Help and advice needed on sat math

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Well hi, I'm a new user here. I would not take the sat soon yet as I still have to finish my last year of schooling back here in Malaysia. I have started to prepare for the sat and I have started work on the math section, since I know that I have a lot more work to do on the writing section and the English section in general, of the sat. The standard of English in my country is way below the Americans.:) well, I took a diagnostic sat for the math section and to be honest, I wasn't very satisfied with the results. I only managed to score a 660. </p>

<p>I would like my score to break into the 700s. I notice that I'm really weak in those must be true questions...as I can't always find counter examples in a short amount of time. I'm not used to the plugging in of numbers to solve these types of problems. Back here in Malaysia, I use algebra to solve all of my mathquestions, and never the plugging in method.</p>

<p>So, I would like to ask some help on how to ace those questions and those concerning numerical reasoning, since I don't learn it in my syllabus. Any tips or strategies in answering those questions?</p>

<p>And also, I use McGraw Hills practice sat book. I would like to know if it is accurate? And if there are any better books available online?, since I don't have many choices here in Malaysia.</p>

<p>Thanks:)</p>

2

<p>Rule of thumb is to guess and check in SAT math because you’re given 5 choices off the bat. If you can’t do this, it only takes 10 more seconds to solve it algebraically (I actually prefer this method as you can easily check your answers with the former method).
For numerical reasoning, you have to be sure you know certain command words. This is easier for students familiar with the English language, but as a foreigner, you’ll just have to memorize what each question requires you to do.</p>

<p>I think the key to “acing” the SAT is to solve as many practice questions as you can.
800 is especially easy in the maths if you don’t make careless errors as the answers are very clear cut (unlike some questions on other sections).</p>

3

<p>^Yeah, I generally try solving the questions algebraically first (if I can do so in a short amount of time) and then, if I have extra time at the end, go back and check my answers with the guess-and-check method. I suggest you practice, practice, practice to improve in math.</p>