<p>Is this basically a harder version of the Critical Reading section of the SAT I?
How did you guys do? How did you prepare?</p>
<p>I got a 750. I didn't prepare--don't know how I would have--though I was taking AP English at the time, so that probably helped. I didn't take the SAT I, so I don't know how it compares. Since I didn't prep, I think it is more of a being normally good at reading and analyizing kind of thing than a studying thing.</p>
<p>yes you can prepare and it is one of the hardest tests. You can prepare by becoming familiar with the test. Read a prep book and take at least three practice tests. It is different than CR. </p>
<p>Each of these test requires a different approach.</p>
<p>OK take a practice test w/o preapring and see how you do. Find a book in the library. if you are satisfied, the issue is over. If not, prepare.</p>
<p>It's way harder than the CR section, and not that similar in content, either. I didn't prepare at all, and I got a 770. If you're a voracious reader and you've had experience analyzing poetry and prose then you'll be fine.</p>
<p>I would still pick up a review book out of the library, and review the lit terms</p>
<p>Definitely review the Lit Terms. I found the test challenging because I did not know some of the terms. I got a 750 on Cr but only a 670 on SAT II Literature. I am definitely going to prepare a little bit before I take it again.</p>
<p>how's the curve?</p>
<p>I think so far as prep goes there's no substitute for being a voracious reader. However, I would recommend going through a prep book for the literary terms, rhyme schemes, etc.</p>
<p>The curve is not at all generous. I got a 750 which I think translates to about 5 or 6 wrong (appx, I don't have my blue book in front of me).</p>
<p>I think that the best thing to do is to buy the barrons and do the practice tests. Then see which questions you usually get wrong (because they tell you the question type in the answer section) and then read the corresponsing section in the book.</p>
<p>That said, I didn't really prep that much at all. But if I had, this is definitely what I would have done, I kind of regret not doing so.... but whatever.</p>
<p>Unlike most subject tests, an 800 is 99th percentile.</p>
<p>it is very unlike the critical reading section of the SAT, and very difficult.</p>
<p>I got a 780 by taking plenty of practice tests.</p>
<p>If you know the literary terms in review books already, just take lots of practice tests and review incorrect answers efficiently. That's pretty much all you can do to prepare.</p>
<p>So would you guys say that literary terms take a substantial portion of the test?</p>
<p>I just asked my son and he didn't consider them a "substantial" part. He remembered being given examples of poetry and having to identify the rhyme scheme. He recommended you get a copy of CB's "The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests" and go through its practice tests to get a feel for the kinds of questions. Your local library might have a copy. If not, you may be able to interlibrary loan one. Another good idea is go through previous Lit test threads here on CC to see what kinds of questions kids seem to be having the most problems with. I've seen threads where kids have been able to google and come up with the passages which were included on the test. They're nice to read so you can get more of a feel for it. According to the CB study guide approximately as much of the test is over poetry passages as over prose. My son's English classes had given him excellent prep for prose. He found the Barron's Lit subject test book helpful for the poetry.</p>
<p>A poster on CC also recommended "Reading Like a Writer" by Francine Prose as a good prep tool. I got a copy for my own personal enjoyment and have read it twice. You may find it helpful if your English classes haven't been very strong. It was published in 2007. Check your library to see if they have it.</p>