<p>Keep your grades up. Most schools require grades/transcripts from previous years, so try to get As! Also, I recommend studying for the SSAT as much as possible. I got 5 practice booklets, and started learning vocab in the beginning of June. I will advise, though, that you stick with it. What I did is I started studying intensely throughout the summer, then, as the school year started, I neglected my hundreds of notecards, thus reversing most of what I have learned. STICK WITH IT. Vocab was the toughest section for me, so I would suggest making as many notecards as you can and then reviewing them every night. Good luck!</p>