http://www.static.zhan.com/uploadfile/2015/04/1075026_201504301330002hC37.

pd
f
http://mohandasmohandas.com/african4/140221202X%20SAT%20Guide
%202009.pdf
http://englishplaza.vn/flexpaper/pdf/gruber-s-complete-sat-guide-2015-gruber-garyr_1405696600.pdf
http://www.dyo.com.cn/html/kaoshi/download123/131122085137.pdf
http://directhitseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DH-CORE-SAT-SamplePages1.pdf
file:///C:/Users/Afreen/Downloads/Direct%20Hits%20Toughest%20Vocabulary%20of
%20the%20SAT-%20Volume%202.PDF.pdf
Must-Reads
1. Noitaraperp's Guide to Critical Reading
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-sectioneffectively.html
2. StrangeCamus's SAT Grammar Guide
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammar-guide.html
3. Academic Hacker's "How to write a 12 essay in just 10 days"
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html
4. Xiggi's time-honored preparation methods:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html
5. Silverturtle's Guide
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html
Extremely Helpful link with numerous resources:
http://papers.xtremepapers.com/SAT/

Read Noitaraperp's guide on the CR section

Optional (stuff I tried but didn't stick with)

Silverturtle's CR section

Google search: Mystery Tutor Critical reading (not sure If I am allowed to link this)

Google search: Mystery Tutor Sentence Completions (not sure If I am allowed to link
this)

Sparknotes: SAT: Meet the Reading Section

Reply Share on Facebook

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g5snTvNGGw
http://school.familyeducation.com/college-prep/sat/39914.html?page=11

Hello fellow College Confidential members,

I am trying my best to get a 2400 on my SAT (or something close to it). I studied for the March SAT by
reading all the guides available here online (Xiggi's and Silverturtle's) and taking the first 9 practice tests
in the Blue Book. I'm waiting for my score and if I broke 2000 I'm going to wait until June to take my
second SAT, but if I did not I will take it in May (Even though it's in the midst of AP Season, and I have 5
tests to worry about this year). I would like to ask you guys what the best approach to maxing out my
score would be considering the amount of time I have. I'm willing to invest as much time as needed, but I
want to know what would be the most efficient method. I've read that for vocabulary Direct Hits is the
Bible, but in this March SAT I knew every word that was tested so I'm not sure if investing too much time
there would be wise. For Math I've heard Gruber's is great, and I put it on hold in my library. I'm also going
to read Grammatix, since I read it was amazing. What else should I do? Should I try and get my hands on
a Rocket Review, for the reading section, even though they're around 120$? I have only one official
(College Board) practice test left and a 2005 released SAT I found. Should I take them or save them for
later? Should I sign up for the official college board online course for the extra ten tests? How should I go
about this? I received a 1900 on my PSAT (without any studying) if that helps and in the blue book tests
my score ranged from 2020-2260.
Thank you very much for your help,
SATandAPs
Reply Share on Facebook

Here's a summary of the what's been posted so far, consolidated and organized:

General Advice

Xiggi's time-honored preparation methods:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html
Silverturtle's Guide
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-satadmissions-success.html
Noitaraperp's Guide to Critical Reading
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-readingsection-effectively.html
The basics: the best prep books, useful strategies, etc.:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/633765-arachnotrons-sat-prepadvice.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/754126-bigb14s-sat-faq-v1-0-a.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/538932-what-sat-prep-book-should-i-getultimate-answer-thread-sat-book-reviews.html
What in the world is the Blue Book?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/766531-description-college-board-studyguides-blue-book-others.html#post1063114999
Where do I find more online official practice tests and answers:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/766525-official-sat-practice-bookletspast-current.html#post1063114942
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1277787-links-additional-official-satpractice-tests-collegeboard.html
Some improvement stories and advice:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/602755-tips-2400er.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/552828-how-i-improved-170s-psateventual-2310-sat-i.html

Section-Specific
Critical Reading:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-readingsection-effectively.html
Writing:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammarguide.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10days.html
Math:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/759703-math-help-center.html

Consolidated Answers
Answer explanations for CollegeBoard's Official Guide:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/94911-consolidated-answers-10rs-mathproblems.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/339734-consolidated-list-original-bluebook-math-solutions.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/380105-consolidated-list-original-bluebook-critical-reading-solutions.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/380106-consolidated-list-original-bluebook-writing-solutions.html

Subject Tests
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/358168-list-best-reviewbooks-10.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/512788-some-advice-thosetaking-chem-physics-june.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/585615-how-aceliterature.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/544092-complete-guide-satsubject-tests-mathematics.html

Outside Resources
Past SAT curves:
http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/SAT-Released-Test-Curves.pdf
BB math explanations & official essay prompts:
Preparing For SAT Test

Some Inspiration
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/764166-conquering-sat-personalstory.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/336074-biggest-improvment-satstories.html
Warning
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/545446-warning-links-description-sitesoffering-pirated-materials-trading-tests-qas.html
ReplyShare on Facebook

Just posted yesterday, xiggi gives links to his old threads of word lists:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/764274-vocabulary-lists-pros-cons-oldlinks.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1191190-top-400-vocabulary-words.html
This should go under Section-Specific-->Writing:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/764514-sat-essay-promptarchetypes.html
How about real essays from students?

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/409070-sample-sat-12-essays.html
More for essays:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/695237-steamedrices-essay-scoring-helpthread.html

College Planning Made Easy | Inside Source for College Admissions Requirements 's
question of the day
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/523820-best-vocab-list-resultsrecommendations.html?highlight=words+appeared+SAT+march
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/591431-vocab-book-listperformed-best-nov-08-sat.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/582880-vocab-list-performed-best-08psats.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/575758-oct-sat-vocab-list-performedbest.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/526379-vocab-list-book-performed-bestmay-sat.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/524714-vocab-list-performed-best-march08-sat.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/520799-vocab-list-did-best.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1191190-top-400-vocabulary-words.html

Section for writing

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/782128-post-writing-questions-here.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/309616-common-sat-idioms.html

Helpful outside sources

Solutions to the tests from '10 Real SATs':
New Page 1
vocab drill-help donate grains to the UN World Dood Program:
FreeRice: Levels
Explanations for questions in the Official SAT Study Guide, Second Edition: Welcome to the
Official SAT Study Guide Book Owner's Area.
What to expect on Test Day - complete proctor script from beginning to end:
SAT Test Day Simulator - What to Expect on Test Day
( except they no longer ask for your SSN)
Test Day Schedule - breaks, section times, starting time & ending time of SAT
test:http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/845911-test-day-schedule.html?
highlight=schedule
A search engine that would allow you to browse through 360 official SAT questions by
keyword, section, and difficulty: SAT Question of the Day Archive Search | A Tekkie
All the SAT prompts from 2005 to present. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/satpreparation/764514-sat-essay-prompt-archetypes.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/763933-everyone-read-this-before-posting-best-of-satprep-forum-and-faqs.html#latest
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1517736-sat-books-do-not-start-new-threads-posthere.html#latest

Tips on How to Get a 2400 on the SAT

Hey guys, I am a fellow college confidential user, who just got a 2400 on March 9th 2013 SAT test.
College confidential has been a valuable tool for me in my years of preparation for SAT and other tests. I
would like to contribute to the college confidential forum in exchange for the help Ive received. Below I
have posted a guide to do well on the SAT imbued with my personal journey.
Personal Belief:
First of all, Id like to say that wherever you are you can definitely improve, and I would go as far as saying
ANYONE is capable of achieving a 2400 or close to it with enough effort. The SAT is a STANDARIZED
test, and hence it does not measure raw intelligence or skill at all. Taking the SAT is like figuring out a
unique code (excuse my poor analogies, the SAT does not test analogies anymore ). Once you discover
your unique code or battle of attack, the SAT becomes more of a matter of repetition and practice. Once
you find something that works for you, you need PRACTICE. The SAT does not change its level of
difficulty and that being said once you get a sense of questions through practice (CB tests) youll do
extremely well. Never give up! Good Luck!
Personal Story:
Id like to say that I cannot be considered intelligent or have a superior IQ to my peers, but I will admit to
developing a good work ethic. I took my first SAT in 7th grade to qualify for a CTY program. My scores
were abysmal, in my opinion. I had scored a 1580 (490 on Writing, 580 on Math and 510 on CR). I was
terribly shocked but as a carefree 7th grader I did not heed much to my base score. I retook in 8th grade
again with minimal prep (skimmed through a Princeton Review?), and achieved a slight increase to a
1810 (510 Writing, 710 Math, and 590 CR). Yes, to some that score may be good but I was not satisfied. I
suppose the inherent competitive attitude of my school pushed me harder. While I nonchalantly accepted
an 1810, other kids in 8th grade were breaking 2100 and one girl even scored a 2240 (IN 8TH GRADE !!).
I understand you might say we shouldnt compete and only worry about our own success independent of
others, but competition added that extra motivational push. I figured as middle schooler my scores were
above the average and so I did not need to worry. I put off any serious worry about the SAT until I took the
PSAT my sophomore year. After getting my sophomore PSAT score back, I was shocked; I got a 196 (63
CR, 80 Math, 53 WR). I barely improved and I realized I needed to get down to business especially with
writing (though arguably writing is insignificant to many top colleges, it still can be a valuable factor). I
began loading up on prep books from Kaplans to Princeton Review to Barrons. These books were good
to familiarize myself with the content of the SAT as for practice but most are highly inaccurate in terms of
actual rigor of tests. I looked over the review content especially for Math and Writing. What I did for writing
and math was sit down with Barrons 2400 and review the content tested. After doing that I followed How
to Write a 12 Essay in 10 Days by Academic Hackerz here on college confidential. I spent part of my
sophomore summer researching essay examples ahead of time and pre-planning a template*see below.
Then I utilized college confidential to find a writing buddy who would exchange essays and grade
completely objectively based on the CB rubric devoting approximately 2 minutes for each essay. One

valuable link I utilized was Preparing For SAT Test. This site has previous essay prompts from past
SATs, enough to satiate even the most enthusiastic SAT writer. I did several of these essay prompts and
tried to do one daily following my template and pre-planned examples. I acknowledge that writing an
essay on a trite CB topic is tedious but as I said the test is standardized the more practice the better. For
math, my foundation was already strong. I did review some content from Barrons 2400 and the CB Blue
book but outside of that I did not try to enhance my Math skills for I was proficient; I did, however, need to
practice, and avoid stupid mistakes. With Critical Reading, I began to build up on vocabulary. I started
finding all sorts of SAT Vocab. Prep books and began memorizing and kept on finding new sources. I
went through Sparknotes 1000 Words, Barrons Hot Words for the SAT, Direct Hits, PR Hit Parade etc. I
kept on memorizing until I exhausted my sources. I used quizlet and physical flash cards to aid in the
process. Every day I tried to look over the words and add ten new ones and gradually my vocabulary
grew. As for the actual Reading in Critical Reading I have to say that I struggled greatly. It was hard for
me to see objectively what the passage was saying. I used some strategies like margin notes, and
writing down the main idea and that worked for me. I began taking practice tests in the summer very
frequently and each time I finished a practice test, I would annotate in a notebook every mistake, detailing
my error and rationalizing why I got such and such wrong. I only used College Board tests, and I cannot
stress that College Board is the real deal and anything else is not sufficient. You will NOT accurately
measure your ability via Kaplan, PR, etc.Taking many practice tests is not enough, you must also
thoroughly go through your practice tests and comprehend your errors and through that you will improve.
For Writing if I got a multiple choice question wrong, I would mark the right rule next to it. For CR I would
read the online College Board explanations and rationalize the answer. For math, I would typically just
punch myself for a silly error and detail my mistake in a notebook, writing my errors. Slowly, through each
practice test, I saw improvement and I began inching up from sub 2000 to low 2100s then 2200s and
finally low 2300s. I remained determined and just put more emphasis on CR. I began to take timed
sessions in less time and further scrutinized my details to a point where I rewrote the question and wrote
an explanation of why the answer was such in my own words. Yes, laborious, but this process solidified
my sense for the CR and made me ready to more fully tackle it in March. I walked out of the test in March
feeling a bit ambivalent on how well I did. And March 28th, I reluctantly refused to check, until finally to my
parents nagging I capitulated and saw the glorious triple 800. I suppose what I hope everyone gains from
this story is that wherever you start is irrelevant. If youre willing to put in the effort and time, you can get a
2400 on SAT. I started with a 1580 and I moved up, so I would definitely encourage you to adopt the cando attitude.
*************************************************************************************
Content-Tips on Each Section
Writing:
Multiple Choice:
Writing is by far one of the easiest to improve. I started out with a 490 and worked my way up to 800 on
the Writing section. The key to doing well in writing is learning the rules. I would say learning the 14
essential rules are the most vital part. Everything after that is applying the rules to practice tests. Erica

Meltzer created a great blog: ultimatesatverbal. blogspot.com and this site has the essential rules
under Reading and Writing Tips for the SAT and ACT: Complete SAT Grammar Rules. Learning
those rules is really all the preparation you need to do, then you just need to practice. I also got the Erica
Meltzers book The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar and found it very thorough and directly pertinent to
material only on SAT Writing. The book is an awesome supplement but Im sure the link with the rules is
sufficient. Once you know the rules enumerated in Melzers guide, you shall be ready to handle the
Writing multiple choice. For error-Id whenever I got a question wrong, I would simply annotate the rule I
forgot to employ (Subject-verb agreement, pronoun shift etc.). By doing that, the rule stuck in my head
better. For sentence corrections, one needs to again know the rules and PRACTICE. Similar grammatical
construction errors repeat all the time, and with more practice the more keen your eye becomes. All in all,
I encourage you to check Meltzers website and if you still need that push consider buying her book. Take
note of the grammar rules and maybe even apply them. When checking your work, try saying the
sentence out-loud and mentally justify your answer.
The Essay:
As said before the essay was mainly about practice. I believe in pre-high school I scored 4s on the essay.
However, I used onlinemathlearning.com to find essay prompts and I followed Academic Hackerz guidef:
How to Write a 12 Essay in 10 Days. This guide taught me how to develop a template and pre-plan
examples. The SAT essay does not measure your writing ability in any way and only is a test to see how
well you can follow the rubric. All you need to do is mechanically follow a template, use some good
vocabulary, and have varied examples. Personally, I used one literature, one historical and one
science/contemporary world example. The personal examples detract from your essay and should be
avoided (though as last resort may be unnecessary). Typically non-personal examples show a greater
level of scholarliness and may impress your reader but I suppose if your writing style meets the rubric the
content is irrelevant. Even if you feel like youre stretching your examples, its okay because in the end the
writers only spend a few minutes on your essay and analyze the writing style more than the content. Even
some very minor exaggerations are alright, but dont say something blatantly erroneous for that shows
incompetence and will detract the readers opinion. On the essay in March, my examples on the topic of
the value of details were greatly stretched but by following an effective writing style I got a 12 on the
essay. Ill try posting it later (be warned my handwriting is sloppy). I suggest directly starting the essay off
with your thesis, and just developing 2-3 sentences supporting your claim. A hook is not necessary to get
a 12 and in fact spending time thinking of a hook may just detract from time spent on writing the actual
essay. Then devote 3 body paragraphs to examples (diversity!) and in each body paragraph summarize
the plot in relation to the thesis and be sure to connect the example to the topic (e.g From this example,
one can see how honesty may not always be necessary and how Lennie died happily with Georges lies.
) This connection shows how you are a competent writer and can incorporate the example into the essay.
Transitions are okay to use, despite teachers protests of their inherent clich.

This should be added to the inspiration section:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/25004-rags-riches-my-journey-2300a.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/satpreparation/757034-college-board-sat-test-links.html
Add under subject tests as a quick review
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/972152-schoolisfuns-satmathematics-level-ii-guide.html?highlight=Schoolisfun%27s+math+guide

MTAsid: Khan Academy offers FREE video solutions to the official guide's math questions( 1st
edition). I've recommended it on this board two years ago, now even Bill Gates endorses it!
Khan Academy
Sal Khan: Bill Gates' favorite teacher - Aug. 24, 2010

Luckily, this keeps resurfacing but if it does get pushed down the list, this is a great post on
How to write the SAT essay by using a template.
The idea is that you spend 10 days researching great examples that can be used in any
essay. NOT, that you need 10 days to write an essay which some people seem to have
trouble getting.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10days.html
This thread contains the official curves for the SAT subject tests, as printed by the College
Board's Official Study Guide. Scroll until you see Post #10
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-subject-tests-preparation/350492-general-curves.html
Some people may find this helpful:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1270044-cheerioswithmilks-guidesat.html
For more vocabulary from real SATs
Please recreate the lists in the form of CC threads. Links to outside sites will be deleted.

Here is an old xiggi post with the 10 Real SATs vocab.

I made one large list out of the words and sorted them by frequency in [thread=774833]this
thread[/thread].

#26

cheerioswithmilkPosts: 948Registered UserMember

07-22-2012 at 3:11 am
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1356034-self-answer-should-i-retake.html
This will clear up many of the same questions. Big thanks to the author for writing this.

seekserendipityPosts: 22Registered UserNew Member

07-22-2012 at 5:43 pm
Common Tone/Mood Words on CR:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/1163656-list-common-tone-moodclassification-words-

Must-buy's
1. the College Board's "Official SAT Study Guide" - $12-15 on Amazon

Suggested/Recommended Materials that can be purchased on Amazon (not necessary though)

1. Erica Meltzer's "The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar" - $18
2. Gruber's Complete SAT Math Guide -$60 (a little expensive, yes but it's not 100% necessary)
3. Direct Hits Core/Toughest Vocabulary - $18-22 total
and/or The Essential 500 Words - $14

Must-Reads
1. Noitaraperp's Guide to Critical Reading
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-sectioneffectively.html
2. StrangeCamus's SAT Grammar Guide
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/747042-strangecamuss-sat-grammar-guide.html
3. Academic Hacker's "How to write a 12 essay in just 10 days"
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html
4. Xiggi's time-honored preparation methods:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html
5. Silverturtle's Guide
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html
Extremely Helpful link with numerous resources:
http://papers.xtremepapers.com/SAT/

http://www.majortests.com/sat/wordlist.php