Can I break 2000 on the SAT?

Question

I took a Princeton Review SAT practice exam. Almost everyone I talked to said that the real SAT exam is exactly like it. I got there late for the essay, and I only had about 10 minutes to write it, opposed to 25 like everyone else. I got a 3 on my essay, which was only 5 sentences. Other than that, here are my scores for each section.

Math 510, Verbal 520, and Writing 480

I did not study at all for the practice exam, and I got there late for the essay. If I take the actual SAT's by studying all summer and the first 4 months of school for it, should I be able to break a 2000?

Answer 1

Your scores are average. But if you really got a three on your essay with 10 minutes, I'm sure you could easily improve that. It doesn't exactly take a super skilled writer to do well on the SAT writing portion. Seriously.

You would most definitely have to study very hard and pay attention to all of the applicable subjects in school. And if this was only a practice and you were seeing it the first time, you'll be more familiar and perhaps more comfortable with the real test once that comes around.

Breaking 2000 is difficult, but absolutely possible. But if you're not a great student to begin with, you'll struggle to do so. If you average a high B/A average in advanced classes, it's within reach for you. But you can't freak out right before the test either. You can always take it again.

Good luck.

Answer 2

If you study really hard, yes you can.  Go out and buy a lot of study guides and just take A LOT of practice tests. I don't think tutors/classes work because the SATs test your test-taking abilities. The best way to improve your test-taking abilities is to take tests over and over again. I took one Princeton Review SAT class my junior year but it really didn't help me at all so after that I just A LOT of practice tests. My score jumped 400 points from what I got on the practice tests to what I got on the actual SATs. I got a 2370 the first time I took the SATs just by doing books full of practice tests.

I'd recommend going to a book store and picking up a copy of Collegeboard's Official SAT Study Guide. There are a lot of SAT prep books, but Collegeboard's worked best for me. They're the ones who make the SATs so their practice exams are most like the real ones. There are other SAT guides that you could try as well. Princeton Review and Kaplan tend to be easier than the real SATs and Barron's tends to be harder. I like Collegeboard's book the best, but a lot of my friends liked Barron's because it was harder so they felt that if they could get high scores on Barron's practice tests, they'd definitely do well on the real SATs. Each person learns differently so just go to a book store and flip through the study guides and see which ones you think would help you the most.

Try to do 2 practice tests a week (maybe more if you can fit it in). As long as you keep practicing, increasing your score isn't as impossible as some people make it seem.

Answer 3

I think you can. I took the Princeton Review exam, and while it was helpful as far as reviewing and practicing, the best score I ever reviewed was on the national, official exam, so take your results with a pinch of salt.

Here's my answer to a similar question posted a few seconds ago- basically the same concept-

"Two things to consider:

1) The SAT is not a true or completely accurate measurement of intelligence. One rising junior at my school who has incredible grades in tough classes and ranks third in a class of over 500 students got around a 150 on his PSAT- the same as a 1500 on the SAT. Yet obviously he's very smart. Go figure. Some people just don't do well on standardized tests, and more and more colleges are making test scores optional instead of required for admissions (not just any schools, but top liberal arts colleges such as Bard College and bigger, well known schools like Wake Forest.) Schools are gradually turning against tests like these and searching for alternatives.

2) But the SAT (and ACT) is the only completely standardized test colleges can really use right now, and I won't lie- the better your score, the better your chance for admission.

Tips: take a class. Several people in my school saw huge increases using the Test Masters program- one student here even got a 2400. They also turn out huge numbers of National Merit Semifinalists, Perfect Scorers, etc. Plus they guarantee a 300 point increase. I used a different service which is only available to some students in my district and got better that way. Basically, look for a quality service that balances reasonable cost with results. Look for discounts. But if you can't afford an $800+ prep course, you can do it on your own using the Princeton Review books, which I used to help me prepare. Keep your eyes peeled for books that have several full length SATs (I have one with 12 exams) so that you have plenty of chances to practice.

Keep optimistic! I personally know a guy who raised her score from one closed to yours all the way into the 2200s, so it is possible. Hard, but possible. Good luck!"

And good luck to you.

Answer 4

You can definitely do it.  Just study more and learn the tips about writing and how to solve the math.  Good luck

Answer 5

that's a 1520 for a practice test, pretty good, usually practice tests are harder than the acutal SAT I, for my practice test, i got a 1810, and i studied the Princeton Review Book also, for last summer, and for the October SATs of last year, I got a 2180, I did a little reviewing each day, im pretty sure that you can get a 2000, and on my SAT that I took in June last year i got a 1790, just a little studying each day can go far, just study when you have spare time, like an hour or 30 minutes a day will make a huge difference, I recommend flash cards also, such as the Barron's SAT practice book, they supply you with great vocabulary words. I will be attending Stanford in the Fall of 2008.

Answer 6

Doubtful unless your a genius.

My brother who just graduated high school at 15, that is also going into the physics department at University of Nevada, Reno, only scores a 1800.

It is doubtful. Good luck.