SAT prep... Enough Time?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi,guys.
So I am now a senior in High School and I've taken the SAT twice. I'm trying to improve my score dramatically this round around. I took the SAT once in December of last year just to know where i stood and i got a 1830. I signed up again to take it in June but regrettably I let myself get so caught up in my AP exam studies and other exams and other school work that by the time i remembered that my SAT's were coming up i had.... A week. It's no excuse that i was "busy". My score only improved by 50 points and I obtained an 1870. I AM SERIOUSLY DISSATISFIED WITH MYSELF AND MY SCORES.</p>

<p>June Scores: 650 CR, 590 MATH (okay my math skills aren't that amazing. ) 630 WR [ 8 on my essay ]</p>

<p>So I started studying late in July (I wasn't home for the majority of the summer as i was attending a selective academic program that kept me EXTREMELY busy for 4 weeks). So far I've been working on studying for AT LEAST an hour daily since this week started, with a heavier focus on math. I know that i'm balancing SAT prep with a heavier course load (3 AP's this semester and all gifted classes except for an elective) but i believe it's worth it. So here's basically what i would like to know.</p>

<p>A) What might be the best test date to take the SAT (oct or nov)? -I'm considering ED to UPenn or WUSTL, but i don't think I'll be polished enough with EVERYTHING and I'd rather not send in an unpolished application. Do you agree?</p>

<p>B) What do i need to bring my score up by AT LEAST 200 (preferably 300) points in 6-8 weeks? -As in what might be the best test prep book? How long should i study?</p>

<p>C)How should I go about studying them? -Take a plethora of tests? Run through the book(s) beginning to end? Or just focus on my weak points?). Or should i just sign up for like a $ 600 dollar kaplan course (which would be my last option since that so bloody expensive but if it's a good option it can be considered).</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your consideration. :)</p>

<p>(quick hilarious note: While typing in upenn in the tags i got upenn>you. Is that an omen? lol.</p>

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<p>I’ll be very blunt in my post, not going to beat around the bush. No, I’m not a known ******* ahaha.</p>

<p>Kaplan’s SAT prep courses are horrible. They’re more of an intro to the SAT class. Don’t do it. Second, it’s pointless to apply to Princeton ED with an 1800 SAT. Even a 2100 SAT is on the lower end. </p>

<p>Get a blue book. Use it for practice tests. Practice, practice, practice is mostly how you raise your score. You may want to invest in some other books to brush up on your knowledge:</p>

<p>Grammatix - Critical Reading only
Gruber’s Guide - Math only
Rocket Review Revolution - Writing only</p>

<p>Keep practicing. Atleast 1 hour is not sufficient, at all. I would say 3 - 4 hours over the summer, and then 1-2 hours daily during school. Do October, roughly 2 months is sufficient if you start now.</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot. So different prep books for different subjects and a blue book to take the exams over and over. Yes?</p>

<p>God NO I am not even applying to princeton. ( I mean in all honesty I probably wouldn’t even get into WUSTL even though I LOVE WUSTL it’s my reach/dream. I’m probably more of a level of NYU/Upitts/BU). I usually never do so poorly on standardized tests but then again the SAT is something different (and considerably longer).</p>

4

<p>I think math and writing (MC) are the easiest to improve in. Kaplan and Princeton Review are a waste of money, and I don’t find “tip books” especially helpful (they’re mostly common sense), so I’d say just do as many practice tests as possible.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, tips books are garbage. I’d recommend books that cover actual material - you’ll discover techniques that work best for you along with way. Yeah, those 3 books are good for each section. I’d also recommend barron’s 2400 - it’s math refresher is in depth :)</p>