I haven’t had much practice with the new 2016 SAT, but I do know that it is what I’ll be taking (plus two SAT subject test) rather than ACT and whatnot. I have taken an SAT/ACT class for 2 years now. I stopped a few months ago, but will start again with a tutor in the coming weeks once I find a good one.
Regardless of what my new tutor may say, how do I self-study with the materials I have? My goal is to get over 1500 and as close to 1600 as possible (obviously).
I have taken the PSAT/NMSQT®, but the results will be available in exactly 1 week. Let me know if you need any more information in order to help me out.
It’s either you use the 4 official CB tests and the SAT material from its partner Khan, or use SAT from various test prep companies that are just recycling CB and Khan questions in a sloppy way.
Then wait for more official CB tests to come out over the year.
As a sophomore, it is a good thing that you are interested in maximizing your scores, early. First of all, my first question is, are you sure you not interested in taking the ACT? What I mean to say is, have you taken practice tests for both the new SAT and the ACT and THEN decided that you won’t be taking the ACT? Or did you assume that you were taking the new SAT because that is what is common. Many times I have seen people discount taking the ACT because the SAT is more common, when their strengths would be put to much better use on the ACT. I’m going to assume that this isn’t the case with you because you say you have been taking a SAT/ACT class for the past two years. Hopefully your class made you take a diagnostic for each and then form a plan of study. Is this true for your class?
Next, you should wait until your PSAT schedules come out to see how much you need to practice and in which topics. Come back on the 6th when scores are released. Then you can form a study plan from there.
Also, did you distinctly want to take the new SAT this year, or are you open to the idea of taking it either this year or next year?
@wanderlustgal I have taken one ACT practice test officially at a center and the PSAT.
After taking the ACT practice test, I knew ACT was what I should do because I liked it more and it was apparently more easy for me personally. Then, I recently took the PSAT for the new 2016 SAT and I liked it even more than the ACT.
PSAT scores will be available on January 7th… should I tell you the score(s) when I can see them?
@crontab I have a DS18 who is in your situation. The best advice, as others have mentioned, is to wait and see how you did on the PSAT. I am having my sons work through the Khan SAT prep online - it’s free so why not? S18 will be taking the March SAT he is scheduled for another proctored practice SAT test on 1/18. We plan to use the PSAT and previous SAT practice test scores to formulate a plan of study.
Right now he is roughly 1/4 through the level four questions on the Khan Sat Prep (there are a lot of questions on level four some sections have 80 questions!) Though ideally he’d have completed the Khan SAT prep by the March test date, he’ll only focus on his weakest areas. He’ll also be taking a class on essay writing for the new SAT. The writing section is my biggest worry since it’s the section that has changed the most.
I’m a big fan of Erica Metzler and she has new books out for the new SAT
I also like PWN the SAT for math but the new version isn’t released yet but is a lot of the new material that will be in the new book is currently available free on the blog. (google for it I can’t post a link to a blog here)
BUT until you know what you are weak in, I’d hold off on making a study plan.
BTW, my kids focus on the PSAT/SAT instead of ACT because of National Merit.
Focus on your classes and learning as much as you can in school. This new SAT is common-core based so it (should) directly relate to whatever your learning. Practice materials are available on CB’s website. And as others have stated, khan academy website is an amazing resource. Don’t stress too much about scores, tbh they don’t matter much in the long-run.
@thetex do you plan to take the PSAT next year for National Merit? The PSAT is in the new SAT style so you might want to do a little prep, at least a practice test in the Fall.
Yeah; I took a practice PSAT and found it to be not too difficult at all (scored a 1470) It’s different from the SAT, but you use many of the same skills.
I’m glad you gave all the tests a chance, definitely let me know your PSAT score when they come out, in PM if you wish. Then you can create a study plan from there!
The book does a good job with the practice exams and it pretty thorough (not perfect) with the material.
Pair that up with Khan Academy and you should be A OK. Save up the practice exams from CollegeBoard for later (when you have studied the material)- they are precious.