<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I'm a freshman and i want to know if it's an okay time for me to start studying the SAT's.
How do i start? should i get some books and self study? If so please recommend.</p>
<p>Or </p>
<p>Is it better to enroll in SAT prep classes?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys, i'm really oblivious to all this since i'm new to the US. I'm from Scotland.</p>
<p>your advice will be appreciated. ^^</p>
<p>Don't waste your life studying for the SATs. You can apply your time much better. The SAT is not like a normal college entrance exam where it is the determining factor for admission...</p>
<p>I don't think it will hurt you to start studying on your own. Get the PSAT book put out by the College Board folks. Do a little bit every week. Don't kill yourself but become familiar with the test. Go to the section above on how to study on your own. Don't bother with the courses until later on. With a high PSAT score taken in junior comes a lot of merit aid as well as some full rides offered by a bunch of colleges.<br>
Look at the study like doing sudoku or logic problems. Do your best to improve a little bit on each one. When it's time for you to take the tests you'll be ready and comfortable.</p>
<p>Save yourself the money and study on your own, if any. prep courses are supposed to help give you that final push to your highest score, so take that next summer in 2010, right before you become a junior, if you are considering taking classes. If you haven't learned all of the concepts, you will have a harder time improving.</p>
<p>As a freshman you shall concentrate on your study in your classes. Read as much as you can. You can do the SAT prep later.</p>
<p>I didn't pick up a SAT prep book until the summer prior to the Oct SAT and I did quite well. Starting now would be overkill-instead use your time to "adjust" to your high school curricula and scout out your competitors.</p>
<p>Why not? If you like reading, read a little more. Do a little extra math. And try the Question of the Day at College Board. If you like it, keep doing it. But I wouldn't buy any special SAT practice books now unless you really love this stuff.</p>
<p>Starting now can't hurt; that way you won't be stuck with scores that you don't like at the end of your senior year, like me. I recommend the CollegeBoard SAT prep book. Don't get the booklet, that is just if you are trying to get a feel for the test a few weeks before and have done little to no prep. Take a lot of practice tests; that is the most important thing. Only take the test once you are satisfied with your practice test scores. There is no reason to take the SAT in your Junior year just for practice when you can get all the practice you want taking practice tests.</p>
<p>DONT start now...i'm assuming you are smart and above-average like everyone else on this forum...just focus on your schoolwork, this will prepare you for what is covered on the SAT. Don't prep until your junior year when you will actually be taking it and worrying about college. You can prepare for college better as a freshman by becoming involved in an activity you like, not studying for a test. I didnt do any prep until the summer before my senior year (you should start in your jr year, this was a mistake by me) and was still able to do pretty good on the SAT and ended up at my first choice, Duke. Do something fun and productive, dont study for a test.</p>
<p>There's absolutely no reason to start more than a year before you take the test. I'd even say that more than three to six months before is excessive, but that might be just me.</p>
<p>For now, all you need to do is read lots of good books, and work hard in your math classes.</p>
<p>Go read some books. i don't think you should specifically study for the SAT's now that silliness. then again i have't take my SAT's yet a few more weeks D: i'm studying i swear</p>
<p>Yes, do study. Atleast see where you stand at this point. If you get a score around what you want (which would be amazing) then you'll be able to take it easier. But if you're repulsed by your weaknesses, identify your weaknesses early.</p>
<p>Don't bother. Instead of creating artificial intelligence for yourself studying four years in advance for a somewhat limited test, spend your time reading good books and picking up some interesting hobbies. You'll be okay, I promise. ;)</p>
<p>Let me rephrase: </p>
<p>Do NOT pick up an SAT book just yet- instead, do what every student should be doing: reading, writing, and solving math problems on a daily basis. I've been getting the notion that most people consider memorizing vocabulary, learning grammar, and even reading as "studying for the SAT"- but really, you should be doing these things every single day. These aren't just ways to a higher SAT score, but also becoming a more knowledgeable individual in general. Study hard, study smart, and when the time comes you'll find the "SAT type" questions much more easy to adjust to.</p>
<p>Oh, and DO NOT pay for a course- there are amazing SAT study guides out there that have everything you'll ever need to ace the test.</p>
<p>The easiest way is just to sign up for the PSAT in sophomore year. Most painless and the easiest way to improve your scores, since after reading the score report and correcting what you did on the PSAT, you start to instinctively look for skills that will help you later on.</p>
<p>LOL WUT</p>
<p>do not even think about it these kids are crazy</p>
<p>I walked into my ACT test room, sat down, took it cold and did very well (mid thirties).</p>
<p>you will be just fine I swear. Just enjoy the next two years!</p>
<p>^ That is not a normal case. This is CC after all, geniuses everywhere :P</p>
<p>To support my case, I took the sophomore PSAT for kicks. Sophomores aren't even eligible for the merit scholarships, so it was no pressure. Turns out, I learned that there was a lot of simple geometry and algebra problems, and very distinctive writing and critical reading patterns. After you receive your score report, you can go online and it'll give you a breakdown of what you did wrong, what you need to work on, and how to improve. You can then use the Official SAT Book after to practice. I flunked out with a 166, which translates to a 1660, then took it next year after maybe one practice test and got 200/2000. </p>
<p>In the meanwhile, I learned how to strengthen and apply both algebra and geometry, analyze literature more effectively, and get a real grammar education. A lot can happen in a year, but the improvements come quickly when you know how to apply it besides a school test :P</p>
<p>VOCAB. that's all you need to work on right now, and readreadreadreadREAD</p>