Best way to improve on SAT Math..

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>So I just took the June SAT today, but I already know I failed it SO bad in math. Anyway, I got a 630 in math in march without any studying and I thought I would improve my score this time around because I did some studying, but I don't think I did. Obviously I don't know yet, but yeah. :/ It's not looking very good. I'm definitely below 700. The problem is I know (most) of the actual skills on the SAT math, but I psych myself out...make a question more difficult than it needs to be, fail to understand what the question is actually asking me (until 2 minutes after the proctor says put your pencil down)...AND make careless mistakes - yet no matter how many times I say "no more careless mistakes" I still do it. </p>

<p>I have a summer to study...what should I do? Do you recommend I try to get into a prep class for some serious intensive study? Or is there a particular really good SAT book for math? I have Barron's and for math in particular Mcgraw-Hill's Top 50 Skills. Or should I just take lots of timed practice tests? I really, really want a 680-710 in math. I know I'll get 700+ in writing and CR, but I'm shooting for a 2200, so it's really important I increase that math score.</p>

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<p>Barron’s book is okay if you study it well.</p>

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<p>when you study, just do the math sections. Maybe try taking untimed test first, then going through each question not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 times before you check your answers. Gradually, slow down so you only need to check once, then add timing. </p>

<p>hey, you said you had all summer!</p>

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<p>Practice loads! Find out what you don’t know and what you do know, and practice accordingly. When you finally get round to doing the test, remember that all questions can be done without a calc, which technically means that they should not be too complicated. Chances are, you already know many of the concepts tested, but you are not familar with the way the questions are asked.</p>

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<p>Gruber’s Math book, for sure. Although Math is pure practice, aka do past math sections over and over again!</p>

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<p>^ I second Gruber’s for Math. I got an 800 M back in January, a 100-point improvement from the first time I took the SAT in May '09 (700 M), and so far from the consolidated answers from the June SAT, I have an 800 M again. I attribute my success to the intense studying I did from the Gruber’s book :)</p>