<p>I have been doing practice SAT tests every day for the past three weeks. On my tests, I am consistently scoring 700-730 on Writing, 700-800 on Critical Reading, and 700-800 on Math.</p>
<p>My target score on the SAT is 2350+. However, I have yet to do nearly this well on a practice test (my highest score was a 2290). Whenever I do well on one section, I seem to do poorly (low 700's) on the other 2. </p>
<p>To study, I have been reviewing the Barron's 3500 word vocab list and doing practice tests. What can I do to make the push needed to improve my score?</p>
<p>Writing - Review some grammar rules and master the essay. Practice makes perfect to avoid those 3 pesky MC errors. Make sure not to overthink. If it seems like there is “no error,” there probably is no error. Trust your gut feel. That’s what got me from a 730-740 (twice) to an 800 (on the third try). Also, a consistent 10 is essential on the essay. Review sample essays and practice often to ensure this consistency.</p>
<p>CR - See where you’re missing questions (sentence completions vs. passages) and practice those skills/concepts. Read often and do daily vocab practice to ensure maximum retention. Barron’s 3500 is probably enough for vocab, but it’s important that you are remembering the words you study. Use Quizlet or actual flashcards to aid memory. </p>
<p>Math - AVOID CARELESS MISTAKES. Generally speaking, someone who is is the 700s range (occasionally scoring an 800) makes simple mistakes on the easy questions. Either that, or you encounter 1 extremely difficult question in each section. Nevertheless, practice helps: 1) eliminate/minimize simple mistakes and 2) builds experience on the tricky thinking-based questions.</p>
<p>I know that you have already been practicing quite a bit, but there’s really nothing else you can do once you get up into that score range. It’s all within standard deviation, and on any given test day, a person who scores a 2400 could get a 2200 (and vice versa). It is, however, important that you work hard to target the mistakes that can be fixed and are in your reach (ex. avoiding simple mistakes, learning grammar rules, mastering vocab and essay format, etc.). After that, it’s all up to luck.</p>
<p>Hope this helps! Good Luck! :)</p>
<p>A 2200 is about the average of accepted students at every top school in the US. Unless you are not applying this fall, I would recommend working on essays rather than increase your sat score. Increasing from 2200 to 2350 is extremely difficult and requires a bit of luck. Unless you have plenty of time, my advice would be to work on other stuff than this. Remember the SAT is only a part of the application.</p>
<p>I just got a 2390 today! The only thing I changed was slowing down and avoiding careless mistakes. I am entering my junior year, so I still have time to practice. :)</p>
<p>Congrats. Just make sure you maintain your mojo with a little studying most days until you take the real test.</p>
<p>That’s the plan :D</p>