<p>Hey! I'm a first time poster for CC, but long time reader. This is what I am currently scoring on SAT Practice tests: </p>
<p>(1900-2200)
Math 700-800
*It really depends on not making mistakes, I know how to do most of it.
Critical Reading 550-650
*I do decently on SC, but I don't do very well on comprehension questions.
Writing 650-750
*I write pretty good essays, but I just need to get better at grammar. </p>
<p>My best single sitting score is a 2130.</p>
<p>I am going to be taking my first real SAT in January, which is in about 2 months. I would really like to score in the 2200-2300 range for my #1 choice school, Northwestern. How can I improve in each subject? What material should I buy. Right now I have: Blue Book and Barrons 2400. </p>
<p>I have allocated around 2 hours a day for the next month, and then I have 2 weeks of break to study. Then I have a couple of weeks of 3 hours a day. :D
P.S My school schedule is managable (4 AP). (requires 5-6 hours a day)</p>
<p>Have you completed all of the practice tests in Blue book? If not, then do that! Study Vocab Each day. DH ()direct hits 1 + 2. Come up with Writing Examples for essay. And if you’ve already done all blue book tests… do the official practice tests… if thats been done… do the PSATs… if thats been done do the online course 70 dollars… 9 practice tests (completely different from the BB) If youve done that… Go over the other practice tests. go to last section of writing and math and focus on hard problems… SAT studying is just practice… Also I recommend taking an SAT for 4 hours straight just like the real thing. I studied in 1 hr segments and when the real thing came along I felt a little rushed because we went from one section to anotehr so fast… I lost my stamina… You do not want to get tired or feel exhausted while taking it. Timing is everything, but if your already finishing sections 2-3 mins early then you got nothin to worry about. Practice, practice practice</p>
<p>practice, practice, PRACTICE. (and if that doesn’t work, try the ACT…most colleges accept it too)</p>
<p>I got a pretty mediocre score on my SAT (1980) and then tried the ACT and came out with a 33. Took like 10 practice tests, and now I am proud to say I have a superscore of 35. </p>
<p>*Can you afford a tutor/class? Those are a BIG help and usually give you tons of problems to work on.</p>
<p>Like someone said practice! practice! PRACTICE! Take as many tests as possible. Score it honestly. Try any big name books (Kaplan, Barons, Princeton Research etc.,). They’re all the same in the end and drive the same thing. But do the following thing for sure. 1) ensure you track the test in an excel sheet to critically evaluate your deficiencies. 2) Make vocab cards from the vocab lists and go over them at least once a day during weekends. One test will take about 3-4 hours. See where you’re making mistakes, read up on that sections where you are making mistakes. Try to see if you could see some ‘systematic’ errors that you’re making that you could correct. Make sure that you do as many tests as possible during the holidays. </p>
<p>On the essays understand and develop your own structure to it. May be like first three sensteces on developing the thesis statement., the next two are driving the thesis statement and then develop there examples to defend your thesis,. And finally developing a very strong finishing arguments for a big closure. Ensure you develop rational/logic arguments for the thesis statements. Write very clearly and use up the whole space if you can. </p>
<p>You can certainly improve your test scores by about 100 – 200 depending on how much work you put into.</p>
<p>Yeah I realize that practice is really important, but should I buy some more books to actually learn the stuff, or what. I am thinking about getting the Barrons Writing book to prep for grammar. (I will get Direct Hits, I have heard that it is good for vocab :D)</p>
<p>P.S I already took a class, which got me to my current score, now I think its mainly practice with a little review.</p>
<p>The Barron’s Writing Workbook is top-notch for grammar rules ! Trust me, just sit down with that book for a day or two and go through all the grammar rules and you won’t have to look any further than that.
Also, the Barron’s Verbal Workbook is pretty amazing for Critical Reading too.
Good luck prepping!
And as someone said earlier, take loads of timed tests, and don’t be lenient to yourself. In fact, as you move on to say, your 4th or 5th practice test, time the sections down a bit, by say 3 minutes, so you won’t be taken aback by real testing conditions on the day of.</p>
Trust me, just sit down with that book for a day or two and go through all the grammar rules and you won’t have to look any further than that.