare. For example, if you are trying to get the reading and writing to 600 from 530, then your target on each section should be to answer approximately 75% of the questions and leave the hardest 25% blank. </p>
<p>In addition to the practice questions, given the 530 on the CR, you will want to review vocabulary between now and test day. I have a real good vocab app I could tell you about if you would like - just let me know.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, LearningEdge. As for the vocabulary app, I’d be up for it. I am already using a printed version of Direct Hits Core Vocabulary for the SAT, but “more” couldn’t hurt. ;)</p>
<p>No problem - good luck with your attack on the June SAT!</p>
<p>The vocab app is The Daily Word - it buzzes you with a word of the day, has about 200 practice questions, a notecard creation system, and humorous sentences to help keep things interesting. :)</p>
<p>I’m currently suffering from an unknown illness at the moment, so I’m delaying my practice. That isn’t such a great idea, but I figured if I’m sick my performance will prove worse.</p>
<p>My advice is to chillax as much as possible before the test, dont get hyper and dont lose sleep, time is your best friend. I had a 209 PSAT, didnt touch SAT stuff out of school, took 1 practice test, got a 1870 on that BTW, and then got a 2250 on my one and only SAT may of last year. I have a friend who studied his ass off before the SAT only to get a 2170, lower than his PSAT score of 219, he then didnt study at all for the ACT and got a 35, relaxation time is your best friend! You already know everything on that stupid test!!</p>
<p>Read guides 2-3 times depending if you have the ones I think, otherwise message me. Learn direct hits vocab and some more outside, I have a large list of frequent words. Learn all the math rules and strategies. Learn all grammar rules. Then practice taking the tests and review what you are weak on. Essay I did nothing but study a few areas.</p>
<p>[818215]
No worries, I’m not fussing over it whatsoever. I go to sleep at appropriate times and will never dedicate my life to a test. Thanks for the advice, nonetheless.
Oh, and I’m sure I DON’T know everything on this outrageous test. XD</p>
<p>[EricSnow]
Seems like my previous plan (before I asked this question) is similar to your advice, minus “practice practice practice”.
I plan to use the “10 Days to a 12 on the Essay” (or whatever) thread for the essay portion. ;)</p>