<p>I going to be a Freshman starting fall and I would like to start early and begin preparing for the SAT now. I would mostly like to concentrate on the CR and Writing sections because I didn't score very high there when I took the actual test back in February/March (can't recall exact date). Based on what I've heard, it is a good idea to save that actual practice tests in the Blue Book for Sophomore/Junior year (when you actually need to study for the test). In that case, what book(s) should I start working with now?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It’s great you are preparing at a young age (well freshman…), but really I wouldn’t suggest it? Because you will learn a bunch of stuff this year and it just jumps your score about 400 points (happened to me, I started prepping since 8th, but I never retained anything. After freshman year, my score increased a lot).
So I guess, enjoy this school year will free of prepping and next year you start because then you know most of the math, CR, and writing.</p>
<p>It’s never too early to start prepping for the CR section. In fact, most students struggle with this section because they are not practiced readers. But rather than start with a prep book, I’d work on free vocabulary and reading this year and save the actual questions and strategy prep for the second half of your sophomore year or beginning of your junior year. </p>
<p>For vocab, I posted this yesterday: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1191190-top-400-vocabulary-words.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1191190-top-400-vocabulary-words.html</a>. It should give you a good list to start with. There are also many vocab books available, with Direct Hits being the most recommended on this site.</p>
<p>For reading, the more boring a passage, the better. You should read an article a day from magazines like The New Yorker, The Economist, Current Affairs, Popular Science, etc. Google ‘magazines for SAT reading comprehension,’ and you will find some sites with links. You do not need to read the entire article. Focus on the first 700-800 words, and work on summarizing each paragraph in your head as you read. When you are done, quiz yourself on the main idea and the author’s attitude toward that idea. You can enlist a parent to read the article with you and then talk about it once you both finish. You should also read some 18th and 19th century novels for practice with the fiction portion of the passages. Some of those websites will list previously used authors and novels on SAT tests. Concentrate on the way characters feel about each other or the situation in which they find themselves.</p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>Speaking of the CR section, you should prepare for it by defining every unfamiliar word in your HS textbooks. </p>
<p>That way, you can kill two birds with one stone - you’ll understand your textbooks better - and you’ll be studying for the SAT at the same time! </p>
<p>18th and 19th century novels are great. But try poems too. WWI poems are short but filled with great vocabulary words. Yates, Owen, etc. all wrote great WWI poems that everyone should read. Also read up on Romantic poetry - Keats, Byron, Tennyson, and Shelly are all great poets. Reading poetry is a great alternative to reading full-length novels.</p>
<p>^ u do say that a lot lol</p>
<p>To me, there is no point in studying for or taking the SAT’s this early. Like Dorkyelmo said, you won’t retain much of the stuff you learn now, and if you take it early your score won’t be as good as it can be later on and you’ll just be wasting an SAT attempt whereas if you save it for later, you can up your super score without taking it too many times. If you really want to start now though you can read lots of books, maybe study vocab., and read things like the NY Times.</p>