SAT Help

AmericanFKP12

AmericanFKP12

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Joined
Jan 10, 2020
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108
I'm a class of 2025 candidate and I've just received my most recent SAT score from the March 14th test and now have a 1240 total with a 660 language score and 580 math score. Obviously my math score is low for West Point and I would really like to get it to 600 or above. I just seem to have an easier time with language arts and reading, writing, etc. but I wanted to reach out to any current cadets or Class of 2024 appointees, old grads, etc. and get insight on the best way to try and get that math score (and language score up). I have an account with Khan Academy personalized to my tests but haven't delved deep into their program and structure for studying. Should I stick with that or are their other avenues for improvement out there that helped you guys?
 
Whether you do Khan or Kaplan or any others out there ... you have to apply yourself. Dig deep. You can improve with effort.
 
fordpitts12 said:
I'm a class of 2025 candidate and I've just received my most recent SAT score from the March 14th test and now have a 1240 total with a 660 language score and 580 math score. Obviously my math score is low for West Point and I would really like to get it to 600 or above. I just seem to have an easier time with language arts and reading, writing, etc. but I wanted to reach out to any current cadets or Class of 2024 appointees, old grads, etc. and get insight on the best way to try and get that math score (and language score up). I have an account with Khan Academy personalized to my tests but haven't delved deep into their program and structure for studying. Should I stick with that or are their other avenues for improvement out there that helped you guys?
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I studied for the SAT with the official study guide book, and I did every test in that book, along with tests from other books too. I self graded and reviewed every question I got wrong. I think I did almost 20 full length tests, and I familiarized myself with the questions. In the end, there's only a handful of math skills you need to be able to do any of the math questions. I know I not a naturally good test taker, cuz I got a 28 on the ACT and no 5s on any APs, but doing so many SAT drills really prepared me for that specific test, and I got a good score.

In short, learn how to solve the questions and then brainwash yourself with the test format!
 
Agree with the above advice. Take practice tests over and over and over. The SAT is a test of endurance and the more you practice the stronger you'll get. Good luck!
 
Pineapple74 said:
Agree with the above advice. Take practice tests over and over and over. The SAT is a test of endurance and the more you practice the stronger you'll get. Good luck!
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fordpitts12 said:
I'm a class of 2025 candidate and I've just received my most recent SAT score from the March 14th test and now have a 1240 total with a 660 language score and 580 math score. Obviously my math score is low for West Point and I would really like to get it to 600 or above. I just seem to have an easier time with language arts and reading, writing, etc. but I wanted to reach out to any current cadets or Class of 2024 appointees, old grads, etc. and get insight on the best way to try and get that math score (and language score up). I have an account with Khan Academy personalized to my tests but haven't delved deep into their program and structure for studying. Should I stick with that or are their other avenues for improvement out there that helped you guys?
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if you crave WP, then take practice tests until your eyes are bleeding.
 
I was the same way, strong with language arts but sub par on math. Switched to taking the ACT instead and was able to get my scores higher than I could have with the SAT. From my experience, ACT math tends to be easier and its really easy to score high on the reading sections if you pace yourself well and are already fairly proficient (as you seem to be). Either way, the best way to get better at anything is practice, and God knows there are a lot of ways to practice these tests (Khan academy, tutors, prep books, etc.). If you put in the work, you should have no problem getting those scores up.
 
My DS took the SAT six times between his junior and senior yeas and saw his overall score go up 200 points. He worked and worked and worked on his SAT and is now part of the Class of 2024. Hard work will pay off in the end. Good luck!
 

March2Success

March2Success is a free resource to help students prepare for standardized tests including the ASVAB, SAT, and ACT.
www.march2success.com www.march2success.com

free act and sat practice tests and lessons. Used the hell out of the practice tests. You have to register to access. PM if you need help getting to the courses, it's a little confusing to find the right button.

Good luck.
 
I took the SAT two times, and ended with a 1350, which wasn't as high as I had hoped for. I decided that I wanted to try out the ACT instead because it consisted of science as well as the fact that the math was supposedly easier. I took it twice and received a super score of a 34!
Don't hesitate to try it out as well because any little bit increases your candidate score! And study hard too...I don't think I could have received an appointment without determination.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." -Calvin Coolidge
 
fordpitts12 said:
I'm a class of 2025 candidate and I've just received my most recent SAT score from the March 14th test and now have a 1240 total with a 660 language score and 580 math score. Obviously my math score is low for West Point and I would really like to get it to 600 or above. I just seem to have an easier time with language arts and reading, writing, etc. but I wanted to reach out to any current cadets or Class of 2024 appointees, old grads, etc. and get insight on the best way to try and get that math score (and language score up). I have an account with Khan Academy personalized to my tests but haven't delved deep into their program and structure for studying. Should I stick with that or are their other avenues for improvement out there that helped you guys?
Click to expand...

I had a 1500 superscore and got a USMA and Duke acceptance. My twin brother pulled a 1560 out of thin air and got a USNA and MIT acceptance.

The best way to practice is to take full, sit-down tests. Pencil and paper works best. Go through at least 4 of the practice tests that College Board has on their site. After each one, meticulously review the questions that you missed; try to get into the mindset of College Board. For math, Khan Academy has great prep for the necessary algebra and geometry. They also have some online test questions, but those didn’t help me much. Take time to learn from your mistakes and take every reading question at face value; you cannot try to interpret things.

Hope this helps!
 
Hi fordpitts12! I am also a 2025 candidate and I gone through something similar concerning standardized test scores. So I have taken the ACT twice because I found out early that I was stronger on the ACT than the SAT. Anyways, when I took my first ACT I received a 31 overall, and this score was only using the official ACT study guide, but the science section was the area in the test where I was lacking in. My parents and I agreed that we would need something more than just the standard ACT study guide, so we looked everywhere for an ACT science test book that we believed was going to improve my scores (we ended up finding a very good book on Amazon). Anyways, I went through this book, studied it thoroughly, and did all the practice examples that it gave and I ended up improving my science score from a 26 to a 34. Additionally, I don’t believe I even did another practice test during this second time around of studying for the ACT. All in all, I think that if you want to improve upon one specific section then look for a book online that has really good reviews that is made specifically for the section you want to improve on. These specialized books really delve deeper into the section and really show how to assess a question and ultimately choose the correct answer. I know that everyone is different when it comes to studying and standardized testing and that science differs from math, but I thought that I would share my experience. I hope this helps!
 
My son's PSAT scores were decent, but not great--89th percentile--but skewed towards verbal like yours. It was a wake up call for him. He bought the Princeton Review study guide and studied a bit every night, took either a verbal or math practice test every weekend. Unfortunately, both the March and May tests were a no go here so he has yet to prove his skills, but given his practice test scores I think he's going to do pretty well. Not everybody likes the Princeton Review as it does a lot with the psychology of the test and some think that is unnecessary, but it works for him. Once he accepted that the SAT was not a test of intellegence or his knowledge, but rather a test on how well he can take the SAT, he started doing much better. He's also a fan of College Panda and his blog with tips and tricks. It can be done! Once you dig deep, you'll see there's really nothing on the math portion you didn't already learn in algebra or geometry.
 
There are many prep programs out there, ranging from free to pretty expensive. No matter what you do, you need to treat your ACT/SAT prep like a final for a class you are "decent" in, but not an A+ student.

If you have tried the free material and you don't see the results you want, it may not be a matter of the "free" content from Khan, CollegeBoard and ACT not being "good" enough. It may be an issue with how you study, the environment you study in and whether or not you have trouble with standardized testing or a specific area of content (or subcategory of content) in general. Your score reports and many prep courses have an option of breaking down the subcategories of question types within a category and that is always a good place to start to see what you are struggling with.

The next level up from free is buying books, "on your own courses" or all online programs (like ACT online). These can be cost-effective options. From there you have many companies like Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc. doing in person (no longer) and online "group" tutoring. These can be costly but they can be a good option depending on the quality of the instructor and the group size. Many of those have a "score guarantee" starting with a baseline score you provide from an official test or one of theirs. I think you need to check out the "guarantee" though, as it many times may just be another course for free if you met all the criteria in the first place (didn't miss a "class," turned in all the homework, etc.) From there you have several companies (and many individuals) that provide private tutoring from experienced and "professional" tutors - the most expensive option of all. If you have the resources to do it, it might be the best option to really drill down on where you need help, but again it could be very expensive.

What it really comes down to is that you need to identify your weaknesses, the best learning methods that work for you, your level of determination, how much time you have to put into it and the financial resources that you have available to expend on the ACT/SAT prep.

Two major considerations now: (1) most would-be test takers are out of school, and there will be extra time to study - but the "in home" studying environment may be a challenge for some right now; and (2) with many of the spring tests being cancelled or moved, there will likely be less test opportunities going forward this summer and fall so it is critical to get it right with less chances to turn in your best superscores. It is possible that the ACT/SAT people add more tests as well, but you just never know.

Good luck and stay the course!
 
As everyone else said, take lots of practice tests, but if you have the time try an ACT practice test as well; a lot of people (Including me) do much better on the ACT than the SAT.
 
wp572024 said:
As everyone else said, take lots of practice tests, but if you have the time try an ACT practice test as well; a lot of people (Including me) do much better on the ACT than the SAT.
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I second this, but would say to take the test twice. A lot of kids get hit hard the first time on the science section, but are able to speed through it the second time.
 
I find the ACT much more straightforward, just less time. But, timing gets easier with practice.
Favorite resources for ACT: For the Love of ACT Science By Michael Cerro, Erika Metzler Reading and English books, and College Panda

Best of luck!
 
I'm nowhere close to my SATs or ACTs but I have extensive research on ways to study. A big tip is to get a study partner, preferably not a friend so that you can stay focused. As far as updating your SAT score, retake the test. Definitely use Khan Academy to an extent, it's very helpful and I know they have helped lots of people. Another possibility is to go and find a program that specializes in SATs/ACTs, etc. Next year, I'm going to enroll in one of these courses. They help you where you need it so it's more one on one with people who are trained and have lots of experience with SATs/ACTs.
 
Khan Academy is great, especially with the number of practice tests it provides. If you want to learn or review each math skill in it's own dedicated section, I found the book Pwn the Sat: Math Guide very helpful. As long as you keep doing practice tests, it's very possible to improve from 1400's to 1500's and higher.
 
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