[Advice] SAT

[pole15]

Ok - I'm taking this little test in a few weeks and I know I'll do do well, but I was just wondering if any of you have tips that would be useful. I've read a bit on the thing and done the PSAT this year and last (sophmore and junior), but if any of you guys have serious, first hand advice - it'd be great.

Any comparisons to the PSAT would be useful - all my friends did better on the SAT then the PSAT so maybe my score will go up a bit (I want at least a 2250 by the way).

I did search but there were no advice threads - again, this is a serious thread and if you don't have a useful comment then please don't post.

[Riot]

If you have the chance I would definitely take a College Board certified prep class. It helps so much. There are so many tricky things/easy ways to figure out the more complicated problems that only a class like that shows. Seriously, it helps a lot.

I personally did better on the SAT, but I took it 3 days before the PSAT and basically slept through the PSATs ('cause I'm only a sophomore, I have nothing to lose or gain by the PSATs, other than practice). I really could not tell much of a difference between the two tests, but apparently the PSATs are easier.

If you have any more specific questions that would probably be easier for me to answer. I started taking the SATs in like.. 7th grade or something, I have a lot of experience.

[THALAX]

I found a lot of it fairly easy. I took it in 7th grade for some special program, and actually made a decent grade on the english portion. It is pretty easy to figure out the questions on these multiple question tests without really knowing the subject. The only portion I had trouble with, was the writing portion. Imo they didn't give enough time.

[CtLaxin]

your taking it March 10? if you are I am also. Ill tell you some things I learned from my class

Essay-
Use various examples like use something from a book, your own life, then something in the news. Something like that and try not two use the same book for two of your explainations

For the other ones, do not attempt all the questions. The questions rank from easiest to most difficult so if you dont know the hard ones, leave it blank. try to attempt all the easy ranked questions

Check if you can eliminate answer possibilities and if you get down to two or three, you should guess (on the easy questions)

Let me just tell you that a 2250 is very very hard and a score like that can get you into Ivy League schools. But good luck and if I think of more stuff ill write it down

[raykessler]

take some practice tests, DON'T GO IN BLIND WITHOUT HAVING TAKEN ONE.

Bring food, you will get hungry and you will need energy. I literally felt like i had run a marathon after taking the SAT.

[Riot]

Let me just tell you that a 2250 is very very hard and a score like that can get you into Ivy League schools. But good luck and if I think of more stuff ill write it down
Eh, a 2400 alone won't get you into an Ivy League school.

[EastCoastSurf]

i actually didnt take a practice test and i did ok on mine. i brought food and water but didnt eat or drink until the end really. i got a 1630, not to bad, not to good.

my advice is if your second guessing yourself on a question, skip it.. forget about it and move on.. go back to it later on.

[pole15]

Let me just tell you that a 2250 is very very hard and a score like that can get you into Ivy League schools.

I don't want to go to an Ivy League school - more like a top tier liberal arts school, who don't place as much emphasis on test scores but still like to see them quite high. I know 2250 is a good score but I'm pretty gifted so... you know.

LaxMiddie32 - I know what you mean... I got one wrong on the math section on the PSAT and I looked back to see what it was and it was a 'hard question' that I got wrong because I totally didn't even examine the chart in detail.

raykessler - I actually have two SAT books that have practice tests, and I have two PSAT's under my belt so I know I won't be shocked about the format.

[CtLaxin]

Eh, a 2400 alone won't get you into an Ivy League school.

uh no. Theres a great amount of people who have gotten into Dartmouth, UPenn, Columbia, and Cornell with under 2400. People just hear Ivy and think you need to be perfect when in actuality thats just Yale, Harvard, Brown, and Princeton. Theres more ivy league schools besides those

[Riot]

uh no. Theres a great amount of people who have gotten into Dartmouth, UPenn, Columbia, and Cornell with under 2400. People just hear Ivy and think you need to be perfect when in actuality thats just Yale, Harvard, Brown, and Princeton. Theres more ivy league schools besides those
I'm saying if you only have a 2400 and no other impressing qualities you're not going to get in. Anything from between a 2200-2400 is going to be looked at basically the same, because at that point, a lot of it comes down to luck.

[CtLaxin]

you can have a 1400 sat and still get into those schools

[pole15]

I'm saying if you only have a 2400 and no other impressing qualities you're not going to get in. Anything from between a 2200-2400 is going to be looked at basically the same, because at that point, a lot of it comes down to luck.

Yep.

4.0, #1, President French Honors Society, President French Club, National Honors Society, 1460 SAT, Model UN, Vice President Orchestra - deferred from Princeton and Harvard.

Another case - 4.0, 1600, and rejected by Harvard.

Those schools are very competitive. Everyone who applies is 3.75+, top ten percent class, 1400+ SAT, and the president of some club or varsity sport.

[livin4lax09]

take it twice.

[pole15]

I guess if you didnt already realize cheating is a bad idea, you have no idea how easy it is to tell from sitting in the front of the room.

Haha - do I come off as the kid that would cheat? Besides the obvious moral reasons not to, cheating would probably lower my score.

[pole15]

take it twice.

Yeah - I get my March scores back before the end of the June test application deadline - so if I don't get around a 2250 then I'll probably take it again.

[rizzini]

oof 2250, thats gonna be tough. i took it for the first time last month and got a 1580 without doing any studying or prep. (im a junior) i plan on taking it two more times and hopefully ill get at least 1800 combined.

[EastCoastSurf]

oof 2250, thats gonna be tough. i took it for the first time last month and got a 1580 without doing any studying or prep. (im a junior) i plan on taking it two more times and hopefully ill get at least 1800 combined.

my plans exactly.

[nd_lacrosse]

do not, by any means go to study with your girlfriend the day and night before (my mistake the first time i took it), because you wont get anything done. you become distracted very easily.
also, do not go out to a party the night before you take it (my mistake the second time i took it), falling asleep durring the test is never helpful.

take lots of practice tests, you can buy a massive book with every SAT ever written.

[Conanmonis]

Yeah - I get my March scores back before the end of the June test application deadline - so if I don't get around a 2250 then I'll probably take it again.
actually i think you should take it three times. All three scores won't have anything to do with each other. However, i don't advise you take it more than three times because then they average out your scores which you don't want. Correct me if im wrong

edit: make sure you have a good dinner and breakfast. Nothing is worse than feeling lightheaded during a test

[Riot]

actually i think you should take it three times. All three scores won't have anything to do with each other. However, i don't advise you take it more than three times because then they average out your scores which you don't want. Correct me if im wrong
They don't average your test scores.

[Conanmonis]

o i thought they do that once you take the SATS more than 3 times, i guess i was wrong

[raaaay29]

That is a really high score. Unless you are a child prodigy, I wouldn't expect that sort of a score. However, if you have a good day and an easy test, breaking 2000 is not hard. If you are set on that score, realize that it might take you a couple times to achieve it, not having dealt with the test before.

The test is much longer than the PSAT so don't get frustrated when you look at the clock. Skip problems you don't know, mark them, and come back if you can because it is better to skip one than get it wrong. Get a book or something on one of the subjects you aren't fluent in, for me, this was the math section. The first time I took the SAT, my math score was a 590, when I studied up, I went back and got a 670.

I got a 2030 but then again, I had some tutoring and help. Maybe our advice is the next best thing? Good luck.

[The Laxer]

actually i think you should take it three times. All three scores won\'t have anything to do with each other. However, i don\'t advise you take it more than three times because then they average out your scores which you don\'t want. Correct me if im wrong

edit: make sure you have a good dinner and breakfast. Nothing is worse than feeling lightheaded during a test
They take the highest out of all of teh times you take it EX:
1st time M: 420 R:560 W:740
2nd time M:560 R: 670 W:560

then when they look at you they will see you as having 560 670 and 740. Taking more than 2 will make you look like a doosh and tehy dont like that since you look like a doosh.


IMO I took the old SAT in 7&8th grades and the PSAT this year. PSAT is easy, although I skipped 2 in the math and got a 73 (=to 730 on SAT) and they penialize you like a mofo for the first 200 or so points (also no essay on PSAT)



From what I hear the lazy essay graders only read the 1st and last paragraphs on most essays (they can grade more and get more money that way). If anything make a nice beginning and conclusion b/c that is probably where they are going to read (and that should introduce all of your ideas in it anyways).


Dont sweat it. If your good at lax just get a lax scholarship to the Ivys.

[raaaay29]

They take the highest out of all of teh times you take it EX:
1st time M: 420 R:560 W:740
2nd time M:560 R: 670 W:560

then when they look at you they will see you as having 560 670 and 740. Taking more than 2 will make you look like a doosh and tehy dont like that since you look like a doosh.


IMO I took the old SAT in 7&8th grades and the PSAT this year. PSAT is easy, although I skipped 2 in the math and got a 73 (=to 730 on SAT) and they penialize you like a mofo for the first 200 or so points (also no essay on PSAT)



From what I hear the lazy essay graders only read the 1st and last paragraphs on most essays (they can grade more and get more money that way). If anything make a nice beginning and conclusion b/c that is probably where they are going to read (and that should introduce all of your ideas in it anyways).


Dont sweat it. If your good at lax just get a lax scholarship to the Ivys.


Some schools take combined SAT scores. As in they take your highest scores from all tests. Thats pretty legit.

[LameR]

You're setting your sights WAY too high with a 2250, especially considering it's your first time. That's a score the vast majority of the America can only dream of, and to hope for that on your first attempt is likely setting yourself up for disappointment.

[Lax101]

That is a really high score. Unless you are a child prodigy, I wouldn't expect that sort of a score. However, if you have a good day and an easy test, breaking 2000 is not hard. If you are set on that score, realize that it might take you a couple times to achieve it, not having dealt with the test before.
You are not a child prodigy if you get a 2250. pole15 is perfectly fine to aim for a score like that.

You're setting your sights WAY too high with a 2250, especially considering it's your first time. That's a score the vast majority of the America can only dream of, and to hope for that on your first attempt is likely setting yourself up for disappointment.
I aimed for that score in that area and I hit it, because I prepared well. Took a prep. course, did a full SAT practice test once a week leading up the big day. A 2250 is somewhere in the top 3-4% of the country, which is yes, a high percentage, but not impossible. And not many people will take the essays numerous times. Aiming for a 2250 on your first practice test is ridiculous. But given that you should only take the test twice, maybe three times at the very most, it's not a great idea to aim too low past your target score.

Look at TLF's population of 23,000 right now. Technically speaking, roughly 700 of us would get that score or higher.

They take the highest out of all of teh times you take it EX:
1st time M: 420 R:560 W:740
2nd time M:560 R: 670 W:560

then when they look at you they will see you as having 560 670 and 740. Taking more than 2 will make you look like a doosh and tehy dont like that since you look like a doosh.
That's not necessarily true. A lot of schools are rumored to do it, but few schools, especially the ones pole15 is aiming at, would publically say they go by that system. Some average the scores, some take your best scores in each section, some look at your first score only, etc.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I work the SATs sometimes for easy money, you learn lots from doing it. Especially because I had to fix the problems the teachers couldnt figure out.

1) One of the most common problems is kids that cant finish the test and either dont have enough food in them, have to go to the bathroom and cant wait, or fall asleep.

2) Dont come to class without a picture ID, the passport, pencils with lead, calculator with enough battery, etc. It isnt pretty when you dont have one of these things.

3) I would think this goes without saying, dont have your phone even on during the test. Once again, not pretty.

Just dont take any chances and make sure you get everything that might be a problem worked out beforehand. Ive had to deal with more than one pissed off kid because he screwed up one of these things...

I guess thats pretty much it.... I guess if you didnt already realize cheating is a bad idea, you have no idea how easy it is to tell from sitting in the front of the room.
I agree with all of your advice, but a side note which pissed me off a lot when I took them: They didn't let me use a mechanical pencil, so I had to use a normal one.

uh no. Theres a great amount of people who have gotten into Dartmouth, UPenn, Columbia, and Cornell with under 2400. People just hear Ivy and think you need to be perfect when in actuality thats just Yale, Harvard, Brown, and Princeton. Theres more ivy league schools besides those
That's so ridiculously off I don't know where to start.

Yeah, you don't need a perfect score, but don't expect getting into an Ivy League school with a 1400 unless you're an athlete on a full ride (as seen in your next post). Also, the general conception is that a 2400 isn't necessary for an Ivy League school-but a very high score is a basic prerequisite unless you have some unconventional attribute that will get you in otherwise.

And I don't know where you get off categorizing the Ivy League schools into two divisions of academic standards. Dartmouth, UPenn, Columbia, and Cornell are all ranked ahead of Brown on the US News and World Report College Rankings (not a perfect science, I admit, but it's a barometer at least). And no, you do not need to be perfect to get into Yale, Harvard, Brown, and Princeton either. In fact, you contradict your point when you say a 2400 isn't necessary, since you just said a 2400 is only necessary for this "upper echelon" of Ivy League schools.

For the most selective schools like Harvard (9% or so acceptance rate), colleges will actually look for more of an unconventional attribute that will make them want to have you as a student there-a world class violinist, olympic swimmer, world renowned Irish step dancer, etc-not the perfect SAT score.

Pole15, a few pointers:

-A few people have called you unrealistic for aiming for such a high score. Personally, I don't think that's a horrible thing to aim for, given the schools you want to go to. However, have you been scoring in the 2250 range? I found that I scored pretty damn close to what I had been getting on practice tests.

-Take a full test at least once a week up until the big day. The SAT isn't a test that measures intelligence-it really is all about practicing. The people who practice more get better scores. It's really that simple.

-When you take the tests, pay close attention to pacing. On the real test, odds are your pacing will be worse because of your nerves.

-Memorize your grammar rules. Given the essay section and grammar section of the test, it is quite easy to get a high score. The scoring range for getting an 800 for writing is unbelievable, due to the overlap between the essay and writing. That being said, you should have no excuse for not getting an essay score above a 10 (have you been getting your essays graded?)

-Quick writing tip: Strong introduction, concise conclusion, minimal (but SOME) analysis needed in any essay. Longer is almost always better, and that is definitely a fact.

-Bring a granola bar and a banana to the test. I am not joking. Bananas are high in potassium which acts as a muscle relaxer. I was getting quite nervous during the test, but midway through I had half a banana and it really helped.

[nmlaxer]

i agree with lax 101 about practicing. The more you take the SAT the less intimidating it feels and you get a better feel for the test and you begin to figure all of the tricks. My friend got about 2300 (he also got a 212 on the psat), and the way he got his score so high was by buying a bunch of sat books and just ripping through them. Practice makes perfect.

[raaaay29]

Either people are lying, or I should feel bad that I got a mere 2030. What's all this talk about 2200s and 2300s. I mean sure I know people with them but is that what all you guys are really getting?

[Lax101]

Either people are lying, or I should feel bad that I got a mere 2030. What's all this talk about 2200s and 2300s. I mean sure I know people with them but is that what all you guys are really getting?
Only one person so far has admitted to getting a score in that range. pole15 is aiming for it, that's it. Just because you got a 2030 doesn't mean a number of people on TLF are aiming for a higher score or is unrealistic in doing so.

[Longpole5435]

Either people are lying, or I should feel bad that I got a mere 2030. What's all this talk about 2200s and 2300s. I mean sure I know people with them but is that what all you guys are really getting?
2030 is a very good SAT score.

Personally, I'm shooting for a 2100 or better. I got a 2010 on PSAT's after having got about 7 hours of sleep, definetly not as much as I plan on for the SAT's. I too am taking them in March and June, and hopefully I will have a great score to show colleges over the summer during the recruiting process.


Good luck to a fellow pole! :imparied:

[pantherLax]

No, dont take it three times. You can if you can do better, but its better not to take it more than twice.

On the reading, dont read the passage first. Read the questions that are about a specific line, and read the paragraph that the line is in. You save a lot of time that way

[pole15]

That is a really high score. Unless you are a child prodigy, I wouldn't expect that sort of a score. However, if you have a good day and an easy test, breaking 2000 is not hard. If you are set on that score, realize that it might take you a couple times to achieve it, not having dealt with the test before.

The test is much longer than the PSAT so don't get frustrated when you look at the clock. Skip problems you don't know, mark them, and come back if you can because it is better to skip one than get it wrong. Get a book or something on one of the subjects you aren't fluent in, for me, this was the math section. The first time I took the SAT, my math score was a 590, when I studied up, I went back and got a 670.

I got a 2030 but then again, I had some tutoring and help. Maybe our advice is the next best thing? Good luck.

You're setting your sights WAY too high with a 2250, especially considering it's your first time. That's a score the vast majority of the America can only dream of, and to hope for that on your first attempt is likely setting yourself up for disappointment.

Guys - I realize 2250 is a good score, but I know that I can do it. I got a 2130 on the PSAT when I was a sophmore and went in cold turkey without any practice or knowledge of the test, and a 2280 on the PSAT as a junior without any other practie then the sophmore test. Many of the people I know have done better on the SAT than the PSAT. Sorry if I sound a bit pretentious but I'm a smart kid - all the SAT practice in the world can't make you naturally intelligent... something I've got on my side.

-A few people have called you unrealistic for aiming for such a high score. Personally, I don't think that's a horrible thing to aim for, given the schools you want to go to. However, have you been scoring in the 2250 range? I found that I scored pretty damn close to what I had been getting on practice tests.

Thank you - I'm only going to go out once this weekend and take some practice tests the rest of the time. These are the schools I want to go to by the way, I never did mention Ivy League:

Amherst College
Bard College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Columbia University
Emerson College
Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts
Hamilton College
Hampshire College
Haverford College
Macalester College
New York University
Sarah Lawrence College
Skidmore College
Swarthmore College
Vassar College
Wesleyan University

Amherst, Haverford, and Swarthmore are all ranked top 20 'Hardest to Get Into' by The Princeton Review... they're the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation - but not known as well as the Ivies.

-Memorize your grammar rules. Given the essay section and grammar section of the test, it is quite easy to get a high score. The scoring range for getting an 800 for writing is unbelievable, due to the overlap between the essay and writing. That being said, you should have no excuse for not getting an essay score above a 10 (have you been getting your essays graded?)

Haha - the grammar rules were pounded into me by my (excellent, shall I add) tenth grade english teacher. Essays, check - covered them this year. I got a 760 on the PSAT writing section so I'm confident about that.

-Bring a granola bar and a banana to the test. I am not joking. Bananas are high in potassium which acts as a muscle relaxer. I was getting quite nervous during the test, but midway through I had half a banana and it really helped.

I'll have to find something else with potassium because I'm not a big fan of the banana - though I'm all for granola. Breakfast, snacks, and a good nights rest will definitely be covered.

[lslaxer]

Amherst College
Bard College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Columbia University
Emerson College
Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts
Hamilton College
Hampshire College
Haverford College
Macalester College
New York University
Sarah Lawrence College
Skidmore College
Swarthmore College
Vassar College
Wesleyan University


That seems like a great list, my cousin actually recently got into swarthmore EDII, and I'm just curious to why Williams isn't on your list when it's very similar to Amherst.

[pole15]

I know about Williams College - it's generally regarded as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation, and one of the most selective.

The one main problem that I have with it is that it really isn't near any major culture center like NYC, Boston, or Philly. A large city has so much to offer. That's why Macalester (Twin Cities), Emerson (Boston), The New School (NYC) are at the top of my list. Don't get me wrong, Bard, Skidmore, and Vassar are in the middle of nowhere too - it's a choice I'm going to have to make.

Also - Williams is extremely hard to get into, I don't think I have a great shot... it's a little homogeneous and kills its students with work too.

[pantherLax]

PSAT is out of 240 no?

[lslaxer]

PSAT is out of 240 no?
yeah but sometimes people don't count the writing section because colleges don't consider as highly as the other two, so they would say their score out of 1600

[CtLaxin]

when i said 1400 pole, I meant out of 1600 not 2400

[Longpole5435]

yeah but sometimes people don't count the writing section because colleges don't consider as highly as the other two, so they would say their score out of 1600
The PSAT isn't considered in the college application process, so your statement doesn't really make sense.

The PSAT is out of 240, though multiply by ten and you have your equivalent SAT score.

PSAT scores can be misleading in that there is no essay on them. Thus, writing an essay on the SAT can be easier for some or harder for others, causing differences from their PSAT score.

[lslaxer]

The PSAT isn't considered in the college application process, so your statement doesn't really make sense.

The PSAT is out of 240, though multiply by ten and you have your equivalent SAT score.

PSAT scores can be misleading in that there is no essay on them. Thus, writing an essay on the SAT can be easier for some or harder for others, causing differences from their PSAT score.
Ok, well I was referring more to both because I thought that they had the same scoring system, both out of 240 or 2400 however you want to say it, it's just psat doesn't have an essay.

[WestSideLa X eR]

Cold hard advice? Go into the test without any preconceptions. I know kids that got 2300's on their practice tests and ended up with 2100's on the real thing. Just because you got a high score without any practice doesn't mean you'll do just as well on the real thing.

Study hard, keep it real and you'll do well. Oh, and don't take a prep course or anything. Its a waste of time. I spent 60 bucks on two practice test books and ended up with a 34 ACT which is around a 2250 on the SAT. Its def. do-able.

[pantherLax]

WestSide, where do you go to college?

[Riot]

That's not necessarily true. A lot of schools are rumored to do it, but few schools, especially the ones pole15 is aiming at, would publically say they go by that system. Some average the scores, some take your best scores in each section, some look at your first score only, etc.
I've always heard it was pretty much either your top score, most recent score, or if you've taken it a lot, they'll look at the amount you've improved throughout the years. Is that wrong? You probably know a lot more about it than I do.

Haha - the grammar rules were pounded into me by my (excellent, shall I add) tenth grade english teacher. Essays, check - covered them this year. I got a 760 on the PSAT writing section so I'm confident about that.
You're lucky. I'd kill for an English teacher willing to rip apart my essays and tell me exactly what I'm doing wrong, or how I could improve. I would even settle for some basic grammar.. I don't even think my current English teacher reads my essays.
The PSAT isn't considered in the college application process, so your statement doesn't really make sense. Meh, national merit scholar is pretty much a must.

[pole15]

Meh, national merit scholar is pretty much a must.

It's good to have but not a must.

[faceofflax15]

I've always heard it was pretty much either your top score, most recent score, or if you've taken it a lot, they'll look at the amount you've improved throughout the years. Is that wrong? You probably know a lot more about it than I do.


You're lucky. I'd kill for an English teacher willing to rip apart my essays and tell me exactly what I'm doing wrong, or how I could improve. I would even settle for some basic grammar.. I don't even think my current English teacher reads my essays.
Meh, national merit scholar is pretty much a must.
Can you explain national merit scholar to me, because most of my teachers don't know too much about it and this is the time of the year the guidance counsleors are going absolutely crazy.

And I have a teacher who would/will rip apart my essays, even grade unfairly and poorly due to my political beliefs. I can honestly say my essays have improved because of her though.
Shes a terrible teacher, but she makes me be able to try and keep my mind open [even though she doesn't], so I can write a paper from her point of view for higher credit. Man, her class is hard

[Riot]

Can you explain national merit scholar to me, because most of my teachers don't know too much about it and this is the time of the year the guidance counsleors are going absolutely crazy.
National Merit Scholar is awarded to those in the top 99% (I think, somebody can correct me if I'm wrong) on SAT scores of your state and class. Well, you first get semifinalist, and then get some teacher recommendations and you're basically guaranteed a finalist. My oldest brother is the only person I've ever known that got semi finalist but not finalist.


And I have a teacher who would/will rip apart my essays, even grade unfairly and poorly due to my political beliefs. I can honestly say my essays have improved because of her though.
Shes a terrible teacher, but she makes me be able to try and keep my mind open [even though she doesn't], so I can write a paper from her point of view for higher credit. Man, her class is hard
I mean rip it apart and point out every mistake, so I can improve my writing. Not rip it apart because she's a jerk and doesn't agree with me.

[goalieskcickay]

National Merit Scholar is awarded to those in the top 99% (I think, somebody can correct me if I'm wrong) on SAT scores of your state and class.



First off, I know you meant PSAT, not SAT. Second, the percentile differs from state to state.

[Riot]

First off, I know you meant PSAT, not SAT. Second, the percentile differs from state to state.
I'm pretty sure it's the top 99%, but that top 99% score varies from state to state. Guess not? I don't know a whole lot about it.

[faceofflax15]

National Merit Scholar is awarded to those in the top 99% (I think, somebody can correct me if I'm wrong) on SAT scores of your state and class. Well, you first get semifinalist, and then get some teacher recommendations and you're basically guaranteed a finalist. My oldest brother is the only person I've ever known that got semi finalist but not finalist.



I mean rip it apart and point out every mistake, so I can improve my writing. Not rip it apart because she's a jerk and doesn't agree with me.
Ehh, tomato, tomato, either way, she rips it apart, points out every mistake and tries to hold my writing up to that of a seniors/freshman in college [Use to teach in college but got fired]. Shes rediculous. But Now I know how to go around those mistakes.

[Longpole5435]

Riot, what is NMS a must for? Ivy?

Post #1,666

[Lax101]

Guys - I realize 2250 is a good score, but I know that I can do it. I got a 2130 on the PSAT when I was a sophmore and went in cold turkey without any practice or knowledge of the test, and a 2280 on the PSAT as a junior without any other practie then the sophmore test. Many of the people I know have done better on the SAT than the PSAT. Sorry if I sound a bit pretentious but I'm a smart kid - all the SAT practice in the world can't make you naturally intelligent... something I've got on my side.



Thank you - I'm only going to go out once this weekend and take some practice tests the rest of the time. These are the schools I want to go to by the way, I never did mention Ivy League:

What discourages me is that you're essentially taking this test cold turkey. You haven't been taking an SAT prep course, had a tutor, or been taking practice tests in the meantime. The SAT is a much different test than the PSAT because of the essay and time drain on you. So when I stressed "practice," you really haven't been. Yes, a lot of kids (including me) got better SAT scores than PSAT scores, but that was because I took practice courses and took multiple tests between them. Cramming 2 or 3 weeks before the test IS setting yourself up for failure. You can't tell yourself you got a 2280 on the PSAT's and expect to get a 2280 on the SAT without ample studying time.

The most difficult part of the SAT is the length and the timing. With the PSAT's, it's less than half the length so you don't tire out nearly as much. It really is a much different test especially when you haven't been studying.

I'm not saying that you need to throw your life away in preparing for the SAT's, but for a kid who wants a very high score, it IS necessary to commit a huge amount of time to it.

National Merit Scholar is awarded to those in the top 99% (I think, somebody can correct me if I'm wrong) on SAT scores of your state and class. Well, you first get semifinalist, and then get some teacher recommendations and you're basically guaranteed a finalist. My oldest brother is the only person I've ever known that got semi finalist but not finalist.
It isn't a must, because the system is essentially crap and colleges recognize it. It's the top half percent (99.5 percentile) of your state. In Missouri, you need a 200 (or 2000) PSAT score. In MA, you need a 220 (or 2200). It's a crappy system that punishes you for the state you live in. It's another nice thing to add to your resume, but it is in no means a must.

[Riot]

It isn't a must, because the system is essentially crap and colleges recognize it. It's the top half percent (99.5 percentile) of your state. In Missouri, you need a 200 (or 2000) PSAT score. In MA, you need a 220 (or 2200). It's a crappy system that punishes you for the state you live in. It's another nice thing to add to your resume, but it is in no means a must.
Let me rephrase that, it's a must for me. I live in West Virginia, it looks bad if you're not in the top half percentile of West Virginia.

[Lax101]

Let me rephrase that, it's a must for me. I live in West Virginia, it looks bad if you're not in the top half percentile of West Virginia.
I don't know West Virginia's exact score but if it's anywhere near Missouri or somewhere else, then yeah, it would be very good to do so.

[Riot]

I don't know West Virginia's exact score but if it's anywhere near Missouri or somewhere else, then yeah, it would be very good to do so.
I think it was 201 last year.

[Longpole5435]

I think it was 201 last year.
I would have qualified... :hot:

But no, I have to live in Connecticut, the state with the highest per captia in the nation which means a good educational system. I say I'm smart in SPITE of the system not BECAUSE of it. :chuckle:

[lslaxer]

I'm pretty sure it's the top 99%, but that top 99% score varies from state to state. Guess not? I don't know a whole lot about it.
I think you mean top 1%. Oh or do you mean 99th percentile, gotcha.

[Longpole5435]

Bring this one back because scores are up today on college board.

I got a 2260

[BTlaxripper]

Yep.

4.0, #1, President French Honors Society, President French Club, National Honors Society, 1460 SAT, Model UN, Vice President Orchestra - deferred from Princeton and Harvard.

Another case - 4.0, 1600, and rejected by Harvard.

Those schools are very competitive. Everyone who applies is 3.75+, top ten percent class, 1400+ SAT, and the president of some club or varsity sport.

These schools are all political and about connections. That's how you really get in.

[Longpole5435]

Anyone have scores to share? You might want to highlight my post 2 above this.

[Meade Lacrosse]

Take this for what its worth, some of you may even think I'm crazy

But before the test, and before every section, in order to better concentrate and settle my nerves, I'd do this:

Breathe in 6 Seconds
Hold Breath for 4 Seconds
Breathe out 6 Seconds
Pause 1 second
Repeat

It helped me relax. I do it before every face off now to.

[pantherLax]

I did lot worse than i wanted to...but my senior friend got in to Stony Brook and UMass with a lower GPA and a SAT only 60 points higher than me...so that made me feel better. I'll definitely be taking it again.

[goalieskcickay]

I would have qualified... :hot:

But no, I have to live in Connecticut, the state with the highest per captia in the nation which means a good educational system. I say I'm smart in SPITE of the system not BECAUSE of it. :chuckle:

Haha I would have qualified too... but I'm in ninth grade, and I don't think freshman can qualify anyways.

Congratulations on your score, that's very impresssive.

[CtLaxin]

I did decent, i got a 1760
550 on critical reading
640 on math
580 on writing
9 on essay

[Longpole5435]

9 on essay
I would have had an 800 on the writing had I gotten a 12. I got a 10...

Kinda pissed that I missed out on that.

[WestSideLa X eR]

These schools are all political and about connections. That's how you really get in.


....kids that get in like that make up a very small percentage of the class, believe it or not.


They want to see you as an individual...the kid that got rejected with a 4.0, 2400 probably had little extra curriculars and probably wrote a dry essay.

[pole15]

They want to see you as an individual...the kid that got rejected with a 4.0, 2400 probably had little extra curriculars and probably wrote a dry essay.

Nope - the person I know was actively involved in two varsity sports, national honors society, and french honors society. Dry essay? There is no way to know but I doubt it.

[Longpole5435]

Nope - the person I know was actively involved in two varsity sports, national honors society, and french honors society. Dry essay? There is no way to know but I doubt it.
How'd you do pole?

[WestSideLa X eR]

Nope - the person I know was actively involved in two varsity sports, national honors society, and french honors society. Dry essay? There is no way to know but I doubt it.

That's actually very sparse when it comes to extracurriculars, especially at that level. Believe me, a lot of my friends went to harvard and other top ivies, and they amazed me with their level of....ridiculousness. Kid that went to harvard last year had a 3.98, 35 ACT (about 2350 SAT), like four national level awards, president of four clubs, president of like two foundations, scholarship winner, science fair winner, all state sports and music, etc. I don't understand how these kids find the time to eat or sleep, but somehow they do it.

[pole15]

I got a 2130. I didn't do any practice tests or vocab/grammar (should've touched up on those rules, I only really covered them in 8th and 10th grade). Hopefully with some practice I can boost that score up one hundred points or so... I'm above the 'average SAT' of all the schools I want to go to (even Columbia), but I know I can get 2250+ if I put a little effort into getting to know the test a little more. I have a good score, now I want that excellent score that puts me above all the other applicants - I know I'm capable.

[Longpole5435]

I got a 2130. I didn't do any practice tests or vocab/grammar (should've touched up on those rules, I only really covered them in 8th and 10th grade). Hopefully with some practice I can boost that score up one hundred points or so... I'm above the 'average SAT' of all the schools I want to go to (even Columbia), but I know I can get 2250+ if I put a little effort into getting to know the test a little more. I have a good score, now I want that excellent score that puts me above all the other applicants - I know I'm capable.
Then do it up. The classes really helped me, especially for grammar and essay. What'd you get on the essay?

[pole15]

That's actually very sparse when it comes to extracurriculars, especially at that level.

I barely knew the kid, that's all I can remember. I'm sure there are more.

[pole15]

What'd you get on the essay?

Ten. My conclusion was two poorly written sentences. If I manage my time better I'll get the twelve. Yeah, I just need to do a few practice tests and study my grammar rules and it should help me out.

[Longpole5435]

Ten. My conclusion was two poorly written sentences. If I manage my time better I'll get the twelve. Yeah, I just need to do a few practice tests and study my grammar rules and it should help me out.
Yeah, I didn't get to finish my conclusion either. I was like two sentences from finishing it, and they would have tied the whole thing otgether great...

[fossil8412]

I got a 12. Just write as much as you possibly can, don't forget about the big picture, and conclude STRONG.

[Longpole5435]

I got a 12. Just write as much as you possibly can, don't forget about the big picture, and conclude STRONG.
I wrote the entire two pages. I was literally on the last line when tiem was called.

[spyopticgoggles]

for the english portion, look at the roots of the words and try to figure it out. also look at prefixes such as "un"

[The H Hour]

study and stuff but just dont stress over it. i took it in january (im a sophomore) without freaking out about it like everyone else i know, and ended up getting a perfect score on the math and fairly high on the english.