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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Improve in SAT English section?

Hi everyone, I'm struggling with the English section of the SAT. Any tips on how to improve? What should I focus on when practicing? Thanks in advance!

10 months ago

Hi there! Improving your SAT English score can be accomplished by focusing on a few key areas. Here are some tips to help you on your way:

1. Vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by reading a variety of texts (novels, newspapers, essays) and noting unfamiliar words. Create flashcards with new words, their definitions, and example sentences. Studying word roots, prefixes, and suffixes is also helpful for understanding new words.

2. Reading Comprehension: Practice with a variety of reading materials (fiction, non-fiction, science articles, social studies texts, etc.) and get comfortable with identifying main ideas, supporting details, and authors' perspectives. For each passage you read, write a one-sentence summary to ensure you've grasped the central idea.

3. Critical Thinking: Understand the structure of arguments and biases in the passages. Look for logical flaws, common fallacies, and authors' techniques to persuade their audiences. Being able to critique the texts will help you answer questions more accurately.

4. Grammar and Writing Mechanics: Become familiar with standard English grammar rules, such as punctuation, verb tense agreement, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Online resources like Khan Academy or the College Board's practice tests can help you pinpoint areas where you need improvement and give you targeted practice.

5. Practice under Time Constraints: The SAT English section is a timed test, so it's crucial to develop your pacing. Use a timer while you practice to simulate the test day experience and build your speed and accuracy.

6. Analyze your Mistakes: After each practice test or exercise, analyze any incorrect responses to understand why you missed them. Also consider analyzing the questions you got correct, to ensure your overall process was sound and you didn't just accidentally arrive at the right answer. Identifying patterns and areas for improvement will help you study more efficiently.

7. Learn Test-Taking Strategies: Familiarize yourself with different question types and develop strategies for tackling them efficiently. For example, answer the line-specific questions (questions that refer to specific lines in the passage) before the general ones - this approach can help you understand the passage better.

8. Consistent Practice: Make a study schedule and stick to it. Consistent, focused practice will yield improvements over time. Consider using prep books or online resources, like CollegeVine, that offer plenty of practice problems, test-taking tips, and even full-length sample tests.

Good luck with your SAT English preparation! Remember, improvement takes time and commitment, but with diligent practice and a smart study plan, you'll see progress.

10 months ago

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