Is it possible to get a good SAT score without taking a SAT course?
Almost everyone I know is taking a SAT score. Is it worth the money? Can I do just as good if I used several study guides and take a lot of practice tests?
Thanks in advance!
Tagged with: money • practice tests • score • study guides • thanks in advance
Filed under: sat scores
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Personally my score was the same before and after I took the class. One kid in my class aced all the practice tests and then got a 2200 on the actual SAT. The only thing that is helpful is the timing of the practice test, which you could administer yourself every saturday in a quiet place and with a timer. Also grammar strategies seemed to help. There is basiclly nothing they can do to improve your essay writing skills or reading skills. You either have those skills or you don’t. Basically, the strategies that are taught in the classes are the same as you would find in a kaplan or college board book. Just give yourself timed practice tests from either of those books until you know how log each section feels. Best of luck.
Sure, I did. I don’t know if anyone at my school took a course - it was a college prep school, so they probably did - but I got one of the highest scores at my school. The trick is distracting everyone else during the test so they can’t concentrate. I had a bad cold, so I kept sneezing, blowing my nose, and walking across the room to the garbage pail. Very distracting - to everyone else.
I took it without taking a class & I got an 1890. I want a better score for the colleges I’m applying to, so I’m taking an SAT prep course.
Are you applying to competitive colleges? If so, take the course if you have the money to spare; it couldn’t hurt your chances.
If you’re applying to non-competitive colleges, you’ll probably be fine with study guides & practice tests.
I never took an SAT course, I only used study guide books and practice tests, and I ended up getting a score in the upper-2300’s. If you have the motivation to study on your own, an SAT class is just going to be a waste of money.
IMO I think this depends entirely on your motivation…
Courses can be helpful: They require you to show up to class and see and do SAT problems, and of course you get the emotional support from classmates and the teacher.
But if you are determined and disciplined, you can score well on your own. The techniques can be learned out of popular books like TPR or Kaplan.
Some basic tips to keep in mind no matter what you choose to do:
- Practice. A lot. Everyday, do a section from each subject (untimed at first and then timed). Take a practice exam every couple weeks. Ideally you do 5 or 6 of these before test time. Practice like its the real thing.
- Know your limits. Don’t answer every question if it’s out of your ability. You don’t want to be rushing through problems and doing things partially. Figure out where you currently stand by taking a practice exam, set your goal, and then do enough problems to get you to that goal. Every time you take a practice exam, aim a little bit higher. This isn’t an excuse to not push yourself. But you will be better off this way.
- Review what you got right and wrong and make sure you understand why. Understand how to solve the problems you had to leave blank.
- If you can’t get the answer, guess if and only if you can eliminate at least one bad answer choice.
- Don’t cram! Get your rest. You’ll need your energy and focus on test day.
p.s. - If you want more specific help, please free to take a look at my SAT tutorials on Youtube. Just search for ‘miteach’
Good luck!
Jack