<p>[I recommend people who have taken about 20+ practice tests and the big CR, W, M guides on CC to read this one. If you aspire to get a 2300+ and have not done the 20+ tests-- that should be your first goal. Do the tests in conjunction with reading the big guides here on CC; if you are done and have not gotten a 2300+, refer back here.]</p>
<p>Three months ago, I was one of you: browsing through the threads in the SAT prep forum and trying to find a guide that I could follow to achieve the coveted 2300+ on the SAT. On May 24, 2012 I rejoiced as I saw my score of 760 CR 790 M and 800 W. Although this is not that amazing of a score, I felt like it was a score that reflected the work that I have put in. Now, allow me to give you all some contextual backgrounds. I came to America (from Taiwan) when I was 10, or in 5th grade and did not know ANY English. I was literally laughed at by my classmates for my broken English (not the case any more =p), but I ended up scoring in the top 99% on the SAT language sections in 11th grade, just 7 years after being introduced to the language. My point is that if you're a native English speaker, or even if you grew up in a bilingual family, getting a decent score on the SAT is completely possible. If I did it, you can do it. So by now you are probably wondering how I transformed from, quite frankly, a FOB to an adept reader and writer. Well... There is not a clear answer I can give because everyone is different. However, hard work, persistence, and faith can only work positively towards your goal. I personally did over 50+ tests and was stable at around a 2200+ average score. Please note that as you try increase your score, it becomes exponentially harder as you reach your "plateau". I started out a 1600, slowly worked my way to 2000 by doing tests from the blue book (it was a grind), then as I finished that I tried the 11 tests from Princeton Review (good book with good questions, although some are a bit different from the SAT's) and painfully crawled from 2000 to a 2200. From there I repeatedly tried to raise my 2200 to a 2300, but I was unable to do so despite the fact that I am working harder than before doing every single test that I could find. January came and I took my first SAT, ending up with a 2220 (750 CR 720 M <-- Epic fail 750 W). By this time I was feeling fairly dejected for 2220 is neither high nor low and I was debating whether I want to retake the SAT at all. I had a dream that I cannot remember now but I do recall that dream galvanized me to sign up for the May SAT right away. I figured that 2220 was my plateau and that however much more tests I do, I will not be able to increase my score. Turning to CC for help, I read up on as much as I can regarding SAT prep, but the repetitive pattern of practice, practice, practice, is all I find. So I did things my own way-- if I am not going to improve by doing more tests, I'll just do sections when I feel like them. This method, however lazy it sounded, worked out in my favor. I realized that there comes a point when one has mastered everything needed on the SAT and that doing more tests just becomes an inefficient way of going about improving the score. The key when one reaches this point, is to begin developing test taking skills. I worked on finishing the math quickly (15 minutes max) and using the rest of the time to check what I think are level 4 or 5 questions (usually appear towards the end of each section) and reading key parts of the sentences in the writing section (find the error type questions). I did not do one complete test all the way from January to May, yet in May I was able to feel more comfortable than I had been ever before. </p>
<p>I believe my success depended on my balance between knowing the material and developing test strategies. I realize that everyone will have different strategies, and the important key here is finding what works. Do tests section by section after you have proven yourself mentally capable of handling a whole test, spend time breaking down each question you get wrong and finding strategies that can be employed in the future. Go back to those tests you have taken and figure out the way the questions are devised. Do this without caution more for the tests in the Blue book (as I found they are the most similar to the real SAT tests I have taken) than the tests in the Princeton review. Towards the end of my SAT prep, I can usually tell which questions are "good" and which are "bad". You should develop this sense by doing as many College Board tests as you can. Having this sense means that you have mastered the way College Board makes their questions and will not be surprised on the real test. When you reach your plateau, do not be stubborn and do more tests expecting that your score will go up because the truth is, it probably will not. </p>
<p>Be smart about things and try working on test strategies and skills instead. Just remember, there is never one way to go about getting a 2300+, it all depends on the individual. Perhaps my method will not work for you and you may have to hew your own path-- what fun is in preparing for the SAT if everyone can just have a checklist that guarantees a 2300+? Now that I am done with the SAT, I can say that it has been the journey, and not the destination that I remember. When I think of my score now, I remember all those countless hours I have put in for this goal. And in retrospect, I would say the time and effort were well expended on my part for the results I have gotten. Try different things, work hard, and find or invent a method. As long as you do those things efficiently when preparing for the SAT, it is my staunch belief that a 2300+ will be yours. I, a person who had most likely worked with the English language shorter than most readers here, and a person who started out at 1600, can accomplish a 2350-- so my question is, why not you?</p>