<p>I just started reviewing for the SAT’s and I took the first Practice Test from the Gruber’s SAT Book. I didn’t time it or anything. I just took it normally on my bed (which I think was a mistake)…but I scored very low. I never took SAT’s but on the PSAT I got 60/50/50 on M/CR/W but on this Gruber’s one I got 48/42/40-something</p>
<p>Could it be because they were just stupid mistakes made because I wasn’t at a quiet library? I mean, I didn’t time or take it THAT seriously. And I kept getting interrupted. Should I just take these tests at a library or something?</p>
<p>You should always take practice tests under test conditions (unless it’s completely impossible for some reason), but in this case the problem could be with the book you’re using. I don’t teach from Gruber’s so I don’t know if it tends to be easier or harder than the real thing, but in any case, your next step is to get the College Board Blue Book–the 8 exams by the makers of the actual test–and take those exams instead of the fake ones.</p>
<p>Don’t use fake tests until you’re all out of the real ones.</p>
<p>-Gruber’s Complete SAT
-SAT 2400 by Barron’s
-Maximum SAT
-The Blue Book</p>
<p>So should I just use practice tests from the Blue Book and just strategies and drills from the others? All I used so far is Gruber’s which I really like because it gives you a study plan and stuff.</p>
<p>Should I use the other books for their skills and use it as resources while only taking tests from CollegeBoard?</p>
<p>You should take a test from the Blue Book under test conditions and post your scores from that CB test… try to not give yourself even an extra second on each section because you won’t get that on test day.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to psych yourself up to take the tests under real test conditions, but unless you do that you are fooling yourself. I see very few people that say “Wow, I did a lot better than in the practice tests.” What you see is mostly surprise at not scoring as high as they thought they would. Practice makes perfect, but actual conditions are crucial.</p>
<p>… just take the Blue Book tests … lol why are you so worried about the tests from other books? Most people on this board recommend not taking any other tests besides hte ones created by Collegeboard.</p>
<p>I just want to use the book as much as I can and get my money’s worth. But I guess I’m really better off doing only Collegeboard tests that help.</p>
<p>Since you seem so bent on taking the tests, I personally don’t think it would hurt… I took only PR practice tests, no blue book at all and ended up with a 2280 so i don’t think it HURTS you… I would usggest you don’t jump around too much from book to book for specific sections and stay consistent.</p>
<p>i havenever used any of those books but people say grubers for math, and that barrons is harder than actual tests…</p>
<p>how bout, learn the material from books, then do blue book tests, and if you run out, do some other book tests? dunno how many tests are in BB total but theres no need to go crazy and take every test you own. Save some, also, for if you plan to take SAT again.</p>
But what about the practice tests from other books?</p>