Avoiding Stupid Mistakes?

<p>Well I'm studying for the SAT I in October, and I'm getting pretty frustrated.</p>

<p>For the Math section, usually the only points I lose are because of small mistakes, such as reading part of the problem wrong, or making a really simply mistake in my working. I think this happens because I feel a need to rush because of the time limit. My strategies to the problems are always correct, but the 3 or 4 math questions in total I miss on the test I miss because of my carelessness.</p>

<p>I've tried checking my work after finishing the problems, but usually this doesn't help, because my mind tends to read the problem how it remembers it (the problems are still fresh in my mind I guess?).</p>

<p>Any useful tips? I'm sure this happens to a lot of people!</p>

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<p>Completely true. That’s why, you don’t actually revise your answers except when you’ve finished the section. You usually have 5 minutes to spare at the end, and when you return to problems for review, you are more capable of noticing your errors since you’re reading the problem with a clear mind. You’re reading it as a grader.</p>

<p>Go back and and check your work when you are done. Make sure you re-read the question, understand what it is asking, and look at your work to make sure it has what the question is looking for.</p>

<p>The proper way to “check” your answers is to wait until you have a few minutes left, then go back and start redoing each problem without looking at your original solution. If possible you should use a different method than when you first solved the problem.</p>

<p>Looking over the problem usually does not work. Your mind just follows any errors you’ve made as if they are ok.</p>

<p>Also, you shouldn’t be rushing through problems. You save time by using effective SAT strategies, NOT by speeding up.</p>