SAT next week, any tips?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>Hey there, Im a High School Junior and next week is my first SAT. I took one in 7th grade for that Duke program, didnt do too hot b/c i didnt study a bit.</p>

<p>I started studying a bit in Summer '10 and then I studied in the winter break using the Barron's book, and when I took my practice SAT scores, I got a 1760 to an 1900, which really scared me, since the math section was kinda hard(Im really good at math), and the CR, imo was really really hard.</p>

<p>Then I did the blue book in the last week of christmas, got a 1900, and last week, 2000, so right now, im just really looking for some last week tips until next week, b/c I want around a 2100-2200. I study almost everyday, unless there are tests.</p>

<p>Can you give me some tips on CR or a bit of writing?Thanks and good luck to anyone who is taking it next week!</p>

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<p>Direct Hits got 18 out of 19 SC in the CR section so get Direct Hits as for the other sections, I think all you can do is practice.</p>

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<p>Everybody goes about the critical reading section differently. There are two distinct parts: vocabulary and reading. For the vocabulary, memorize an internet list of 100 common SAT words or something. That should help you. For the critical reading section, everyone goes about it differently.</p>

<p>I do this: read the first passage-based question that asks about specific lines in the text (it is usually indicated). Put your finger on this question; save the “this passage as a whole suggests…” questions for later. Then, read the passage from the beginning–even the italicized portions–until you get to the indicated lines (maybe read two or three lines ahead). Then, read the question, and answer it as best you can without wasting time. Be sure that your answer is directly supported by the text. Imagine your pencil as a surgeon’s knife; cross off any answer choices that you know are wrong or aren’t supported by the passage. If the answer choice just mixes up words found in the passage in an incoherent way, it is wrong. By the time you get done with all of these questions, pursue the “passage as a whole” questions as best you can. Don’t waste time; eliminate wrong answer choices; guess if you can eliminate at least one answer choice.</p>

<p>Critical reading is tough. Until you’ve done a lot of practice, many of their questions seem hazy and unanswerable. Good luck on your SAT!</p>

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<p>Hey Thanks for the replies. What I have come across is that in the critical reading sections, many of the passage based readings are random in difficulty(reading passage, not the questions). Since I have less of a clue on a few of the hard ones, it’s hard for me to interpret what the question is asking for. </p>

<p>Anyway, yea, Ill be reviewing and practicing a bit this week, and Ill go over the vocabulary and some key concepts. Obviously its too late for me to take a full blown practice test.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help! BTW, has anyone taken Testmasters, if you know what I am talking about?</p>

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<p>AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH so this is maybe a lil off topic but I’m FREAKING OUT hahah…it seems like the more practice I force myself to do, the worse I do, because I’m unfocused and rushing…gah!</p>

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<p>just rest the rest of the week. last minute studying will not help significantly and being well rested is more important than knowing the difference between affect/effect etc. Im skipping school on Friday and watching TV for example</p>

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<p>I still haven’t gotten my CR scores to where I want them to be, so I’m going to take one section each day until the test. I usually take full blown tests once a weekend, so this should be reasonable. I’ll also be reviewing some vocab and essay examples!</p>

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<p>For the essay, make it as long as possible, a recent article said almost every time they can predict the score by the length, the more you have, the higher you score.</p>

<p>For the corrections, imagine your saying it to someone, it helped me pinpoint the errors very quickly.</p>

<p>The night before get a good night’s sleep, don’t stay up studying and worrying, you don’t want to be tired or too anxious.</p>

<p>Eat a good breakfast, avoid refined sugars - if you bring a snack the same goes for it.
Afterwards, reward yourself - having that reward to look forward to kind of helps. </p>

<p>Remember, if you don’t get the score you want don’t be upset, learn from your mistakes and try it again. </p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Recent? The MIT study was in 2005 or 2006</p>

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<p>For the CR , as you are reading a passage you must be asking questions to yourself, which side is the author,what’s the main purpose of this passage and so on. Just don’t read the passage but make yourself busy exploring it. That way when answering the question you will score better. Here’s some more about it.
[How</a> to enhance SAT Critical Reading Section Score | Sat Prep](<a href=“http://sat-i-prep.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-improve-sat-critical-reading.html]How”>How to enhance SAT Critical Reading Section Score | Sat Prep)</p>

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<p>@lilac I like your advice. My friends are staying up studying for the SAT on Friday, and I am contemplating doing that, but that shows that yes, more sleep, more aware of the questions.</p>

<p>Whats funny is that after I take the SAT, I’m going to academy to get Steel Toed Boots, because I’m in Robotics(FIRST). lol</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for you advices again. Really helps.</p>

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<p>Rest and relax. If you have worked hard to prepare for the SAT, you will reach your goal. Worrying about the SAT on Saturday will only raise your test anxiety and cause you to lose focus.</p>

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<p>I’m taking the SAT this Saturday too… I think I’m ready for it, i took a bunch of practice tests but didn’t pay for classes. Would that affect my scores greatly or do the classes not matter?</p>

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<p>lol i haven’t studied one bit; been too busy studying for my finals. So far i’ve done some vocab work, but that’s pretty much it. i’ll prolly brush up on math… but yea… don’t stress! lol i didn’t study. feel better? haha</p>

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<p>oh, and @Xtol123… it depends on the person. i know a lot of people that have taken it have said it was a waste. Some others might find it useful if they can’t study on their own/need guidance when studying the sat. most cases, however, studying of prep books will help you greatly.</p>

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<p>This might help for the essay. read the last tip in the initial post <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1074602-extremely-useful-tips-essay-saturday-please-add-list-makes-easy.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1074602-extremely-useful-tips-essay-saturday-please-add-list-makes-easy.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<hr>

<p>LITERATURE</p>

<p>The 2 Greek Epics Iliad and Odyssey - If you read them, you’d realize that they can seriously be used for any essay prompt. They have themes of hubris, downfall, role of women, custom v. law, temptation… ANYTHING.</p>

<p>The 3 Theban Play (mainly Oedipus the King and Antigone) - These plays can be used for any essay… Once again tragedy, downfall, law, loyalty, honesty, family, and love are found here.</p>

<p>Beowulf - A classic Old English poem can be used for loyalty, love, nationalism, war, evil v. good, travel, and competition.</p>

<p>The Kite Runner - Loyalty, friendship, immigration, truth, race, sexism, ethnicity, the hardship of children.</p>

<p>The Bible - Ummm yeah. It’s the Bible. It’s 2000 pages long. You’ll find something to write about, but just hope that your essay grader isn’t Buddhist/Atheist/Anti-Christian or Semitic/or just plain old biased. Avoid the themes of love in the New Testament… don’t want to offend any Jews. Stick to the Old Testament, but avoid Maccabees… it’s not in the Jewish Bible.</p>

<p>Harry Potter - Seriously, are you in 1st grade?</p>

<hr>

<p>HISTORY & PEOPLE </p>

<p>John Paul II - His life was about protection, loyalty, honesty, faith, goodness, battle with evil, forgiveness, and bravery in times of danger.</p>

<p>MLK - You should know enough about him.</p>

<p>Obama - DON’T WRITE ABOUT HIM… JUST DON’T. WE DON’T WANT TO START A POLITICAL WAR.</p>

<p>_____________________________________________________________________________np</p>