SATs help, please?

Question

I'm an incoming junior, and I'd like to know what I should do to prepare for the SATs I have to take this year? I feel like I'm behind because some people have already started preparing for it in the beginning of the summer and are taking classes. I don't think I'll be able to take classes, so what should I do? Should I buy the books? If so, which books would work best? And are the SATs extremely difficult? I'm kind of stressing out right now. =/ I really want to get into a California university, or at LEAST a state university.

Answer 1

If I were you, I would look at getting one or two different SAT Study Guides.

I know that College Board sells them. When you register to take the SAT, do it early and order the book with your registration.

In addition to the Collage Board study guide, I would go to a bookstore nearby and ask about an SAT study guide by the Princeton Review.

Take your time and study. I didn't study, and did pretty well (I took the PSAT the beginning of last year, as a Junior, and the SAT in June). Not as good as I think I could have if I would have studied harder. I did look over things, but it was obvious on test day what I had and hadn't looked at.

Also, don't freak out. You can (and should) take the SAT at least twice. Then, colleges will look at your best scores for each subject from the tests you take. That means, a single test won't determine it all for you. So, on the first try, if you do really good in Reading and not so good in Math, study harder for Math next time.

Don't worry. Colleges don't ONLY look at SAT scores. They look at many, many different things, and if you are a good student with a fairly good GPA and you do at least decent on the SAT, you will be accepted by a few colleges.

The SATs aren't extremely difficult, IF you study. Sure, some people can go in and wing it and do a half-butt job, but you should study hard and do your absolute best.

Oh, and eat before you take the test! I made that mistake of not eating, and I was PAYING for it in tummy grumbles by the last 4 sections!!!

Answer 2

It's a good idea to start preparing as soon as you can. I highly recommend the books from The Princeton Review and Barrons. Barrons, in my opinion, has harder questions. It seemed to prepare me more for the SATs, but I used both The Princeton Review and Barrons.

And practice, practice, practice. Just because you're doing well in school does not mean you'll do well on your SATs. I know people who have 4.0 GPAs but got terrible scores on the SATs because they did not know how to take the SATs. They thought they could wing it.Make sure you're familiar with the SATs, front and back. And most people go with their second or third SAT scores, so don't fret. You have plenty of time to prepare! Good luck!

Answer 3

CHILL!
most people take 1 SAT at the END of their junior year and one at the beginning of their senior year (if necessary)
You should also take your SAT2s at then end of junior year, after you still have some of the material fresh in your mind (like US history)
it doesn't matter when you take it just so long as you take it before the scores are due to colleges, which is more than a year away

also, i read on the UC website that if you have a 3.4 gpa, and you're a good student and qualified, you will be admitted into a UC (that could be Merced though, not necessarily, Berkeley or UCLA or UCSB, etc)

Answer 4

In order to prepare for your SAT exam, you need to practice as much as you possibly can. There is no secret to doing well on the SAT. Those who work hard do well and those who don't, don't perform as well. I personally recommend using TutorFox.com's sat guide and the Princeton Review's sat guide in order to aid your studying. Don't take any SAT classes. They are a complete waste of time and money. I took a class with Kaplan and it cost me 900 bucks. It was garbage and it didn't raise my score at all. Study on your own and use the tutorfox and princeton review books. The SAT isn't extremely hard but there are many trick questions on each section. With enough practice, you will be fully prepared to tackle such questions, and will ultimately boost up your score significantly. If you are aiming for one of the prestigious California schools such as UCLA, Berkeley, or Stanford you need very high SAT scores(2000-2300). If you are aiming for any of the other California schools you can get a school a bit lower.

I started with a score of 1700. After using tutorfox and Princeton Review, I went up to 2200+ and got into UCLA.

Good Luck and let me know if you need any more info...

Answer 5

calm down. you'll be fine. the best practice is taking tests. take a practice SAT, if your school offers one. also, be sure to take the PSAT. it's a lot like the SAT, but shorter. you can purchase a book. i personally didn't use or need one though. i'm sure you'll be fine, they aren't too bad

Answer 6

Don't stress but practice. Best buy has computer tests that you can buy. Do take this seriously. I recommend finding time for the courses because they do help.