Focusing on One Section

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>On the March SAT, my second SAT, I was able to score a 2270 (800W, 740M, 730CR), and I am very happy with my score. I know, however, that I can get an 800 in Math. Math is my best subject, I just seem to lose focus and make stupid mistakes. </p>

<p>As it is, I don't think my SAT with either help or hurt my application, but I am positive I can improve my Math, and if I were to get above 770 in Math, my score would get up to the 2300s. At that point, my SAT would become a strong point of my application.</p>

<p>So my questions are,</p>

<p>a) If I were to take the SAT next fall, focusing completely on Math, and get an 800 in Math, would it hurt me if the Writing and CR scores are lower than my previous scores?</p>

<p>b) Do you think raising my Math from 740 to something 770-800 really could make my SAT score become something that stands out on my application?</p>

<p>Now, I realize that my 2270 won't hurt my chances at any college blah blah blah. But, my rationale is that it would be worth it to just take the SAT one more time, focusing completely on my Math scores, to try to get my super score above a 2300, especially because I don't think I would have much trouble raising that score. </p>

<p>Opinions, advice, suggestions??</p>

<p>thanks,
mvmanno</p>

2

<p>I’m interested to see what other posters say. I got 2310 on the March SAT (710 M with perfects in the other two); since the distribution is skewed, I’ve considered retaking, but the general consensus seems to be that my score is fine despite the lopsidedness (I will be an English/CS major).</p>

<p>For you, though, the negatives of retaking are significantly less; I would have to really study for math–problem solving is not my strong suit–and obviously my other two section scores have nowhere else to go but down. I think it’s worth retaking if you’re confident you can raise the math score.</p>

3

<p>I would check and see what the policy of superscoring and score choice is at the schools that your are applying to.
If they allow score choice, or they automatically superscore, it might be worth it.</p>

4

<p>Math is a matter of practice. If you’re an A calculus student or a mathlete, you should be more then capable of getting an 800 in math (the skills don’t correlate, it’s just the kind of people who do these things). DO NOT focus exclusively on math. Since you are losing focus, you are probably getting fatigued. If you want to improve your scores, take entire practice tests in one sitting, so as to account for the fact that you will get tired and lazy toward the end and be jumpy/anxious at the beginning.</p>

5

<p>^ I feel compelled to note that as a high-A calc student, I am NOT gifted in math and I would suspect a grading error if I got an 800 on SAT Math, which tests innate problem-solving skills that I lack.</p>

6

<p>If you can revolve solids and find the volume and solve the kinematics word problems on the AP test, your problem solving skills are plenty good.</p>

7

<p>Haha, yeah I probably have the best grade in my BC Calc class, yet I can’t master SAT math.</p>

<p>All of the schools I am applying to say that they superscore.</p>

<p>I agree partially with what you’re saying about taking full-length tests to prepare myself for the fatigue, but the thing is that I find myself making the same dumb errors even when I just sit down and take one test. I think part of my problem is that I read through the question way too quickly, and then I end up falling for traps.</p>

8

<p>it depends, if the schools you’re gonna apply to have the policy of superscoring then it won’t hurt your application. but if not, you’ll have to make sure that you can maintain your CR and WR scores
however, If I were you, I would not retake SAT because all your scores (730, 740, 800) are alr in the range of many top schools :)</p>

9

<p>I really think the difference between 740-770 is marginal, especially if you’re at risk of losing your 800 CR/W.</p>