<p>I keep receiving lower and lower SAT verbal scores on the practice tests, for some reason. I received a 740 on the verbal section of the PSAT, then 670, 730, and 700 in the practice tests in my Princeton Review book. In the Peterson's book practice tests, I received a 720, 680, and 680. What's wrong with me? I think one possibility is that I'm not checking my work as much as I used to and going on first assumptions. I'll try checking over everything with my remaining time in the future--it could easily be that simple. Should I be worried about this?</p>
<p>Princeton Review and Peterson's aren't real questions. They are made up.</p>
<p>The Princeton Review questions/tests are very close to the real thing, though. I don't think that's a factor.</p>
<p>mosevios, I think you answered your own question...you need to take time to carefully answer each question and check your answers. Don't rush. 'Tis better to leave some blank than to get them wrong because you're rushing.</p>
<p>The SAT is designed to trick you on those first assumptions. The easy answer that comes to mind quickly is often a wrong one, because they know people skip steps when doing math, or don't think through the possibilities if they find a match among the answers the first time out. That tripped me up a lot on my first SAT. </p>
<p>So just take your time and I'm sure you'll see an improvement.</p>
<p>Also, if you mistrust some of the questions (I don't like them personally) on the Princeton Review, I'd recommend buying the Blue Book Collegeboard sells, which has 10 practice tests in it.</p>
<p>what a nightmare!
yes, those Peterson questions may not be the best, but they shouldn't be that much harder. (Barron's is the company that's reputed with tough questions).
It's always important to see why you got an answer wrong, or you won't improve.
May just be a long strand of coincidences? Maybe the alignment of the planets are currently inauspicious for you. Wait a month and see. :)</p>
<p>Sheed30: while the PR questions aren't 'real', they really seem like the kinds of questions you'd expect from a test such as the SAT. In fact, they're trickier than the blue book questions which means that doing a few PR tests can only help come the real test!</p>
<p>I didn't mean to say they were alike, i just said they weren't real.</p>
<p>Oh, okay. :)</p>