<p>Hey everyone, I am a terrible PSAT,SAT test taker. Last year i got around a high 150 on the PSAT(sophmore year). I am planning to take the SAT in January. I am so nervous, because I know the college I want to go to(UVA) you have to get a fairly high SAT score. I have excellent grades(first in class) and am challenging myself to the fullest with all the AP classes I can possibly take. I just am not a verry good test taker. I am very advanced in math(ap calc) but I just cant seem to get the concepts that are given on the SAT. I have read other guides of high scorers getting even higher but I could not find any posts about low scorers scoring high. My goal on this SAT on the Math and Critical reading is to get around a 1210-1300.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone could help me with improving this embarassing score. I am planning to study all december break and try to learn math strategies. I have the blue book, a princeton review book, and a whole bunch of other random SAT prep stuff my brother used back in 05,06. Man I am so scared of this test cause it basically decides my fate in life. So I guess my question is can anyone help me learn good math strategies or CR advice? Any strategies on becoming familiar with questions?</p>
<p>Has anyone else been in this situation of being a low scorer(1100-1200) who jumped to around a 1300-1420?</p>
<p>Please help, I really need some advice on my situation. Thank you so much. I'd really appreciate it</p>
<p>Are you a senior? It depends on how much time you've got left.</p>
<p>I personally went from a 1610 (510 CR, 570 Math, 530 Writing) in March to a 2010 in October and I think I got around a 2100+ in December. You just need time to hash review material over.</p>
<p>I would suggest reading Kaplan for Writing. You can easily bring this section up and I noticed after 1 read, my score shot up around 150 points. To get around a 700+, you just need to practice.</p>
<p>Critical Reading is harder. I'd just use the SAT Online Course in conjunction with the Blue Book and do sections over and over. Also, Grammatix is good for CR. I find that its not for all people though. I would strongly suggest Barrons Critical Reading Workbook. I got a 690 on the october test (net boost of 180 pts)</p>
<p>Math is just practicing concepts. Nothing else really. I would suggest Grubers and Barrons. Only got a 650 in October, but still a nice boost.</p>
<p>I know this seems like common sense, but its really just practice practice practice.</p>
<p>no, im a junior. I have time,but I just dont know how to improve my score. thanks for the recommended books I think I have the Kaplan, ill go get the barrons after my first test. Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>I will practice alot this winter break and I will read so much( I have to for English great gatsby and another book for a Mega project) I hope I will become a better test taker by next years october test. I am gonna probably take the January test, March, and June. Then next year October, November, December, and January, maybe March so I can win some scholarships if my SAT score still sucks.</p>
<p>Hi, on my Sophomore PSAT I scored a 154, when I took the SAT in November I raised my scored to a 1280/1800, so you can definitely do it, my advice is just practice a ton. Learn vocab, and if you take any type of prep course take it very seriously(just as seriously as any AP class)</p>
<p>If you're not planning to REALLY put a HUGE effort into SAT prepping, no advice is any good. Buy Rocket Review, Bluebook (College board book). Those should raise your score significantly if you do 'em all and if you listed to RR's advice.</p>
<p>Scored 155 (CR+M+WR) on soph PSAT. I scored 1520 (M+CR) on the October SAT, as a senior. Don't worry about it, you'll pick up test taking skills as time passes by and you get used to taking tests.</p>
<p>read the collegeboard book, before you actually practice anything. they have really good pointers that i never really considered but helped me increase A LOT in critical reading (~90 points). then you just apply the practice and you'll increase even more.</p>
<p>i went up a bit more than 200 points on the new scale, and a friend went from a 1200 (660m and 540cr) to a 1400 (730m and 670cr) with the same approach between march and may.</p>
<p>college board's blue book, as says everyone else, is the epitome of tests.
the very best come from there.
however, the college board does not want you to score high on the SAT so the strategies listed in the book are less than exemplary.
for strategies books, i would most certainly start out with RR (rocket review) and then move on to barron's new SAT book.</p>
<p>now...
the very key to scoring high....
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
the more you familiarize yourself with the test and the more you understand how the collegeboard writes tests to confuse you, the higher you will score!</p>
<p>My story isn't as amazing as everyone elses.. but I can tell you this. Soph year i got a 150 on my PSAT, and I'm a good student. So I familiarized myself with the test and studied 1 or 2 vocab words every night and started reading more often. In a little over a year i got a 2100 and I just took it again and am expecting a 2160+. It's a *****.. but more than half of the SAT is just experience... I'm not a great test taker... so I have to work.</p>
<p>I agree with just about everyone else on this thread. All you have to do is try hard and practice. If you buy the books, make sure you actually do the exercises in them! (Sometimes I buy books, and just don't read them) I'm sure you'll be able to improve a lot, so don't worry! Good luck in January!</p>
<p>thanks guys. I got this e book math essetials to really put some finess in my math skills.</p>
<p>Vadox I saw your post but I couldnt seem to find the link for the pratice tests or Grammatix book. </p>
<p>Could anyone provide a link for grammatix, i hear it really helps. Id really aprreciate it.</p>
<p>Oh yea i got a 172 on my PSAT that I took this year and got 5 in CR, 61 in MTH, and 54 in Writing. its average but i know for a fact i can improve my math scores. and I am pretty sure my writing score will jump at least a few points.</p>