SATs

[aznhiroller]

So this summer and the last one my parents have gotten all obsessed about me studying for the SATs. They tell me that anyone that wants to get a good score (2200+) should study at LEAST 5-7 HOURS A DAY over the summer. I know they are wrong and will never do that. So can anyone share how much they studied with the score they got. Thanks

[Stilev]

0 hours, and i got a 1750 :

 

 

 

SAT was so boring, almost fell asleep, 4 hour long test lol, no thx

[azntemplar_00]

I took the SAT twice (April and June). Didn't study at all both times. Ended up getting the same score :lol:.

 

 

 

April: 2120

 

Math: 780

 

Reading: 680

 

Writing: 660 (8 on the essay)

 

 

 

June: 2120

 

Math: 710

 

Reading: 730

 

Writing: 680 (8 on the essay)

 

 

 

Then again, my composite score (which many colleges will accept) is 2190 if you take the highest score of each subject. Close enough I guess. However, most of my friends did better and I guess they did some studying. But 5-7 hours a day is too much. Much of the test is just common sense. Sure, you can memorize vocab, but is it really worth the effort to memorize hundreds of words when you only find about a dozen of them on the test? Math section really isn't that hard. I guess if your grammar isn't that great you can study that. Practicing writing a timed essay every now and then might be helpful too - I suck at them :XD:

[whocares]

Honestly with these kind of tests (ACT,SAT,etc), there's only so much studying can do for you, it's mostly natural talent and how good of a test taker you are. I won't say that studying can raise your score but from what I've seen, it won't raise it dramatically. I got a 27 on the ACT the first time and then a 31 the second time, but that was due mostly to knowing what it was going to be like because I only studied maybe 10 hours.

[hohto]

How you do in tests doesn't only depend on the time you've wasted studying. If you have been awake during classes and actually done something during your schoolyear, it helps a lot. Same goes with the way spend your freetime: reading helps at certain systems even when it's not directly related to the subject, doing things were you need to think mathmetically help at some and so on. Also the qualify of your studying is more important than the actual time you study. Have enough rest and try to get the things seem logical&relate them to something you already know instead of trying to learn things by heart.

[djo0]

I didin't study at all, and I got a 1956 or somthing around there. You can get these practice tests, and I suppose that helps a bit. It really comes down to whether or not you can think logically. Studying doesn't make a huge difference in my opinion.

[Wisp]

I haven't done SAT yet, but ,my school has all the grades (7-11) other then 12th take psat every year, and in 7th grade with no studying what so ever, i scored in the 70th percentile in math and 88th in language skills or whatever...

 

Personally I think 5-7 hours is overkill

[Tigra00]

If you studied 5-7 hours per day over the summer, these things would happen:

 

 

 

1. Paleness.

 

2. Lack of communication with...anyone...

 

3. You'd finally, after a week, off yourself, because it just wouldn't be worth it.

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

[superson]

If you studied that much, wouldn't you like... run out of things to study? Besides like memorizing words or something pretty useless like that...

[Ash6110]

DOnt study that much.

 

 

 

1 hour, 3 times a week did fine for me :D

[hohto]

If you studied 5-7 hours per day over the summer, these things would happen:

 

 

 

1. Paleness.

 

2. Lack of communication with...anyone...

 

3. You'd finally, after a week, off yourself, because it just wouldn't be worth it.

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

 

 

 

The only difference between that and a higher leveled RS player's average time at RS is that studying might actually pay off in future.

[Rebdragon]

I got a 2120. [Haha, just noticed Azn's post :o, hopefully I improve on the second go around o_O.]

 

 

 

I didn't study all that much, but I did take two classes. The first one didn't help much, but the second one shot my writing score up 120 points, 'cause I learned all the little tricks the SAT uses in the "what's wrong about this sentence?" sections, and I had a great writing teacher that year for English (got a 10 on the SAT essay, though I got a 6 [lowest twenty-five percentile] on the ACT essay :XD: ).

 

 

 

Surprisingly, I got a 193 on the PSATs (my dad thinks I had a bad day, I dunno), but I went up 200 point from there, very much thanks to my boost in my writing score (CR and Math didn't change much more than 30 points).

 

 

 

Your call, but don't stress about it or anything. Take a class if you're got the time and money, but I wouldn't do too much more than that than more recreational reading and making sure to pay attention in math class :wink: .

 

 

 

Oh, and alansson, you can never run out of things to study for the SAT, but it's pretty hard to increase your score in each section more than 20 points no matter how hard you study :| .

[mad4u689]

I didn't study any test-taking strategies at all, but I did take a bunch of practice tests, and I got a 1590 (this is when it was still out of 1600).

 

 

 

My recommendation: the most important thing is familiarity with the test, and understanding basic test-taking strategies. If you've taken similar tests before, you don't need to repeat the studying for the test-taking strategies, but the more practice tests you take, the more familiar you'll be with the style of questions, and the better you'll do.

 

 

 

So take lots of practice tests :D And review some test-taking strategies from a guidebook :) However, studying 5-7 hours a day for the whole summer will (a) drive you insane and (B) not wind up helping very much.

 

 

 

P.S. Your parents have one thing right - the test is kind of important. Although you'll forget about it as soon as you get into college, the whole getting into college thing is really important - you want to be able to go to the school you want to go to :D

[Ambassadar]

When did it change from 1600 possible points?

[trapical]

Heh, heh... I love it when people get worried about the SAT or ACT. Oh noes, it's a 4 hour test! Oh noes, you can't use a TI-89!

 

Ha, I wish I could re-take that thing. You can't even really study for it, I mean, it's all basic concepts and the science section is just graph reading.

 

 

 

Sorry to hijack this thread for a minute, but whenever people complain to me about the SAT and just respond with a 4 letter acronym that sends shivers down the spine of anyone who knows what it is. The test I am taking on August 20th. The guaranteed hardest test I will ever take in my life: the MCAT

 

 

 

Urban dictionary described the MCAT as:

 

A grueling, terrible 9-hour exam required of all students applying to medical school. It is the hardest and longest of all graduate school examinations. Only the strong-willed and intelligent-minded survive. The exam tests critical reasoning and not just content.

 

 

 

So yea, it's like taking the finals for:

 

- a full year of University Biology

 

- a full year of University Chemistry

 

- a full year of Organic Chemistry

 

- a full year of Physics, Calculus based

 

- and then for good measure they throw in a full year of University English

 

 

 

So yea, imagine taking an 8 hour test that has questions from anything in those five subjects. Oh yea, and no calculators are allowed. Yea, better get memorizing how to do sin/tangent in your head, and better start learning the values for square roots. Being able to do the quadratic equation in your head is pretty much required. Let me tell ya, studying for this thing is fan-freaking tastic!

 

 

 

Oh by the way, the max score is a 45, but the average is a 24 =D> (You only need a 32 our of 45 to get into Harvard. So yea, if you get a 69% on this test, you can get into Ivy League schools :XD:

 

 

 

The MCAT prides itself on, year after year, preventing 90% of the people who have aspirations to become a doctor from ever stepping foot into a medical school.

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

 

Well I know kids that have been studying more than me, but me personally? I have been studying from 10am-9pm Mon-Friday with a two 1 hour breaks... SINCE MAY 15TH!.

 

The test is now only 29 days away... :ohnoes:

[Rebdragon]

I got a 1590

 

o_O

 

 

 

Where are you, Harvard?

 

When did it change from 1600 possible points?

 

When the Writing section was added.

 

 

 

It's just... way too subjective to be useful. Most schools still go by the 1600 scale when they look at scores, but they still look at the Writing score; they just don't put too much weight on it.

[IGoddessI]

SATS are evil; I was 1 point off DeanÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s scholarship.

 

 

 

My friends and family know to never mention that word near me lol

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

 

 

 

Who are you trying to kid? I study 5-8 hours a day 6 days a week.

 

 

 

Back to uni in 4 days :ohnoes:

 

 

 

I'm not that smart but I am determined as hell, it's the one thing that pulls me through every time.

 

 

 

So take lots of practice tests

 

 

 

Really good advice and don't over analyse things, see it for what it is or for exactly what it says.

[mad4u689]

o_O

 

 

 

Where are you, Harvard?

 

 

 

Nah - Wesleyan University :D I applied there early decision. I wanted some place with a more intellectual and quirky, but less competitive, atmosphere :D

[Abelmisi]

[hide]

Heh, heh... I love it when people get worried about the SAT or ACT. Oh noes, it's a 4 hour test! Oh noes, you can't use a TI-89!

 

Ha, I wish I could re-take that thing. You can't even really study for it, I mean, it's all basic concepts and the science section is just graph reading.

 

 

 

Sorry to hijack this thread for a minute, but whenever people complain to me about the SAT and just respond with a 4 letter acronym that sends shivers down the spine of anyone who knows what it is. The test I am taking on August 20th. The guaranteed hardest test I will ever take in my life: the MCAT

 

 

 

Urban dictionary described the MCAT as:

 

A grueling, terrible 9-hour exam required of all students applying to medical school. It is the hardest and longest of all graduate school examinations. Only the strong-willed and intelligent-minded survive. The exam tests critical reasoning and not just content.

 

 

 

So yea, it's like taking the finals for:

 

- a full year of University Biology

 

- a full year of University Chemistry

 

- a full year of Organic Chemistry

 

- a full year of Physics, Calculus based

 

- and then for good measure they throw in a full year of University English

 

 

 

So yea, imagine taking an 8 hour test that has questions from anything in those five subjects. Oh yea, and no calculators are allowed. Yea, better get memorizing how to do sin/tangent in your head, and better start learning the values for square roots. Being able to do the quadratic equation in your head is pretty much required. Let me tell ya, studying for this thing is fan-freaking tastic!

 

 

 

Oh by the way, the max score is a 45, but the average is a 24 =D> (You only need a 32 our of 45 to get into Harvard. So yea, if you get a 69% on this test, you can get into Ivy League schools :XD:

 

 

 

The MCAT prides itself on, year after year, preventing 90% of the people who have aspirations to become a doctor from ever stepping foot into a medical school.

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

 

Well I know kids that have been studying more than me, but me personally? I have been studying from 10am-9pm Mon-Friday with a two 1 hour breaks... SINCE MAY 15TH!.

 

The test is now only 29 days away... :ohnoes:

[/hide]

 

 

 

God, I shivered from reading that already.

[Evrae]

Could someone please explain what the american SAT is?

 

 

 

Because in Britain, SATS are a national test taken at ages 8, 11 and 14. Not too difficult, not important and they take up way too much teaching time.

 

 

 

It sounds as if the American SAT is some sort of entrance exam for university (college?). Am I right?

[warri0r45]

SATS are evil; I was 1 point off DeanÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s scholarship.

 

 

 

My friends and family know to never mention that word near me lol

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

 

 

 

Who are you trying to kid? I study 5-8 hours a day 6 days a week.

 

 

 

Back to uni in 4 days :ohnoes:

 

 

 

I'm not that smart but I am determined as hell, it's the one thing that pulls me through every time.

 

 

 

So take lots of practice tests

 

 

 

Really good advice and don't over analyse things, see it for what it is or for exactly what it says.

 

 

 

You're crazy! Are you studying an undergraduate or a postgraduate course?

 

 

 

Damn, reading yours and trapicals posts makes me feel lazy. I hardly study at all. :( Uni just isn't a very motivating environment for me. I was more motivated at school for gods sake. Maybe the semester coming up will spark some motivation into me. Biochemistry FTW.

[IGoddessI]

Honours, the one in the middle that gives me the door way to the title "Dr." :P

[warri0r45]

Honours, the one in the middle that gives me the first Dr. title when completed :P

 

 

 

I'm a bit ignorant of all the titles and levels having only done one semester of tertiary study but sounds cool. :P

[IGoddessI]

Honours, the one in the middle that gives me the first Dr. title when completed :P

 

 

 

I'm a bit ignorant of all the titles and levels having only done one semester of tertiary study but sounds cool. :P

 

 

 

Sorry what I wrote was a bit misleading so I changed it.

[assassin_696]

[hide]

Heh, heh... I love it when people get worried about the SAT or ACT. Oh noes, it's a 4 hour test! Oh noes, you can't use a TI-89!

 

Ha, I wish I could re-take that thing. You can't even really study for it, I mean, it's all basic concepts and the science section is just graph reading.

 

 

 

Sorry to hijack this thread for a minute, but whenever people complain to me about the SAT and just respond with a 4 letter acronym that sends shivers down the spine of anyone who knows what it is. The test I am taking on August 20th. The guaranteed hardest test I will ever take in my life: the MCAT

 

 

 

Urban dictionary described the MCAT as:

 

A grueling, terrible 9-hour exam required of all students applying to medical school. It is the hardest and longest of all graduate school examinations. Only the strong-willed and intelligent-minded survive. The exam tests critical reasoning and not just content.

 

 

 

So yea, it's like taking the finals for:

 

- a full year of University Biology

 

- a full year of University Chemistry

 

- a full year of Organic Chemistry

 

- a full year of Physics, Calculus based

 

- and then for good measure they throw in a full year of University English

 

 

 

So yea, imagine taking an 8 hour test that has questions from anything in those five subjects. Oh yea, and no calculators are allowed. Yea, better get memorizing how to do sin/tangent in your head, and better start learning the values for square roots. Being able to do the quadratic equation in your head is pretty much required. Let me tell ya, studying for this thing is fan-freaking tastic!

 

 

 

Oh by the way, the max score is a 45, but the average is a 24 =D> (You only need a 32 our of 45 to get into Harvard. So yea, if you get a 69% on this test, you can get into Ivy League schools :XD:

 

 

 

The MCAT prides itself on, year after year, preventing 90% of the people who have aspirations to become a doctor from ever stepping foot into a medical school.

 

 

 

Honestly, NO ONE studies 5-7 hours a day. Why would they? HOW could they?

 

Well I know kids that have been studying more than me, but me personally? I have been studying from 10am-9pm Mon-Friday with a two 1 hour breaks... SINCE MAY 15TH!.

 

The test is now only 29 days away... :ohnoes:

[/hide]

 

 

 

Haha, damn trapical, reading that made my possible future test look positively easy :P

 

 

 

The worst 4 letter acronym I can throw back at you is the STEP test, and looking at MCAT it looks nowhere near as bad but i'll have a shot of jumping it up a bit :P

 

 

 

Basically, it's the hardest university entrance exam that could possibly be devised. The only people who sit it are those who want to do mathematics at Cambridge (or sometimes Warwick) but since I mightstudy mathematical physics in my first year I might be doing it.

 

 

 

There are three exams, you can only take two, and each is a three hour exam. There are 14 questions on each paper, and to get the highest grade possible, 'Outstanding' (S) you only need to answer 6 of those questions well, not completely. No one could answer all the questions completely (well, it would be exceptionally rare, and has never happened before to my knowledge). Each question is designed to take about 45 minutes.

 

 

 

The questions themselves are all, well, hard to say the least but are structured so that you don't need to know anything beyond the A-level maths syllabus to actually be able to do them, instead you need phenomenal creativity for ideas of how to answer them.

 

 

 

I think it's designed to weed out the top 2% of A level further maths students, who are already a fairly dedicated bunch. In short, it's hard, but is only really maths, unlike yours which encompasses quite a lot so I won't complain too much. I'm curious though, why do you have to know so much physics?

 

 

 

Anyway, good luck with it, and sorry for sidetracking this thread again.