Test prep really does help. just practicing with that kind of question and getting used to it. For math, the key is to work quickly and not go back and check your answers. The problems are not hard but the time is limited. For verbal, learn vocabulary words. This is where the prep books really help out. The easiest way to run into a wall on verbal is where they start throwing strange words at you.
The fact that it ask whether someone is Asian just shows that race is central to this thread. It's reinforcing the stereotype that Asians are inherently smarter. While this might be considered a positive stereotype it is a still a stereotype and stereotypes of any sort do more harm to race relations than the help.
It's not reality. The SAT is only applied to a very small percentage of Asians primarily immigrants in the US. If Asians as a race are actually more smarter you would have to look at the vast majority of Asians back in Asia. Further the SAT isn't a good measure of intelligence.
I was in a meeting earlier in the year, and the boss said something like 'China has more *smart* kids than we have *kids*.' It was said in a sort of ominous tone, trying to make everyone really fret and worry about whatever. But I responded, 'Yes, but that also means they have WAY more dumb kids than we have kids, too!' Gotta think big picture. However, this kind of point being made about the SAT is valid, as long as it is kept in context. You're not wrong, but neither is the observation either. And it's not racist to notice it and point it out.
SAT was not designed to measure intelligence, it only measure the chance of success (graduate) in colleges. As I said before, the reason why Asians are doing better is because they put more effort into education, the harder you work, the better the results. Why are Asians typically not good in sports in the US? Part of the reason is they do not put in the effort to try to get better in that area.
I got an 1180, 720 in English...but this was in 1987...My PSAT scores made me a National Merit Scholar finalist...and my 1180 was the second best at my High School (though we had a 1600 student a couple years before). It is weird that my score which had me in the 99th percentile at the time is so wimpy today.
Nah... they changed the format in the mid 90's so students can score higher. One of them being able to choose certain subjects, if I'm not mistaken. Student's taking it today will definitely score lower in the older format.
Asian, and don't remember. I do remember it wasn't great though. If it was anything like my ACT scores, I basically aced math/science, and failed at Engrish. Yes, stereotype. I can speak and write English quite well (born here in The States, I know it doesn't mean anything). I just hated reading about the most boring subject they could possibly think of and answer questions on it. Oh well...
I scored over 1800 on the new scale. I guess that would be between 1200-1300 on the old scale. Not sure how it affected me since I still graduated with honors and did quite well in college.
can I ask how some of you guys managed to achieve such amazing scores? I am currently struggling in college, so can you guys share your study habits and philosophies? What did you do that lead to such success?