<p>Hi there! I’ve taken the SAT once before, back in my junior year of high school. I scored a 2060 (720, 640, 700) but am now 3 years out of high school. I was pursuing a career in a field that essentially requires skipping college, but am now changing paths and will be applying to schools next year. I want to raise my SAT scores in general, but, in particular, in math. I’d love to see a 730, 660, 710, for a total of 2100. My top choice school, McGill, requires scores of 650 in each section to be eligible for a Bachelor’s of Science or Commerce (620 in CR and W and 600 in math for Arts, but I don’t want to limit myself to an Arts degree if possible). Anyway, I have loads of time. I intend to take the SAT in October. I’m naturally pretty good at CR and W; I have quite a good vocabulary, and am a decent writer. In practice tests, I’ve consistently been scoring above a 700 in both the CR and W sections. I’m averaging around a 640 in math now (which is a pleasant surprise given I haven’t taken math in 4 years; didn’t take it senior year of high school). I plan to just use the Collegeboard prep book for CR and W, but would like a more in-depth one for math. I’d like a book with some real concept review and detailed explanations for practice questions, since I haven’t taken math in so long. I’ve heard of Gruber’s and Dr. Chung’s. Which sounds like the best option for me? And do you think my goal of raising each of my scores by 10 points (having not been in school for 3 years) is reasonable?</p>
<p>Very reasonable. In fact, you should aim higher. Gruber’s is good (for math only!) and use the Blue Book for practice. This site is also a great resource; tons of people on here can explain Qs you have trouble with.</p>
<p>Awesome, thanks!! I guess I’m just not trying to get my expectations too high bc I haven’t been in school recently and feel “out of shape”. That said, the Writing section is definitely something that seems quite separate from academic schooling. I’ve been using SATUp (iphone app) to gauge my current scores, and right now, I’m at 700 CR, 660 Math and 710 W. After just a week of casual practice! My new goal is 740, 670, 740, for a total of 2150 
i can do this</p>
<p>Anyway, could anyone provide any insight as to the benefits of taking a course (like the Princeton Review online math course) versus a tutor (probably most effective but SO EXPENSIVE) vs just books. When I originally took the SAT back in HS, I wasn’t in the right mindset and probably didn’t quite give it my all. In that sense, I feel a little extra effort in CR and W can booat my scores, but the math is something I’m legitimately out of practice on, and I feel I could benefit from some interactive help. Maybe I should just look for a non-specialiazed SAT tutor who could just work through some of the problems with me without paying astronomical SAT-tutor rates</p>
<p>If you’re motivated and disciplined, you do not need to spend money on tutoring. There are great materials out there, including some of the stuff on this site.</p>
<p>(I work in SAT prep)</p>
<p>Is there any benefit in taking a math MOOC or a community college course to prepare and get into the swing of things before taking the SAT?</p>
<p>dyiu13 I was certainly considering it. I’m thinking of doing some kind of Algebra course on Coursera and then just really devoting myself to Gruber’s over the next few months. I’ll see where my score is then, and re-evaluate as to whether I feel a real community college course would be of further benefit</p>
<p>THanks for the help!</p>
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<p>YES. You most certainly should take a math class at a community college. While you’re there, visit the teacher during his or her office hours from time to time.</p>
<p>You will have received an entire semester of math “tutoring” except you’d have gotten it from someone who actually has a graduate-level degree in the subject.</p>
<p>It might even be possible to “sit in” on the class at no charge.</p>
<p>Whether you would benefit from a community college class also depends on what you want to do when you get to college. There’s SAT prep math and there’s academic, high school and college-prep math. Those two Venn diagrams have a smaller intersection than you might think. If your college plans don’t include math, statistics, economics, etc, then a traditional math class is not an efficient use of your time. There are many faster resources available. But if you want to be able to do anything mathematical in college, then all the SAT prep in the world isn’t enough. In that case, I would highly recommend a community college course. Community colleges also have counselors who can help you to determine the right course to use as your first step back into the math world.</p>
<p>Gruber’s and Dr. Chung’s are both great. </p>
<p>What’s more important is using EVERYTHING you have to your advantage. I bought Gruber’s Math Workbook and barely touched it. Although I got a decent score in the math section (730), I know I could have gotten a high score if I actually practiced…</p>
<p>I’d go with Kahn Academy over a local community college class. Free and damn good.</p>