<p>I'm taking the SAT this fall because it's required to apply for a competitive prep school I want to go to. They only allow certain dates to take the SAT so I can't take it before or after those dates and it be accepted. I was wondering where I should start studying? I recently bought Barrons, DH 1&2, and Princeton Review. I also have a friend who is letting me have the BB and my sister owns the Barron's 2400. Should I really take time to go through Barron's, Barrons 2400, and Princeton's? I've heard a lot about the BB being essential so I know I'm going to go through that as well as DH. I just couldn't decide which book to buy, either Barron's or Princeton Review, so I just bought both. They're used so it wasn't all bad. I just don't want to over study or rarely study. My sister's a senior in high school and took the SAT twice. She got scores around the 1500s. She studied but I don't think she did it diligently. The SAT scares me because the scores that I get might not be good enough. The other question is, when should I start studying and how? Do I just start going through the books or what? If I mess up the first time I take it, how long should I wait to take it again? They allow to take it numerous times but it has to be within the dates they accept (of which are during the fall up to January). I really want to get 2,000+. I've never taken the PSAT, my school offered it but not to my grade. They let the juniors take it and I'm only a freshman. Ahh, this is so stressing.</p>
<p>Since you are a freshman, you have plenty of time. You may start the preparation anytime. However, some of the Math may not be covered by your past curriculum yet. You may feel frustrated in that area. It is a good time to brush up your vocab though. Any of these books focus on the skill in taking the test rather than the materials itself. You may just start with any one to get a feel on the style and format of the test for now. They would be more useful around 6 months before the real test. My DD ran out of practice test around the time she took the real test. She went through almost every single ones (around 7-8 books and over 20 practice tests) and they are all available in our local public library.</p>
<p>Oh, that’s another thing. I’m scared that I’ve forgotten Alg 1 and Geometry. I took Alg 1 in 7th and Geo in 8th. Alg 2 the 1st sem of this year and Pre-Cal now. I’ll remember things as I learn it but then forget until it gets freshened up. I’ll be in AP Calc and along with AP Stat next school year. It really scared that I’ll forget all the maths required in the SAT. As for being a freshmen, you apply for the prep school in your sophomore year so I don’t think I have plenty of time. Again, I have to take it on the set dates they’re allowing their applicants to. So, going through all the books aren’t that bad?</p>
<p>If it is within 6 months, go through as many practice test as you can. I don’t think one will forget the math skill so easily. It will refresh your memory while going through the practice tests. You are very advance in math skill. You should do great in the Math section in SAT. You may want to spend more time in the CR and writing in the preparation.</p>
<p>Alright, thank you so much! Writing and CR is something I definitely need to work on. One question, are the scores the practice tests give you accurate?</p>
<p>The scores from the practice is for estimation only. So you should at least take several practice tests (preferably from different sources) and average. The real test is based on curves. So the same number of mistakes may give you a different score in different test. Nevertheless, they are usually within 20-30 points in each section (or around 80 points off combined).</p>
<p>It’s never too soon to study for anything.</p>
<p>Yeah. My daughters started working on the SAT vocab list from 6th grade. It is not necessary for the test, but also for their general reading skills.</p>