I am currently a junior. I got a 215 when I took the PSAT this past fall, then got a 1580 on the SAT in October (540 W, 500 CR, 540 M). Needless to say it was a major blow to my confidence and I am seriously panicking because I don’t know what my next move should be. I have tried studying but I am having a hard time managing that on top of school because I’m in 7 AP: Classes and pretty much just wiped out completely. My family is middle class and cannot afford extensive prep, and I’m really confused as to how I scored so low on October’s date. I took 5 BB practice tests and was scoring consistently around 600 in CR, 650 in Math, and around 700 in Writing. I also received my SAT Subject test scores from November and received only a 630 in Bio M and 720 in Spanish W/ Listening. I just feel so defeated with the College Board… I don’t understand how I’m scoring hundreds of points lower than in practice tests and how I bombed the SAT math section. I got a 5 on AP: Calc AB and an A (95.3) in the class. Is there any advice on how to increase your SAT score 300-400 points in a 2-month span, and what practice tests are a more reliable indicator than the blue book. Also has anyone experienced much lower scores than expected… I talked with my guidance counselor and he doesn’t understand how I scored 61st percentile on the SAT which was 200 points lower than my schools average…
oh my goodness that is crazy; try the ACT!! literally give it a legitimate thought; its a lot easier to ace, esp. if you’re a math/science inclined person
Since you are a junior take it again and the ACT with some prep, then go from their good luck.
I think there’s an option where you can pay extra to have your test rescored by hand. I think it sounds like you either bubbled too lightly or mismatched the bubbles to the questions. That used to happen to me if I skipped a question to go back later. I caught it before finishing but it’s easy to do. At least you have time to study and take it a few more times. You can get some free study help on You tube from Kahn Academy.
Try the ACT. If it doesn’t work out, you are a great candidate for test optional schools.
Try the ACT like suggested because it’s more about what you know and less ‘studying’. The science section is really a reading comprehension and graph reading exercise so practice some (but not too much) at home. Find what strategies work for you (like doing the last 10 math questions first or answering science question from the graph without reading the passage). Since you are only a junior you still have plenty of time to get a great score. I wish my son had taken the ACT just once his junior year - he took the SAT three times to no avail and then took the ACT in Sept and Oct with success and still was able to apply early to several top schools. Good luck!
I would pay the extra to have it rescored. That is a pretty huge discrepancy. And the ACT is an excellent suggestion. too.
I agree, I’d get the scores verified with a hand check. If that’s not it, you might do better on the ACT or the new SAT format that is coming out in the Spring.
It’s important to note that the SAT doesn’t measure intelligence, it just assesses how well you can take this specific test. A lot of my students (I’m an SAT prep tutor) are 4.0 students, but have a hard time with the SAT because they’re not familiar with it.
I think you can raise your score 200-300 points using self study, but it will take a lot longer than if you found a really awesome tutor who could meet with you 3-4 times and lay out a strategy for study, so that your study is directed by someone who has experience teaching the test, and you’d only spend about $200 (way worth it for a solid score increase that directly affects your future!)
Look on blogs to see if there are specific tips you can learn to self-direct your study.
The BEST way to increase your score is to PRACTICE. A lot. Full tests. In 2-3 months you should take a practice SAT from a book (or there are some you can print online) every two weeks. The full 4 hours. 
I know, it’s a lot. But it’s the best way to improve your score, and you can see how well you’re improving with each test. By the final practice test before the actual SAT, you should know pretty much what your score will be.
I find the Barons books to be the best for practice tests.
Hey! So here’s my personal input. I started off in October at around a 2010, and I was scared because this is lower than my score in January 2015. Like you, I’m a Junior and I’m currently taking 5 AP courses.
What really helped me was that I would do an SAT section daily no. matter. what. Starting 3 weeks before the exam, I’d start doing homework as SOON as I got home and I’d luckily finish around 9 PM. Then, I would SAT prep until I got tired (around 12 AM). I would make lists of my errors and WHY I got them wrong - whether it was simple mistakes or whether I actually didn’t understand the AKS it was testing.
Well, I saw that as time passed, I generally answered less and less questions wrongly. On the SAT in November, I scored a 2290. All you really need is disciplined practice. You can get this by buying the blue collegeboard SAT book, which I did. There’s also a few online free practice exams that you can utilize as well. Best of luck! You can do it! 
@studyislife How did you get better at the CR? I don’t know why but in practices I’m scoring so much higher than what I got on the real thing I took one today and scored a 2040 (610 CR 690 M 700 W), do you think I just had an off day on my original and my CR will go up over time, or should I get a Kaplan course for 2 sessions?
That sounds like a really bad day more than anything.
Retake it.
A 215 on the PSAT shows that you are not a “bad test taker”. Get a rescore or try the ACT.
I’m sorry for the late reply! Just saw this. But I wouldn’t spend money on Kaplan unless you’re sure it will help you. I and woah 2040 is impressive! I would keep doing practice sections and see where it gets you. But make sure that whenever you get a question wrong that you go over it, and keep track of why you got it wrong, perhaps in a notebook.
Because the practice tests are just for PRACTICE. They are not actual tests.
Do not use Kaplan.
The fact that you scored 200 points higher than your actual SAT score by taking one more practice test should tell you that you can improve much more.
I sat around a 1500 in 8th grade, 1800 in 10th grade, and I basically took 30 practice tests over the summer and consistently scored 2100~2200. I am waiting on my Dec. SAT score.
I would not worry because:
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You are only a junior and have another 13 months to take more standardised tests and all next summer to study:
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There is a whole new SAT starting in March that you can take (as well as ACT) to get your scores up;
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Due to the new SATs, it is likely that top schools will become even more focused on grades, ECs and your essays; and
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See if you like any of the top test optional schools such as Bowdoin, Wake Forest, etc.
Don’t sweat it!