<p>I’ve been busy/slacking off for the past two months(also struggling with an eating disorder),
so I haven’t been studying for the SAT. Last December I scored really low in CR- a 640! (only missed 3 vocab questions)
I’m retaking on June 1, is two months enough time to increase my score at least 60 points?
What do you suggest for studying preparing? And am I being rational since I only have two months?? I’m really worried…
I already have the Blue Book, PR, Mcgraw Hill, Peterson’s, and the online College Board Course.</p>
<p>p.s. I’m also studying for 4 APs at the same time.</p>
<p>It depends, nobody can tell really.</p>
<p>It certainly is possible. I got a 63 on CR on the psats, and then 760 on the real test in march. I don’t recall actually studying until January. My suggestion, do a bunch of practice tests and nail down a strategy for the passages. Make sure you actually read them thoroughly, dont skim. For the vocab part, I memorized a 200ish word list of common words, and then I also wrote down any word I didnt know that I heard during the day on a huge list, and studied that.</p>
<p>@blehblahbleh I don’t know how to quote so pardon me, but where did you learn that “strategy for the passage”? I got 63 in CR on PSATs too, and I really want to get something higher than 760. I have test in May (and if I don’t get higher than 2250, I will take it in October again). I’ve been practicing SATs from Dec or Jan and I’m getting higher scores for two other sections but not reading. I’m still getting 650, 660, even 620. I think it’s mostly because of the passage, because I only get one or nothing wrong for the vocabs… But I’m a good reader in a real life, I love modern classics and read a lot of great literature for my pastime… I don’t know why I’m getting such low score for CR. Maybe I just don’t have any strategy for it… Thanks!</p>
<p>I think it’s just personal preference. For example, some people like to read all the questions first. What I personally try to do is just jump right into reading and make special note of parts of the passage that could have questions based on them. It’s crucial to force yourself into paying attention and reading thoroughly. I find that its sometimes helpful to read slowly with greater comprehension than to read fast with less comprehension. A significant portion of the questions I can usually answer without even looking back. Make sure you also comprehend a general understanding of the passage as well, since there’s almost always a few questions on that type of stuff. Especially in the 2 passage questions you should try and figure out what the author’s opinion is, and what he/she is expressing because there is almost always a question such as “what would the author of passage 1 say about blankety blank”. Lastly, prove to yourself that the answer you chose is right. Usually inklings are correct, but not always. Try and find specific evidence to support your answer. Consider the question with multiple levels of thinking, but don’t think too much. All of the answers are right there in the passage, and they’re not particularly well hidden either.</p>
<p>Sounds like a good strategy to me! THanks @blehblahbleh I will try that 
@humanities2014 I did many practice tests too and scored similar! It’s so frustrating but somehow it’s supposed to just ‘click’ one day and you’re supposed to find the perfect strategy that’ll work specifically for you…</p>
<p>Also do you guys think I should redo the blue book? Would that be helpful or should I look at other prep books?
I took most of the tests around a year ago so I probably don’t remember any of the answers.</p>
<p>Thanks Bleh, thanks Megan! Yeah, I started to find my strategy, I usually look at the question first really quick and mark what line the questions are based on and just mark it beside the line really quick and start to read… That helped me a lot, because I know when to extra focus. (And also I can go back to the text from the question really quick when I need to)</p>
<p>And Megan, I think if you don’t wanna buy a new book, there are many SAT official prep pdfs on internet you can download for free… (I guess this might be a pirate?)</p>
<p>Yah it does help to mark the lines! But I’m having so much difficulty breaking the 700s it’s so frustrating when are you taking the SAT?</p>
<p>eh I don’t care if it’s legal I’m going to get some tests!</p>
<p>Remember, CR tends to be the most frustrating for some, and others can be naturally good at CR, however, a good way to make your score increase is underlining (which everyone had suggested) and for me, annotating, it definitely helps in terms of digesting the passage (because you have to also endure a 3hr test).</p>
<p>It does not make much sense in redoing the same practice test. Try another book if you have one, or exchange yours with your friends.</p>
<p>Yes, it can be done! I increased from a 630 (ouch) to a 730 in the span of a few months (~3 I think). I barely practiced either. I think it depends mostly on how well you engage with the passages. If you think they are more interesting, they will be easier for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>How do you engage with passages that are on the verge of making you fall asleep? Personally, I don’t like reading passages about politics are scientific breakthroughs/research… how do you make yourself tuned into these passages? is there a trick? Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>@cupcakes, I tell myself that they are really fascinating and that I should be interested hahaha. It seemed to work after a few practice passages! Also, memorize some of the most commonly-used vocab words!</p>
<p>It’s absolutely possible</p>