Post your SAT score and how long you studied for it and using what methods.
Me: Took mine for the first time without studying this month, ended up with a 1900: 670 CR, 600 Math, 630 Writing (9 essay)
Trying to get an idea if whether I can study my way up to a 2200 or not
Actually I did study a bit, since I read a guide on here about how to write a good essay.
If I take practice tests how much can I improve? How much did they help you?
My superscore was 2090 (610 R, 800 M, 680 W, 8 essay)
For me:
Reading: did some prep, but could’ve easily prepped more on vocab, oh well.
Math: no prep, but I did a lot of math contests in HS (AMC/AIME etc.)
Writing: reviewed commonly tested grammar rules (most of which I knew) and my score went up 100 pts instantly.
Practice tests can be useful for familiarizing yourself with the format, timing, etc. and can help your score, but taking too many is probably unnecessary.
Praise the sun!
@solaireofastora which essay guide did you use?
Me: 2140 (720 R, 770 M, 650 W, 8 essay)
I did the SAT Question of the Day when I could and downloaded an app called play2prep that had practice questions.
@19soccer this one http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-to-write-a-12-essay-in-just-10-days-p27.html
@MITer94
Do you know where I can find the commonly tested grammar rules?
Praise the sun indeed haha
I used a Princeton Review SAT book which contained a lot of bullet points listing a bunch of grammar rules and examples.
Most every SAT book that has a grammar section should also cover the commonly tested grammar rules. You will probably already know most of them.
@MITer94 thanks!
2240 - 730R, 800M, 710W (8 essay) - last test, the first one was 2070 (690R 780M 600W)
Started preparing in August, took the last test in January.
I am an international, so it was quite hard for me to reach this score. I hope it was worth it and I will get in…
I used a lot of books and practice tests.
For writing - Erica Meltzer’s the ultimate guide to sat grammar is what helped me to raise my writing score by 110
For reading - I tried all books I could find. First, I read princeton review, but I realized that it was not enough, and looked through all the books I could find. A strategy from one book may be good for one person but inefficient for the other, so make sure to try a lot of different approaches (this applies not only to reading).
For math - personally for me, it was awfully easy, even boring (I also did some contests in HS), the worst part was not to make any stupid mistakes in calculations (and to understand the statements correctly), I got 800 only on the 3rd try.
And the Master Key for everything - practice the hell out of them tests.
This is probably not going to help you much. Some people are just really good test takers, and don’t need the prep. if I were you, I’d just study the hell out of your blue book (practice sections!) and then take a full length practice test to see where you stand. Some people just need extra practice.
That being said, I went from a 2140 with essentially no prep, to a 2270 (2300 superscore) after doing a trillion and a half math practice sections.
First time: 2290 (800 CR, 690 M, 800 W)
Preparation: Went over the booklet from my PSAT, took a prep class that basically boiled down to “eliminate answers and then guess!”
Second time: 2330 (800 CR, 750 M, 780 W)
Preparation: Went over math questions online, worked through several practice tests
For math, practice definitely makes perfect. I definitely studied a lot more for the second test, in order to bring my M score up.
2390 (790 CR, arg), did a lot of scattered prep but honestly nothing too meaningful, then a week and a half of really concentrated study this last winter break (12 practice tests, then going over all mistakes). Guess it paid off! 2200 is absolutely possible – let me know if you need any resources, I have plenty.
My son (junior) got 2330 on his first SAT: 760 CR, 800 M, 770 W. He mainly studied the blue book and did about 6-7 practice tests. He consistently got 780-800 in CR and W but only around 700 in M in all of his practice tests. I searched online for helpful SAT math books and found the book, PWN the SAT. Bought the book about 2 weeks before the actual test. He went through about 2/3 of the book, and got the perfect score in M (with a little luck). He said the book really helped him get over the 700 barrier. I highly recommend it.
@Anamgol I will check it out, thanks!
Just commenting so I can follow this thread!
2090 first (660 cr, 690 math, 740 w) jan 2014
2150 second (660 cr, 750 math, 740 w) oct 2014
2280 third (690 cr, 800 m, 790 w) nov 2014
Did elite sat prep, but didnt help at all. Took a nice dump and ate well before the nov test, so that helped. I suck at cr, but I slept at around 2 before each test day. Maybe that brought down my concentration.
2320, used books prepared 30 min a day, took a practice test about once a month.
There are a ton of resources online to study. You’re right to shoot for a 2200 since anything above that makes no difference to any college. I think you can do it. If you do well on essay and extracurricular you have a chance to make it into any college. I advice students as a college admissions consultant. If you give me more info I am happy to chance you.
2380 (800 CR, 780 M, 800 W). I took it 3 times and brought it up from a 2150. I got the reading score on my first attempt without studying so I don’t really have any good advice for that besides the fact that I genuinely enjoy reading books. The writing is really easy once you brush up on common grammatical rules. They test you on the same handful of topics in different ways (subject verb agreement, misplaced modifiers, etc. You can find a full list in many prep books) so just make sure you’re solid on those. The math was my hardest section to improve on (that’s why I ended up taking the test a third time). I used 2 practice books. I really really liked PWN the SAT Math. I also tried to use the Dr. Chung book but the questions were too difficult for the actual SAT questions and there was no explanation for the answers. Some people like that book though so I guess it just depends on you. Try a few out. Other that that, I just did a ton of practice problems from the blue book!
First time: March 2014
780 Cr- 650 M - 780 W (2210)
Second time: November 2014
780 Cr- 670 M - 780 W (2230)
Obviously, math is not my strength.
I did zero prep whatsoever for the first test. I had a math workbook for the second test. From a # wrong standpoint, I did much better on the math the second time- 8 wrong answers versus 3 wrong answers- but the curve was crazy, so I only improved 20 pts. Oh well…at least I’m consistent.