<p>As a freshman, I'm wondering how do you exactly study for the SATs? Putting math aside [I do really well in the math sections], how would I study for the writing multiple choice questions, and the reading section. I got a pretty decent score on my PSAT (206), with a low score on the writing section (yuck), how am I supposed to improve? Are there certain writing rules to memorize, or am I supposed to just read more books?</p>
<p>You could look up certain formats which generally receive higher scores...</p>
<p>care to explain, I'm pretty ign'nt.</p>
<p>i took the princeton review course summer before my senior year...</p>
<p>didnt help that much...you get better at the test as you age...the only thing you can really do is buy a book and take practice tests</p>
<p>Or just slog out time with the prep books and use them in tandem with the 22 combined SATs given out by Kaplan and PR. You really should not bother taking them until at least January of junior year.</p>
<p>uh there's something called practice tests that you need to take, using the blue book, also I think you will be sick of the SAT if you start now.
But for writing, all you have to do is do so many sections that it takes no effort to recognize the mistake. I did that starting about 2 months ago, and now I hardly miss any in the grammar sections, and don't get less than a 5 on the essays.</p>
<p>The best thing to do as a freshman is to read. It'll help you in the long run. There's no need to seriously start prepping for the SAT. I mean, you can, but it's a bit early.</p>
<p>Maybe discuss any issues you have writing/grammar with an English teacher? Usually it'll all improve with time and practice. Also, as kchen suggested, reading may be one of the best ways to "prepare".</p>
<p>I second what kchen said; read--a lot. It'll really help you on the CR and W sections. It is a bit early to worry too much about the SATs, but you might want to try taking the PSAT next year as a sophomore just to practice.</p>
<p>Theres no secret to it, in my opinion. Practice. Practice. Practice.</p>
<p>it is absolutely ridiculous that any freshman should feel the need to study for the SATS. What matters, and what you should focus on, is learning--not the stupid test. What will help with the writing and reading sections is reading good books and putting lots of energy into writing assignments for English class. When you get a paper back graded, if it has red marks all over it, try to figure out why, and don't make the same mistakes the next time. SATS shouldn't have to be something you study for...</p>
<p>You're a n00b, so shut the hell up stormia.</p>
<p>And thank you Orange Juice for the warm welcome!</p>
<p>When I didn't practice, my score boosted 200 points... When I practiced a lot, my score didn't go up.</p>
<p>Read a LOT of varied material (science stuff like SciAm and Discover magazines, good news articles & editorials (NYT, WSJ), good literature, decently written fun reading you can look forward to); it'll help CR and W. Take full, TIMED practice tests, and carefully go over the explanations for answers you missed. Get your grammar down cold.
Good Luck!</p>
<p>I have the blue book... but where are all the explanations?</p>
<p>surge dont stress to much. You will learn most of the stuff through school (9th and 10th grade). Like in math and english class. Just do well in them and prep once in a while.</p>
<p>It's not really about memorizing anything, it's more about how fast you can correctly comprehend what your asked.</p>
<p>over the summer, i memorized a couple pages of Word Smart, a vocab book by PR every night until I had almost the whole book down. I also studied and took several tests from a PR SATI review book. Then in September, i took a PR course and one or two extra practice tests in addition to the material they assigned us. After all that, I was able to bring my PSAT score from 196 last year to 234 this year. Got a 2280 on my SAT I which i took right before the PSAT.</p>
<p>Good for you that you begin studying for the SAT's (and for that matter, the PSATs aswell). I agree with Stormia that it IS a stupid standardized test and it really does not mean anything. However, if you are going to be in school, you should make the best of it because that is what most colleges measure your ability from.</p>
<p>I would suppose (please correct me) that reading alot (for vocabulary) and maybe even buying a grammar book and continuously review your grammar skills should help. For critical thinking, reading alot also helps... but I would assume that reading more non-fiction helps more then simply reading fiction. </p>
<p>I am a sophomore right now and I plan on studying for the PSATs soon. For you, I dont think that studying for more then once a week is necessary. Over the summer I am sure you can do a little more. Maybe 1 hour or 2 a week spread out should be good for reviewing the test with the big blue book and some strategy books like PR, etc.</p>
<p>Anyways, any tips posted here would help me aswell, as I plan on studying also for the PSAT.</p>