andy76

In the title, I actually meant not improving much. I am a rising junior and really need help improving my scores.

PSAT sophomore year-128
Critical Reading-45
Math-42
Writing-41

I am currently taking an SAT prep course over the summer.
Before I started the course, I took an SAT the course had. It was an older one that had analogies. There was not a writing part either. So after sophomore year, these are the scores I got on their SAT.

Critical Reading-430
Math-470
900/1600

4 weeks into the course, I took another one.

Critical Reading-480
Math-490
970/1600

As you can see, I am not improving much. I expect my writing score to be around the same area. The homework I get are practice tests. I usually don't time myself, but when I do, I do much worse. Is it better to time myself? In class, the teachers would go over the homework. I do get a lot of answers wrong on my homework, especially in CR.

What can I do? I haven't taken an SAT yet, but I want to score 2,000+. I know that seems crazy with my scores, but I really want to go to NYU. Also, with my scores, what would be the best time to take the SAT? I plan on taking it two times, but I am not sure when to take it. Thanks in advance.

Kyrix1

Please, please, PLEASE don't do the CR portions with analogies. There are tons of practice CR sections out there, and while analogies will help you with vocab, they are worthless in comparison to sentence completion and to guage your skills.

Does your course feel personalized? If not (which it probably isn't) get a blue book if you don't have one and use that. For strategies read xiggi/silverturtle/many other people's guides on each SAT portion.

andy76

I know I am bad with analogies. The homework I get does not have analogies, but on their tests do have them. I think Im going to be taking it 2 or 3 more times with the analogies. I feel like the critical reading score is not as accurate because of it. I am going to buy a blue book soon. Thanks.

RhythmMeleon

definitely use the blue book and make use of its tips. they really help!! practice with a purpose. stick with the text, not with your guts.

andy76

Ok, when should I take the SAT though? Im also going to have two AP exams this junior year and plan on taking 2 or 3 SAT subject tests.

Kyrix1

take it October, or if you feel rushed, later, doesn't really matter. Rather not after January though because then you have AP studying (though 2 shouldn't be too bad).

your prep course, if it gives you tests with analogies, blatantly sucks. no offense meant.

andy76

Its just that if I take it in October, I feel like I am going to score very low seeing my scores now. I planned on taking it around spring Junior year and then in October Senior year, but I'm afraid I'll have too much going on senior year.

I know it does suck haha.

bart2385

I would be wary of some SAT prep courses: From what I've heard ( I don't know if this is even remotely true or not), some prep courses purposely make the curve more difficult than it would be in reality so it seems like you improved more when you take it. Don't worry, keep trucking and you'll get there!

andy76

Well, I think I did better this time because I left some hard answers blank. But thanks!

andy76

Ok thanks. Any other suggestions?