@GoBears2023 Hello. As it’s the beginning of the year, I want to master the SAT up to 1500+ score before the upcoming deadlines. For what period of time, in your opinion, I can get that score by working really hard? Probably it’s off topic but, is it better to take more efforts on the SAT than on TOEFL? Also, please, suggest some sources for the beginner who wants to take the SAT and SAT II. Thank you in advance!
I don’t know too much about the TOEFL @beka9mkh . What’s your current score right now? I would say getting 100 points is feasible within 2-3 months. Anything more may take much more time and practice. What type of SATII tests are you planning to take?
@GoBears2023 hm, I took IELTS though, which is alternative to TOEFL and I’ve got 6.5(about 93 in TOEFL). I know it’s quite low mark, I want to retake it soon therefore. As for SAT II, I want to pick up History of the U.S apart from Math II, Critical Reading and Writing. Honestly, I don’t know much about SAT II… But I’ve heard that it’s optional and not many universities request that nowadays. Is this true? Can I just take the SAT itself?
@beka9mkh I would just do the SAT II if you can. Take SAT II Math Lv2 and some type of science. It will carry you much farther than History. I believe you need a score of 100+ on the TOEFL for a lot of the T20s to even consider you. I would focus on the TOEFL / IELTS first before doing the SAT tests.
@GoBears2023 , IDo you recommend below edition SAT book?
https://www.amazon.com/4th-Ultimate-Guide-SAT-Grammar/dp/0997517867
@GoBears2023, For college panda , Which ones from below do you suggest ?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989496422/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
https://www.amazon.com/Nielson-Phu/e/B00DFJ72E0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1549766189&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989496449/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3
I’ve never used the first link you posted in comment #44. However, all of Erica Metlzer’s books are good!
As for comment #45, I used only the first link since my math skills were up to par already. However, I have recommended the college panda math books to others and it does seem to help! Hope this helps!
Can you please send me the link of the Erica Meitzer book that you used? Thanks!
Here are the main three that I used. I think they are the best prep books for the ER&W section!
@GoBears2023 Thanks!?
So nice of you to offer this! I was wondering if you have any tips for dealing with the mental aspect of the SAT? i.e. mental stamina, positive attitude, etc… I find I get nervous just doing practice tests which causes me to make stupid mistakes, hurting me in the long run. Thank you!
Yeah, the SAT is really a mental game. You need to be prepared for the worst :))
Here are some tips to get you prepared 
- Eat breakfast before the test. You’ll need the energy to power through the test
- Sleep early the night before (I recommend about 1-2 hours earlier, anything more than that can make you feel groggy)
- Wake up early. Given that most tests start around 8:15 - 8:30, I usually wake up around 6:30 and do some practice problems to get warmed up.
- During the test, don’t get caught up with one or two problems. Just remember that each question is weighed the same. Rather than wasting time worrying about that one hard problem, you could have finished 4-5 by then.
- If you feel that you aren’t doing good, just remember that you can always do a retake of it (I know that this isnt the best way to think about it, but it worked for me)
- Bring some snacks with you so that you can eat something during the break
@GoBears2023 Thank you so much for getting back to me, I appreciate it and your tips!
I currently have a 1530 (740 English and 790 Math). How can I improve my score? I took the SAT once in August 2018, and during the summer of 2018, I did all 8 Khan Academy Practice Tests. I didn’t see any improvement as my scores only fluctuated in between. For comparison, I got 1480 on the PSAT (720 English, 760 Math) and 36 ACT (36 English, 35 Math, 35 Reading, 36 Science) on my first try by doing a few practice tests during thanksgiving. My writing is pretty solid, as I only got 1 question wrong on writing for SAT but it’s mainly reading. The problem with reading is I can usually eliminate down to 2 answer choices, but after that, I have to guess. The answer choices seem really ambiguous, unlike the ACT where the questions make sense.
I’m so happy that you posted on this forum. I love helping people out!
A 1530 is a great score. I would say take the ACT and see if you can get a 35 or 36 on the test. If not, you should be competitive enough with a 1530. In my opinion, I would devote more time to doing ECs and writing college apps than worrying about your SAT/ACT score. For perspective, a person from my school had a 1520, slightly below yours, get into Harvard and Yale.
@GoBears2023 I got a 36 on the ACT. I think the issue is the SAT reading questions seem very ambiguous to me, and I usually eliminate it down to 2 answer choices, but I have to guess after that. I’ve been studying for a long time, and I did all the practice tests on Khan Academy, with no results. I took it in 8th grade and got a 1480 (730 English and 750 Math), so my reading hasn’t really improved. In contrast, I signed up for the December ACT in October and didn’t do any studying until Thanksgiving Break, when I did 4 practice tests and got a 36. I’m not sure if my way of studying for the SAT is correct. Many of my friends who are in the same grade as me who don’t try that hard in school have gotten better scores than me, so I’m concerned.
If you have a 36 on the ACT, why are you doing the SAT. You know that they only need one of the two scores, right?
Yeah, but the problem is I don’t think I qualified for NMSQ (took in Oct. 2018, index 220 from CA) so if I don’t submit SAT they may think something is wrong with my SAT and I don’t want to share. Also, I didn’t get a 36 on math and I haven’t qualified for AIME so they might think I’m not good at math. I did get a 800 on Math 2, but I don’t know if that proves anything.
@cloudslicer
If admission officers would worry about people’s SATs then they would have had as a requirement to see BOTH scores. But they DO NOT.
Also why do you think that and 800 on Math 2 proves nothing but a high score on SAT math proves something?
You are overthinking.
Helpful thread! Thank you