<p>Freshman right now and have always done well on standardized tests (99th percentile, part of Duke TIP), but I''m aiming for a 2300+. I'm probably taking the SAT spring of junior year, so I have time to do whatever I need to for prep. What can I do within the next two years to really well prepare for the test? Is being tutored worth it? Should I get the College Board study guide now? ahhh so many questions! :P
Would also love some advice from personal experience with the SAT!
thanks so much!
nerdygirlyy :)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about it until sophomore year at the earliest… You could begin studying vocabulary if you really want to. I got an 800 using Direct Hits 1 & 2, Essential 300, Sparknotes 250 Hardest Words for vocab.</p>
<p>The main part of your SAT prep should take place 3 to 4 months before your test. That said, if you really want to go for a 2200 on your PSAT to try for National Merit, you can begin 3-4 months before your PSAT. </p>
<p>For math, in the meantime I would focus on raising your level of mathematical maturity. You can do this by struggling with challenging math questions such as those from math competitions, or by trying to learn some advanced math that interests you on your own. This will not have any immediate effect on your SAT math score, but it will increase your potential score. This way when you do begin SAT prep you will achieve a higher maximum score.</p>
<p>If you’re really excited to get started with actual prep I would recommend you keep it light - no more than 10-15 minutes a day, 3 times per week. </p>
<p>One thing you don’t want to do is waste a lot of money on classes and private tutoring before you even know if you need it. See if you have the motivation for self study first.</p>
<p>By the way, I’m not saying that SAT prep classes are a waste of money (I teach them myself). But many students do waste money on it. If you are going to pay a lot of money for prep, make sure that you need it first, that it is not too far away from your test, that you will attend every class, and that you do all the work assigned. Also do your research before signing up for a class. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>For you, the question is a bit more complicated. The College Board is switching to a new SAT in March 2016:
This is from their website:</p>
<p>“We’ve outlined the major changes to the SAT® and how they will affect the
K–12 community.
▸ Students affected: The first administration of the SAT will be in spring
2016. The first cohort of students to primarily take the redesigned SAT will
be the college entering class of 2017. However, some students will take
the current SAT before spring 2016 and then take the redesigned SAT
later.”</p>
<p>Now, I would not recommend someone do both SAT’s, it’s a needless diffusion (to use a word from the current SAT). We will know more about the new SAT tomorrow. They will release actual test questions tomorrow (April 16), so good timing :).</p>
<p>Here’s what I would do:</p>
<p>Take a free full-length official SAT practice test - “official sat practice test 2013-2014” - to see how well you do on the current SAT.</p>
<p>By the time you are done with that, the new questions will be released for the new SAT, then you can see which test is “your” test.</p>
<p>There are other variables in determining this, but if one is clearly more suited to you, then that could affect your decision. For example, if you have an awesome vocabulary (even compared with high schools juniors and seniors), the current SAT is good for you because the new SAT will not use “obstruse” 
vocabulary as often.</p>
<p>Hey nerdygirlyy! Love your go-get-em attitude. I’m curious though, have you tried anything yet? What are you most worried about, or what do you hope to achieve? What’s the obstacle that’s blocking you from going out and studying now - not knowing the best game plan, or something else?</p>