<p>I keep doing practice math sections. I answer all of them, and then end up getting a few wrong. I know all the material, but I end up making some sort of arithmetic mistake or I read the question wrong. Like I'll find x, and it wants x^2. Or x+y=pi, and I"ll set it = to 5. I am completely unaware of my mistakes when I make them, even if I read thoroughly through the questions.</p>
<p>I noticed that I do not do this when I am focused. I need to learn how to focus better. Also, be aware of my surroundings. Any tips for doing this come test day?</p>
<p>Re-read the question. Why would you solve for x if it asks for x^2? It is RIGHT there. The situation you describe is impossible as long as you can see and read.</p>
<p>Lol, I used to make exactly the same mistakes last year when I had to take the SAT! For me though, looking back, I think I was feeling overconfident on those practice tests. I would think to myself “this is really boring because obviously, I just know it all” when in reality I was making a whole bunch of stupid mistakes. Sometimes, you just have to take harder versions of SAT practice tests, etc., to sort of convince yourself that you’ll not good at at the math section at all, which is obviously not true but it’s a mental trick, then the nervousness and the seriousness kicks in and you start improving drammatically.</p>
<p>I remember reading a review book called Rocket Review some time ago that addresses the issue of making careless mistakes. Maybe you can check it out?</p>
<p>I think it’s not that you really paid attention to the questions but couldn’t seem to be aware of "x^2"s. It’s just that you didn’t pay ENOUGH attention, which generally means absorbing the information and being ready to utilize it when needed, although it’s very likely to look like you’re paying attention.</p>
<p>However, don’t be a caveman who just sits there and asks how to make a spear. There’s no secret tip to fix that type of problems other than figuring it out yourself. It’s like the evolution process where one grows hair where it feels cold. Surviving skills, get used to them.:)</p>
<p>P.S. Sorry for any offensive tone. Couldn’t phrase it better!</p>
<p>Circle or underline key words in the questions. (i.e. integer, odd, prime, etc) then circle or underline what you are solving for. After you solve the porblem and get your ansqer, quickly re-read the question to be certain you solved what they asked for And you didn’t mis-read any part of the question. </p>
<p>Also, since you are probably nervous, make certain, you write your steps down. Don’t rely too much on your short term memory.</p>
<p>This used to happen to me. I would finish the math sections in 15 minutes, but never with enough time to go back and redo each problem. As a result, my answers would be plagued with stupid mistakes. I figured that I should work more slowly to avoid these types of errors so now, I read the question twice, do the problem, and then read the question again. By using this method, I’ve achieved 800s on the math section for the last two practice tests I’ve taken.</p>