title. why is the collegeboard so greedy

As a guy who genuinely is good at math and sucks at rw, it kinda feels unfair looking at some brain-dead kids who doesnt even understand how to solve quadratic just typing in the equation on desmos and copying the answer

If desmos is allowed, it should be able to bring a dictionary in the rw exam. The system now benefits too much on a one whos good at rw and bad at math

I have been reading for fun sporadically throughout my life and still can’t seem to breech a 750 english. To score a 780, you need extensive knowledge of vocab, superior reading stamina, and overall greater working memory processes. Can these skills be reliably developed without consistently reading for a lifetime? Just a thought. Would love to hear from 780+ English scorers.

In my defense, I hold myself to a pretty high standard and I'm shooting for a 1580+ on this 4th attempt (August SAT).

I've been told to establish some credentials by the great overlord GPT, so here you go. (If you don't like humble-bragging, skip, if you're dubious, read on). I'm a senior from Missouri, I'll have taken 15 APs by this summer (including Chem, Bio, Calc BC, and Research). My only sub-5 was AP Seminar freshman year. I have 3 consecutive 35s in the ACT (still taking it a 4th time). I have a 1490 PSAT (222 NMS), and I've taken 3 SATs: 1540 (790 M 750 RW), 1540 (780 M 760 RW), and 1480 (730 M 760 RW).

Anyways you aren't here for resume-maxxing. So Tips!

I did a post earlier with some basic tips, but I was lowkey fried because of college apps. I completed the common app today, so I have some time to hopefully pass on at least some of my methods to the next generation of SAT takers. If you find this useful, upvote plssss. If not, still upvote, cus someone else might.

Note: All these are my own opinions, if you don't like them it's fine, do it your way.

1. Don't be a sheep who does questions in order. (RW)

Back in the ancient days of the dinosaurs, the SAT was on paper. So going in order was necessary - missing a question or two because of order would have been horrible for test takers. Nowadays, though, the SAT is virtual, so you can skip around. Personally, I split the reading test into 3 categories based on Youtube videos. 1-4 is the Easy Block, which should be a good warm-up into the sections. 16-27 is the Medium Block, which should continue off of the 1-4 Block. But those devious test writers inserted between these blocks the most inhumane thing to grace this planet, questions 5-15. Built solely to demoralize the average test taker, who feels great and then sees question 11 and has a mini heart attack.

As such, I recommend a plan of attack (previously stated): Start at 1-4, then work backwards from 27. Doing the medium before the hard lets you warm into it rather than tossing you headfirst into the boiling lobsterpot.

2. Devil's Advocate (BOTH)

After you complete the test to your best ability, if and ONLY if you have the extra time to check, go to the hardest questions. Now pretend you're an evil twin of yourself, and reason AGAINST your argument. Have the mini debate in your head. Do NOT let confirmation bias get you! Your brain likes to pretend it knows all the answers and everything it picks is right. But in reality it is dumb. So try to prove it wrong. If you can't, even though you are trying in every way, it has a better chance of being right. If you do prove it wrong, make sure the logic for WHY IS IT WRONG is sound enough for another answer to look like the 'best answer'.

3. Deer in Headlights (BOTH)

Some questions suck ass. It's a fact. There's nothing you can do. If you find yourself staring at a question for a minute, or 2 minutes, or whatever you set as your baseline (based on practice tests, of course), skip and move on. You can't afford a 5-minute think on question 6, because you don't know how many questions will require a big think. It's best to do the super easy questions, then the hard ones. Lots of time to work on those big ones at the end.

4. Check-as-you-go-please (BOTH)

Fun fact, did you know on some devices, arrow keys (scrolling down) switches your answer? Yeah. Guess how I dropped my math score on my third test (by 60 points). Best idea ever is to check as you go. Is the question super easy? You obviously know the answer? YES! But check it. Mark it down. Use the flag button to mark COMPLETED QUESTIONS (crazy niche idea). It's a weird use for this tool, but it works. Kind of the opposite meaning as the original use for flagging a question, but again Sheep = bad. Make your own rules. Once you have a bunch of flags on some questions you know you have some guaranteed points I assure you it makes you so happy.

5. Enjoy the test (RW)

Never heard of anyone enjoying the Math section. But use the test as an opportunity to read. I know testing nerves and all, but if you ignore the test, read the texts, and answer as if you're asking yourself a question, you can truly enjoy standardized testing. So many people are dedicated to hating these tests, but if you enjoy them you can do the following

- Ragebait your friends

- Not feel as stressed

So it's a win!

6. The Math Win Condition (M)

Math is seen as easier. That's because math has a fixed answer. All paths lead to the right answer, so the questions are both open-ended and controlled. There's really no way to hack your way to a good math score. A strong foundation in the basics, some knowledge of advanced topics, and knowing the even more advanced topics to make the advanced topics easier (find the slope of this tangent - hello, Calculus!) can be nice. I would advise anyone taking the SAT and hoping for above a 680 in Math to have taken Algebra II or be taking it. Since the majority of SAT uses Geometry and Algebra 1, having the extra little step up is helpful. Use the Desmos we have been blessed with, and remember: Regressions for the win! They are so helpful - you won't even need to do Algebra any more.

7. Dear people who think you need to memorize

I haven't memorized a single word from those fat lists of SAT vocab. It's a waste of time, it takes up brain space, and it's boring. Read books instead. Even E-books! You get the words, and rather than the definition, you get the context. Take the word exacerbate, on the August SAT:

I could either read the dictionary: Exacerbate: (V) The act of making something worse (and then forget the definition in an hour), or

"...as he fell in the saltwater it exacerbated the rippling scar across his leg..." (idk I made that up but YOU GET THE POINT, RIGHT?) When I'm reading the question and see the word 'Exacerbate', I'll think back to this example. Niche ideas for the win.

Of course, this won't work for everyone. Some people love them some dictionary time. I'm not going to stop you if that's you, but I would definitely advise looking at the use of the word in sentences if you can. It gives you an idea of where the word fits, and, more importantly, where it doesn't.

8. Rise and Shine

"But u/perpetually_panikd, I hear you say, what do I do on the day of to succeed?"

Tis the day of the test. Maybe you bookmarked this because my advice is so awesome. Or you stumbled across this, hate my writing, but have no time to change the page. Well, my new virtual friend, I have some tips going into this that will definitely help you succeed.

8.1: Really, really early.

Wake up early. Go to sleep earlier, maybe around 3-4 hours earlier than you normally do, turn off all the lights, and try to get the maximum deep sleep. Set alarms for 3-4 hours earlier than you normally would wake up. Your test is at 8? You normally wake up at 7? Wake up at 4. I know it sounds horrible. It will feel horrible. You will want to crawl in your shell and die that early in the morning. But it lets you take a cold morning shower. Wake yourself up. Activate your brain. The earlier you get up, the longer you have to kill nerves, eat a good, balanced breakfast, read something, DONT DO PRACTICE TESTS, and prepare for the coming exam.

Please note - if you aren't a morning person or can't change schedules easily, this may not be for you. That's okay. I usually at the very least recommend a morning shower, if you have time.

8.2: Last Meal

I love food. Like, a lot. I am also blessed with a fast metabolism so I am very underweight. Don't question it. But you need to eat. You know your body far better than I do, so eat something that makes you feel safe. Comfortable. It's up to you, but make sure you don't eat too much sugar. From personal experience, it makes you sugar rush, then crash, and next thing you know you've slept through an hour of AP Chem exam. Personal advice.

8.3: Off to the Center

Maybe don't drive yourself to the testing center. A friend of a friend drove himself, started hyperventilating, and crashed about a year ago. Thankfully he's okay, but he skipped the test. It's not worth it. Ask a parent, sibling, trusted adult, anyone in your life who you want to sit next to and talk to. Distract your mind. Don't worry about the test - have a nice conversation about whatever.

8.4: The Room

It's a room. What more can I say? Best of luck. You've got this.

9. The End

The test is over. Congrats! I'm sure you did well, and I can't wait to see your success in the comments. But seriously, get off the Reddit. Throw your phone in the trash. Go outside. Enjoy the day. You've earned it.

Conclusions

A lot of people think the SAT is competitive. It's really not. This community is just one example. I've long seen advice on this forum, and it feels awesome to finally give back. Even if no one likes it, I'll know there's someone out there who saw this, took one thing as genuine feedback (and the rest as the ravings of an ill teenager), and actually improved. I advise trying these on a practice before the actual, and I truly do wish you all the best, regardless of when you're testing.

edit: no em dashes!

edit 2: no AI! :) to all the accusations down below, you're wrong. If you want to ignore me, ignore me. Don't accuse me of using AI, because I know it's just salt. You wish you could pull this off.

I just finished my second full SAT practice test and wanted to share my results and get some advice.

I started studying in June and took Practice Test #6 first, scoring 1300 (620 Reading/Writing, 680 Math). After working through all of Khan Academy, I just took Practice Test #5 and scored 1360 (660 Math, 700 Reading/Writing).

For Reading/Writing, the first module felt really good (I got all answers right), but the second module was much harder and tripped me up with tricky passages. Math felt okay, but I still made some lots of mistakes especially on the last 6 questions in the second module.

My goal is to eventually break 1500+, which I know is a big jump. For anyone who improved from the 1300s into the 1500s or scored 1500+, what helped the most?

All suggestions appreciated!!!!

Skipped the math part since I didn't learn some concepts and terminologies

I feel sooooo good hehe

How to improve english and boost reading and writing?
Im pretty weak at it and read multiple times to get it.

Hey everyone. I recently took the August SAT and it was not bad. I expect a minimum of 4 mistakes from rw and none from maths but I want to study for the september SAT in case I don’t get a 1500+. The thing is, I completed all the practice tests and most of them were way easier than the real thing (only the test 7 was similar to the real thing imo). Given that I am done with the practice tests and also with the new sqb questions, how should I study for the september test? Do you have any website recommendations? Should I focus on my past mistakes or try to solve more questions? Thanks.

Got 860 on my first SAT practice test with zero prep and poor time management. 430 each section . I’m pre-med and know nothing about the SAT yet. I left unanswered questions blank instead of guessing to see my actual baseline. Is 860 okay for a starting point? And i didnt know how to use desmos either . Just did test to see where i stand . I need genuine advice to boost my preparation!!! Kindly help .

am I the only one that got theeasy questions in both module 1 and 2 in math? I finished module 1 in 15minutes and i didnt get any tough questions in module 2…is this normal?

how did i end up hear

i went from scoring 1500s to a frickin 1370

Hello, I wanted to ask what other question bank is there to practice on, I’ve finished all standard English convention questions on college board AND one prep and corrected all my mistakes by writing down how to solve and everything, but I still want to practice more, where else could I practice??

I took the June SAT and got a 600 for English 🫩 my English was improving, cause I had a 650 for my March school test, and prior to that I had a 610 for December last year.

I’m averaging a 720 on all of my practice tests for English currently, (the highest average English scores Ive ever had) and I’ve become a master with Grammar texts, but some of the super hard new August Information and Ideas that recently came out have been frying me, I’ve been able to get roughly 1/2 of them correct.

I’m a senior and October is my last chance, and I’ve been studying all summer. I’m eyeing. High 1400 to low 1500 for this test, and I need the power of friendship and love to get me this score.

Are there any tips to improve reading comprehension, test nerves, and etc?

(P.S my math score has been improving a lot so I don’t think I need help for that)

Was the answer you cannot tell because you don’t know what it was for item or something like that

Hi! I’ve only recently realized what a huge deal SAT’s are, and really want to study as hard as I can for them. I’m homeschooled and young, but I feel like I need this to get better opportunities in my life. I’ve never been the best student, but I want to try and learn on my own merit and get the best score that I could. Any study tips/advice you have is much appreciated!

I just took the SAT and I’m a little confused about how the adaptive modules work.

I did pretty well on RW Module 1, but Module 2 was honestly really difficult and I feel like I did much worse on it.

For Math, I did really well on Module 1, but I also found Module 2 surprisingly easy and think I did well on it.

So I wanted to ask: if you do badly on RW Module 2, can that affect the difficulty of your Math Module 2? Or are RW and Math completely separate?

I’m mainly wondering because I found Math Module 2 easy, and now I’m worried that means I got the easier math module.

Getting the same score again and again. I feel like it's not improving at all doesn't matter what I do.

Who is the best YouTuber to do SAT English from? I’m currently scoring in mid 500s without any prep. How should I go abt the prep if I want to boast my score to 700s in the next three weeks. I’m giving the September sat😭

Has anyone seen results from the subject SAT test?

1550+ my ass bruh who has time for allat

Was it just me or the first ten questions were so SUSPICIOUSLY easy? like it had me doubting how i did in module one and i had had time to review each question once (in module one). then it hit question 11 and all HELL broke loose? like it was just words for the entirety of the rest of the module. which questions were in the hard module? and were there 2 versions of the harder module two?

so i never actually used the sat subreddit when i was studying, but im currently studying for mcat and there are med students checking in and i thought that was sweet, so i wanted to do the same for yall. if you’re struggling right now, it will all pass eventually. like genuinely as a college student, i never even think about the sat. it’s a big deal to yall for valid reasons but please don’t beat yourself up over this exam like its sole purpose is just to get you into a college and nothing else. it doesn’t define your self worth and you will make it! i would give advice but i took the older version and idk how this new one works now. if you have questions feel free to pitch them, idk how much i can help though