coquone

Hi all,

I took the SAT on June 2nd, 2012. I had done a lot of studying prior and I expect I earned around a 2300. However, my scores are still "not yet available." According to CB, there was enough of a difference between my score on the March 2010 SAT (1850) and my score this time around that they flagged my results.

For this type of delay, is there an expected or typical amount of waiting time, or does it fluctuate? Is there anything I can do to get my scores back more quickly?

Thanks.

astults13

Over 2 years later and they flag your results?

RexT95

On the june 26th the full score report with the detailed breakdown will be released so maybe your scores will be available then. On the bright side I increased 390 points from 1830 on the december test to 2220 and didn't get flagged so you probably went up 400+ points and could have very well gotten a 2300+

coquone

astults13: I explained this to a representative, but she said the flagging system does not take into account the time difference between when you tested. I didn't mention that my PSAT scores probably would have provided sufficient data against flagging (219 in 2010 and 207 in 2011), because evidently their system doesn't check against PSAT scores.

RexT95: Another representative told me over the phone that they flag your results if you increase by 200 or more points in either Math or Reading, OR if you increase by 350 or more in Math and Reading combined. Your 390 increase likely takes into account Writing, if what she said is true.

RexT95

Ah ok, that makes sense because I increased 140 in reading, 90 in math, and 160 in writing so it was spread out even enough to where I didn't raise any flags. Well hopefully you got your 2300 and scores come out soon for you

coquone

I called about two days ago, and after being redirected a couple of times, I was able to find out that "they" are just starting to review my score. The rep was also able to tell me my "unofficial" scores:

770 M
770 CR
800 W
for a total of 2340.

I'm not sure how I got 800 W and 770 M -- I feel it should be the other way around. Maybe she made a mistake when she read my scores to me. I'd still like to see the info available online. It's too bad they don't take the difference in time between testing into account, because this kind of wait (3 weeks now) could potentially cut into a student's summer/study schedule if he wanted to make a decision to study and retake the test off of his scores.

beckkkahhhx3

WOW, what a big increase, congrats! May I ask how long you studied? What resources did you use to study?

coquone

@beckkkahhhx3: Thanks! I used both the new and the old versions of the Blue Book, silverturtle's guide, the Direct Hits book pair (2011 edition), and various popular CR guides posted on these forums. I spread my studying out over the two years between my two sittings. After I took it in March of 2010, I studied somewhat intensely (vocab, practice, going over wrong answers) over the summer of 2010, which is how I got a 219 on the PSAT in October. I did little studying between then and about February of 2012. Then, I began to review my vocab and do weekly/twice-weekly practice sections, scrutinizing my answers, especially for CR and W (my original breakdown in 2010 was 700 M, 610 W, and 540 CR). After AP exams, I was doing about a practice section a night, and then in the week or two weeks before the test, I bumped it up to two a night and focused almost exclusively on CR.

JokeJoke

Sorry to hear that your score is flagged lol. I think it is reasonable for CB to do sp because you made such implausible improvements. . . Congratz on such high score!! 540 CR --> 770 CR? HOW"D YOU DO THAT. That's really really impressive. My Cr score is currently at 550 ish as well. Obviously, you have been there. The feeling of sucking at comprehending the passage and answer the questions. Clueless and hopeless in finding the answer from the passage. Also unable to complete the questions on time. How did you improve from 540-770? Can you tell me your ways? Did you do billions of prax? Did you read novels? Did you read NYT/WS/Time/CNN ? I'm not concerning about the vocabulary part right now, just how do you get better at the reading comprehension part? Thanks!

coquone

@JokeJoke: Practice and review your answers. I've heard people say you should review all the questions you do, but I got a lot of out reviewing the questions I got wrong and the questions I had to guess on/was unsure of. Since the Blue Books don't provide explanations for their answers, you're left to figure out why you got them wrong. And it always comes down to looking more closely at the passages, since all the answers are drawn from them.

Memorize vocabulary. Reading will help to an extent, but if you're able to speak and read English fluently, I don't think spending a lot of time reading novels or classics will help. It takes a lot more time and is a lot less direct than practicing and reviewing.

Also, I found some of the SparkNotes online guides (for W and CR) helpful.

JokeJoke

@coquone: Thanks! I'll just stick to continuous practicing then!!!
How much time did you dedicate yourself in front of SAT in the past 2 years?

BTW, blue book does have explanation: collegeboard.com/satstudyguide

coquone

@JokeJoke: I can't put a number of hours on it, but I'd estimate I spent at least some time every day for about 3 months (not consecutive) preparing.

MrSimpleSimple

bravo thats pretty good. it'll be sent before apps are due. they'd be sue-able if they didnt send it to you by then.

coquone

Sometime between last night and this morning, it was finally decided that I did not cheat, and my scores were published online. I did, in fact, receive 800 W, 770 M, and 770 CR. Woo! It took them a month (plus the initial wait of three weeks), but that's okay, considering my scores.

StraferKev

^That's an amazing score, especially in Critical Reading! Congrats!^