<p>I do think the SAT measures intelligence to a certain degree. That said, some preparation is necessary if you want to do your best. Soph year I took the PSAT with absolutely no prep whatsoever and made a 61 CR, 70 M, 54 W (185 total). The following summer before junior year I went to a prep class that, more than anything, made me very familiar with the test and types of questions on it. I came to develop my personal opinion that the math and writing are the sections that can be studied for very easily and the CR is more luck based (at least for me). Whether I happen to know the vocab words, whether I pick the correct answer from the two choices I’ve narrowed a question down to, whether I really grasp the passages all seem to be a matter of chance. I know there are people who can consistently get 800 in CR, but I’m not that guy, lol.</p>
<p>So after preparing, I took the PSAT again junior year and got a 224 (71 CR, 80 M, 73 W). Took the SAT in May and got a 2280 (680 CR, 800 M, 800 W). Interestingly on the W I got a 9 on my essay and a perfect score on the MC. I think I’m gonna take it again for the heck of it to see if I can bring up the CR; I was disappointed when I found out I somehow missed nine. :< Should be able to do better.</p>
<p>I guess what I’ve learned is that my 185 Soph year with no prep/virtually no knowledge of even what the test covered signified that I did indeed possess the aforementioned “inherent ability” (whatever it is) that the SAT tests and it was just a matter of a little prep to do really well. I know some people who have prepared 5x as much as I have and can’t even reach the ~1850 level I was at as a sophomore. I suppose that’s just the nature of the test though…</p>
<p>woo long post.</p>