<p>That’s cool .</p>
<p>Just practice. Get a book, get an online program, take a class, it doesn’t necessarily matter. Get a billion problems and do EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. </p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t go for the CB program, especially since they’ve been taking my (parents’) money a lot lately for what I think is a bunch of meaningless garbage. But that’s just my opinion ;)</p>
<p>I did a bunch of PR’s practice tests, flipped through Cracking the SAT, and just barely missed a 2400. The SAT is more of a thinking like the test makers test.</p>
<p>I agree with Eagle.</p>
<p>There is no holy grail…</p>
<p>If they can raise your score by 300, you can do it. Save your parents some money. The intensive practice will also be good preparation for the future.</p>
<p>I like the obviously capitalized words that happen to promote TESTMASTERS “REPUTABLE” company that GUARANTEES a 300 POINT INCREASE. Along with the influx of CC newcomers who are also part of the TESTMASTERS cult…</p>
<p>They’re recruiting pretty hard at my school too.</p>
<p>@Eagle7, I will apply to a few Ivies for the heck of it. Then serious places that I would consider include UofMichigan, Wayne State (positive I’ll get in there, they don’t require the SAT for Canadian students, and my grades are great, that’s why i’m working hard for the SAT, so that my grades don’t look inflated…which they probably are in my crappy curriculum), UTexas, Baylor, some California schools and a couple more Texas ones. I’m really spread out, but it’s because my parents might move to Texas and Cali is near my uncle’s place. Michigan is near other family, I wanna be away from parents but not too far in a new country.</p>
<p>Eagle7, what was your first SAT score? And when did you write the PSAT? i got 183 this year (junior), i did pretty bad…in my practice I got 193. Hopefully, I will follow you pattern of improvement. Plus, let me know your SAT scores that are coming up, sorry if I seem too intrusive, but i wanna get an idea of where self-prep can get me
And how long have you been prepping for?</p>
<p>ViggyRam, I did the PSAT last year (junior) for my second time with the 203…I really started prepping in August 2008, but, of course, I worked hard in the standard school curricula all year…So really, it’s all about using your time of studying for the SAT efficiently. There is no clear-cut course to SAT greatness, but the very prevalent trend is that, well, hard work and lots of practice tests pay off very well in the end…I will be sure to let you know my SAT scores when I get them early tomorrow morning…to be quite honest, they will really decide whether or not I will have a chance at Harvard or Princeton…and just like you, I am applying to Baylor. I have some great ECs, so my scores don’t have to be perfect, but I am really expecting a nearly-perfect writing section and a much better critical reading score…and my math will probably be about the same (680) as last time. I’ll let you know. My initial SAT was 1980 in June, but the day wasn’t the best for testing, because I had a lot going on later that day…and it was hard to concentrate…</p>
<p>@Eagle7, do you live in Texas? And yea, I want my SAT scores to make up for my inability to take APs or such advanced courses at my school. I have decent ECs, not too much since I play the highest level of baseball here, and its so time consuming. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s even worth it as I don’t expect a scholarship to decent DI schools, like i won’t go to a school like Mississippi Valley or something if I get acceptance to a solid school based on academics…pointless, unless I get a great scholarship</p>
<p>I hope you do well on your SAT! I want to go into Medicine, so I heard going to a big name undergrad school isn’t essential as your GPA+MCAT determine your fate lol, but obviously it’d be awesome to go to a school like Harvard. And to be honest, it’d be amazing, since I don’t think anyone from my entire school district has gone to such schools! </p>
<p>For the Writing Section then, you just practiced a lot and got used to picking out the errors? And CR, just practice? or are there any strategies. I think I’m going to just stick to self-prep and if that truly fails, then I’ll use a prep course as a last resort. I’m going to write another practice SAT tomorow, let’s see what I can do with a little advice here and there from this forum</p>
<p>I have one last question, a little off topic. For IDIOMS, does it have to be the same way every time? Like for “AFRAID OF” for example, every time you use afraid ____, does OF have to be in that blank? Like, you can never have “She was afraid to go swimming.” can you? does it have to be “She was afraid OF swimming.”</p>
<p>ViggyRam, I got an 1860 on my first practice test, so don’t be discouraged!
My last practice test before the real exam was around a 2080 (I calculated both scores using the low number of the predicted score range).
I had an SAT tutor, but I’m sure you’ll get similar benefit from the class. For me personally, it helped to have SAT “homework” so that I would feel OBLIGATED to do it/take practice tests. The responsibility factor helped for me, but if you’re extremely motivated/committed and think you can stick to a strict studying schedule without a class/tutor, then don’t spend the money. Personally, I think the money was worth it, and it made a huge difference.
I think having a teacher/tutor to talk you through the material can also help, depending on what type of learner you are. It’s like taking a class versus solely reading a class’s textbook, in my opinion.
Princeton’s grammar section helps quite a bit. It outlines how to structure your essay and list all of the tricky grammar rules (like idioms, which are perfect examples of when “sounds good” will fail you).
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Yep, I’m in the great state of Tejas…
As a veteran of several prep books and over 20 practice tests, here’s the low-down:</p>
<p>The SAT isn’t just a “logic test” as many in the test-prep industry claim it to be:</p>
<p>Writing: Not really based in logic at all. One MUST understand written English and be able to form sentences correctly — based solely on correctness. To become great in CB Writing, you must know grammar and practice catching what you know to be correct.</p>
<p>Math: The most logic-based section. Yet, you must know the basics that are taught in elementary math classes and in beginning algebra (1 mostly) and geometry…the logic plays a large role in the average student’s low score. You must be able to apply very basic concepts to mere puzzles to be successful. The recognition of the concepts - which solve these puzzles - is the key…</p>
<p>Critical Reading: Really no logic involved. 1) You must be a relatively good reader 2) You must either read a lot of real classics or love your dictionary, and 3) You must practice the real sections for timing and accuracy. Begin to understand WHY you get certain question TYPES incorrect…</p>
<p>I am also wishing to go into Medicine…fun stuff. :-)</p>
<p>OK Here Goes: A “superscore” -of my first and second SATs- yields a 2120 (650 CR, 680 M, and 790! W)…all done with self-prep…</p>
<p>hey Eagle7, nice work. I see that self prep can actually work. I’m so motivated now to do amazing on this SAT! By the way, in Texas are the really good schools just Texas and Baylor…for science-related undergrads? I hear Rice is mainly for business and such, plus its expensive for an international student. </p>
<p>Also, for the superscore, do ALL US universities use your superscore? Or do they mostly use your best overall SAT score?</p>
<p>Btw, amazing job on Writing. You destroyed it!</p>
<p>Not sure if it’s been said yet, but what these companies will often do is administer a diagnostic that is much harder than the actual SAT, to bring your score down. That way it is almost guaranteed that you will see a drastic score improvement. With that said, some prep classes that do this are nevertheless very, very helpful.</p>
<p>Monstor, did you take any prep classes? And if so, which one(s)? And how many times have you written the SAT? I’m just curious, cause you 2400 score is soooooo sick! lol, </p>
<p>oh btw, what was ur PSAT score too?</p>
<p>personal opinion: i think these test help classes are all just a waste of money and a huge gimmick for companies exploiting the market.
grab some SAT prep books from your local library (I went through about 12 in my years of studying), sit down with a timer, and just DO the tests. then go back over the problems and figure out what you did wrong. it WILL work, i promise.
my first SAT score was in the 2100s, my second was 2390. and I know i probably just got really lucky, but I’m sure the self-studying part had at least something to do with it.</p>
<p>^nice! man, im so dumb, i should’ve started prepping WAYYY earlier. I plan to write in 4 months, and i’m just starting to prep!</p>
<p>nah, honestly it’s about quality vs. quantity 
I spent like a few years bsing my way through prep books and not really caring… and then got a score I wasn’t happy with, barricaded myself in the library for a week, and then pwned it 
so dun worry! you can has do :)</p>
<p>Pretty much all the liberal arts schools will take the best sections from all tests taken by an individual and count that sum as the considered score…</p>
<p>Baylor and UT are two of the best, but SMU, ACU, Texas Tech, or Rice can definitely get you where you want to go…you are correct about Rice’s cost, though it is considered the Ivy of the South for a reason…If you’re looking to go to med school in Texas, I would suggest going to UT — though it’s not the only good school for preparation - just merely best known for success in getting Texas students into med school (in the state). Baylor really has an amazing campus, and great faculty members (and has to have the fittest student body of nearly any college in the U.S.). Rice has the name recognition…and some good science programs from what I hear, but it’s in Houston, so will have to be the one to make the call as to whether or not you like muggy weather. ----just a Texan’s perspective… </p>
<p>So, if you’re from out of the U.S., why are you so interested in Texas for college? Not that any of the schools you mentioned are bad in the least, but is there a reason you are thinking Texas (I mean, if you’re looking for a politically conservative state, then you’ve found it! …I love politics in Texas) </p>
<p>…And yes, SAT Writing has always been my strong section…I thought that my writing score would be high, but I’m pleasantly surprised…</p>
<p>Yes, I did take a prep course. It was this thing called TestTakers (I think it’s only offered in the Tri-State area) and it was extremely helpful. Is it possible I could have earned a 2400 without it? Certainly but probably not so spontaneously; the course didn’t give me ability that I didn’t already have, but rather brought out my capability. There are certain techniques that flat-out improve scores, and this course taught them well. People exposed to bad SAT prep programs are cynical about them (and yes, probably the majority of these programs are indeed bad) but there are also diamonds in the rough that people ought to be aware of.</p>
<p>This was my first SAT in my junior year, though I took the SAT 2 years ago for a camp program as well. I think of it as a one-and-done sort of thing anyways :). My PSAT score was a 229.</p>
<p>@Eagle7…I am seriously considering Texas school because my parents are likely to move from Canada (i’m in the province of Ontario) to Texas. So, it would be great if I got into a solid Texas university, because I want to be independent in college, but not to the point where I’d have to take a long plane ride just to go home.</p>
<p>Also, you said that Texas gets the most kids into Med school, at least in Texas. What about Baylor’s “Pre-Med” program? I really don’t know a whole lot about these pre-med programs (are they even programs?lol) as in Canada we don’t have any of that. It’s so frustrating here. Everyone says, “Oh, undergrad doesn’t matter, and how do you know you want to be a doctor in a few years and stuff”. So dumb, there’s nothing to promote students who want to go to med school above all else. And which is better for ALL med schools, not just in Texas? Idk much about university reputations and stuff.</p>
<p>So, Baylor has the PreMed program (not talking about the Baylor2Medical Track Program), I don’t believe Texas does. So, you being a Texan, could you give me the inside scoop on which school is easier on the GPA, easier to get involved and related things? I thought the Pre-Med would be the best path to Med School, but is it hard to get a high GPA in those types of programs? And for Med School, i don’t care where I go at all. Whether in California, Maryland, Michigan or where ever. I want to go to the best med school possible that’s within my capabilities, where ever that be</p>
<p>300 points isn’t THAT much. i mean, i went to a program over the summer and i got a 2170 on the sat, up from i think like a 179 on the psat (this was without practice). i think it’s very possible. i don’t see why everyone can’t get a good score on the sat with practice.</p>
<p>i thought i would do a lot better too. =/ that’s why im prepping right now for the jan sat.</p>