1st time taking SAT, scores weren't as good as I hoped

<p>Alright, first of all, thanks for having this forum. It looks very helpful. I took the SAT for the first time on May 2nd and got my results back a few days ago. I wasn't going for what seems like the average scores here(2100s and above! :o ) but I was hoping to do a lot better than I did on my math section.</p>

<p>My scores were:
Critical Reading: 740
Math: 540
Writing: 610
Total: 1890</p>

<p>I took a course before the SAT(it was awful and I feel that it hurt more than helped me, especially with the math). On the PSAT I had same CR, a bit higher Math and a 100 point lower Writing(I concentrated on improving my essay a lot, and I wrote a much better one than I did on the PSAT).</p>

<p>Realistically, if I study hard and concentrate on my math score especially, how much would I be able to bump up my score the second time taking it? </p>

<p>Also, do you think it would be in my interests to get a math tutor to help me with the math section(this is what my parents are suggesting I should do)?</p>

<p>AverageStudent</p>

<p>Oh, you are so lucky that you need to focus on Math and Writing.</p>

<p>Writing is the easiest one to improve. You can probably bring it up another 50-100 points, given that you memorize the 16 different types of problems. (Which is very easy to do!) </p>

<p>As for Math – just keep practicing. The concepts of each question are the same, over and over again. You just need to know how to apply it. So, go through the blue book and do every Math question. A few sites and even threads on this site, dedicate themselves to showing you how to do everything. </p>

<p>And, if you ever come across a problem, you can always a post it. We are more than happy to not only answer it to the best of our knowledge, but to debate over it with our peers.</p>

<p>WR is easy to improve ,really .The math,however is not that easy because you cant change your way of thinking.YOu may practice with hard problems involving functions,triangles and probability/permutations .These questions are straightforward and you will feel the improvement.However,you can always face a #12 problem that asks ''for how many integers … ‘’ or number 13 that asks about the least number that satisfies certain inequality.
I scored 620 on WR in January and managed to improve it to the range of 760-800 on practice tests.I hope to score 800 in June
I score 600 on CR and desperately try to score 650+ on practice tests and on 6th June but so far I cant
I score 610 on M and managed to improve to the range of 710-750.I feel I cant improve anymore.I am very good at math,have participated in many national competitions and won some awards but I ALWAYS,ALWAYS make silly blunders that prevents me from 800 .And the difference between 740 and 800 is only 3 errors.</p>

<p>there is no essay on the psat.</p>