romanigypsyeyes

Have you tried taking the ACT instead? I did bad on the SAT (590 CR/ 630 M/ 630 W) but I did good on the ACT (29 Comp. 28 Eng, 31 M, 33 R, 25 sci). Sometimes people are just better at one than the other.

But other than that yeah I would recommed picking up a prep book. Sometimes people just aren't good with testing. (Which is why I don't like standardized testing but that's a whole nother issue.)

dank08

There are a lot of good schools that don't require the SATs anymore. That said, I improved my score more than 400 points without much studying.

AeroEngineer3141

Eh, no not really. I know plenty of people who have great GPA's and terrible P/SAT scores.

PRACTICE TESTS. No one is exempt from not studying for the SATs, with the exception of a few lucky.

panic

What's to understand? Answer the questions correctly to get a higher score.

Seriously, if you know the material enough to get straight A's, then you should not have a 1470 - unless there is some grade inflation involved.

Pistolen08

haha... this being CC, I thought you were saying 1470/1600 was a bad score until I finished reading the entire post.

StellaNova

Let's be clear: the SAT is NOT a measure of intelligence. It's not enough to be smart - you have to know the test. There are review books that tell you how to spot trick questions, how to budget your time, etc. They say you can't study for the SAT because it's a measure of potential. Don't believe them. Learn the test.

lookingforwhat?

"They say you can't study for the SAT because it's a measure of potential. Don't believe them. Learn the test."

Um...college board publishes a large study book with practice tests and a prep course. They obviously think that the test should be studied for.

panic

The College Board doesn't care one way or another if you study. It's all about the $$$.

I do agree that familiarizing yourself with the test layout can be beneficial. But as far as paying hundreds for a prep course, trying to cram your way to a higher score ... that's a waste.

MysticCrusader

I don't agree that it tests intelligence. One could definitely study for the SAT and do well, just as with grades. The method of studying, however, may play a major role. Testing skills are also very important - I got lots of questions right through guessing tactics.

Gryffon5147

Don't worry. The SAT measures only a certain set of "reasoning skills" which are sorta decent to solve once you get used to the system. Just take some practice tests, read some prep books, and try again...

Mondo

Having too much confidence when taking the SATs can hurt.
It's a timed test and you are bound to make careless errors without checking over.
I got a 800 on Math, but I wouldn't have got that 800 if I didn't look over my test again.
I finished all the sections quickly, ten minutes each, and then did each problem again to make sure I didn't err on anything. I found FOUR ERRORS while doing this! I corrected all of them and got a perfect on the Math.

As for the GPA, what is the difficulty of classes that you are taking?
Also.. what is your score (Math + Critical Reading), no one gives a crap about the Writing section.
There are so many ultra rich people out there who are getting a boost on their SAT score because the Writing section is the easiest to prepare for.. so they can get 1200/2000. Most of these people aren't conscientious about their studies (and normally don't have GPAs as high as yours) and really don't deserve the boost, in my opinion.
I think the Writing section is unfair in that respect and since colleges long to increase economic diversity, they won't care too much about Writing.
Math comes a lot more naturally and Critical Reading can be boosted simply by being an avid reader. There is always a library nearby for which this goal can be accomplished.

If your score is a 1000/1470, that will help you a lot more than a 900/1470.

I ended up with a 1560/2280, but I went in with the mentality that I wasn't going to do well on the test. This made me more vigilant, this kept me on my guard and helped me become more aware of the 'tricks' the SAT has.