<p>The past 5 weeks I have received scores from 1700 and 1720s on five different SAT tests I took on my own. It is so frustrating to see these numbers over and over again because each time I finish the test I feel like I did so much better. It really feels hopeless when there's no improvement to be seen.</p>
<p>For math, I am absolutely terrible doing the level 4/5 questions. I usually miss all the level 5 math questions. In school I get A's in math, but I just don't understand how to even start on the level 5s. How do I tackle these? I don't even know where to start</p>
<p>For reading, the highest score I received was a 600. It is so aggravating because each time I take the test I honestly think I did 600+. I miss a majority of the more difficult questions on the CR, but I get all of the easier ones. How do I effectively approach the difficult CR questions?</p>
<p>For grammar, well my last grammar score I received was just horrendous....a 530. I bombed so many grammar questions I just thought I should take the ACT instead. I guess for this all I can do is review grammar rules.</p>
<p>If anyone could give me advice on my SAT situation please do</p>
<p>I’m going to be a junior so im going to take the SAT one more time, but the last time I took it my scores were: 800 Math, 720 Reading, 760 writing. </p>
<p>I would recommend you to buy the SAT Blue Book Second Edition, as they have close to real SAT tests AND Princeton Review 11 Tests (10 SAT and 1 PSAT).</p>
<p>Writing/Grammar: There’s around 10 rules that you need to know: <a href=“http://www.slrsd.org/slrhs/dptpages/english/pdf/satgrammar.pdf[/url]”>http://www.slrsd.org/slrhs/dptpages/english/pdf/satgrammar.pdf</a></p>
<p>So what I did was I learned the 10 rules and looked at an example, and memorized all of them. Then I took one practice writing test- make sure you don’t time yourself right now. And on this practice test I tried to explain why my answer was correct for EVERY question; what rule did I use? I would recommend doing this on the Princeton Review book because in the answer explanations they explain what rule they used for every question. Then I compared my answers with the correct ones and my rules with the correct rules, noted every difference, and reviewed every question I got wrong. After around 6-7 tests I was getting 700+ every time.</p>
<p>Reading: I would just recommend that first you memorize all the words. Then after that you should go to the passages and make sure you don’t time yourself in the beginning. While you read the passage(s) underline important information(information indicating how the author feels for tone, any claims he makes, etc.). After you finish that do all the questions at any pace, do NOT guess. If you have to guess reread the passage. After that doing the questions I would summarize the passage(s). Then compare your answers and see where you went wrong.</p>
<p>Math: All I can say is keep practicing. I always was good at math so im not sure if I can give the best advice.</p>
<p>If you want I can give you feedback based on your mistakes. Just pm me the list of mistakes you have made in your practice tests (which book, which test, which section, which questions). I could analyze what patterns appear in your mistakes, explain how to approach the questions you missed and give advise what to do next.</p>
<p>Honestly, the SAT is a lot different than having book smarts. To do well on the SAT, you first have to learn the system. When I took my first SAT practice test, I got a 530 on the verbal section. After a month of hard work with lots of reading and vocabulary memorizing, I improved it to a 650. </p>
<p>For math, get the Blue Book and go over their tips. I always get in the 650-700 range in the math section, and I get B’s and C’s in my math courses (granted, they are AP courses…but still). To be candid with you, the math section is the easiest because it is strictly memorization of formals. There isn’t too much critical thinking on the math section. </p>
<p>For writing, I have no clue how to help you. I always get a 700+ on this section, but I don’t study for it. Writing is the only section that comes naturally to me. I have done proofreading jobs before, so maybe that’s helped me. I’d suggest getting a grammar book - even an elementary school grammar book covers most of the grammar on the SAT.</p>
<p>Usually I get a 2000-2050 on practice tests (I’m a sophomore) with a 1300-1350 CR+M. I’d be willing to go over the answers with you and help you with the questions if you’d p.m. me the details.</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to write that I can help with Math and Reading only. I am not good at explaining grammar.</p>
<p>My sense from your post is that you have significant gaps in the skills that the SAT tests for. Also quite possibly you need help with general SAT test taking. I strongly recommend that you take a SAT preparation class.</p>
<p>If you’re unable to take a formal SAT course, here’s an approach that may work for you.</p>
<p>Taking test after test is unlikely to help. All that is likely to do is reconfirm that your score is in a certain range.</p>
<p>For a while drop the SAT time limit. Focus on one area of the test. Start with your weakest area. Set a reasonable improvement goal – say to go from 550 to 650. Take a test, and identify all questions that you found difficult or unclear. To these add questions for which you got the wrong answer. View these questions as indicators of your knowledge or process gaps. Work hard to understand why you got these wrong or why you needed to guess. Obtain (ideally with the help of a knowledgeable partner) additional examples in your problem areas. Ideally for every “wrong” or “guessed” answer work through several similar problems. No shortcuts. You need to address the gap.</p>
<p>Once you reach your score goal, repeat with your next weakest area. And so on.</p>
<p>Eventually when you reach your first goal take more timed tests, and set your next level goal. Repeat the above process to reach that goal.</p>
<p>Yes it’s hard, and you may only be able to rise one or two rungs up the ladder. But you’re likely to make steady progress.</p>
<p>You might want to read my article titled “Stop Getting Those Last Few Hard SAT Math Questions Wrong.” It should be posted at least once on this forum - just do a search.</p>
<p>I just want to point out a few other things:</p>
<p>(1) You can break a 700 in math without doing any Level 5 problems. This should be your first goal. If you’re still having trouble with Level 4 problems, then you’re just causing unnecessary anxiety for yourself by worrying about Level 5 problems. </p>
<p>(2) Consider each of the 4 subject areas independently. For example, if you are getting all the Level 4 problems in Number Theory correct, then begin working on Level 5 Number Theory problems. If you’re still getting Level 3 Geometry problems wrong, then focus on Level 3 Geometry (and NOT Level 4), etc.</p>
<p>(3) Try solving each problem in up to 4 different ways: (1) Using an SAT specific strategy, (2) the quickest way you can think of, (3) the way you would do it in school, (4) the easiest way you can think of. Learning as amny techniques as possible is much more important than getting a single solution to any one specific problem. After all, you will never see the same problem on 2 different SATs, but the methods used to solve these problems are always identical.</p>
<p>DrSteve, I cannot find the articles you are referring to after doing a search. Have they been deleted by you? The only two threads I have found are: Dr. Steve’s Challenge Questions for an 800 in math and Dr. Steve’s Level 6 SAT Math Problem Thread. </p>
<p>If you could please help with this, that would be great
Cheers</p>