<p>I took a few practice SAT tests and the results are pretty much consistent. Math is usually 800, though sometimes I overlook something and get a 790-780. Writing is becoming increasingly better. 650 on the first test to around 730ish now. </p>
<p>My biggest problem is Critical Reading. I started off with a 550 and now I'm around... 560.</p>
<p>No matter what I do, I just can't seem to increase the score. I'm studying vocab, and my sentence completions are a little better. But I simply don't know what to do with the passage reading. I tried annotations. I marked lines/words/paragraphs that the questions asked for beforehand. I read books and guides, including Silverturtle's guide.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I'm planning on taking the official test in October, and I hope to get at least 650 in CR. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>go to the ‘best feature of the sat forum blah blah blha’ thread and read the “attacking the SAT critical reading section effectively” post</p>
<p>Don’t worry about cutesy tips like annotating. Just read. Don’t BS yourself into believing that you’re not good at reading, CR takes no special skills! Just read what the passage means. The only strategy you need is process of elimination. If an answer seems weird or goes on a tangent, it’s wrong. If an answer is reasonable and is supported by the text, it’s right.</p>
<p>The key is comprehension.</p>
<p>I read around CC and lots of people said Rocket Review Revolution was a great book for CR. Unfortunately, it costs like $75 on Amazon. Does anyone know where I can get it for less, or maybe as a pdf version online?</p>
<p>I don’t know why it costs so much. I was able to buy it for $30 dollars last summer</p>
<p>Silver,
That’s a drag about your reading comp, but I think you’ll find that if you keep practicing, you’ll make improvements - they just take a while. </p>
<p>I imagine you’re using process of elimination already. If not, definitely start: sometimes it’s easier to find four wrong answers than one right one. For an answer to be correct, all of it must be correct, so make sure you’re not choosing answers that are only partway right. </p>
<p>Second, once you’ve narrowed it down to two or three answers, stop trying to prove answers right and start trying to prove answers wrong. It seems strange, but it works. </p>
<p>Lastly, study the questions you’re getting wrong and figure out why. The SAT repeats question-types. Which questions are giving you the most trouble? Is there a pattern in the wrong answers you choose? Reread the passage after you’ve checked your answers to see if the right answers are clearer. Find out where you’re weak and really study those types of questions. </p>
<p>Also, read more non fiction outside of school. </p>
<p>Hope this helps! Good luck!</p>
<p>SilverAurora,</p>
<p>I’ve been posting this on a few different threads now. I hope it helps you to.</p>
<p>Passage-Based Questions:
Let me start by telling you I have the same problem. I can’t stand my friends who tell me “it just comes to them naturally.” I’ve done a lot of improvement on CR myself. I’m in the process of going for the 800 on CR right now. The best advice I can give you is you need to do them untimed at first. You can’t expect to just rush in head strong with 25 minutes and to analyze everything - its impossible. Slowly take it at your own pace. Do about 2 to 3 sections of isolated CR per day. You must go slow. Whether its the lengthy dual comparative you’re facing or just analyzing a small article, you must go slow. Really read, and then answer the question. Plain and simple. I’ve found that underlining the groups of lines can help (lets say a question says referring to lines 5-9, go underline those and pay attention to them whilst reading). Now, lets attack the biggest problem: You’re looking at the selected amount of lines, you’re looking at the entire passage, you just can’t narrow any, or at best 2 answer choices out. Now what? Remember: the answer is staring back at you. Here is why you don’t want time pressure at first: you can calmly assess the answer choices and clear your head at this point. Cliche, but I just take a deep breath and count to 10 nice and slowly. I’ll look back at the question and attack it THEN. Don’t stress yourself with time because you just won’t improve as fast as you want, or, need. I know this sounds cheesy and you might be thinking “I’m no idiot, Aceventura74 has no idea what he’s thinking! He’s helping people who get 400s get a 500…” This method helped me go from 450 to 730. So I’m speaking to you if you’re going for 1800 or 2400 my friend. Seriously, get rid of time, do isolated sections, and don’t just brush over the answer explanation. Read EVERY WRONG EXPLANATION. Don’t be like “Oh I knew it was b or d, its no problem” and hurry up. This will take a lot of time. But soon you’ll be getting that constant 700 you want.</p>
<p>Sentence Completions:</p>
<p>Ah, another thing I hate. I’m a math man. I can learn any formula and navigate, factor, and graph in my head. Give me a _______ in a sentence and I’m a deer caught in headlights; or at least I used to be. Direct Hits is the way to go. If you have a long time (1 year or 6 months+) get a hold of Barron’s Gigantic flash card set. Not sure if its still printed, but I recall hearing about a large set; about 3000 or 5000. If you memorize those words, you won’t ever be guessing, i assure you that my friend. But, if you’re like most people, you’re pressed for time, because you’re a genius who started studying last minute =P (guilty of that myself…for multiple exams xD). Get Direct Hits. I know people “rave” about these “awesome 100 (or small #) of flash cards that are GREAT!” BS. Direct Hits has a 70% “hit rate;” meaning 70% of the words show up and most students excel. So, get the Direct Hits books and start studying. Hope I helped, best of luck my friend !</p>
<p>~Aceventura74</p>
<p>Thank you all for replying, especially PrestigePrep and Aceventura74 for your long posts!
I think the problem is that I haven’t really been studying my problems. I always tell myself after I grade a test to look over the wrong answers later, but I never get to it. I just don’t like confronting my errors, I guess. 
I’m definitely going to start studying more efficiently now that I know what is really important.
Good luck to you to, if you haven’t already aced the test. ;)</p>
<p>Oh yes, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to read? What nonfiction book is particularly good for the SAT or which newspaper?</p>
<p>LoseYourself,
What do you mean?</p>
<p>ignore was loseyourself said, its best to read classical books, try reading the picture of dorian gray (my ap lit and comp summer book =/), try some ernest hemingway, but mainly try reading something along the lines of the new york times.</p>
<p>SilverAurora,</p>
<p>I know the feeling. Nothing kills more than reading the answer key and putting an x on that problem, and THEN going to read why you’re WRONG. But, mistakes are your friend; without them you just can’t improve. Read the key my friend; I also hate doing it, but I still do >.<.</p>
<p>~Aceventura74</p>
<p>Silverturtle’s guide on this forum is great.</p>