SAT Study Plan

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I took the May SAT and got a 2030 (720 Math, 670 Writing, 640 Reading). Then, after a complete month of intense studying, I took the June test and got a 1840 (620 Math, 640 Writing, 580 Reading). I was extremely pis*ed to say the least. I just don't understand how this happened after studying so hard. Granted, the test center where I took the test was about 100° fahrenheit as they had no AC. However this 190 point score decrease is completely abysmal. Since almost all of the schools I am applying to accept scorechoice, I think I will be alright if I can get a much better score one my 3rd attempt.</p>

<p>Looking forward, I need to improve. My minimum goal is a 2100+, however I would really like a 2200+. Do you think I can bounce back? Have you seen it done before? I will be taking the SAT again in November (as I am taking 2 subject tests in October). That gives me about 5 months to study/prepare. I clearly need a study plan that really works—how I studied between the May and June tests certainly did not work. Do you have any tips on how to be maximumly productive? I have access to 24 real CollegeBoard tests (10 in the blue book + 10 from the online course + 4 I found online). How should I spread them out? Should I take 1 a week and analyze my performance for a few days after each practice test?</p>

<p>I have Princeton Review's Word Smart which I am using with flashcards to memorize every word in the book. Beyond vocab, what do you recommend I do? I have a math tutor and I am reasonably sure I can increase my 720 Math score just by doing more tests. But as far as reading and writing, what do you recommend I do? Is taking loads of practice tests and analyzing them enough to really increase my scores?</p>

<p>As for the essay, I got an 8 on both the May and June tests—that was the only consistent part! I would like to improve to at least a 10. I had pre-deterimined, made up, examples that I attempted to mold to the subject. I did not like the June prompt very much at all. I feel my issue was not as much with the content of my examples but more with the structure of my sentences, my vocab, timing, etc. Do you have any ideas for how I can improve my essay score to a 10+? Does it really work to use pre-deterimined examples then fabricate? Is the best was to improve to just pick like 10 examples and write hundreds of essays with them in the next 5 months? How do you think I can improve my essay score?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for any help. I feel very disappointed and a bit overwhelmed at the moment.</p>

<p>Kind Regards,
—</p>

2

<p>Can anyone give me any advice?</p>

3

<p>PM me and i’ll show you how to get a 10+ on your essays.
I’ve taken 2 SATs so far got an 11, and a 10.</p>

4

<p>Thanks oldschoolboy, I PM’d you.</p>

<p>Does anyone else have any ideas/tips for how I can improve? What kind of study plan should I go with over the next 4 months?</p>

5

<p>You can definitely get your score up to a 2100 at least. Every week for the rest of the summer, take one practice test under normal testing conditions and you will see your scores improve. Just getting used to the types of questions will help a lot. Also, these tests will tell you whether or not your June score was accurate. Ideally, it wouldn’t be, and your true performance would be around the 2000 area, like your May score. But anyway, buy a few SAT vocabulary books/flash card sets (I recommend Direct Hits and PR) and study a few words each day for the rest of the summer. For writing, you could buy Meltzer’s guide to SAT grammar, which clearly outlines each grammar rule tested on the SAT, and for math, you could buy Gruber’s math workbook. These are just the books I’ve used, and my scores on practice tests are around 2300. But honestly, just keep practicing and your scores will go up.</p>