Hey everyone, I know this topic has been covered a lot by I wanted to hear to receive some input on my particular situation.
Since freshman year I have had top schools on my college dream list, focusing mainly on my grades and making my ECs stand out. Unfortunately, I never tried to study or fully understood the importance of a high SAT score (especially for asians lie myself) until now, the end of my sophomore year.
I was unable to take the PSAT in freshman year, but by the time sophomore year came around, I registered for the test assuming I would be able to score around an 180 with minimal preparation.
I realize that it’s not generally required to study for the PSAT but I didn’t even remember I was taking the test until the day of. I didn’t even know how the test was going to be formatted until we were handed our booklets. Taking the PSAT cold resulted in a score around 157, which I guess is well-deserved considering my naivety and lack of preparation.
What makes my situation especially difficult is the fact that the current SAT will only be offered until the spring of 2016, in which my class will be the first to be offered the redesigned version. In other words, I won’t be able to study more throughout the school year to obtain a max score in June.
In conclusion, does anyone have any specific advice as to how I can at least raise my score to a 2000 by October and possibly 100 points each month before the test changes?
Sorry for the long post, and any potential input is extremely appreciated
get the SAT blue book and enroll in a test prep class such as Test Master’s. learn the 18 grammar rules that they test in the writing section (google SAT 18 Grammar Rules if you don’t know what i’m talking about); write as long an essay as possible for the writing section as possible, and have strong examples that you can easily tie back to your argument. learn how to manage your time enough to give you a few extra minutes at the end of each section to go back and check for errors; for critical reading, read quickly and carefully. there are certain strategies you can learn for the fill in the blank section (again, you can google and find these strategies), and for passage based questions, i found that AP English Language multiple choice released tests were a good way to sharpen my critical reading. if you’re not in AP English Language or dont have access to released AP multiple choice tests, use a resource such as sparknotes SAT prep to learn how to read passages as analytically and quickly as possible. also, most people’s scores increase from the PSAT to the real SAT, so don’t worry.
To the previous responder, he will be taking the newly redesigned SAT which does not have writing.
Also, I got a 173 on the PSAT cold, but I am going to take my SAT at a different school in November so I can include the writing portion which would be the best option for me. I plan on studying hard this July/August for the PSAT. This might also be of use to you, so I’d check out to see which schools in your area offer the SAT before June for you to register for.
No it isn’t. Study for the PSAT as hard as you study for the SAT. With a great PSAT score and good SAT score as well as good grades (no C’s or very few) you can become a National Merit Semifinalist just with an outstanding PSAT and move on to Finalist if your SAT and grades are good. There are colleges that have full rides, full tuition, or other extensive offers of merit aid for NMFs and even NMSFs. You will be taking the new PSAT in October; find materials and study hard. What state do you live in? It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible.
Okay what if I just studied for the redesigned SAT in spring, skip the old SAT tests in the fall/winter, and focus on studying for the PSAT for the fall? Would that be a viable strategy as well?
Well there are no sources right now for the redesigned SAT, and not too much for the PSAT but you can try. I am not sure if schools will accept the Old SAT for one or two years later of the redesigned.
Yeah, you might want to consider the ACT. You don’t know much about the new SAT. I think ACT is changing or something I read somewhere but I’m taking SAT and probably ACT if SAT scores are bad.
I have considered taking the ACT, but I am typically stronger at reading/writing skills than math. However, I have heard that the math/science portions are somewhat easier to study for. Any thought on this?
Several colleges superscore the SAT, meaning they take the best score for each section, even if from different test sessions. So if you are stressed about the test and the colleges you are interested superscore, perhaps concentrate on a different section each time.
Read all the success guides on CC. Will yourself to ADAPT, so don’t only stick to one strategy. Adapt in how to approach the question, how you study, how your attitude is toward the test. But most of all, practice and review EVERY question. Even review the ones you were unsure of and got correct, because that shows that you’re on the right track. Create an Excel spreadsheet of types of problems you miss and target those areas. Also, PwntheSAT Q&A is an awesome resource. If others are missing those questions, you probably will struggle with them too.
If it makes you feel better, I got a 140 out of 240 on my first psat in ninth grade. I tried to improve my score but didn’t know how to and got the same score sophmore year. Then, during the summer after tenth grade I prepped with Collegeboard’s blue book like crazy and took around three practice tests a day. In 11th grade my studying paid off (somewhat) and I got a 170. Still not satisfied, I took the sat in Jan. of my junior year and got a 1750. Afterwards, I would print out TONS of old tests from collegeboard and did them daily. Later when I retook, I got a 1970 (sadly fell short of my goal of 2000) :((
Tips:
Don’t time yourself when you first start taking practice tests. Take your time and understand why the right answer is right.
-Think like the testmakers. The answer is only right bc collegeboard said so.
-Buy the new 2016 blue book. It’s the only prep book from the test makers. Also use khanacademy since the collegeboard has partnered up with it.
-Learn a few tricks for the test (ex. process of elimination, skipping and coming back to the question, etc). Rember to pace yourself.
-Think positive. Of course the sat is annoying and stands for satan. But on the bright side, at least the new version is shorter, has only 4 answer choices and no guessing penalty.
I was aiming to try to raise each section anywhere from 50-100 points per month so by the time october comes around I have an estimated 2100ish. It probably doesn’t seem feasible but I’m trying to say optimistic haha
