Part #3: My Journey from Below 2000 to 2350

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>This is my 3rd part of my posts, if you want to see my earlier ones that are here</p>

<p>Part #2: My Journey from Below 2000 to 2350
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/944210-part-2-my-journey-below-2000-2350-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/944210-part-2-my-journey-below-2000-2350-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Part #1
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/942894-my-journey-below-2000-2350-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/942894-my-journey-below-2000-2350-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>To briefly recap, when I first began studying I took a Princeton Review course and I studied rather sporadically (meaning I didn’t have a strict schedule or plan), and I felt that because I didn’t have a schedule it really hurt. </p>

<p>Near the end of my studying, here was part of the schedule I following (I hope this helps some out there):</p>

<p>I tended to take a lot of practice tests throughout the week, but no matter what happened I would always make sure to take 1 full practice test every weekend as if it were the actual exam. What I mean by this is the test would be timed, I would tell my family that I couldn’t be disturbed, and I acted as if there were a proctor in the room (I took breaks and I made sure not to go over time.) I think this really helped me focus because I actually took the test as if it were real, and I saw my score progress over time. I normally took the exam on a Sunday. </p>

<p>Looking back, I now recommend to my friends that they only take a full practice test once every week (this is controversial to some). I want to be sure to clarify what I mean by this. What I mean is that you should practice a lot of SAT questions, and specific material throughout the week, but I would take a break on Saturday and then take a full, official exam on Sunday as if it were the real test. This is different than some people who take 5-6 full exams every week. The problem that I see with this is that a lot of people just taking practice tests and barely reviewing their answers and why they got certain questions wrong. I think when people don’t take the practice tests seriously then they use their time inefficiently. </p>

<p>A lot of people want to take full tests all the time, but looking back, I almost think it’s like training for a marathon. You don’t practice for the marathon by running full marathon runs every day; you switch up your practices. By focusing on 1 very important day a week, and taking practice SAT questions and reviewing specific sections leading up to that day, you’ll receive an even higher score. </p>

<p>I am 100% for taking practice SAT questions, but now I am more a supporter for spending 1 day on practice questions of a certain section, and really focusing on that section and how one can improve their score.</p>

<p>I hope to hear everyone’s thoughts.</p>

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<p>@ivytune: I completely agree with you. I am one of those people who take 5-6 full tests, and you are right- it doesn’t help that much, which is why I’m switching gears a little bit. Thanks for these helpful posts!</p>

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<p>Ivytune, how many sections do you recommend per day (the days when before the day you take the official timed practice test)?</p>

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<p>you are right in that point</p>

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<p>Quote:
violin player:
Ivytune, how many sections do you recommend per day (the days when before the day you take the official timed practice test)? </p>

<p>I would also like to know the answer to this question.</p>

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<p>Maybe I should probably rephrase it. I do all the subjects per day but not all the sections like it’s a practice test. How many sections do you recommend?</p>

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<p>Hi Violinplayer,</p>

<p>My answer somewhat depends on how you are currently doing. So for example, if you are doing significantly worse on one section, then focus several days on just that section, not any others. </p>

<p>You’ll begin to see a pattern about certain questions that you don’t understand and certain concepts; and take time to review them (either online or through study material.)</p>

<p>In general I wouldn’t recommend reviewing all of the subjects every day, primarily because there is so much information that it is hard to comprehend all of it as effectively.</p>