Tips on how to improve?

<p>Hi, I'm an uprising Senior who's taken the SAT twice.</p>

<p>The first time I scored:
math - 660
reading - 480
writing - 500 (8 essay)</p>

<p>the second time I scored:
math - 650
reading - 560
writing - 560 (8 essay).</p>

<p>I am hoping that someone will tell me what would be the best way for me to improve my score to get around 1900~2000.</p>

<p>I currently have the blue book (which I didn't really work on much), and I have bought Larry Krieger's 300 Essential Words. I also have the PR book which I've worked through but saw little improvement.</p>

<p>Could someone tell me the best way (or at least someway to improve to near 1900s) for me to study right now?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot in advance!</p>

<p>P.S. I plan to take the October SAT which means I have about two months of time..</p>

<p>I am also planning on retaking the SATs in October and am using the Official SAT Guide. Since the areas you need to work on most is critical reading and writing I recommend first reading through the beginning of the book which gives a few pointers and then completing the practice SAT tests. After I complete each section I go back and see which I got wrong and what the correct answer is (a lot of times you start to realize what you did wrong and notice certain patterns). </p>

<p>I also recommend seeing how you perform answering all of the questions inside of leaving some blank. I noticed a 30 point difference in CR and W by doing this. </p>

<p>For the vocab words I write down all the ones I missed and if they are duplicated in other tests I use a Flashcards app so I can practice on the go.</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply! could you explain more about the “answering all of the questions inside of leaving some blank.” ??
I’m not quite understanding what you meant by that…
Thanks again!</p>

<p>Right before I began practicing for the test I read a blog post that said you are more likely to get a higher score if you answer all the questions regardless if you know if the answer was right or not. The SAT takes 1/4 point of for each answer and the fear of losing points is what causes many students not to answer questions they could have gotten right. </p>

<p>I tested out this theory by answering all the questions I could with the deduction in mind and when I came across a question I would leave blank I underlined what I thought the answer was. Afterwards I graded them separately (applying the 1/4 point deduction to each) leaving me with two different SAT scores. </p>

<p>I noticed that by answering all the questions my score for each would either increase or stay the same, never under</p>

<p>Example of point change:</p>

<p>(based off of reduction/ all)</p>

<p>Critical reading: 710/ 740
Math: 680/ 690
Writing: 660/ 660</p>

<p>Total: 2050/ 2090</p>

<p>I recommend observing the two strategies and deciding which is best. Once I got to the 4th practice test I committed to answering all. Glad to help!!!</p>

<p>p.s the only ones I leave blank now are math questions I have no idea about working out</p>

<p>Sorry wrote inside instead of instead</p>

<p>Ahh I see. Very good strategy when doubtful! Thank you</p>