Please, I could use any and all help I could get....

Test Preparation
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<p>Like the other thousands of juniors who took the SAT in March, I too got my results back. Unfortunately, since the time I last took the test, I was unable to further prepare for the May SAT. Sadly, my results from the March test are rather low. In fact, the score is too low for me to even bother applying to a state school. I need and desperately want to raise my score to 2000 - 2200. Anything in between would be far better than what I have now. I respectfully ask for your understanding my reason for not posting my score. </p>

<p>As furious and heartbroken it makes me, I'm afraid additional preparation for the SAT was lost. I have between now and the day before the test to bring up my score. Granted, I have the June test slated as well, however, I MUST do well on the May test. </p>

<p>I am also planning on taking the SAT II test on Math, English, and one more subject which has not been determined yet. Also, I have the ACT planned as well. </p>

<p>Note, I am a homeschooler. My experience with tests is very limited. I am enrolled in a correspondence course and am a straight A student {if that means anything}. Naturally you will understand my frustration towards tests like the SAT. I thought I was a smart student, then along comes the SAT. I take the test, and BOOM! My confidence in myself dropped 90 points. Now, I have 3 weeks before the next SAT. The pressure is on, and I haven't even prepped yet. Three weeks is a long time....or it can be short. My weakness lies in the math sections. I can do the easy ones with little difficulty, but the medium and hard problems I have a very hard time with. When I run into a math problem that is difficult, I have a habit of panicking. I could use some tips on how to avoid panicking or how to calm myself. </p>

<p>As math does take up a significant amount of points on the SAT, it is imperative that I drastically improve my math skills. I am taking pre-calculus now. It's most peculiar how simple Algebra in the SAT seems so much more complicated and tricky. Before the March SAT, I did prep a great deal. I do know how to spot tricky problems and go about solving them. However, my skill at it is still weak. </p>

<p>I realize how long this post is, but it does help me just to let it all out. As a homeschooler, I have no choice but to do well on tests like the SAT and ACT. High scores on those tests will get me into college. My 4.0 GPA, i'm sure, means very little to colleges. Most likely they will look at my grades and say, "4.0. Ha, his mom probably gave him all A's." This is NOT true. I hope that colleges don't make their decisions so....irrationally. </p>

<p>The SAT for me, at this point, is a "do or die" situation. I will also be taking the ACT, a test, which seems, to be a better 'barometer' of one's intellect. </p>

<p>In closing, let me say this: Any and all opinions/comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry if this post is as long as it seems. </p>

<p>martini1020</p>

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<p>I've heard of people calling collegeboard and asking them to change a registration for the SAT I to a registration for the SAT IIs. Maybe you could take a few subject tests that you know you'll do well on in May (instead of the SAT I for which you are currently signed up) and just take the SAT I in June.</p>

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<p>What prep books do you have, first of all? We can start there and work on it. I've done last minute prepping and did really well...I'll help you.</p>

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<p>punkette_reborn, I have been using Princeton Review's Online course. I also have studied with the following:</p>

<p>11 Practice Tests For The New SAT {Princeton Review}
Cracking The New SAT {Princeton Review}
THe Official SAT Study Guide from Collegeboard
Math Workout for the New SAT {Princeton Review}
REading and Writing Workout For The New SAT {Princeton Review}</p>

<p>...like I said earlier, I haven't prepped for a while. I know I should have, but after the March test, I don't know what happened to me....</p>

<p>...anyhow, I still have about 3 weeks before the next test. I plan on working on raising my score pretty hard. </p>

<p>Are there any other books that ya'll could recommend to me?</p>

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<p>I personally think that the PR online course isn't very effective. I've tried learning SAT stuff on the computer before, and it doesn't work and you can't focus very well. It's on a screen--it's just NOT the same as a book. Besides, the test you'll take is on paper, not a computer. The prep books that you have are fine. For the last three weeks, don't bother learning any strategies--just keep doing practice tests. Do one at least every other day. For the answers you got wrong, study them over. You won't learn anything if you don't see why you got something wrong. What did you score least in? Or were all of your sub-scores similar?</p>

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<p>Punkette_reborn, thank you so much for your input. You make a most valid point about the online course. So true, the real test is on paper, not on a screen. </p>

<p>I scored the lowest in Math. I didn't do very well in verbal {my 'strength'}. However, I'm not as worried about verbal as I am about math. </p>

<p>You mentioned that I should do a practice test every other day, by practice test, do you mean the whole test? </p>

<p>Familiarity may be the best 'strategy' for me now. By 'familiarizing' myself with the SAT math problems, I will better prepare myself for the real test. I'm probably going to have to do SAT practice essays as well.</p>

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<p>PR sucks, try McGraw Hill, Rocket Review and Grammatix seem to be pretty popular as well</p>

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<p>i think i actually did worse on the sats after i took pre-calc because i started to overanalyze even the really simple questions and stuff, so keep in mind when you take the test next time that maybe there isnt a trick to the question. </p>

<p>you do have a lot of prep books, but i only used one, up your score, and i strongly, strongly, strongly recommend it because it's fairly short, easy (even fun?) to read, and every effective. if you think you can handle one more book, definitely get this one.</p>

<p>also, whats the hurry to take the test this may and june? i took the sat i for the firs time may of my junior year just to get familiar with the test, then took it again oct of senior year and took sat ii's november of senior year. i thought that was the best possible way to do it (i guess unless you're applying ed to a college..but you mentioned state schools..are you sure you even need to take the sat ii's for them?).</p>

<p>yea, so i would recommend getting up your score and studying over the summer, especially because you'll be way less stress. if you for some reason definitely want to take them in may, go with punkette's advice and just take practice tests...just focus on math tests for the first two weeks, and the week before the test take a couple full length tests under timed conditions...hope this helps..feel free to pm me if you have any questions</p>

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<p>Yes, do the whole test at a time. I think that you should get all the improvement you can since you didn't score so well on verbal either. Do as many practice tests as you can, but don't just try to get a bunch of them done. It's better to do only 5 tests that you really focused on and analyzed your mistakes on and learn from, them than doing 15 tests that you did finished in haste and didn't look the answers over.</p>

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<p>Punkette, I'll definitely do them! I'll shift my schedule a little bit to do one whole SAT test every other day. However, if I can't sqeeze in one whole test, I'll definitely do as much as I can. </p>

<p>You're right, it's best to analyze and focus on the questions I got wrong. Heck, what better way is there to learn? After all, by knowing what math problems I have a habit of getting wrong, I can improve upon on that by practicing and understanding why I got it wrong.</p>

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<p>LisaSimpsonReborn, I'll definitely look into that book. Don't worry, I get all my books from the library. </p>

<p>Now that you mention it....You're absolutely right! I haven't finished pre-cal yet, but I have a habit of over-analyzing SAT math problems. SAT math is only Algebra, Geometry, and a little Algebra II....it's all the basics. </p>

<p>I mentioned state schools to indicate how low my SAT score was. I'd like to go to Boston University and enroll in their BS/MD program. That's your BA and medical doctorate. To get into a program like that, SAT IIs are requisite....not to mention a HIGH SAT score. </p>

<p>...However, if the BS/MD program doesn't work out, I'd still like to go to a decent college...University of Maryland. It's only 15 away...</p>

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<p>AcetheSat dot com rocks for raising your score!!!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info Hyper! I'll check it out!</p>

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<p>Purchase the grammatix package from the site.
See the post on this forum for more info.</p>

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<p>Reading from these and other sources such as conservative intellectual or mises institute are much better- you can download the merriam webster toolbar to instantly look up a word while reading the article.
Also check out acethesat dot com for killer SAT reading strategies purchasable for 50 bucks and there is another post in this forum about the acethesat product Grammatix, read the post and get hooked.
IF you get extra time OR FOR IMMEDIATE VOCAB IMPROVEMENT:
I also recommend reading "wuthering heights" version by Kaplan with all the tough words defined on the very page they appear in addition to reading the above in order to solidify your comprehension as well as vocab. If wuthering heights doesn't satisfy you, try "test of Time", an SAT vocab mystery that will teach you 2000+ words through context with all the words defined and linked through loads of synonyms!, CONTEXT is the best way to increase score
DOING ALL OF THE ABOVE ENABLED ME TO GO FROM A 280/800 IN VERBAL 4 YEARS AGO TO A 660/800 IN CRITICAL READING THIS PAST MARCH, but I am still going to continue to read from the mises site and study grammatix till my score hits 750 (which I am confident it will with these resources)</p>

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<p>The best suggestion is just to take a whole bunch of practice tests to get used to the timing first. For writing, I would especially recommend taking a practice tests and actually go through and read all the mistakes you made. Most likely those same mistakes will show up and now you know the rule that goes with it; just read the commentary. For math, yeah nothing beats practice. Well for CR (gulps) I haven't read a full length book since 6th grade, which explains my 610, so I guess just read, to build up your speed and comprehension?</p>

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<p>"I mentioned state schools to indicate how low my SAT score was. I'd like to go to Boston University and enroll in their BS/MD program. That's your BA and medical doctorate. To get into a program like that, SAT IIs are requisite....not to mention a HIGH SAT score."</p>

<p>wheeww that's really setting your goals high. i applied to a couple bs/md programs (although not boston) and they are really, really competitive. one of my friends did apply to boston, but got rejected after an interview..he had absolutely great stats (4.0 gpa, 3/347 rank, 1490 sat, 800/800/740 sat iis) i think he had a couple good ap test scores and had lots of volunteer work and good recs and essays. esp if you're not from massachusetts, its gonna be damn near impossible to get it...not to say you don't have a chance or anything..im sure if you work really hard and focus you have a shot..definitely look into some other bs/md progs..there are a lot of little known ones that are much less competitive than boston. oh and another option is if you for some reason cant bring up your score (although im sure you can), there are some good liberal arts schools that won't consider your sat score at all if you have a certain gpa..they're worth looking into, i think..good luck</p>

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<p>^</p>

<p>they're not going to care if you are from massachussets, its a private school</p>

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<p>yea but even though its a private school, it seems like ma kids get preference...like if you just look at the incoming numbers from the last few years, the website says that 94 kids are from massachusetts, compared to 7 from maryland, 12 from pa, 1 from de, 12 from ri</p>

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<p>but does it show how many applied from each state</p>