<p>I got my SAT Scores back and got around the mid-1800's.
This is the first time I've taken the real SAT (I've taken two PSATs in sophomore and junior year).
I know this score isn't all that great, but I definitely plan on retaking it!
Is there a suggested limit of how many times one should take the SAT?
Is taking it too many times a bad thing?
Also, for anyone who scored higher than a 2000, how did you guys prepare for the SAT? Did it take a lot of studying? I'm okay with the math section but horrible at vocabulary and reading passages.</p>
<p>Any help appreciated!</p>
<p>In my opinion, yes, taking the SAT too many times would make you look desperate; I would take it a maximum of 3 times, but others may have different opinions. For me, it didn’t take a ton of studying. I studied intensely for a couple weeks, and then said hey, good enough, I’m ready. Basically I just took a lot of practice tests, full-length PSATs and SATS, an timed myself after I was more familiar with the sections.</p>
<p>I scored a 2170. I failed the essay, but I did pretty well on math. In fact, pretty much all of my preparation was in math. I also had above-average comprehension skills, and my grammar was decent. I didn’t bother studying vocab. </p>
<p>I just went through a bunch of practice math sections.</p>
<p>Thanks, I thought taking the SAT too many times might’ve been a bad decision. Taking more practice tests is a good idea!</p>
<p>It’s funny because I mostly prepared for my math section, too. Math is definitely my strength, however, I didn’t even score over a 700, which was kind of disappointing. Ugh, and I’m clueless about what to do with the thousands of vocabulary terms!</p>
<p>Bump / bump / bump</p>
<p>Taking the SAT 2-3 times is acceptable. One should spend more time on practicing than using the real test to practice. You need to have strength in at least 2 sessions to get you above 2000, and you need strength in all 3 sessions to go beyond 2200. There is no shortcut to learn vocab while you may get big improvement on math and grammar within a few months.</p>
<p>Thanks @billcsho. I know I can do better on math and and the grammar portion of the writing section! I really need to practice my reading comprehension, vocabulary, and essay portion, then. I’m guessing I should buy the SAT Prep book from collegeboard!</p>
<p>Good luck with your exams. Although there is no shortcut for learning vocab, it is still better to spend some time on it. You may start with the popular 500 word list. Then, check your local library to see if they have the book “Word Smart” and ‘More Word Smart’.</p>
<p>@billcsho Thank you! Will do!</p>
<p>I got a 2360. Here’s what I recommend:
Study vocab in game form. I’m a huge gamer and quite a slacker. Making games out of things helps me remember. There’s an app called BrainSnacks and I use that to review vocab. Sometimes a word I thought meant something, meant something very different. In the car I play games like “Name as many synonyms for…” It’s a great way to study on the go.
Use Khanacademy.org to brush up on some older math. If you’re like me, the math is considered “easy”, but lots of it was so long ago. No shame in reviewing. I went as far back as pre-algebra.
Read and write a lot. Read good books and read them often. As you read think about things like
“Why did the author say ‘don’t eat meat’ versus ‘vegetarian’”
“What is the purpose of comparing her eyes to oceans instead of the night sky (both things are blue)?”
“How does the writing make you feel as a reader? Are there certain words that invoke passion, anger, happiness, contempt?” </p>
<p>Similarly when you write think about things like
“Is my reader getting bored?”
“Am I being pretentious with this sentence?”
“Are my paragraphs not connecting to each other?”
“Is my message ultimately clear above all else?”
“Does my tone convey happiness or sadness? Is that the feeling I want my readers to feel? What words are helping the tone? What words aren’t?”</p>
<p>I think you should only practice taking the full length test at home a maximum of two times. I personally only practiced it once before taking it. The reason I don’t is because I don’t want it to feel like a boring test that I’m only taking to get into college. It’s more than that. I relish the challenge and I’m excited to do well.</p>
<p>@PxAlaska Wow, you’ve given me a lot of insightful tips! Haha, I actually like playing the MindSnacks games, too (I use it to learn French & Spanish, as well). Definitely will keep KhanAcademy in mind! I think you and I think alike. I really do feel like practicing the test is kind of boring but the test should mean more than that. Thanks~</p>