Parsa was a rising senior in Maryland with plans to study Math or Computer Science.
His starting score estimate was around 1300. His goal was a perfect 800 Math and 770 to 800 Reading and Writing.
In March, he earned an official 1550. Three months later, a stronger Reading and Writing result completed a 1570 superscore.
What happened when you opened your first official result?
Parsa: So for my first SAT where I got a 1550, I had my sister read it out to me, she's eight years old and my whole family was super shocked because I thought I definitely got something wrong in the math section.
“But 1550 was absolutely crazy for me. I wish I got that on video.”
Around 1300, with a precise target
What was your SAT goal, and why did it matter to you?
Parsa: I am planning to study math or CS. I am a rising senior going to school in Maryland, USA. My SAT goal was 800 math and 770-800 reading.
Where do you think you were before you began preparing?
Parsa: I would say before I started studying I was around a 700 math and 600 reading.
His first measured Bluebook score was 1510: 780 Math and 730 Reading and Writing. From there, he focused on reaching the exact section scores he had named at the start.
The moments most students spend scrolling
What did your study routine look like?
Parsa: My study routine varied a lot, and there was no fixed x hours per day. I was mainly focused on reading. Instead of setting aside specific time to study (I was already quite busy with school and extracurriculars), I decided I would use any extra time I have to do reading and vocab questions. I ended up completing anywhere between 5-40 questions a day without setting up any specific time for reading.
“I used Aniko instead of using social media or wasting time on my phone.”
What got you to study on the days you did not feel like it?
Parsa: I really just didn't, honestly. It was just the fact that I squeezed it into downtime.
Closer to the March SAT, he added more dedicated preparation, reaching as much as two hours a day. The routine remained centered on Reading and Writing.
This is exactly what I need
When did Aniko begin to feel different?
Parsa: At first it seemed like just another practice platform. And then I realized this is exactly what I need. I learn so much better from sheer question volume than I do from studying strategies.
“At first it seemed like just another practice platform. And then I realized this is exactly what I need.”
Which features made the biggest difference?
Parsa: I loved how easy I could use it on mobile. Another thing was that it was truly similar to how Blue Book works, especially the practice test environment and the quality of the questions were on par, if not harder, especially in the math section, to the real SAT.
The volume made grammar patterns familiar. The review made that volume useful. When asked which feature he could not live without, Parsa answered: “Why A/B/C/D is wrong.”
From 1550 to a 1570 superscore
What was your ritual before and during test day?
Parsa: Good sleep, get to the testing center early, make sure I shower. Really just making sure my body's healthy. And I tried not to think about the SAT any time sixteen hours before my test.
What did you change after reaching 800 Math?
Parsa: I then completely stopped studying for math, and started doing only reading questions, and the same “any downtime” strategy, which got me a 770R in June. (740 math). This finished my SAT journey with a 1570 superscore.
The 770 Reading and Writing from June combined with his earlier 800 Math to give Parsa a 1570 superscore.
What went through your head when you heard the second result?
Parsa: The second time I did get on video, my little brother read it out to me. He is 11. For this one I was just hoping I improved from 750. A 770 was barely lower than what I was hoping for but I am super grateful I still improved.
Parsa's advice: study efficiently
What would you tell someone preparing for the SAT today?
Parsa: The advice I would give is start early and make sure you're improving on your mistakes. One of the things I did was I focused a lot on sheer volume, but also really understanding why you got a certain question wrong, maybe keeping a proper error log where you're writing down why you got a question wrong, would be something that definitely would have helped me.
“The advice I would give is start early and make sure you're improving on your mistakes.”
His shortest version was even simpler: “Study efficiently.” Take a diagnostic and turn your next spare moment into a focused first session.