<p>How would you suggest prepping for the SAT 2 in Literature after having prepped for the SAT 1 Critical Reading? For whom would you suggest that the exam is appropriate? </p>
<p>I am a junior, currently preparing for the SAT I. I plan to take 2 subject tests, and the only one that I know that I will certainly do is one in Math (either Level 1 or Level 2). I'm not sure there is a particular science, foreign language, or social science test I could do well in without a lot of preparation. However, I am finding that I'm already doing reasonably well in the reading comprehension in the Critical Reading; I've rarely been getting any mistaken. </p>
<p>I realize that the SAT 2 in Literature may have poems, sonnets, and drama, in addition to the type of fiction passages found in the Critical Reading. There will not likely be any double passages since there is no nonfiction in the SAT 2? Those are the parts of the SAT that I don't particularly care for. I know I'll also have to know some terms like iambic pentameter. </p>
<p>I'm a fairly avid reader, which is why I'm probably finding the Critical Reading on the SAT not too bad. </p>
<p>SAT Lit is quite a bit harder than CR, in my opinion. The first time I took the SAT Lit as a sophomore, I was pretty cocky and expected to get an 800 since I could get an 800 on CR very easily, but I only got a 740. </p>
<p>The CR passages are easier to read, since they’re straightforward and modern; the SAT Lit has older poems that can be more difficult to parse, and the questions are more difficult. Also, since the SAT Lit is optional, the only people who choose to take it are people who are stronger in that area, so the curve might not be as good.</p>
<p>However, I have heard of people who actually did better on the SAT Lit than the CR. I’d say take some practice tests and see how you do. Every person is individual.</p>
<p>Lit is actually quite different from CR. First, you’ll encounter the sort of “ye olde” English you dont get in CR. Also, there is a section that requires playreading skills, something with which many students have little exposure. Its best to prep for it including learning the common poetry terms and the general format of the test to see if its right for you. But in general students who are passionate about English class and are readers tend to do well.</p>
<p>I agree with both of the others, I scored an 800 on CR first time, but only got a 740 on SAT Lit, I found it much harder than CR. As said the writing is often older, poems etc and unless you have had some exposure to it, via say AP Lit or a good English program, you will find SAT Lit tough. As mentioned the curve is not helpful the kids who take SAT Lit are often the strongest group, I practice on 2 prep tests and still only got a 740, which dont get me wrong thats a good score for anyone and colleges know that, just dont take the test unless you are a really really good strong reader.</p>
<p>Thank you everybody for these comments! They has given me a lot of perspective. I’ve obtained the main review books–Barron’s, Kaplan, McGraw-Hill, and the Official SAT 2 guide (any others?). Any suggestions as to which one’s exams most reflects the state of the exam today? Or would any one be ok?</p>
<p>I only got a 730 on sat CR and I got a 760 on SAT II Literature, but I might just be a weird case. Regardless, I do agree with everyone here that says there is more old English type stuff on the SAT Lit.</p>
<p>One thing that helps is if you’re in an AP Lit class or you took the AP Lit test because that’s the type of stuff you’ll see on SAT lit. I know it certainly helped me. Good luck on your subject tests!</p>
<p>My D chose Lit as her 2nd subject test. She chose it bc it was less “studyable” than most others, and she was on a tight schedule. She got a 680 with no prep (other than 20 question practice test). She got a 660 on CR (not much prep there either). </p>
<p>She did not read much on her own in HS due to 30 hrs/wk sports practice + 10 hrs/wk work schedule. She said the test was hard, and she did better than expected. FYI, we ended up using her ACT score for most colleges (31/32 superscore). </p>
<p>I do think if you’re a big reader, you could do exceptionally well on both.</p>
<p>I used the Barron’s literature study guide, and I got a 780. (I got a 770 on CR) It was a good book, I feel like it helped me. I found the literature to be easier than the CR, probably because the the literature questions are a little more straightforward; there are no “trick questions”, although they may be more with hard vocabulary words, and more complicated reading passages.</p>