<p>I am currently in 10th grade and I took the revolution SAT test and I scored 1450. I want at least 1900. What books should I get and how should I approach CR and W? My dad emphasizes getting a good score on the PSAT to get the Merit Scholorship. Any idea on how to approach the PSAT? What books are good for the PSAT? Much appreciated!</p>
<p>Well, I just approached the PSAT like the SAT. (I studied for the October 2010 SAT and took the PSAT a few weeks after without much studying in-between.) It is really similar, just shorter and without the essay.</p>
<p>Use the big blue Official Collegeboard SAT practice exams (they are the only really accurate ones). Don’t use Barrons though (very inaccurate & unhelpful)</p>
<p>I posted some tips earlier on another thread, but I’ll put them here again:</p>
<p>“Go back through old exams and write down any vocab words from the Critical Reading Section that you don’t know. (You’ll probably notice that a lot of the words are re-used or similar like ambivalent, munificent, circumvent, maudlin, etc) You should also try to read difficult books on your own like classics or college-level textbooks to pick up vocabulary through context. For grammar, you should become familiar with differences in diction and parallelism. For the essay (which was the biggest trouble for me) you should come up with broad examples that you can plug in easily to many different essay prompts.”</p>
<p>Also, for National Merit Scholarship, the cut-offs depend on your state. Usually it is around a score of 215 though. You have a year to improve! Good luck!</p>