Okay so to start off, I’m supposed to be junior in HS but due to many circumstances, I’ve been “home schooled” since 6th grade. Because of those circumstances I was unable to do most of my school work. I’m to the point where I am ridiculously far behind. But now I have lots of time in my day to do what I need to do. I’ve been using Khan Academy, I am starting from pre-algebra and I’m 55% done with that. But what I NEED to do is get to the point mathematically where I will be ready come November, December or January next year, to take the SAT or ACT and do well.
I need to go to college. That means I need to be able to do pre-algebra, algebra 1, algebra 2, and geometry confidently. At this time, I know almost nothing besides the 55% of pre-algebra I have been doing. I’m 16 and should be knowing A LOT amount more than I do right now. The amount of stress this is causing me is unbearable and I’m just praying that I will be able to do this. I don’t even know if its possible but I need to do whatever I can to do it. I cannot get a tutor, so Khan and online resources are my only resources it seems.
I just need somebody to help me out and maybe tell me how much I should be doing a day, if you have experience completing these courses on Khan in a certain amount of time, strategies, anything. This is so important. I know I shouldn’t be this behind, but please understand that this is not my fault, so nothing rude please because I already feel bad enough. To anybody who replies, thank you. Ill be checking on this frequently and will reply to any questions and will take any advice.
You’re going to need to take these at the latest during the December administration if you’re currently a HS junior. I would say, focus on Algebra 1 because it lays the foundation for a lot of higher math courses. Really try to get that down. For the rest, take a look at this link for the specific topics that come up on the SAT so you can focus on those.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/official-sat-study-guide-additional-topics-math.pdf
Other than Khan Academy, you can also look for open courses from colleges (the MIT open courses are really good) and use prep books. My best advice is practice, practice, practice. If you come across a problem you do not know how to do on a practice SAT/ACT, search for similar problems online and do them until you can get them right. Try to cover different types of problems (change up the variables, etc). Also, time yourself. These problems need to be done fast on the SAT and ACT.
Do you feel like you are understanding pre-algebra, as in truly grasping the concepts? I know you are very stressed but moving too quickly can hurt in the long term- you need to understand one before you move on to the other. Either way, I think it is all very do-able in time for the SATs, but it will take up some summer time and require a lot of strong will. I think that if you got through your tough circumstances, you definitely have that. Also, remember that you can always retake the SAT as late as November or December of senior year. I would set a goal and try to take your first one before junior year ends though.
What really helps me learn math is to watch practice problems done out for you on YouTube- it’s like a teacher doing it on the board. Keep up your motivation, and I wish you the best of luck!