<p>Alright guys, I just took the SAT practice test on the college boards website. I am a <em>Sophomore</em>, I’m in all honors/AP classes, and I had no practice before taking this whatsoever. </p>
<p>My Score: 1860</p>
<p>Reading: 560
Math: 640
English: 660</p>
<p>I want to get into colleges like UCB, Northwestern, etc. So comparatively speaking, am I completely screwed, where I should be, or ahead?</p>
<p>Thanks for Your Time</p>
<p>1860 is low for Northwestern but since you had no preparation, you have a lot of room to improve.</p>
<p>If you had done no SAT prep or practice prior to taking the practice test, then you are nowhere near screwed. You have at least a year and a half, maybe two years before you have to take the real test. Your score would probably improve by 100 points right now just from taking the test again.</p>
<p>My advice is to buy the Collegeboard SAT book and start studying. Read the whole thing, highlight any words you don’t know and look them up. Do practice questions and check the answers, make sure you understand why your answers were incorrect. Use practice tests to pinpoint your weak areas and focus on them. Since your reading score was low, you should work on expanding your vocabulary. Try to learn a new SAT-level word every day- you can find lists of them online.</p>
<p>Your practice test score is at the low end of UCB’s range, and Northwestern is a reach. However, that’s only the practice test. Since you are a sophomore, you most likely took the PSAT which is usually a good indicator of your SAT score. You should be receiving your PSAT scores in mid-December.</p>
<p>Again, you have plenty of time. Between now and when you take the test, your scores will improve from the experience and knowledge you gain in your classes. 1860 as a sophomore is great, you’re on the right track!</p>