<p>My daughter recently took a College Board PSAT practice test. She improved 550 pts from her Sophomore test. We did not use xiggi method perse.
What I can recommend.
- Don’t use Princeton Review or Kaplan workbooks. Tests are too easy and scoring table even inflates the score. We used these before Sophomore year resulting in a disaster.
- Read, Read, Read… Vocabulary, Vocabulary, Vocabulary. Need to start this in middle school.
- When you get your Sophomore PSAT results back, put a study plan together. Spend at least 5 hours/week on SAT related stuff to build/strengthen you foundation. It could be reading a book to study vocab to doing extra SAT type problems from various sources.
- Make sure you completed Algebra 2 and Geometry by 10th grade.
- Regarding Workbooks.
CR - Erica Meltzer Critical Reader. Lots of stuff on Erica’s website you can print so you don’t need to buy the book.
Writing - Erica Meltzer Ultimate Guide. Has all the grammar rules you need to know and tactics in attacking writing section. Lots of stuff on her website you can print without buying the book.
Math - Barrons. We also have PWNtheSAT.
Vocab - Direct Hits is best. We used several sources. PR Wordsmart is good also.
Video Instruction - Reason Prep has some good video’s on SAT prep on every type of problem. Pretty good and no cost.</p>
<p>Barrons practice tests are closest to CB albeit the Math section is a little bit harder. Use College Board scoring table to score tests.
Barrons is the best comprehensive workbook with McGraw Hill 2nd.
I have reviewed other workbooks and can comment on those. The list above is the best “in my opinion”.</p>
<p>Bottom Line, your score will improve if you put the time in and don’t cram.<br>
Work on building your foundation. “Test Prep” should only take 8-12 weeks if you worked on your foundation. Test Prep is when you are taking timed tests, checking, study weak areas, rinse/repeat.</p>