<p>I'm just curious as to when you began preparing, how you prepared, etc. I'm talking specifically to those who just studied at home as I can not afford an SAT or ACT prep class (plus I've heard they are a waste)</p>
<p>what books did you use?
what was your score?
what helped you the most?</p>
<p>sorry if someone has recently asked this question already, but I was just curious (as I said above)</p>
<p>I started like maybe...two months before the test. The month before the test, I did a whole ton of practice tests. I used BB, Kaplan 12 tests, Barrons How to Prep for SAT...maybe others, can't remember. I was just shy of a 2200 when I took the test, but then I was a sophomore back then. Practice and getting familiar with the test help the most.</p>
<p>I am going to be a sophomore when school starts up again and i've been studying a little. Usually about 2-3 hours per week. I'm not studying too much since I'm only a sophomore and still have my junior and senior year left to take it.</p>
<p>I'm using the Blue Book and Rocket Review. At the moment im only studying for the writing and CR section because i've yet to take geometry so i'm screwed on that section at the moment lol. I'm going to study for it next summer vacation before my junior year.</p>
<p>My study session goes over two days. On the first, I take a practice test from CB. On the second, I...</p>
<p>Evaluate my practice test
Do math problems
Study the 6 score essays provided by CB
Study RR's grammar rules
Study Grammatix's Writing Section
Study RR's vocab list
Read The Economist or Scientific American (I'm interested in both subjects, so this is my way of winding down in a constructive manner) </p>
<ul>
<li><p>The practice test takes 2 - 3.5 hours to complete (1 minute breaks; it's my way of increasing psychological stamina). I nap immediately after the test.</p></li>
<li><p>The second day takes 3 - 5 hours to complete, depending on how well I did on the practice test. Both days take place at the library. </p></li>
<li><p>I have a one day break in between sessions, all sessions start at 8:30 in the morning. I take a few days off whenever I feel like it, so I don't run myself into the ground.</p></li>
<li><p>I scored a 2035 (median of the CB score range) on my first practice test. After four practice tests, I increased it by almost 100 points. My math section is rising at a steady rate, but the CR and WR sections are pretty random.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Between the first time I took the SAT and the second time (about a month in between) I studied about an hour everyday, on average. For math I used the barrons book and did all the practice questions. To study for the writing I used the McGraw Hill book and read over essays in the BB and by the way the McGraw Hill book sucked. I barely saw improvement in my writing score and I spent a lot of time trying to improve it. For the critical reading all I did was study some vocab flashcards.
I went from an 1850 to a 1940, so I guess that's not too shabby for only a month in between testing.
This summer I've been studying for intensely and taking more practice tests. All the barrons books are pretty good.</p>
<p>thanks guys... this was really helpful! has anyone tried the reading method (i mean reading as in fiction) to improve their scores? Has it worked?</p>
<p>what books did you use? None.
what was your score? 2300.
what helped you the most? I actually DIDN'T stress out about this test like it seems everyone on CC did. I felt like I was under no pressure when I went in, and I feel like that really did help me. After, I felt like if I HAD studied, I would have only wasted my time. Also.. I didn't get my "8 hours of sleep" or eat breakfast.. Although I did bring lots of food to snack on during breaks! That always helps! :]</p>
<p>WEll you were doing something right to get that score (other than being chill : D) . Did you read a lot? What math level class were you in?</p>