<p>So I took the SAT for the first time during the October 2008 sitting (I'm a junior) and I got a 2200. I took the test completely blind; I've never studied in my life and I only skimmed through the practice test before October 4 to read the directions.</p>
<p>I really would love to crack a 2300 by the time I apply to college, but what do you guys suggest for me to do in terms of studying? Memorize vocabulary, work on grammar, just do as many practice tests as I can?</p>
<p>What's the best way to study?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance,</p>
<p>if you are a reader, memorizing vocabulary is a big waste of time (in my opinion at least). learn the SAT grammar and the SAT math -- its very straight forward after taking the test a few times. I'd recommend buying the princeton review book and taking a practice test every other weekend...it reaaaaaaally helps. my score went up a good amount.</p>
<p>wow, pro. you are pretty set then if you can get 2200 w/o preping. I always considered SAT dumb because it measures how well u know the test. So yeah, just buy a book or two and do like a test every week or two and know wat KIND of questions u get wrong and learn to not get it wrong on the real test. good luck. Get a 2400 (just don't miss a math questions ahah )</p>
<p>What's the breakdown of your score?</p>
<p>Wow, 2200 without studying? That's great!
I would say, just drill yourself. Spending weeks memorizing vocab is totally not worth it. With practice, you eventually start to "feel" what the right words are.</p>
<p>How do you feel you did the first time you took it? If you didn't think you did well, you might not need to study. If you only did badly on the essay, you might want to just practice that a bit, and that could have a large impact on your score.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>and sorry the breakdown was</p>
<p>690 Critical Reading</p>
<p>790 Math</p>
<p>720 Writing</p>
<p>I got an 11 on my essay... so I must've screwed up the Writing multiple choice pretty badly lol. </p>
<p>Any new suggestions based on the breakdown of my scores? My goal is to get a 2310ish (790 Math, 760 both Critical Reading and Writing). I really need to improve my Critical Reading score...</p>
<p>Yeah CR is my worst section as well!
From what people have told me, the trick is just to keep in mind that all the answers are in the text and if it's not supported by the text, it's not right. Don't try to put your own intepretations.</p>
<p>Writing--the EASIEST section to improve on!! Do a lot of practice tests, review why you missed each problem, what grammar rule you are consistently missing (subject/verb agreement, verb tenses..etc) It just takes some practice! </p>
<p>Congrats on your high score by the way! I studied and I only got 30 points above yours! I'm quite jealous...hahaha</p>
<p>2200 without studying? man, some CC people make me feel like i gotta jump a building....</p>
<p>sorry!</p>
<p>I'm asian if that's an excuse lol. and I've been in magnet schools all my life and I think a lot of the knowledge that the SAT tests you on is stuff you learn in school. but to make the jump from a 2200 to a 2300, all you need to know is how to cheat the test :P and probably getting to know the test really well. </p>
<p>thanks for all your help! now I'm getting off CC and really studying... maybe... </p>
<p>p.s. any recommendations for getting critical reading up? that's my worst part :(</p>
<p>You sound like me! Although you did a little better :]
I took the SAT I for the first time in October without any studying or courses and I got a 2150.
I wish I had time to work on some things (like math :/) and retake it but I still have to take my subject tests so that's definitely not happening.</p>
<p>Critical reading was actually my best score and pretty much balanced out how bad I did on the math lol. My advice would just be to make sure you read the whole question! More than once if you have time! Figure out exactly what they're asking you and only select answers that the text supports. Sorry if that's common sense advice but it really helps when you think about it like that instead of just reading and basing answers on your interpretations.</p>
<p>And study if you have time. Practice the whole passage and then questions thing. Maybe even use AP Eng Lang And Comp study guides since the setup is pretty similar.
Good luck!</p>
<p>I think all you probably need to do is take a few practice tests and you'll be good. Do the College Board tests and if you don't see your scores topping 2300 (which I'd think they would with your starting score), then maybe look at getting a strategy book.</p>
<p>Do you go to East High School?</p>
<p>nope I go to west :)</p>
<p>west so beats east despite what high school musical attempts to indoctrinate you into believing...</p>
<p>no I'm just kidding. but yes I do go to west haha. and thanks for all your advice!!! I actually have been doing as you guys have suggested and in practice tests my CR score shot way up so yay!! :D</p>