<p>In my view it really depend what situation you are facing .</p>
<p>I homeschooled my son by giving him lots of books and taking him local places, doing experiments at home, giving him practical math problems every once in a while, etc. and then gave him four years of public school. He got a 2400 without studying just after his junior year and had gotten a 2150 as an 8th grader. He didn’t study for his ACT or SAT II’s and got perfect scores on them too–all on first tries. That’s just a fact, not a brag. The point is that there are different paths to a perfect score. As a teacher, I don’t believe that every student can get a perfect score, but I do heartily agree that most students can significantly improve their score with effort. It’s impressive that the OP raised his score so much over time and with hard work and methodical effort. I applaud him for contributing that information to assist others. The upside of having to work so hard for the score is that he has improved his work skills by doing so and will likely do very well in college with a heavy load. It’s harder for a kid who never had to prepare specifically for the tests to take on a heavy load because they have not had to do so to get the very top grades and test scores. They might be hard workers but lack specific skills and habits. So, in some ways, you’re better off if you have to work to get that score than if you got it as easily as my son did. It’s hard to teach a kid advanced work habits when all his rough drafts get perfect scores and extra credit. I recommend that all students try to develop advanced work skills in any way they can, including by working hard to improve their standardized test scores. I’m not saying that my DS didn’t work hard. But, he had the freedom to work hard anyway he wanted to, reading all night, doing random college textbook problems, etc. because he didn’t have to work to get high grades in high school. So, he didn’t develop the same kind of discipline that the OP had to. Kids like him are never the valedictorians of large schools with advanced programs even if they get the highest test scores. They’ll be in the top couple per cent but never at the top because the top student is usually one that meticulously dots every “i” and crosses every “t.” On the other hand, the valedictorian doesn’t always get into the top schools because they can sometimes be followers doing everything the school says to do and not thinking outside the box or distinguishing themselves as individuals. So, read what the OP did and also be unique, and all my best.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the advice! Did you post your essay?</p>
<p>EXPECT PROGRESS TO ARRIVE VERY SLOWLY!</p>
<p>If you understand this test is based mostly on conventional behavior patterns (how students read and process information) and less so on content, you will begin to understand the commitment required to increasing a score.</p>
<p>As this thread speaks to, the acquisition of skills takes TIME and EFFORT. If you’re a golfer, think golf. If you’re a pianist, think piano. Every day of practice doesn’t necessarily lead to noticeable results. But over time, usually months not weeks, skills will noticeably improve.</p>
<p>To the point of hiring a tutor. The first thing to realize is that there isn’t a certification or test to determine whether a tutor is qualified. Therefore, if you’re looking for extra support, ask lots of questions (how long have you been doing this, have you had students with similar scores to mine, how many hours per week do you do this).</p>
<p>The reality is that a great tutor shortens the learning process. But no coach can force skill acquisition.</p>
<p>BioFreak, could you please upload your essay? This is all great advice! I am hoping to raise my 2100 to a 2350+, and now I feel that I can do just that. Thank you very much!</p>
<p>i got a 2360 (1 question wrong on math)… its easy to get 2300+…just do practice tests as the OP said</p>
<p>do every practice test (official ones and ones from the review books)</p>
<p>If I got a 690 in cr 760 in math 780 in writing, is it possible to raise it to above 2300 by may?</p>
<p>;’( You guys make me feel like I’m dumb. I’m currently attending two SAT prep. classes with a combination of 3 days a week. At Kaplan, I go every Saturday for 3-4 hours. We take a SAT practice test every two weeks. The first test I got a 1280, the second one I got a 1300, and the one I took last week, my score dropped to 1140. This is so stressful. I guess it’s because I haven’t been studying. I will study the entire summer to prepare for the fall test. I’m taking the May 4th SAT and there is only like 20 days left. I know that studying now won’t improve my score that much, but I was motivated by this post. I want to try and study how ever much I can in these last few days.</p>
<p>This was really great and so informative! Thank you so much for posting this- it was definitely what I was looking for. :)</p>
<p>I’m a junior and I got a 2070 on my SAT in January- I’m currently just trying to make it past 2150! Somehow it seems I can’t make it past the 2100 barrier, but I’m definitely going to keep up with the practice. Hopefully I can do it before the June 1st date (but with the AP tests I’m also taking, studying for the SAT is getting harder) but I might end up through the summer and taking it then.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for this amazing post! :)</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T959V using CC</p>
<p>One of the most helpful posts. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hi, that looks like a long post, but I got a 2400 on the March 9th SAT too!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice</p>
<p>There are no ‘tricks’ to a 2400. High-level ability with some luck on test day is the only way to a 2400.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips :)</p>
<p>Where did you find other previously administered SAT tests on the internet?</p>
<p>@biofreak21 Thank you for taking time to write this all out! Thank you for giving me a sense of hope. Like you I started at the bottom and I hope it make it to your achievements. thank you!</p>
<p>Really encouraging 
Thanks! :D</p>
<p>@ASimp94 google, baidu</p>
<p>Dude, you could have at least inserted more paragraph breaks. This is really really hard to read. But thank you!!!</p>
<p>Hello,
Thank you for your encouragement. My parents just registered me for Kaplan Unlimited Prep though… 
Do you think I should go along with it or quit immediately?</p>
<p>I hoping to get a 2400 as well and will study extra along with the Kaplan Prep if necessary. Please provide your input as it would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Thank you in advance!</p>