Bummed out

a2roxas28

5-Year Member
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May 25, 2010
Messages
115
I've been recently informed that I am deemed as a "risk," no surprise there. But is mainly do to the fact of my standardized test scores. I need to increase from a (Math 550) -> 650 and a (CR 500) -> 630. Only have till December to make an improvment. Anyone have advice.
 
Also, what about the ACT? Can you take it/have you taken it?
 
Even my Act scores will deem me as a risk

Math- 26
English- 26
Reading- 22
Sci/Rea- 23

This is my second time applying.
 
In addition to taking some SAT math courses/study stuff, just make sure you get answers to math questions as quickly as possible.

Instead of being orthodox and wasting lots of time using equations/formulas and such, just do things like plugging in answers (A-D) and stuff. You do need basic knowledge of volume/area/etc formulas, but just don't overthink/overwork the problem. Do whatever it takes to get the answer. If you see an opportunity to take shortcuts, take them. This mindset helped me enormously.

Good luck!
 
1) really read the question. In the math section they tend to ask for something like x+2 instead of x.

2) get a box of SAT vocab flashcards. split into 2 piles (know and do not know) and study what you do not know out of the box.

3) get a hold of practice tests and simulate a test situations (all the time limits and breaks exactly). This will help you get used to the testing situations and also pick up patterns in the test.

The SAT is more about how you test, not what you know. Practice!!!!!!
 
can u help urself that much?

I dont want to discourage you at all, but even if you raise your ACT scores are you from a competitive area that it wont matter that much? so lets say you take the ACT and raise each score to a 29-are you from an area where there will be a bunch of 30+ scorers? (I still say go for it and try though)
 
Remember the SAT/ACT scores are only 1 part of the total picture. My son is sitting in on the lower end of the "average" ACT scores. He has been doing tutoring and prep all summer and plans on taking the ACT Sept/Oct and Dec to raise his score. The rest of his application is very strong including his grades and class rank. If you read posts on this forum with kids with perfect scores, remember there are many kids who retake the SAT/ACT until Dec squeezing out a few extra points each time- Thank goodness for superscoring! The one thing you need to do is believe you can improve, work at it and don't get discouraged!

There are many posts on here with kids with great SAT/ACT scores who don't get an appointment! It is not the only thing being factored in! Work on all aspects of your application and make everything as strong as you can. Believe you an do it and you will!
 
Hey you mentioned you applied last year but didn't get in... what were your scores from last year? If they were at least above the minimum you could probably re-submit those in the interim while you're waiting to take the tests again so your file stays open.
 
Thank you everyone for all the suggestions and advice. My current scores for the SAt and the ACt are posted on the thread. I dont know how competitive florida district 15 is. I know that with ny ACT scores, I was ranked number 3 in Congressman Bill Posey's nomination list. My ACT scores is the only thing that is keeping my profile open. I just have to finish my CFA test, college transcripts, and teacher's evaluations. I have been studying for the SAT for this summer.
 
How to improve your test scores in general

Ok, I am really obsessive-compulsive about scores, so maybe I can help. I certainly wish you luck!

To study for the SAT, I signed up for a Kaplan course. It's pricey but it was worth it to me because they tell you a lot of ways to move faster and not get bogged down on the confusing elements (especially in english) of what are actually easy questions. They gave me a huge coursebook as well as online homework. DO it. All of it. Whether it's assigned or not.

I also went out and bought the blue book (I think it's called the official SAT study guide or something) off the internet. It's really big, and it's really blue, and it's published by the college board, so maybe you can find its ISBN while looking around the college board site. I read through it obsessively and did all the practice tests.

Honestly, the most helpful thing you can do is practice, since you don't have that far to jump. I ended up doing 20 practice tests (and I'm still doing them!), and that's helped me jump about 200 to 300 points in each section. It's a HUGE time commitment, but if you do one every day on the weekends from now until december, you'll be fine.

The other thing you can do to save time is to only do a couple sections from the SAT at a time. It won't build your focus (the issue for me was always staying focused after two solid hours of boring testing) but it will help you all the same and it's a little easier to manage the time.

Prep books, like Khanacademy (I've never used that one), Barron's, Princeton Review, whatever, are all very useful. Basically, you just need to practice the skills. All of the review books will tell you the same strategies with minor differences, but hearing things in different ways will help them to stick. DEFINITELY buy them on Amazon, not in Barnes and Noble or wherever because they can get pricey if you buy a ton (like I did).

I know. It's a huge time commitment. But if I can do it, you can do it, because if you want to go to WP that means already that you're a very determined person. As a side note, I don't think your congressman is the one to whom the test scores matter most, I think that's the WP admissions board proper who look at them. I'm not sure though. Maybe an admissions officer around here somewhere can tell you. Honestly, you don't have that far to go. I don't know how much you've already practiced, but a 100 points is about 5 more questions per section.

I really don't know anything about the ACT, but you can definitely raise your scores to be INCREDIBLY competitive, no matter what area you're from. I'm from CA, in district 7 with DeSaulnier, which is pretty competitive too. However, with effort, I raised my scores to 2200, which is pretty competitive anywhere. I started out with an 1850. Just make SAT prep a part of your life (bring around vocab flashcards, etc) and your scores will go so high. I assume you're busy but it really doesn't take that much time if you can fit 20 minutes of prep in here and there and do tests on Friday night or something. Ok, I talked WAY too much, I just get really excited about the SAT. Good luck again! You CAN do it!
 
Thank you everyone for all the suggestions and advice. My current scores for the SAt and the ACt are posted on the thread. I dont know how competitive florida district 15 is. I know that with ny ACT scores, I was ranked number 3 in Congressman Bill Posey's nomination list. My ACT scores is the only thing that is keeping my profile open. I just have to finish my CFA test, college transcripts, and teacher's evaluations. I have been studying for the SAT for this summer.

Don't read too much into it - you might be considered at risk solely on your SAT math score, I believe the cut off is either 570 or 590, assuming you are good in other areas.
 
Thanks Granuaile, that was really encouraging. It really boosted my confident to obtain an appointment this year :smile:. I am taking the ACT tomorrow and need at least a 30 from a 24. Who knows? Maybe I have a miracle. But, after the test, I will be studying for upcoming one. My application is almost done. Need to complete CFA, and SOE (all at the end of this month) and transcripts (December). And we will see if I get in. And again, thank you everyone.
 
Don't read too much into it - you might be considered at risk solely on your SAT math score, I believe the cut off is either 570 or 590, assuming you are good in other areas.

My SAT writing score is really low (like 560)... does this put me at risk? Or do you know what the minimum/cutoff is? My CR and my Math are really high, however my grammar is pretty bad (like when you get in to the unnecessary semantics)
 
I habe been talking to my MALO and it is depressing. He said that everything in ny applications looks like he would expect, but my test scores. So everything relies on my test scores. And I have a big improvement to make.
 
I habe been talking to my MALO and it is depressing. He said that everything in ny applications looks like he would expect, but my test scores. So everything relies on my test scores. And I have a big improvement to make.

So are you scheduled to take the SAT/ACT over again? My kids have been successful raising their scores by taking the tests multiple times.
 
I took the ACT on September 10 and get my scores back the 26. I also have a SAT on October 1. We will see what happens.
 
Starting on Monday Sept 26 you can check for your act scores online. The scores will be only for the 4 subject areas- not written. Both times my ds took it they were posted the Monday 2 weeks after the test. The printed report will be mailed to you and you will get it a week or so later after the essay portion is grades. Can also print out a unofficial copy of the scores online on the 26th.
 
Well the 26 is only in two days. We will see how I did. I know I'm not getting an LOA but that's life. Hoping that by December/January, my scores will be appointment worthy. :)
 
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