I recently took the June SAT with 0 preparation in hopes of getting at least an 1800, so during the summer all I’d have to do is make a 200 point jump. However I scored a 1600, leaving me a in 400 point deficit. Which is really below my standards, not to sound annoying or anything. But what are good ways to study for the SAT without a tutor? I have a few practice exams, and the college board book itself. I know many of you on this site are very well accomplished educationally, so I’m hoping those of you who have made huge jumps in improving their SAT scores on their own can give a way of advice. I’m just looking to study smarter, my goal is to study for the SAT for 3-6 hours a day every day this whole summer. But I’m not quiet sure what to study or what to do to really approach this. I want to start studying this Sunday, which would be 6/28/15. Please any advice is good advice, and back stories are cool too! By the way I’m not sure how my SAT score matches up with a lot of people, can anyone also tell me if its good or bad for someone who hasn’t studied?
Hey! Though I had a tutor for math, I self-studied for CR and Writing. My best advice is to get two books: Erica Meltzer’s SAT Grammar Guide and Critical Reading Guide. These books are far better for the SAT reading/writing portions than Princeton Review or any of the typical SAT companies. By just using these books and studying every day I was able to score really well on these portions. I think the key to self-studying is getting solid books and a solid work ethic. Also, to up your reading abilities, regularly read newspapers and books and stuff like that for critical reading. If you have the discipline you can do it! 
- Buy the blue book.
- Like @shadyconcepts said buy Erica Meltzer's SAT Grammar Guide and Critical Reading Guide
- Buy Direct Hits Vocab (Core and toughest)
- Buy the Online SAT Course for the College Board
For CR: Memorize Vocab and follow the strategies on Erica Meltzer’s Book.
For Writing: Know all the basic grammar rules found on Erica Meltzer’s Book.
For Math: I think just review some basic algebra and geometry concepts.
For the Essay: Write your essays in the 25 minutes, and get people on CC to score them and help you correct them.
I would say read the news a lot and just overall relax. Watch some movies, TV shows, etc. Just do anything that can have a lasting impact on you. Those will be great examples for your essays.
With the Online SAT Course and the Blue Book, you will have 20 SAT tests written by the College Board. Practice with those under real circumstances. Take the full 3-4 hours to do one and time yourself.
Go over wrong questions and see why you got them wrong. Put all your wrong questions into like a handy notebook or something so that you can review it later.
Also look up all the vocab words you didn’t know on the tests. Those kind of words will appear on the actual thing.
TIP for the Essays: ALWAYS write as much as you can while still making sense. On the real SAT, ALWAYS fill up both pages. It will get you a better score.
I filled up both pages, wrote complete garbage, got an 11.
Any more tips just tag me @rdeng2614 and I will respond.
Good luck!
A book for math that has really helped me is The New Math SAT Game Plan by Philip Keller!