<p>When did you guys start studying for SAT? I am a highschool freshman and just wondering when would be good to start studying. And how did you guys study your SAT? Especially SAT words and writing part.</p>
<p>My son got into Harvard (and daughter into her 1st choice - Brown). On my advice, this is what they did: Took a prep course in August between soph. and jr. year, continued doing practice tests through Sept., and took the Oct. SAT's (which are one week before/after PSAT's). They both scored extremely well on all the tests (National merit, etc), and were therefore done with SAT I's. This allowed them to focus on school work and SAT II's during jr. year,(which they spread out during the year, taking one at a time so they could really prepare). All their friends thought they were crazy to do SAT I's so early, but then were jealous when they were done and relieved of all that pressure.</p>
<p>I took a prep course the summer between sophomore and junior year, but it was pretty useless. I did Princeton Review, and it was kind of a waste of money. I think these courses are designed for people who are aiming at 1200 or 1300, not really for people aiming for 1550+ (on the old scale). I took the test in Jan and March of junior year. I did okay on it and got into Harvard.</p>
<p>I didn't study the verbal part at all. I just read a lot, which I happen to like. For math, I prepped two or three days before the test. </p>
<p>I procrastinated a lot when it came to the sats, so my scores arent that reflective of any studying. I think that is really evident in the difference between my verbal and math scores; in verbal, I have been reading for years, which is reflected in my score. However, I didn't prep for math and I had forgotten some of the tricks (it was 4 years below my "math level"). My score definitely shows that. </p>
<p>Different things work for everyone...but I would say take them early so you aren't stressed out your senior year, and don't spend too much time studying. It doesn't look that great as an EC.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>I took a Kaplan course at the beginning of my junior year which continued up until the May SAT. I also took a lot of practice tests from the 10 Real SATs book, which I think really helped. The course, like Suburbian said, isn't really geared towards people who are looking to score in the upper percentiles. If anything, though, it forced me to do the homework and take some of Kaplan's practice tests in an SAT-like setting. I ended up getting a 1600, although I didn't get into Harvard.</p>
<p>I took a practice test the night before...</p>
<p>I got the 10 Real SATs book and did like five of them over the course of a few months (started summer before junior year, continued until I took the test). Took the PSAT for the first time as a junior (I was slightly freaked out, though, and would recommend taking it sophomore year just for peace of mind) and then the SAT in January of my junior year (which was great -- got it over with early, but if I'd screwed up, it would've given me time to prep more). Ended up with a 1600, Nat'l Merit, and Harvard admission...but I think what helped me most was reading a lot on my own and NOT being stressed out! (I hadn't even HEARD of the SAT before freshman year, let alone started studying for it...)</p>