You're only a sophomore!

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>On these threads when freshmen and sophomores post about the SAT and whatnot, I always see upperclassmen saying, “Why are you even thinking about that? You’re only a freshman/sophomore!”
I definitely don’t recommend underclassmen to lock themselves in their rooms and study for the SAT every day. However, some of them want to just get a head start, and IMO, more power to them.
I’m a junior now, and I wish I’d taken small steps earlier in my HS career…such as doing the QOTD, learning new vocab, and practicing sections once in a while.
For underclassmen beginning to take steps, you’re not only getting a head start on SAT prep, but you’re also putting yourself in a great position for the PSAT!</p>

<p>How I wish I’d done things freshman and sophomore year-
CR:
Plenty of juniors try and cram new vocab words into their heads before they take the SAT. People who start early can learn vocab at a leisurely pace, and by doing so they can also take the time to learn the words well enough to use them appropriately in their writing. Win-win.
As for the passages, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. My CR skills are strong because of all the reading I’ve done in English, history, science, etc. throughout high school. If you do a lot of reading, your skills will develop as well.
Math:
I’m struggling with it right now. Math has never been my forte. I definitely would have benefited from going through some math problems during my underclassmen years; that way, I would be familiar with different problem types on the SAT.
Writing:
I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I entered HS with a strong foundation in grammar.</p>

<p>I’m only speaking from my experience. By no means am I saying that freshmen and sophomores should do what I suggested. I just felt like sharing my thoughts, and you can take what you will.</p>

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<p>I agree and I’m guilty of saying that, however, I meant to say that the underclassmen shouldn’t be worrying and fretting.</p>

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<p>Thanks :slight_smile: this post means a lot to me because i’m a freshman and i’ve recently gotten a 2080(790M, 670W, 610CR)(on a collegeboard practice test, so I dont kno how much tht counts) and people have really just been telling me not to worry, don’t do so much, blah blah blah, but honestly, i try to learn 20 words a week, review all the words I’ve learned that weekend. I also do a section every other week and practice tests. I’m bad at CR tho, i really am. I’m gonna follow noitaraperp’s guide and see how that helps…andd it looks like i went off on a tangent. But thanks for understanding lol and p.s. i do have a life, regardless of how nerdy i appear :)</p>

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<p>Well I know I wouldn’t trade a higher SAT score for the fun I had fresh and soph year. (I take that back I would sell my soul for a higher score.)</p>

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<p>Fun is a temporary, immature concept that only the weak feel!</p>

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<p>yes I agree… I have a life outside the SAT but as a sophomore with a low score I need to jump on this test like now… not fretting like crazy or anything, just prepping. </p>

<p>thanks for the post.</p>

<p>I wish I started learning words since like middle school. lol. I hate vocab and CR</p>

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<p>I don’t look down on sophomores who start studying for the SAT that early . . . but I think that’s quite a bit of time spent on something that’s very far in their future! I took my SAT prep class during the summer in between sophomore and junior year, but I didn’t do anything SAT-related DURING sophomore year (except for the PSAT, which was helpful in telling me where I was at). But if you have the time and willpower to study for it, go right ahead! Aim for that very high score.</p>

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<p>@ schoolisfun - 2080 is an amazing score as a freshman! what you’re doing sounds great…20 words a week is by no means overkill. i can definitely see you getting 2300+!</p>