Summary of "I Tried Every DSAT Resource, These Got Me a 1550+"

Summary of “I Tried Every DSAT Resource, These Got Me a 1550+”

This video presents a comprehensive review and recommendation of the best SAT (specifically DSAT) preparation resources, focusing on free or budget-friendly options that helped the creator and surveyed high scorers (1550+) succeed. The main goal is to cut through the overwhelming and often expensive SAT prep advice online and provide practical, effective tools and strategies.

Main Ideas and Lessons

Common Problem: Many online SAT resources give generic advice or push expensive prep classes without clear guidance on what to study.
Approach: Surveyed 50 high schoolers scoring 1550+ to identify the most effective resources.
Focus: Resources are free or affordable, practical, and aimed at helping students improve efficiently.

Recommended Resources & How to Use Them

Blue Book Exam App by College Board
- Official SAT practice tests identical to the real exam.
- Provides the most accurate score predictions.
- Use sparingly and strategically, especially closer to the test date.
- The app simulates test conditions strictly (locks device, timer, no multitasking).
- Best used after practicing with other materials.
College Board SAT Suite Question Bank
- Primary practice tool with thousands of official SAT questions.
- Allows filtering by test section, topic, difficulty, and skill.
- Important: Check “exclude active questions” to avoid overlap with Blue Book tests.
- Also includes PSAT questions, which are slightly easier but test the same concepts—useful for extra practice.
- Strategy: Start with PSAT questions for drilling, then move to SAT questions.
SAT Prep Blackbook
- Underrated book focused on test-taking strategies and mindset.
- Emphasizes understanding the SAT as a standardized test with predictable patterns.
- Teaches elimination techniques and how to think like test makers.
- Helps reduce test anxiety and careless mistakes.
- Available used cheaply; a valuable investment compared to expensive prep courses.
Wise Tutoring (Sponsored)
- Connects students with expert tutors for personalized, targeted help.
- Covers SAT and other subjects.
- Offers a “good fit guarantee” (first hour risk-free).
- Useful for focused improvement in weak areas.
Khan Academy DSAT Prep
- Still a valuable resource despite reduced content post-DSAT rollout.
- Offers structured courses for math and reading/writing.
- Good for targeted skill improvement and practice quizzes.
- Best used to patch specific weak areas, not necessarily to complete fully.
McKelroy Tutoring PDF Archive
- Collection of old SAT and ACT paper tests, including DSAT paper versions for accommodations.
- Useful for extra official practice beyond Blue Book and Question Bank.
- Contains some overlap with Blue Book tests; use carefully.
- Helps build stamina and additional reps.
Digitals.ai
- Free online SAT practice tests and sectional quizzes.
- No account required; includes vocabulary and grammar tests.
- Great for advanced practice aiming for top scores (1500+).

Recommended Textbooks for Purchase (Affordable)

College Panda SAT Math
- Focused on achieving consistent 800s in math.
- Math is a faster area for score improvement; prioritize it.
Erica Meltzer Books (Grammar and Reading)
- Highly regarded for SAT grammar and reading comprehension.
- Choose based on personal weakness (grammar or reading).
- Especially good for learning punctuation rules intuitively.
- Available used for under $50.

Key Takeaways

Use official College Board resources first (Blue Book app, Question Bank).
Supplement with targeted practice from PSAT questions and Khan Academy.
Improve test-taking technique and mindset with the SAT Prep Blackbook.
Use additional official practice (McKelroy PDFs) and online tests (Digitals.ai) if you want more reps.
Invest in affordable, focused textbooks if you need deeper practice in grammar, reading, or math.
Personalized tutoring (e.g., Wise) can accelerate improvement in weak areas.
Avoid expensive prep courses that recycle generic tips.
Consistent practice, error correction, and understanding test patterns are crucial for high scores.

Speakers/Sources Featured

Pratik – The video creator and narrator who shares personal experience and survey results.
Skibb Grandma 123 – User quoted in an App Store review of the Blue Book app.
Wise – Sponsor and tutoring platform mentioned and recommended by Pratik.

This summary encapsulates the video’s core advice and resource recommendations for students aiming to score 1550+ on the SAT, emphasizing practical, budget-conscious strategies and tools.