My current scores, based on practice tests I’ve taken are between 2100 and 2200. I’ve taken 4 so far and they’ve gotten lower, my first score was 2310, to a 2270 to 2090 to 2150 that I took yesterday. I NEED to get at least 2300+ on the December 5 test, and I’ve only got 4 days to improve. I have spent tons of hours doing practice, learning content and reviewing the mistakes. I have made 800 on each section before but never at the same time, and my math score is the worst at always around 700 while my reading and writing fluctuate around. However, when I reviewed the practice test I took yesterday, I found that all of the math questions I missed were due to unorganization/panicking/stupid mistake, such as this one with very meticulous steps that I ran out of room to do work and became very confused but was capable of solving the question after a few attempts. A few others are stupid mistakes that I think are from focus issues. My greatest concern is the essay portion, I really need to score an 11 or 12. My lowest has been a 7 (so far, i haven’t received feedback from my test yesterday yet) and my highest has been a 10. Mostly I have trouble thinking of good examples. Please someone help me tell me how I can get a 2300+ on the test Saturday, I have probably studied 100+ hours in total and definitely feel like it is within my reach…
Urgent help - How can I improve my score by at least 200 points before the December 5 test in 4 days
In terms of actual prep work, there’s probably not a whole lot you can do in 4 days that would yield a significant output.
For math, try to keep work organized (or at the very least, able to be followed through) and legible. Check whether your answers make sense by either plugging them back in or trying special cases etc. I scored 800 on math both times I took the SAT, but still sometimes succumb to stupid mistakes.
Also, find ways to calm your nerves before the test and stay alert. Get a good night’s rest before and eat a healthy breakfast.
A 200 point increase is not a reasonable expectations with just four days of preparation.
@uniqueleaf The only advice I can give you is to be confident. Your nerves are getting the best of you… Check your work. How many times have you taken the real test and what year are you in?
I have only taken the real test once in the seventh grade. I am now in tenth grade and plan to take it in December and January… I need it to apply to a science and math school in my state for Juniors and Seniors.
What’d you get?
@Uniqueleaf How did you end up doing? Do you have any tips for me? I am taking the test in January and am hoping to do 2300+, the first time I tool in Oct the curve was brutal and my nerves got the best of me
@smileydinosaur @laphysica I got a 2310, but I’m retaking in January to try for a 2400 since I think I’ve got a shot. 800 Math, 780 Reading, 730 Writing. For the Essay, I got a 10. Just read a lot of example essays like ones collegeboard has, and either memorize examples or get good at BSing. They follow a very specific structure that if you use, you should be able to do well easily. For Grammar, get Meltzer’s book, it has everything you know for grammar. There are other places that have some good grammar points too, check out “Seven Deadly Screw Ups” for SAT grammar by Sparknotes, also Barron’s has good grammar. I used Barron’s first and later got Meltzer’s book to touch up for the January test. For critical reading, do a lot of practice - make sure you understand your mistake. After a while, I kind of just got hang of the nature of the questions and tricks, and learned how to navigate them. I studied vocab by using quizlet on my phone and I got words from multiple sources, but Direct Hits 1 and 2 are good. For math, I’ve got Steve Warner’s book, and I’ve also got PWN the SAT though I haven’t used it but I heard it’s very good and the book is very thick and thorough. Just practice a lot, you’ll begin to recognize the questions. I wouldn’t recommend using other practices tests that aren’t by Collegeboard, search online for previously issued tests and practice with those. I’ve found tests by Princeton Review are a lot harder than actual SAT tests, and a lot of the questions sometimes have errors or completely don’t make sense. But it helped me a little bit in my early days of preparation. There are some guides on CC I’ve heard to be good so try looking at those.
I got all of my books recommendations from PrepScholar and from researching a lot on CC, and I’m pretty sure they are the best books for prep out there right now.
I also used PrepScholar but it didn’t really help me because by that point I already knew most of what they taught.
As for nerves, I felt 0% nervous since I was sure I was going to do poorly and I had already given up, so I felt safe with having the January test as a back up. But I actually did well. So just pretend you are at home doing a practice test I guess, I’m not really sure how to help much with nervousness.
@Uniqueleaf Congratulations on an amazing score! I’m sure you will do even better in January. Thank you for all the advice, I really hope I do as well as u 