My SAT score and where to go from here...

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>Hi guys, I took the SAT in January for the first time and got a 2080 (I'm a junior). I'm kind of bummed, considering I'm aiming for the top colleges (MIT, Princeton, Harvey Mudd). Here's the breakdown:</p>

<p>790 CR
630 M
660 W (8/12 Essay)</p>

<p>I'm blessed with an innate talent for English and writing, so CR was a piece of cake for me. I'm really confused as to why I got such a low Writing score ... I consistently scored 730-770 on practice tests. Maybe stupid mistakes?</p>

<p>As for math, this is my weak point. Despite the fact that I'm in calculus, I'm still a math idiot. My geometry foundation is also shaky because my teacher was nonexistent that year. This section is especially important for me because, paradoxically, I hate English and I want to major in Physics - a high math score is a must, preferably 720+. On the bright side, I know this is the easiest section to improve.</p>

<p>I'm retaking the SAT in June. The question is ... where do I start? And how thinly do I spread my practice?</p>

<p>Materials:
The Blue Book (2nd ed)
The PowerScore SAT Math Bible
A free online SAT prep class (total steal!)
The Internet (Pwnthesat, CollegeBoard, etc.)</p>

<p>I'd like to get advice from people who struggled with the math and/or writing sections and from people who studied for the SAT over a long period of time. How did you pace yourself? Thanks!</p>

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<p>I started off with a math score of 640 my first time. I was also in calculus and had trouble recalling geometry. I had taken a class that gave me some tips (which I’m sure are included in your materials). What I found most helpful was looking at the SAT guide to improving your personal score. It gives you practice problems similar to the questions you missed. I ended up getting a 770.</p>

<p>Also, since your reading score is so high, I would consider taking advantage of super scoring (if your colleges do this). Maybe don’t put quite as much energy into the Reading section since you already have a high score (and, since you’re good at it, you’ll probably do naturally well on it without too much effort). This way, you can really focus on your math and writing.</p>

<p>Just remember, these tests are meant to be taken again (both for your sake and the sake of the CollegeBoard bank account). Some days will be to your advantage due to a test that was suited towards your strengths, the right mindset, or just some really good guesses. Don’t stress it. It’s a cliche for people to tell you this, but it makes all the difference. As it stands, you have an excellent score that already qualifies you for top-notch schools. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Put in mind, I copy-pasted this reply like a zillion times… lol. I’m too lazy to retell my story with SAT math every time someone asks for advice… :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: </p>

<p>I went from 640 in June 12 to 660 in Nov 12( i know I know…) to 800 in Jan 13(AT LAST!)…</p>

<p>I read AAALL of the Barron’s book (normal one and 2400) explanation… HELPS A MILLION! to introduce yourself and all… then I made sure I understand EVERY SINGLE QUESTION I GOT WRONG… I found that the harder Math problems I got used to solving, the sillier this test looked to me and, in turn, the more confident I got to ace it…</p>

<p>As for practice… WOOOOW…
i took some practice tests from Barron’s (most of them I guess)
some from Mcgrawhill’s 12
the grand mixture from barron’s 2400
all of bluebook’s tests
most of online course’s tests</p>

<p>and after all this, I got an 800 in Math in only one test from online course… I was ecstatic… Then…</p>

<p>I sc@#%WED up on Nov12 and only increased that 20 points or sth … don’t really remember…</p>

<p>then… I got demoralized for some loooong while… and practically suffered from depression…</p>

<p>But then i realized, it’s either 2000+ at least, or no college for me! I got my ass up and started practicing like CRAZY… although it was only 3 weeks away (two of which were term exam weeks in my country, the third was vacation), I practiced in every day off that I was supposed to study for term exams in. lol</p>

<p>I tried to practice as much as possible… I knew i screwed up in Nov only cuz in the first math section i got (sadly sec 2… THE FIRST SECTION after essay) i didn’t have time to complete the last 2 questions so I just freaked out! I was thinking of how to go back to those ques throughout the whole test because i was devastated that i may not get that divine “800”… and guess where that got me… -_- … I screwd up the other secs too in turn!</p>

<p>So i took most of the past tests that I could find, Couldn’t finish them all… I came here to post all the questions I had (and didn’t let the “omg i got 2330. such a bad score” morons get under ma skin… ._.)… I got loads of help…</p>

<p>and by the time the Jan exam came,
i felt more CONFIDENT. this is the magic word… more practice makes you better at solving mostly cuz you get more acquainted with the test… and in turn, more confident.</p>

<p>It did help that Jan’s Math sec was reaally easy… But the curve was ^%%#2</p>

<p>One mistake= 770!!! srsly!</p>

<p>So I hope this helps…</p>

<p>btw I had A TON PRACTICE BOOKS… like kaplan and bla bla bla…</p>

<p>But I listed the most important Math wise for me…
Again they are:</p>

<p>Barron’s (both)
McGrawHill’s (normal one and 12 for practice)
BLUE BOOK!
ONLINE COURSE!
as many past tests as possible…</p>

<p>I will make sure to update my post if anything else comes in my mind</p>

<p>Hope that helps!
Wish you ease and success if God may… XD</p>

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<p>amazing story, 2200andbeyondXD! congratulations!</p>

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<p>Uuum… thanks :smiley:
It’s CR that’s standing in my way now… hh…
(no envy or anthying, @Hypocrates :P)</p>