My Fast SAT Prep Guide: How I went 2080 -> 2340 In 10 Days

aussietechie · July 6, 2011, 7:41am

After great feedback from many early readers, the highly requested guide is here!

This guide attempts to cover pretty much everything involving the SAT I. Much if it is links to resources, in a nicely organized format.

Why am I doing this? Because I found it annoying enough to have to study for the SAT, let alone search out the right stuff! Hopefully this will help you achieve the dream score you have been aiming for.

My scores (12 days apart!)

<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-28/nncAtqoJqIhAgCqjAiwGyCkwEHfjEDEjqjenfnImIdAfpwkcDIdnooGiCFtl/practice_test.png.scaled1000.png%5B/img%5D">http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-28/nncAtqoJqIhAgCqjAiwGyCkwEHfjEDEjqjenfnImIdAfpwkcDIdnooGiCFtl/practice_test.png.scaled1000.png

</a>

<a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-28/jvBlGvbsxhEexIGHElpkEJIBjGDvlsymwCysaImbqCwHirkrDfoJwfEIgynn/Screen_shot_2011-05-28_at_4.47.15_PM.png.scaled1000.png%5B/img%5D">http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-28/jvBlGvbsxhEexIGHElpkEJIBjGDvlsymwCysaImbqCwHirkrDfoJwfEIgynn/Screen_shot_2011-05-28_at_4.47.15_PM.png.scaled1000.png

</a>

Contents
Step 1 - Which Books and Materials to Buy
Step 2 - Taking the CollegeBoard Official Practice Test Online
Step 3 - Resources for the SAT Math Section
Step 4 - Resources for the SAT Writing Section
Step 5 - Resources for the SAT CR (Critical Reading) Section
Step 6 - Tips for 800s on the SAT Math, Writing and CR
Step 7 - How to Use The Blue Book Effectively
Step 8 - How to Write a 12 Essay
Step 9 - Tips for the Night Before & Test Day
My SAT Study Schedule

The Best SAT Prep Books
[ul]
[]All sections: Collegeboard</a> Official Practice Book: The SAT Blue Book
[li]Math: Gruber's</a> SAT Math Workbook<a href="grab%20%5Burl=http://amzn.to/sat1-gruber%5DGruber's%20SAT%20Guide%5B/url%5D%20if%20no%20math%20workbooks%20in%20stock%20-%20it%20has%20the%20same%20math%20section%20within%20it">/url</a>[/li][]Math: [url=<a href="http://amzn.to/tinspire-calc%5DTI-Nspire">http://amzn.to/tinspire-calc]TI-Nspire</a> with Touchpad<a href="super%20strongly%20recommended!%20This%20calculator%20saved%20me%20so%20much%20time%20during%20the%20actual%20test%20-%20grab%20this%20even%20if%20you%20have%20a%20TI-89%20or%20TI-84">/url</a> If you really can't afford that, grab [url=<a href="http://amzn.to/jZDez4%5Dthis">http://amzn.to/jZDez4]this</a> one - it's almost as good.
[li]Writing MC: Barron's</a> 2400[/li][li]CR: Direct</a> Hits 1 & Direct</a> Hits 2[/li][li]CR: [Rocket</a> Review Revolution<a href="amazing%20for%20CR%20if%20you%20can%20afford%20it">/url</a>[/li][/ul]

Note: add overnight shipping if the test is in less than 2 weeks.

Questions:
Which version of the blue book should I get?

The second one, without question. It contains 3 actually administered tests, and you get free access to solutions for all the tests online.

aussietechie · July 6, 2011, 7:42am

Step 2 - Take a practice test while waiting for your books/materials to be shipped
Don’t bother going over your wrong answers on this one.

My scores:
650 Reading

85% Passage reading
74% Sentence completion

740 Writing (70/12 - note: no way the essay was a 12, 9 at best)

78% identifying sentence errors
100% improving paragraphs
100% improving sentences

690 Math

90% algebra and functions
83% Data analysis, stats, probability
80% geometry and measurement
100% number and operations

<hr>

Using the Best Books for the SAT I Math section - Step 3
Simple instructions for this one.

Once you have the [Gruber’s</a> SAT Math Workbook<a href=“grab%20%5Burl=http://amzn.to/sat1-gruber]Gruber’s%20SAT%20Guide[/url]%20if%20no%20math%20workbooks%20in%20stock%20-%20it%20has%20the%20same%20math%20section%20within%20it”>/url</a>, go to the page that says ‘How to Use This Book Most Effectively’, and follow that.

Make sure you follow their instructions and review your mistakes and any questions you are unsure about. I like redoing the questions I got wrong after to make sure I now get them right.

Finish it in a day.

<hr>

Using the Best Books for the SAT I Writing MC section - Step 4
In [url=<a href="http://amzn.to/sat1-writing-barrons]Barron’s">http://amzn.to/sat1-writing-barrons]Barron’s</a> 2400](<a href=“http://amzn.to/sat1-gruber-math]Gruber’s”>http://amzn.to/sat1-gruber-math), read the grammar section (page 125-187).

Once you have done that, read the [Sparknotes</a> Grammar Guide](<a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides).

Optional (stuff I tried but didn’t stick with - if you have more time, definitely give these a shot)

[ul]
[li]Silverturtle’s guide (grammar section)[/li][li]<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammar-guide.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammar-guide.html</a>[/li][li]<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/164124-16-most-common-errors-identifying-sentence-errors-writing.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/164124-16-most-common-errors-identifying-sentence-errors-writing.html</a>[/li][/ul]

<hr>

Using the Best Books for the SAT I Critical Reading section - Step 5

Read [Direct</a> Hits 1](<a href=“http://amzn.to/sat1-cr-dh1]Direct”>http://amzn.to/sat1-cr-dh1) & [Direct</a> Hits 2](<a href=“http://amzn.to/sat1-cr-dh2]Direct”>http://amzn.to/sat1-cr-dh2) for around 30 minutes each day. Read the words and paragraphs, then do the section tests. Then start testing with the big lists at the end of the book. Circle those you get wrong.

The day before the SAT, I created flashcards of those I still didn’t know, and tested with them.

Each day at dinner I got my parents to test me with around 50 words from the back of the book to check I knew roughly (exact memorization is not necessary!) what they meant.

Read [Noitaraperp’s</a> guide on the CR section](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html]Noitaraperp’s”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html)

Optional (stuff I tried but didn’t stick with)

[ul]
[]Silverturtle’s CR section
[]Google search: Mystery Tutor Critical reading (not sure If I am allowed to link this)
[]Google search: Mystery Tutor Sentence Completions (not sure If I am allowed to link this)
[]Sparknotes: [SAT:</a> Meet the Reading Section](<a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides)
[/ul]

aussietechie · July 6, 2011, 7:43am

Tips for 2400: How to get the highest score on each section - Step 6

Don’t forget to add your own as you practice.

[ul]
[]All sections

[list]
[li]Always guess. Some say don’t - I say do. Do what you will.[/li][]Process of elimination - cross off the incorrect answers.
[/ul]

[]Mindset (need to apply this in practice sections and on the day)

[ul]
[li]Remember that the answer is in front of you, you just need to find it.[/li][]Act positive: avoid worrying about a hard question.
[/ul]

[]Math

[ul]
[li]Concentrate hard. Be very serious![/li][]Read the problem, solve it, check your solution is an answer choice, reread the last part of the question to check what the asking for, and if still sure, pick that answer
[li]Checking answers [/li][list]
[li]Plug in your answer and test it out[/li][/ul]

[]Remember: if dividing by x, x cannot be zero
[]Don’t grid 0 in a decimal number (grid .667, not 0.67)
[]Never grid mixed numbers
[]When you do questions, make notes on your common errors.

[ul]
[]eg for me: Careful with ratios… If 2:3 females:males, to find the total number use total/52=F, not 2f/3=total
[/ul]

[/list]

[]Writing MC

[ul]
[li]If you scored decently on your practice test, then DON’T overanalyze and pick errors out of nothing! On my first practice test, I did well on the writing MC. After reading prep material for writing, my scores started going down and the majority of the incorrect answers were where I had selected an error, but the answer was ‘no error’![/li][]Read the sentences in your head
[li]Go with what sounds best when you read it (only works if you speak/write well - otherwise, more grammar prep may be needed)[/li][/ul]

[]CR

[ul]
[li]Skim the questions for line references, and then indicate these on the passage.[/li][]As you read through, skim, but when you near a star/line, slow down, then once you have read it answer that question.
[]Act like you are super interested when reading the passages!
[]When you are about 1/2 way through the big passages, read the general questions (no line references). Try and narrow the answers down to 2 so you can then think about this as you finish reading the paragraph
[li]If asked for the authors tone, avoid choices that indicate extreme tone.[/li][/ul]

[/list]

<hr>

Practicing by using the SAT Blue Book Effectively - Step 7
[The</a> SAT Blue Book](<a href=“http://amzn.to/sat1-all-bb]The”>http://amzn.to/sat1-all-bb) is a godsend, provided that you use it effectively. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Do each section in 70% of the time. (if you can’t make that, just go through once as fast as you can, no double checking)

[ul]
[li]25->18, 20->14, 10->7 minutes (I was doing this and only going slightly over in practice tests - but on the test day, math was the only section I had more than a minute to go back and check over in)[/li][/ul]

Do the non-administered tests first (so skip the first 3 blue book tests), so that you can take the real tests closer to test day

You MUST do this: put a cross through all the question numbers you are sure of

For questions you are very unsure of: put question marks (eg ??? might indicate no idea)

Check your answers

[ul]
[]Note which ones were wrong
[]Go back and try and work out the correct answer
[li]Look at the online solutions for all questions that were either: wrong, or had a cross through them (if you took the same test again, you should score a 2400) [/li][list]
[li]Work out what to do to avoid errors of a similar type. Was your error due to: lack of knowledge, incorrect understanding of the question, or a stupid mistake? Lack of knowledge: look it up. Incorrect understanding: make sure you now understand what it is asking. Stupid mistake: reread the question before answering it. Underline key words.[/li][/ul]

[li][Solutions[/url</a>][/li][/list]

GOOD TIP FOLLOWS!
The level approach: if on a particular section you tend to only get the level 4/5 (hard) questions wrong, then only do those questions! By doing this, I was doing math practice sections in less than 5 minutes.

<hr>

How to Write a 12 Essay on the SAT - Step 8
I only scored a 10 on the essay (though 790 overall on writing), so I am trying to link to other people’s resources rather than give you my own.

Use this! [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html]How”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html]How</a> to write a 12 essay in 10 days<a href=“check%20the%20accompanying%20%5Burl=How to Write a 12 Essay for SAT in 10 days part 1-4 - YouTube”>/url</a>. With this, I didn’t bother creating my own transitional phrases - I just used the examples ones.

[ul]
[]Write very neatly, but write super fast
[]Write 2 full pages
[]Try and include some advanced vocab (not necessary for a 12, but can help)
[]Be super focused on the prompt - don’t wander
[]Choosing examples: pick ~10 you know from this list of [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12373482-post421.html]100”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12373482-post421.html]100</a> sat essay evidence examples<a href=“check%20out%20%5Burl=http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/11526423-post381.html]this[/url]%20and%20[url=http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9518532-post220.html%20]this[/url]%20if%20you%20want%20more%20examples”>/url</a>

[list]
[li]The examples I studied were: Steve Jobs/Apple, Larry Page/Sergey Brin/Google, Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook, Peter Thiel, Dan Pink: What Motivates Us, the Global Financial Crisis, The Truman Show, Night, On the Waterfront, Lord of the Flies, Dan Gilbert: Stumbling on Happiness, Macbeth, and Fight Club[/li][]The ones I used on the day were: Google, Facebook, and On the Waterfront
[li]I scored a 10. If I could redo it, I would have used 2 examples and fleshed them out more.[/li][/ul]

[li]Once you have read the 12 essay/10 days guide and done a bit of research on your examples (I did about 30 minutes each on 4 of them, and about 15 minutes on the others): [/li][ul]
[li]Go through the [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/764514-sat-essay-prompt-archetypes.html]SAT”>SAT Essay Prompt Archetypes - SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums]SAT</a> essay prompt archetypes thread](<a href=“https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.com/SR/home/bookOwnerArea.do?fromSecondEdition=yes]Solutions[/url”>https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.com/SR/home/bookOwnerArea.do?fromSecondEdition=yes)[/li][li]For each of the prompts, select the 2/3 examples you would use, and choose which side you would argue for[/li][/ul]

[li]If you have time, write a few practice essays. The only essays I wrote were 1 for the CB online practice test, and 1 the night before.[/li][/list]

Wondering what to look for when researching examples?
My notes taken are [url=<a href=“notepad.cc - notepad Resources and Information.”>notepad.cc - notepad Resources and Information.]here[/url</a>]. (too long to post here!)

aussietechie · July 6, 2011, 7:44am

The SAT: The Night Before, and How to Tackle Test Day - Step 9
Note: these are just suggestions! Adapt as you wish!

Night before

[ul]
[]Sleep for 8.5 hours (don’t oversleep, DEFINITELY don’t undersleep)
[]I was aiming for about 8.5 hours, probably got 8.
[]Set your alarm for around 7am MINUS the time it will take you to get there (e.g. 1/2 hour? 6.30am)
[]Put fresh batteries in your equipment.
[]Make sure you know how to use your timer
[]Get all the stuff you are taking ready for the next day.
[li]Know how to get there[/li][/ul]

Test day

[ul]
[]Bubbling: do it page by page.
[]Breakfast: bowl of oatmeal and a banana (eat the banana as you arrive at the testing centre)
[]Food: know that you will have 3 breaks of 5 minutes. The last period of the test will be the longest.
[]Take with you
[]Plastic sandwhich bag containing the following

[list]
[li]4x Number 2 pencils (called HB in some countries)[/li][]GOOD pencil sharpener
[]Photo ID (drivers licence, student ID, etc - check CB website if you aren’t sure what is accepted)
[]Silent timer
[]Earplugs: our proctor said to remove ear plugs - so I didn’t wear these
[]4 spare AAA batteries
[li]3 pieces of gum (chew gum during 3/4 of the test periods)[/li][/ul]

[]Graphical calculator + spare calculator (recommended: [TI-Nspire</a> with Touchpad](<a href=“http://amzn.to/tinspire-calc]TI-Nspire”>http://amzn.to/tinspire-calc))
[]Bag/backpack

[ul]
[li]Snacks: good foods include fruits, almonds, maybe nut bars, carrot sticks, etc [/li][list]
[li]Nothing too sugary.[/li][/ul]

[li]Waterbottle[/li][/list]

[li]Cap with a low visor[/li][/list]

What NOT to take

[ul]
[]Mechanical pencils
[]Food that will be difficult to eat quickly/easily
[/ul]

Viewing your scores
Remember that it isn’t the do all, end all. And also remember that what’s done is done. You can’t change the past, but you can study for the future!

Once you are done, why not treat yourself Go and eat some junk food. Go and waste a few hours on YouTube. You always wanted a [url=<a href=“http://amzn.to/isU0SZ]Macbook[/url”>http://amzn.to/isU0SZ]Macbook[/url</a>] before college right? And you always wanted to see ___ in the theatres right? My guess is that you deserve it - so treat yourself :)

<hr>

My SAT Study Schedule that earned me a 2340

How to motivate yourself to follow this?

[ul]
[]There isn’t much I can tell you, to be honest
[]You need to know why you NEED that high score
[li]And then, you take 10 days (maybe ~20) and you live and breathe the SAT[/li][li]Something else that really helps is making it seem as though you are working really hard to everyone else. Read your DH vocab in boring classes if the teachers allow it, make your parents think you are studying hardcore, and then you will tend to adopt this persona and actually study hardcore![/li][/ul]

My rough schedule (just as a guide)
Note: if it says I did a section, other than on day 1, that ALWAYS means that I reviewed any answers I didn’t put a cross through (to indicate I was 100% sure)

Day 1 (Wednesday)
Order books/other stuff (should probably pay for overnight shipping)
Do practice test
Total=3.5 hours for practice test

Day 2 (Thursday)
No Study (don’t do this…)
Instead, move all the days one forward.

Day 3 (Friday)
Read through all tips=1.5 hours
Read some DH vocab (and did probably 30 minutes of DH every day after this also)=1 hour
Total=2.5 hours after school

Day 4 (Saturday)
Follow the entire Gruber’s math book=~3 hours

[]Do Gruber’s math: Practice test #1 - 700, #2 - 720
[]Review Gruber’s math incorrect answers

Did & reviewed math sections from practice test #1 in BB2=60 minutes

Scored 770, 2 wrong in total
Decided to focus only on level 4/5 (Hard) question in math
Read CR resources=30 minutes
Total=4.5 hours

Day 5 (Sunday)
Read writing MC resources=30 minutes
Did BB2 #1 writing MC sections (had 5 errors due to overanalyzing when it was no error!)=30 minutes
Did BB2 #1 CR sections=60 minutes
For all of those, I reviewed the ones I got wrong and wrote notes in PEN (the answers were in pencil) in my notebook on how to avoid those errors
Total=2 hours

Day 6 (Monday)
Did BB2 #4 all sections, no essay=2.5 hours including checking

Math: only did Hs (3 wrong). CR: 730. Writing MC: 43 (5 wrong)
Total=2.5 hours

Day 7 (Tuesday)
Did BB2 #5 all, no essay
1. Math: only Hs (1 wrong). CR: 740. Writing MC: 1 wrong (790 assuming 10 essay)
Total=2.5 hours

Day 8 (Wednesday)
Did BB2 #6 all, no essay
1. Math: only Hs (0 wrong). CR: 730. Writing MC: 5 wrong (700 assuming 10 essay)
Total=2.5 hours

Day 9 (Thursday)
Did BB2 #2 all, no essay
1. Math: 760. CR: 740. Writing MC: 3 wrong (730 assuming 10 essay)
Total=2.5 hours

Day 10 (Friday)
Researched essay examples, wrote one practice essay, selected examples for all the questions from the Archetype thread.=3.5 hours
45 minutes extra DH revision
Total=4:45 hours

Oh, and add 30 minutes of sprinkled DH revision to all of those totals.

Also, the times given are estimates, but also they are the time it would take if you are completely focused. Generally, allow an extra 20% to account for not working at 100%. Every night, I may have been sitting and doing SAT stuff for 4 hours, but not doing 4 hours worth of work.

aussietechie · July 6, 2011, 7:45am

Thanks guys. This was posted before but disappeared, still not 100% sure why. Received many PMs asking for it to be sent to them, so I have posted it back up Don’t forget to post to let the mods know to not delete it this time!

DreamChaser2013 · July 6, 2011, 7:46am

I’ve been going crazy searching for this thread! Thank you so much Aussietechie :)

bfnk786 · July 6, 2011, 8:30am

Thanks for the marvelous guide!!! I just had one question? Should I get the blue book right now or get the blue book closer to January when I take it. Or should I just the Barron’s I got from the library?

nothingto · July 6, 2011, 12:25pm

Still haven’t read, but I will put this thread on my list to read soon.

Bookmarked

FreedomEagle · July 6, 2011, 1:03pm

Thank you very very VERY much for your wonderful thread , It is very usefull .
I don’t know how to thank you enough for this .

jiieun · July 6, 2011, 1:13pm

Thank you very much for posting this! This thread definately provided the motivation that I needed to start on my summer SAT studies! : )

ncamyl · July 6, 2011, 1:44pm

Thank you for posting this guide. Some of the books suggested seemed a little out of date. For example the latest edition of the blue book that I could find on Amazon was a 2009 version. Do you think that will matter?

BurtonElitist · July 6, 2011, 2:08pm

Ncamyl I just bought the second edition BB yesterday on amazon so it’s there.

ZombieDante · July 6, 2011, 2:42pm

Is this a serious guide?! It seems kinda like a joke to me…

bfnk786 · July 6, 2011, 2:45pm

I just had one question? Should I get the blue book right now or get the blue book closer to January when I take it. Or should I just the Barron’s I got from the library?

creamania · July 6, 2011, 10:04pm

thanks a lot

iiBoGo · July 6, 2011, 10:14pm

Why do you recommend having a Ti-NSPIRE even if you already have a TI-89. Does it help that much more?

ZombieDante · July 7, 2011, 12:52am

He said CAS which isn’t even allowed I think…

herozero1234 · July 7, 2011, 1:44am

i like this thread a lot, very good.

I have majority of the books here, so now i know how to use them perfectly. Thank you very much! hope to see improvement!!

And for the SAT online free practice test, does someone actually grade your essay?

aussietechie · July 8, 2011, 7:47am

Thanks for the marvelous guide!!! I just had one question? Should I get the blue book right now or get the blue book closer to January when I take it. Or should I just the Barron’s I got from the library?

-No worries to all of you Glad to help. I would say get it now, it is recently updated and not likely to change soon, and you can always start with a bit of early revision to work out how long it will take you to reach your target scores. And re: barrons - depends on which barrons book it is.

Thank you for posting this guide. Some of the books suggested seemed a little out of date. For example the latest edition of the blue book that I could find on Amazon was a 2009 version. Do you think that will matter?

-Check the link I have to the BB. It works, I just tried it.

aussietechie · July 8, 2011, 7:49am

Why do you recommend having a Ti-NSPIRE even if you already have a TI-89. Does it help that much more?

–I feel that it does. It is a lot faster to use than the 89 IMO, having used both, so if you have time to learn how to use it (>1 month), then get the Nspire.

He said CAS which isn’t even allowed I think…

–It is 100% allowed.

And for the SAT online free practice test, does someone actually grade your essay?

–Nope, just a computer program that tries to estimate a score sadly. But post your essay on the SAT forums and I’m sure someone will have a look. Even link me to your thread in a reply to this post and if I have time I’ll try and take a look.

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