Hi so I’m currently a rising senior and I have taken the SAT and got a 1670/2400 which was my super score and a 1100/1600(CR+M) and I really want to raise my score to a 1850 or 1900. Do you think I have a chance to raise it that high if I want to take the SAT in October? I know the obvious responses would tell me to study and take practice test, but you seriously think I can raise it that high?? Thank You
How many times have you already taken?
well i have taken the sat 3 times and October will be my 4th time
June SAT I had 1440. 440 CR 510 Math 490 Writing. The thrown out sections really affected my score for CR
About a week ago I took a full test under testing environment and got 1700. 550 CR 600 Math and 550 Writing.
Right now I’m averaging around 650-690 for Math!. This is a 50-90 point increase in just under a week! Studying 8+ hours a day and doing Practice section helps A LOT! AND making sure I’m not repeating the same mistakes, that are costing me points. I plan to use Dr Chung’s book to raise my Math score to at least the low 700s. Maybe even go for an 800. (My original goal was 670)
I just started studying for CR and Writing. I plan to use Erica L. Meltzer’s book to raise my Writing Score by at least 100 points before October. I’m aiming for 670-700. As for CR, well I guess I need to take at least 1 practice section a day to familiarize myself with the format of the test.I have heard this is the hardest section to improve upon. I’m again hoping for at least a 100 point increase.
My BIG goal is to get at least 2000. 2100+ will be an extra ++++ You can surely raise yours to 1850 easily. If you are willing to go far, dedicate hours and hours and most importantly BELIEVE that you will achieve your goal, then nothing else will stop you!
Btw Skill Insight from CB will GREATLY HELP! Just doing that is what caused my writing score to increase by 60 points! (Assuming I got the same essay score)
Thank you your story is very inspiring do you think I really have the potential to go up 200 points?
Absolutely. Focus on your weakest areas. Section by Section. Question by Question. If you find yourself making the same mistake, make a note of it. Was it because you didn’t read the question or lack of experience on the content?
I also suggest taking practice tests untimed. That way you can look at the questions more closely and analyze their format and become more familiar with them. That’s how I raised my Math score from a 470 range to mid and upper 600s.
The more you are familiar with the questions, the more you will be confident with them, and the faster you will answer them.
Again Focus on your weakest areas and eliminate them 1 by 1. Before you know it your raw score will jump from a 31 to 45. That is a 100 point increase on the Math section! Even for me it’s hard to believe I have jumped that high in a short period of time.
Divide and Conquer! Make small goals and achieve them. Otherwise, you will easily get overwhelmed.
Most importantly you have to BELIEVE that you can do this! If it is not impossible then it is possible!
Hey there, I just made a post on the tips and books I used to score a good score. Check it out: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1803020-how-i-got-a-2300-for-old-sat.html#latest
Best of luck to you!!
You can totally improve your score!
Definitely follow what cptjosh787 did, that’s key.
Although in addition to that I used a couple of prep books. You might not have a ton of time left, but I think you can really improve your score by a couple of hundred points with some books; you’ll just have to use them in a time-efficient way.
For math: PWN the SAT, definitely. Not only does it break down every question time, but it also is highly amusing (:P) and has a lot of practice to nail the basics. I went from a 590 to (from my most recent test) a 760. This book took me about 3-5 days to complete, if you need a timeframe.
For CR: I did use the Critical Reader by Erica L. Meltzer, and although it breaks down every question type, it was a bit hard to get through (it’s pretty long – took me a week in the summer). But after doing this (along with intense untimed practice) my score went from a 630 to a 750 (again, according to my most recent test).
You don’t have much time for vocab memorization, and many say don’t bother. For me, memorization just sort of increases confidence, although they sometimes do show up on tests. I used The Essential 500 by Larry Krieger, but I think you can do without vocab – although it can be important, other sections/skills deserve more of your time.
For Writing: If you’re struggling on the grammar MC portion, definitely use Erica Meltzer’s Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar. I actually need that right now to refresh grammar. Before last year’s PSAT I got around a 590 in writing, but on the actual PSAT I got a 780 (curse that one idiotic mistake) from her book. Although nowadays I’m a bit out of practice (620 eek). This one’s pretty short, so you should be able to fly through it (2 days for me).
If the essay is your issue…Uh tbh I’m probably not the best person to ask, I’m still working on my essay. But you should at least get someone to look over your essays and give you a grade/feedback, it does help.
With those books, go through your weaknesses (which should be diagnosed from practice tests). Then take another practice test, and for every mistake, check if it’s careless or a legit issue. If it’s a legit issue, consult the books I mentioned above. Especially for BB tests, all those books above break down every question and what rule/concept you should apply. Even if they’re not BB tests, but say the online course tests, just find the topic in those books and review. I went from the lower 1800s to (rn at least) a 2140. I say if you set enough time, I absolutely think you can get the score you’re looking for.
Wow I’m very thankful for all the advice and support everyone has shown
@zenith99 OMG my post literally says the exact same thing and recommends the exact same books… i’m totally with you on this one!
You can totally improve your score. Each time you take the test I think your score will increase, and this being the fourth time just increases your familiarity with the test. (and being comfortable always helps) My brother took the test without studying and raised his score +200 just by doing practice test after practice test to make himself comfortable. Obviously study. I watched like every math video I could. If you really want to raise your reading and writing I suggest you do some AP 11 practice multiple choice. My reading and writing score skyrocketed after I took the class even though my teacher was bad (I did sooo many practice multiple choice)
I brought my SAT up from a 1700 to 2130 in 3 months. You can do it, just keep practicing! It also couldn’t hurt to try the ACT, I tried it without studying and got a 34.
just a curious question, but do you guys think with the scores I have now can I get into colleges like Syracuse, UPitt,
Umaryland college Park, Penn State UPark, Drexel? I have a decent gpa and extracurricular actives too.
@Whaleboy Check out average SAT scores for each college…just search ‘average sat score for [insert college name here]’…to be on the safe side look at the 75% as your target SAT score…or use the site Cappex which attempts to calculate likelihood of getting into certain colleges.
You probably have a little more work to do to get into those colleges, so keep at it! 