Advice for SAT prep?

I'm looking at the College Board website, and having taken the PSAT (practice SAT test) last fall, it gives a prediction of what my actual SAT score might be. This predicted overall score is a range of possible scores, so at the high end I could get an 1890 out of 2400. Erg. I know the math portion is my biggest problem - I just don't get it that stuff. Can someone who's taken this test give any advice or suggest SAT prep books, especially for math?

I'm not worried about the writing part - 98th percentile there. Critical reading is right behind with 92nd. But math is 48th. I'm going to start reading the dictionary like it's a flippin' novel. Doing National Novel Writing Month this November should help my writing skills. But there's always that horrid math section. I can study all the English prep books Barnes & Noble has to offer, but that algebra will forever be my crutch.

Competition is fierce, and I am the perfect perfectionist (haha). I need to get at least a 2100-2300 on this test to even be considered by colleges because my GPA is nothing to snort at. I've still got several months to prepare for this thing. Is there anything else I can do, short of camping out in study hall?

Thanks so much - I know this sounds petty because 1890 isn't totally awful (and that's projected, not actual), but this really means a lot to me.

To prepare for the SAT and the ACT tests, I went to www.collegeboard.com and at the top it has an SAT button, if you click on it, it has sample questions you can do, or there's also a free full practice test you can take. It helped me get a 26 on the ACT.

Ok. Ready for a wall of text? I have a lot to say about the SATs. Basically, the math section is built like an obstacle course. There are ways that you can learn to avoid the most common traps. Length is one of them (rushing over the easy questions to try to finish the test, when you get as many points for answering an easy question as a hard one). Another common technique is to have a complicated question that looks like it needs a lot of algebra to solve, when you can plug in the answers. I would recommend practicing as much as possible, obviously, and with a test prep book/class. Kaplan and Princeton review and those classes do teach you how to do the math, but they also teach you to go through the questions, starting with choice C, and plug in/eyeball/guestimate to see if you can answer the questions without really doing the problem. It really works because what the tests are testing is both a) your math skills, built up over high school and b) your test taking skills, and basic familiarity with the SAT format. You can improve the first, but you can also improve the second, and that tends to raise your score. It also helps to memorize certain formulas and numbers from high school trig-- the sides of each triangle. The square root of 2=1.4. That kind of thing which you can use to plug in and save time. Another thing, finally is familiarize yourself with the questions and see what they are asking. Are they asking for the probability of something happening, or NOT happening? The area of the circle or the square around it? So much gets buried in the wording. Circle the trick questions on the page, just to remind yourself. These kinds of questions have a very high wrong response rate.

I would recommend getting a test prep book from a local bookstore or public library and if it's really high on your priorities to raise your score, then signing up for a course. That way there will be regularly assigned homework and an incentive to study all the time. I've googled low cost college prep services, which some students that I know are eligible for and have found really good: http://www.letsgetready.org/Resource...gePrepServices. Some branches may be better than others.

The final thing to remember is it's a marathon not a sprint, so keep at it! It can be frustrating to study so much but there are ways you can make it a routine and something enjoyable, and man it feels good to see a higher score. Good luck & happy studying.

If you have up to precalc you should be fine. At my school most kids in Algebra 2/Precalc got SAT prep during class. Ask one of your math teachers to prepare you.

Also, take it twice: once in May and once in October/November. I'd also recommend taking the ACTs once. Only do Subject Tests if you need them. And 1800-1900 is honestly enough to get you into a great college (unless you're going Ivy), especially if your extracurriculars are good as well.

Thanks so much guys

LYIB...wow! Thanks for all the information - I never would have known the test taking strategies otherwise. Sometimes when I'm taking regular tests at school, I catch the right answer to a previous question somewhere later in the test. I always find these - there's at least a couple. Kind of reminds me of that.

I wish I could take a class...I looked up the prices for Princeton Review and they start at around $3,000 Really? Give me a break.

I only have taken classes up to algebra ll. It'll kill me if I have to go any further. I barely squeaked by this year with a D+ in that class. Next I would be taking trig/precalc, but I'm not going to. No sense putting myself through that hell of a course just to raise my overall score a couple points, because chances are I won't remember a bit of material from the class. My schedule doesn't have room for it - I take classes at two schools:

Regular Gen-Ed high school
Art lll
Advanced biology
Gov't/Econ

Arts and Sciences Academy
Language Arts
hopefully another visual art class, if not then probably journalism or creative writing.

I know these special classes might seem trivial when I could be taking courses to improve my lacking math and sciences skills, but I'm willing to sacrifice those so that I can study English at a special school....I've pined after Interlochen for years!

Anyways, sorry for the long ramble. I'm also going to take the ACT, yes...this coming March I believe.

I'm not trying to get into Harvard...but American University would be insane! Ok, so that probably won't happen with my GPA, but can't one dream?

More than likely I'll stick to a state university...perhaps equally unlikely, but what about the University of Michigan? I live about two hours from Ann Arbor so it wouldn't be such a big change of scenery.

My first choice is Michigan State. Not quite so unlikely as UofM. I want to double major in psychology and journalism. Can I do that?

Thanks for all your help, everyone...I know I'm being stubborn, but I'm in my 3rd year of art now and it means the world to me to be able to take these classes. I'll do better in a subject I enjoy.

Hi Indie,
I would go to the library or bookstore and pick up the study texts from the Princeton review that are for the SAT. They will have books that are specifically for learning the math skills (and the special tricks that go along with them). But also get a book that covers the writing section just to go over it.

Here is a link to the Barnes and Noble list of books when you put in Princeton Reveiw and SAT: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/prin...sat?store=book

These books cover the same material as is given in the class. Also as someone else mentioned check out the ETS test website and go through their practice tests there as they are the only ones that will have actual past test questions as they do not allow other companies to use the questions.

Make sure that you have a schedule to study and stick to it. It is easy to put it off and try and cram at the end. That will be very hard for these types of tests. The general test book will give you a lot of good information at the beginning of it on what to expect when you take the test and what to do to get ready.

Good luck!

Thanks Googley I went to the library and got Kaplan's, Princton Review's, and some book about writing skills. They look promising.

Indie-
I just saw your status. You are NOT annoying.

(((((Googley))))) Thank you

Yeesh...taking the practice tests makes me feel like an idiot...or worse - a bad writer. I took a three hour long online test and got 51% of the questions right. Boo...

Of course I don't expect myself to know them, but wouldn't I know at least a little bit more? I want to get in the 99th percentile for reading and writing, not in the 70s or 80s, for crying out loud.

Stupid stupid stupid

Yes I know this sounds petty, but please understand - I feel like I have to succeed at this...I have to make it. "Making it" in my mind translates to being better than most. Better than 99% of test-takers, to be exact.

((((((((((Indie)))))))))))

Remember to breathe. You are just starting to study. Just as you wouldn't expect to ace a test in class without studying for an exam, don't expect to ace this test without studying for it. While it might seem that this is all information you should already know, these tests are meant to be studied for, the test writers expect that. Part of what they are testing for is how well you can study for the exam. Not the same way that you would study for an exam for class, but that you can put in the time and effort to learn how to pass THIS specific exam. That is how they are written. When you read through the books you got from the library it will explain how they write the tests and how they put answers in that will look right but not be right. The books will help you see these answers and avoid them. Don't be hard on yourself. You still have time to study. And whatever you get on the test is okay. I know what it is like to be a perfectionist and need to be the best. But try to remember that however you do is okay.

Thanks Googley I know, I am such a perfectionist. It a hard thing to control.

Here's what I'm planning on doing - I've been keeping these two options in mind for a while, but never really know which I'd rather do. I want to major in psychology, minor in journalism. I'm being realistic here. Sure, I'd LOVE to spend my days in literary abandon, pounding out poetry and novels and getting paid for them. I'd love to be a Sylvia Plath. But I'm not. I'm not that good. So here's what I'm thinking, realistically. Maybe, somewhere, with a blessing from God, I can get into science writing. Like the kind of work you see in Psychology Today. I think it sounds fantastic. Of course, my self-doubt and motivation issues forever loom above me, but why not give it a shot? I'm not really into the common interest type of journalism, such as writing for local papers or news stations. I want to focus on psychology. And since you don't actually need to major in journalism to become one, I can save that spot for something I'd much rather study. I took psych last year in sophomore year and loved it.

I wish I had the personality and patience and all the other desirable traits required of a good therapist. I'm not putting down the practice, but I personally would make a horrible therapist. I'd be like my old T - deciding to up and switch jobs one day. I can't do that to people. So I'll save that job for those who can do it well.

I'm feeling good about this - hope the interest sticks. I don't want to abandon my writing career (duh) or my love of psychology (bigger duh). So why not combine the two, make a wish, and hope for the best? I'm looking at a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Okay, I probably can't offer much regarding the current SAT, having taken it eons ago. But reading how you describe yourself, I can SO identify: strong in the Lang. Arts, and weak in Math. Plus, I really always had test phobia. A kind teacher gave me a study guide for the SAT when I was in high school, after I performed so miserably on the ACT (due to anxiety). So, yes, the study guide questions helped in just knowing the kind of questions to expect, particularly in Math. And...I don't think you'll have a problem with the reading and writing parts. The main thing the study books did for me with the SAT, and with numerous standardized tests since then (of which I've also acquired the study books), was to prepare myself mentally in a way that allows pacing and NOT panicing! Taking deep breaths and focusing rather than feeling overwhelmed.

Others here have given you even better advice. I want to know how you are doing with this!
Patty

So I didn't completely read all of the posts I couldn't focus so if I repeat some stuff I apologize. On the SATs there are some math questions that you write in numbers, if you answer these incorrectly you do not lose points so always try to answer these if they won't take you to long. Don't guess on the others unless you have a good educated guess because you lose 1/4th a point, also don't spend a lot of time on one question (you've probably heard those two before). To practice review your algebra 2 and geometry, that's all I needed on the test, I maybe used pre-calc/ trig on one question...For reading make sure you completely understand the text before answering the questions. And for the sentences you have to correct go with what sounds best (that's generally the correct answer) but it helps to know basic grammar rules. I honestly didn't study to much (oooops....) because my AP history test was the day before and my AP english test was the Wednesday after so I was focusing on them. I found that some of the AP english studying did help me on the SATs/ ACTs so if you wanted to glance at one or two practice multiple choice sections for them it wouldn't hurt. Umm...I think thats it...hope it helps.