<p>All throughout December, I studied for the math section of the SAT with a tutor. I was getting consistent 640s, and my tutor told me that I could easily hit 660 (my target) on the January test. I took the January test and screwed up somewhere (550...I don't know what happened) so I'm re-taking the SAT in May. Just to see where I am, I took a practice SAT today from the blue book, and got a 630 in math (after not having done anything since 1/26). I'm going back to my tutor, but I have to wonder before I do - have I hit a plateau? Is it possible for me to get a 660 on the real thing, or am I wasting time and money on a tutor? The problems giving me the most trouble are the logic problems towards the end of each section, so at least I know what I need to work on. But no matter how much I've practiced, I still can't get past a 640, it seems. The January test was my first time actually taking the real test, so the stress and exhaustion could have just gotten to me (plus, I was focusing more on securing my verbal and writing scores, which I did). But I'm starting to get worried, given my previous practice tests.</p>
<p>First of all, there's barely a difference between a 640 and a 660. If you made a stupid mistake or forgot to fill in a bubble, that can make the difference between a 660 and a 640. Don't stress about having a 640 when you want a 660. There's pretty much no difference.</p>
<p>My advice is to go over the tests and see what you did wrong on the questions you got wrong.</p>
<p>Then learn the math that you don't know. Spend time learning the math until you really know how to do it. Then take a practice test and see how you do. You might want to work on a practice test without timed conditions before you take a timed one.</p>
<p>Dchow08 is right. The most important thing is going over the problems you get wrong and learning those concepts. Practice and drill until it becomes second-nature.</p>
<p>I had a similar issue last year -- I got a 660 my first time and couldn't seem to get over 700 no matter what. I could never finish a math section in time. After I retaught myself the math and filled in those holes, I managed to get over a 700.</p>
<p>Thanks for your posts. Today I went out and bought the 2008 PR book that has 10 practice tests, and even if I don't time them, I'll do the problems just to keep getting used to them.</p>
<p>The weird thing is that I'm fine with the math itself - geometry, algebra, etc. It's just the logic questions that trip me up, since I'm more of a creative person and have trouble thinking in that way. Is practice really the only way to get better at those problems?</p>
<p>I am having the exact same problem right now with my math practice sets. As you said, I also know the math that is being tested. Algebra, Geometry, statistics, all of the good stuff. Like you, the questions are just so awkward for me to answer. I wish I had your score though, I can't seem to break 560 on my math sets. On critical reading and writing, I have 660+ though. If I can just get a 600 on math, I think I will be ok.</p>
<p>It's like learning math from a math class. First you learn the math and really understand it, and the only real way to go about it is to practice. I don't think you have to be drilled. Then it'll get really boring and repetitive. Try thinking about math problems as brain teasers. Try to have fun.</p>
<p>Heh, math and fun don't go hand-in-hand for me. But it's funny you mention that, since I actually do enjoy the essay and critical reading sections on the SAT. My friends think I'm nuts, but hey, I'm an English person. :-)</p>
<p>Sligh_Anarchist - that's the score I originally started out with on the PSAT, but my tutor helped me develop a strategy that got me over the 600 mark. Now it's just a matter of hitting that 660. I know it's not that different from a 640, but all the schools I'm looking at have a math SAT range that starts at about 650 and goes well into the 700s. Well, my writing and critical reading scores are way above the average, so hopefully those could offset my math. Still, I'm the kind of person who is very driven, so I probably won't rest until I get that 660. It's so close yet so far away!</p>