<p>To fellow CCers,</p>
<p>I have just recently recieved my SAT score from the December SAT and my score was:
680 Reading
750 Writing
800 Math
for a total score of 2230.</p>
<p>I plan to apply to a few Ivys as well as other top colleges, and am striving for a 2400. Can anyone give any tips for improving CR and Writing? Or does anyone know any books or courses that help specifically for CR?</p>
<p>For writing, I feel that the Barron’s writing workbook does an excellent job of being thorough with all of the rules of grammar. Silverturtle’s guide is also quite extensive, though I found it too technical for me. The thread “How to get a 12 in 10 days” is also super helpful, and helped me get an 11 on the essay.</p>
<p>As for CR, sigh. I feel that that section is the most difficult to get a perfect on by far, unless you’re naturally good at it. As for vocab, direct hits is the most commonly recommended book. However, as far as the passages go…I would take a look at Silverturtle for help because I don’t feel that I can be of much use.</p>
<p>For CR: besides vocab, you need to get used the passage based questions. One of the best way to prepare yourself for this is to read difficult books such as the classics and historical novels. Science books are fine but don’t read too much of that, unless you want to of course, or else you’ll get bogged down by the complexities of science. </p>
<p>While you’re reading (I strongly suggest classics since the style is very similar to those of CR), annotate for definitions of words you don’t know. Try to use them a few times throughout the day so it sticks in your brain. Go on quizlet.com or make it plain old flashcards to memorize. Also, at the end of each chapter, write a quick summary of it. This will be able to condition your mind to process the elongated sentences of the chapter and to weave out the message just like you will be doing in SAT. This is great conditioning for your brain. </p>
<p>I myself have boosted my score 100 points from low 600s to low 700s just by doing this a little bit. I’m trying to read more so I can raise my score 50-75 more points to get above 750. I also know others who have raised their CR scores by 50-100 points just by reading classical books and annotating them. So try it out and see for yourself if it works.</p>
<p>And as always, practice with SAT tests. For CR, and perhaps any other section you’re having trouble with, first take unlimited time, whatever’s enough for you to get finished. Then slowly decrease your way down to the given time period. Try to go even below that so you will not be rushed when you look up and see you have 2 minutes left and 5 more questions to answer.</p>