Tips From A 2400er

<p>You know…this is the kind of post I wish I had seen earlier. It’s also the type that makes me want to re-take my 2370…something must be wrong with me…</p>

<p>Buuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmp. I am bored.</p>

<p>Wow, thanks for the advice! Currently a sophomore and scheduled to take the SAT in May and the ACT in April. I’ve been working on some prep books, but I’m thinking I really need to step it up. I got a 192 on the PSAT last fall, something like the 94th/95th percentile? I hope I can step it up with the SAT this spring. I’m looking at Princeton Review’s ExpressOnline SAT prep course for some over-all encompassing:
[SAT</a> ExpressOnline](<a href=“http://www.princetonreview.com/college/online-sat-prep-course.aspx]SAT”>http://www.princetonreview.com/college/online-sat-prep-course.aspx)
Anyone taken it? Or have advice about a different one?</p>

<p>That picture you attached maybe the most inspirational thing I’ve seen about the SAT.
Those 3 800s, and the 3 99%, are so good.</p>

<p>Absolutely incredible.</p>

<p>A (78 MC/10 E) Writing 800?! You got exceptionally lucky there, but you deserve this. Nice job! :)</p>

<p>If I logged on to collegeboard and saw that, I think I’d have a heart attack and die.</p>

<p>Masochist’s guide is one of the best to appear on CC. It is, however, somewhat dated; new techniques have since been learned, and a lot of specific issues have arisen regarding the SAT that are not comprehensively covered anywhere on CC. If there is interest, I am willing to contribute a lengthy guide that covers just about everything college-related that a high-schooler would want to know: SAT preparation (including an extensive Writing section, which seems to be lacking on CC thus far) and logistical issues (e.g., score reporting and retakes), college admissions information and advice, and college selection tips. Is there interest?</p>

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<p>I viewed my 2400 score report from a 4 x 2 inch iTouch screen lol.</p>

<p>Definitely silverturtle</p>

<p>yes silverturtle.</p>

<p>If you could even go extra extensive on the college admissions and college selection, it’d be great.</p>

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If you’re a junior, don’t you have AP Exams to study for? Where do you plan to find this extra time?(I assume this guide would take a couple of hours to create.)
Regardless, I would want to see it, but I always wonder how you and mifune are able to spend so much time on CC yet manage high school work and tests so efficiently.</p>

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<p>I don’t intend to complete it until after school ends for the year (so early June). </p>

<p><a href=“I%20assume%20this%20guide%20would%20take%20a%20couple%20of%20hours%20to%20create.”>quote</a>

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<p>Oh, I was planning on producing a rather extensive one, so probably more like fifty to sixty hours at least.</p>

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<p>That reminds me: I have homework to do tonight. :)</p>

<p>YES!!! PLEASE silverturtle. That would make my college admissions process so much less stressful. :)</p>

<p>Hmm, as a 2014er, I would say once you’re over 2250+, you should devote your time to something else that fewer people will have. I doubt colleges think that a 2300 is THAT much better than 2300. I bet if the 2250 started a charity, and the 2300 worked to get a perfect score, the 2250 would have a better chance.</p>

<p>I got a 2390 in one sitting without studying, and everyone wanted me to retake it. Instead, I spent that time researching neurodegenerative disorders and got into good schools. I’d say it paid off.</p>

<p>@silverturtle: Yes, please!</p>

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<p>Silverturtle is actually a much more dedicated member than me.</p>

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<p>I would entirely support your decision to draft material pertaining to college-related issues. That would be a very generous contribution.</p>

<p>hii silverturtle, i’d like one! :)</p>

<p>I’m a 2400’er as well, and my advice is practice practice practice. Find released tests and take them. Wash, rinse, and repeat. I actually got all my SAT help while studying for the PSAT, but they are essentially the same test, though the SAT is longer, divided differently, and has an essay.</p>

<p>Here’s some quick general advice for each section.</p>

<p>Grammar: This is the easiest section to improve on. Find a talented english teacher you like and get them to drill you in SAT grammar (normal grammar, its not different on the SAT or anything). Certain grammatical errors will appear again and again, and once you learn how to recognize them, you’re home free with that section.</p>

<p>Math: This one is also fairly easy to improve on, if you’re mathematically inclined. Practice SAT math, because it requires a certain way of thinking and has certain types of questions. Also, look at each problem simply, before attempting complex equations to solve it. Some of the questions can be answered with a little creative thinking much quicker than the traditional way of setting up equations, working through them, and so forth. Brush up on your geometry if its been more than a year since you had it.</p>

<p>Reading: This is a bit more difficult, and I can’t really offer much advice other than read carefully, quickly, and don’t waste time with tricks like underlining if they don’t help you. If they do, take the time. Study SAT vocab as well.</p>

<p>I hope this is helpful. Good luck!</p>

<p>PS - Practice. And if you haven’t taken the PSAT yet, and have a good chance at NM, study. A lot. It may seem silly, but you won’t be laughing when you get a near full ride for NM. Or maybe you will. Laughing with happiness! :D</p>

<p>^ congrats!! how long did you prep for?</p>

<p>I was extremely fortunate in that my school district had a lot of help available for potential high scorers on the PSAT. I took it in 7th grade and qualified for a summer camp-ish thing, which is basically a 5 day, 5 hours a day type thing where they help you with the test. Then in high school, I did this thing where you’d go once a week after school for an hour to a Reading, Writing, or Math PSAT class, where we got some instruction but mainly just did vocab and practice problems. The teachers who did this program are sheer genuises, they’re a pair of married english teachers whose son got a perfect score - they know that test very well. Which is why I suggest finding a teacher who’s familiar with the test and getting them to help you with whichever section they correspond to.</p>

<p>Short answer: I prepped on and off for several years, but didn’t do any big cramming or anything before I took the test. My score is a combination of practice over a long period of time, natural propensity for testing well, and a whole lotta luck, because no matter how good you are, you have to get lucky enough to get a test with just the right makeup of questions that you will do very well. Another day or another test, I might not have scored a 2400. Which is why scoring 2400 really isn’t a huge deal for college admissions, because there’s not much statistical difference when you get into the 2300-2400 range. (or so I’ve heard)</p>

<p>Wow, that wasn’t short at all. Hope I answered your question. Good luck!</p>