I know my test scores may be above average and thus seen as high to some, but compared to my GPA and other people with similar GPAs and their test scores, mine are subpar.
I have a 4.0 UW and 5.08 W, but my ACT is a 28 and my SAT is a 1360/1600. I got a 1740 on my PSAT sophomore year and a 1270/1520 on the PSAT this year.
This is really confusing to me, as some of my friends with MUCH lower GPAs than me score MUCH higher on standardized tests (without studying). They claim that I panic and blank out during tests, thus resulting in lower scores, which is somewhat true.
I use the Princeton review books, but they don’t really help me much. Should I just take a BUNCH of practice tests in order to improve? Or should I go to SAT prep classes?
I know a lot of people here rail against prep classes but I would try one if your parents will pay for it.
Your test scores are pretty good but if you want to improve them you need to do something different than you did the last time you took them. You could try the Khan Academy free test prep. I would not just take practice tests without some way to figure out where you can improve. With relatively high scores to start you need to work on specific things and you might need someone to help you figure out what those specific things are.
Barron’s books are great. They overprepare you for the test. I suggest you use those
If you can’t get your scores up, look at some test optional schools. There are some fine schools on this list.
http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional