<p>Hello, I am a junior who just got my PSAT back. I got a 218 Composite with 64 CR, 76 M, and 78 W. I was extremely upset with my critical reading score. I got two vocab questions wrong that I could have easily gotten right if I had known the words, but I still got 6 other CR questions wrong. I am taking the SAT this January and I really need to get my CR score above 700. I have already done a lot of SAT blue book tests and have seen my CR score generally improve but not by much. Is there any other book recommendations or just tips on how to raise my CR score. Thanks a lot </p>
<p>SAT Reading Bible discusses all the strategies necessary and I used a program called Memrise (SAT comprehensive) for vocab; i went from 630 to 670-710 depending on the passages. at least on practice tests. i just took the december test so i’m not sure about my actual results, but most of these resources were useful to me 
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<p>@Vmiller7723 – I’d strongly recommend Erica Melzer’s Critical Reading book. It’s a bit challenging, i.e., it’s not dumbed-down at all, but it’s excellent. Both my sons, a college freshman (780 on CR) and a current junior (73 on CR on the PSAT) used this book to prep.
The book is particularly strong on the reading passages. It does have a vocab list worth knowing, but there are vocab lists everywhere. The book does discuss strategies for the sentence completions, but knowing the vocab beats strategies.<br>
So, to some extent your prep should be geared to where your incorrect answers were – passages vs. sentence completions/passage vocab.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot @zeppelins @AsleepAtTheWheel </p>
<p>I didn’t feel like starting a new thread because it relates to this but any tips for vocab in particular? Besides pure memorization of course</p>
<p>@redrabbit23 memrise.com! free acount, and look up the course “SAT comprehensive” don’t waste time memorizing vocab lists. you’ll freeze on the actual test day. gradually study words on memrise 10-30 minutes a day and you’ll see lots of improvement </p>
<p>that and knowing the levels of difficulty on the vocab section. i.e. if its a difficult question, know its a difficult answer and that common words have many uncommon definitions worth looking into. that’s what got me into trouble </p>
<p>@zeppelins Thanks so much for the advice, I’ll be sure to check out memrise.com</p>
<p>@redrabbit23 –
Again, there are lists everywhere. Here’s another: <a href=“SAT Word Lists : Vocabulary Word lists for the SAT | Major Tests”>http://www.majortests.com/sat/wordlist.php</a>
You might consider going through the lists, and taking the words that you don’t know and putting them into a quizlet (<a href=“http://quizlet.com/”>http://quizlet.com/</a>). There’s a learning aspect when you enter the word in and type out the definition, and the quizlet is an easy way that you can review the words whenever you have some spare time to do so, whether it’s five minutes or thirty minutes. The day before the December SAT my son reviewed the word “spurious”, which appeared on the exam. He said without the quizlet he wouldn’t have known it, and every right answer helps.</p>
<p>I also think that it is worthwhile to learn/review sentence completion strategies at least one time. If nothing else it might help you work on these problems in a time-efficient manner. As noted above, I’m familiar with the Melzer CR book, which is good, but there are likely similar strategies in other CR books.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>I would first focus on vocabulary. Try to study 10-15 words each day, and use quizlet or paper flashcards to review. When you read CR Passages, make sure that you understand what you are reading (what the author is trying to say). Do not assume anything. Underline important sentences, and write notes on the sides of the passage. </p>