SAT Critical Reading - worth studying vocab?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>I've taken two BB practice tests in the past and scored 610-690 then 630-710. I've been getting all of the short passage questions right. On my most recent practice test I got five vocabulary questions wrong altogether. Four were hard, one was medium. In the test before that, it was only one question. Will I get any benefit from studying vocabulary with Direct Hits or something like that? Is it worth spending the time on it? Or is it just a case of the luck of the draw on what vocabulary they use on the day of the real test...?</p>

<p>I'd really appreciate some help. :)</p>

2

<p>study direct hits vol. 1&2</p>

3

<p>well depends… What’s your goal?</p>

<p>So if you are happy with just an 2000, no, you probably don’t need to study. But if you are aiming for a 2250, then yes you will need to study</p>

4

<p>Direct Hits is useful, and provides a good vocabulary basis. However, it is not DH or any other vocab list that determines whether you’ll be successful in the SC questions. You need to be able to follow the logic of the sentence, understand how certain clauses contrast or complement each other, this is vital to getting sentence completion questions right. Basically, what I do, is cover the answer the choices. Then I look at the sentence, and read it thoroughly in my head. Once I have a grasp of the sentence’s logic and meaning, I place words of my choice within the blanks, giving the sentence meaning. After I’m satisfied with my choice of the word, I proceed to look at the answer choices, and choose the closest one to my own choice.</p>

<p>To further prove my strategy:
October SAT - 18/19 S/C correct.
November SAT - 18/19 S/C correct.</p>

5

<p>@SirWanksalot: Dude your name is epic :p</p>

<p>Have you thought about skipping the questions you didn’t know ?
you won’t get an 800, but it’s less damaging than answering them wrong</p>

<p>Just my 2 cents ^_^</p>

6

<p>I will vouch for Direct Hits.</p>

7

<p>IQ, what was your best single-sitting score if you don’t mind my asking?</p>

8

<p>Thank you for all of the replies! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I’m aiming for 2250+ so I know I will have to study, I’m just not sure where my time is best spent. </p>

<p>When it gets down to the last couple of SC questions in each section, I have no idea what most of the words mean. I can break them down and work out what they mean and end up with the right answer at least some of the time. I suppose that does mean I need to study vocabulary though. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I do have problems with the long passages more than any other though. Can anyone make any suggestions on what I can do to improve on those sections? I suppose I’m having some vocabulary problems there too so I’m definately starting to see that studying vocabulary will help a lot…</p>