<p>did you guys do better, worse, or same than your PSAT's? and how much did you study?</p>
<p>me, worse. but I studied only like 2 weeks before the test, doing 3 practice exams, scoring around [1950,2070]
my PSAT was cr-62, math-80, writing-65. overall 1420/2070
my SAT was cr-60, math-80, writing 61 (mc-59, essay-9). overall 1400/2010</p>
<p>and what book do you recommend I use over the summer to improve cr, writing? I'm retaking the SAT in october, and maybe november, so what should I do over the summer?</p>
<p>I did better in May though and was able to get a CR: 620, Math: 670, Writing: 680... so if you're scores are down the first time I'm sure you'll be able to get them up if you retake the test. I think it all works out in the end.</p>
<p>
[quote]
@Disneyguy, care to share how you got an 800 on CR?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I attribute my success in critical reading to two major things (that take time, not simply a little prep...):</p>
<p>1-I read. A lot. Simply reading challenging material on your own will help critical reading...</p>
<p>2-In my freshman year of high school, I took an online English etymology course--aka, the meanings of roots of words. This has been INCREDIBLY helpful. On both SATs and the PSAT, I came across words I had never heard before. However, because of etymology, I was able to figure out their meanings and have not yet missed a single vocabulary question. This is, in my opinion, FAR more helpful than memorizing lists of vocabulary words: it applies to exactly the type of skill needed on the SAT.</p>
<p>@Disneyguy, Thanks! What about the way you approach the passages? Do you read the whole thing first and then answer or are there any tricks?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Oh yeah,</p>
<p>PSAT (I didn't prep or care about it)
M:800
W:63
CR:63
2060</p>
<p>May SAT (I am very disappointed)
M: 710 (Umm...burn CB?)
W: 760 (10essay)
CR: 680 (thought I would at least get a 730)
2150(blah! 150s off my target)</p>
<p>
[quote]
@Disneyguy, Thanks! What about the way you approach the passages? Do you read the whole thing first and then answer or are there any tricks?</p>
<p>Thanks!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I just read straight through them once and answered the questions. No tricks. The important thing is to stay concentrated on the meaning of everything you read. If your attention begins to drift, as soon as possible, go back and re-read what you "missed" because it could be crucial in the multiple choice.</p>
<p>Reading the questions first just confused me. I also think it starts to waste time...unless you can comprehend the passage and remember all those questions at the same time!</p>
<p>@Disneyguy, Thanks! I am getting too caught up in these tricks and strategies and to be honest, I tend to get better scores on practice tests when I just read through without any tricks.</p>
<p>Good Luck in your college application to HYPS!</p>
<p>I agree with Disneyguy completely about the Critical Reading thing: You've got to read whatever you can get your hands on, even if it's just for leisure. Don't Sparknote school English books!</p>
<p>Just got back my SAT scores today and I got</p>
<p>Reading: 720
Math: 720
Writing: 710</p>
<p>Which gives me a 1440/2150. =)</p>
<p>I definitely agree with Disneyguy, reading is SUCH an important part of upping your CR score. Read everything you can get your hands on. And another strategy I use -- if I come across a word I don't know, I look it up. Always.</p>
<p>As for Math, I would just make sure you've got your algebra skills down. That's the problem most people seem to have -- they don't know their algebra, and the SAT's are 90% basic algebra. Freshen up that and you should do fine.</p>