I’m honestly just another confused sophomore. I took the SAT last year (1160) and I took the PSAT this year (1200), but here’s the kicker, when I took my SAT this past December, I got an 1100. I’m so confused, and I need to get my score up minimum 300 points in about 5 months (august test), so what do I do? I have the Blue Book, and I’m getting the Black Book tomorrow, I have a khan academy account too, so I assume to take a full-length practice test under real conditions and work my way up from there? But what do I use, and how do I do it?
First off, I just want to tell you that it IS possible to move up 300 points. I got a 1220 on my PSAT, and many people told me that I could improve by 100 points max. On my third official SAT I received a 1520. So I know that if you put in the hard work you can too!
So by the blue book I assume its the Collegeboard official SAT one? Do all of those tests multiple times, cause they are helpful. I actually found those tests slightly harder than my actual SAT’s and I think if you can work your way up to a 1400-1500 on those tests, you can do fine on the actual SAT.
I personally didn’t have many issues in the SAT other than section 1. The reading section was the Hardest section for me overall. I recommend the Erica Meltzer “The critical reader” book for that section, and the grammar book for section 2. I’m not exactly sure what books are good for math though, for those sections I would just recommend practicing those problems multiple times.
Also, I would like to stress on doing many tests. I did at least 20 practice tests before my final SAT, and I think it really helped me prepare for it. I would time myself and ensure I finished at least 5-10 minutes ahead so I can review. I think you should really focus on time management as it is essential for the SAT. After the test, I would rework the questions that I got wrong until I finally understood how to answer it correctly.
Good luck on this journey! It is painful but totally worth it in the end!
There is too much advice to give to put in one post. Still, here are a few things.
You said you are a sophomore but that you need to get your score up in 5 months. Is there any particular reason for this? The more time you have to prepare, the better your chances of improving your scores as much as desired. It is probably more realistic to shoot for testing first in winter of your Junior year. If you still are testing at the end of the summer before Senior year, that is fine too (there are even tests later that are fine to take).
Working with a tutor can be helpful (in full discretion, I am a tutor). I find with students scoring in your range that there are often deeper underlying problems that need to be corrected. A good tutor can help with this.
A bit of unconventional advice: don’t look at the answer explanations for math. Instead, try to read up on the topic, and then solve the problem. This will help you develop your math skills and fill in gaps in your understanding.
Yes, I am applying for a program and that is the deadline for my sat. Also, I have a gigantic gap in geometry. Someone suggested I try the ACT instead, and I’m thinking about it because on a practice ACT Math I got a 28 (highest score of all my other categories). Thank you for your advice, and wish me luck :)!