ivyleaguewannabe

My SAT I score goal is 2320. (800 CR, 750 M, 770 W)

My first try, I scored a 1940 (680 CR, 580 M, 680 W), but I think I can do much better. (Please, whatever you do, don't tell me I can't reach my goal! Just give me any suggestions you may have!!)

A) Anyone that got 2300+, can you tell me how you prepared for the SAT?

B) Anyone that scored 750+ on any part of the SAT I, can you tell me how you prepared for that section(s)?

Thanks a lot guys!

ivyleaguewannabe

Anyone??????

Moodrets

Such increase is for the most part unheard of but if some aspect of your first take screwed you over (no studying, illness, etc.) I suppose it's possible. Read a prep book and do some practice tests is the best preparatory advice you could receive, really... along w/ reading complex lit for the vocab sections.


(A/B) I didn't really prepare for it, lol. I'd taken some decent math courses and favored logic games/puzzles as a child (and was always quite good with mental arithmetic) so the math section was a breeze, and I've always had quite the passion for reading, and so have developed skills allowing me to read/absorb info quickly. It has also bolstered my vocabulary quite a bit, thus making CR easy as well.

Rh.

Use the search function.
Read Xiggi's posts on the sticky thread.

ivyleaguewannabe

I scored a 750 on SAT II literature, so I am figuring I can easily top that on the SAT I CR my second time around. I am also a good writer, and I think I can bring the Writing portion up above 750+.

That kind of plays into the score I am wishing for. It is just the math I always struggle with.

ivyleaguewannabe

anybody else????????

Pimeson

You seem a bit too desperate. The time commitment required to do such a feat is hardly worth it. It's just a test. On a side note its generally easier to score higher on an SAT II than it is on the SAT. A 380 point increase is kinda iffy. Seeing as you can only get about 8 problems problems wrong on the whole entire test counting on a 12 essay. I would suggest lowering your goals just a bit.

Ashraf Eassa

I scored a 760CR, 780M, and an 800W up from a 680CR, 710M, and a 650W taken my sophomore year. If you really, REALLY want that 2300, here's what you can do to try to replicate my success (no guarantees, though):

1. take every college board test you can find. That's right, blue book, 10 Real SATS, Q&A, PSATs, etc. And study each and every one of them. Don't just take it to give yourself satisfaction -- use them as learning tools. Once you take a test, you TEAR IT APART. You analyze each answer choice, you FORCE YOURSELF to understand why each wrong answer is wrong and why the correct answer is correct. You don't ask others and you don't post on forums. You figure it out by yourself. Even if one problem takes you an hour to crack, then it's worth it and you've learned something. If someone just tells you, you'll make the same mistake OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

2. you commit to the studying daily. No ********, no cramming, just every day read some strategies and do some problems. Buy up a crapload of workbooks and do practice sets from each section of the test every day that you're not taking a real test. feel free to look at explanations for these -- you're going to torture yourself on the CB tests trying to figure out the answers, so you can have a slight break here.

3. keep your eyes on the prize. If you seem to not be improving, don't give up. KEEP WORKING AT IT! In order to succeed, you must fail. You will get questions wrong, you will feel like an idiot. But that's okay. The idea is that on the real deal, you get them right. On practice materials, getting **** wrong isn't the end of the world, just make sure you NEVER make those same mistakes again.

Yeah, so, it takes a lot to get a 2300, don't think it's just, "oh, let me read a few books and I'll magically get a 2300". There's nothin' in the books that common sense won't teach you. You need to practice and train your mind to solve problems.

To be frank: doing this won't guarantee a 2300, but it will bring you to your maximum. It will allow you to achieve what you're capable of, and if you can go from a 1940 to a 2140 using this method, or even to a 2100, then it'll have been worth it. a 2300's nice, and a 2400's sweeter, but the goal is to just do the best you can.

Good luck.

ADDENDUM: There's no point in aiming for a stupid number like 2320. You must aim for a 2400, even if you don't reach it. If you aim for a 2320, you'll get lower. I didn't aim for a 2340; I aimed for a 2400 and missed it.

ivyleaguewannabe

Thanks everybody for the advice...I really appreciate it.

Ashraf, I will use some of your tips in my studying plan; you have been very helpful, thank you very much.

Ashraf Eassa

I'm glad to help. Feel free to PM me or e-mail me.

ivyleaguewannabe

Ashraf, I was just reading another thread, and I noticed that you used Barrons to study...I have Barron's "How to Prepare for the SAT" also. Would you mind giving me some quick tips on how to use that book to its greatest potential in studying for the SAT?

I hope I am not imposing on you, but you have been a great help!!

blueducky

lol yea don't aim for a 2320, it's both random and won't get you your goal.
i aimed for 2400 and got 2260, not as talented/lucky as ashraf i guess.

ivyleaguewannabe

lol, while I know the 2320, sounds random, there is some reason to it...But you're right.

I think a more realistic goal would be 2200+ (750 CR, 750 W, 700 M). What do you guys think?

Knowing my current SAT score, what would be a realistic scorel for me to work for?

KeepRolling

2100 honestly should be the realistic goal for anyone prepping and currently 1800-2000 range.

ivyleaguewannabe

Here is my list of schools:

Harvard
Yale
Princeton
JHU
Tufts
Boston University
IUP-RECHC
University of Arizona
Arizona State University

Will 2100 really put me in contention for the top 5 schools????