<p>I've always considered myself pretty decent at math. ( i tutor it, I got a 5 in AP Calc, I got a 760 on the iic, and I generally like math) But a can't seem to be able to break 700 on the SAT I math. I always get 690's and 680's. I mean, the most one can miss if they are looking at a 700 + is five. But, with the time pressure, and the careless mistakes, how can anyone do that. I always end up missing two on each 20 question section. ( one because I made a silly error and another, usually the very last one, because I can't figure out the problem in the amount of time given) WHAT CAN I DO! I'm always gonna miss atleast 6 and get a raw score of -7 out of 54. AHHHH. On every other section i could see myself getting 750 +...but on math, I can't even see myself breaking 700. WHAT SHOULD I DO?...and by the way, its really not about knowing the math cause after i do the problems i missed, I ALWAYS get them right afterwards with some more time to think. WHAT SHOULD I DO! HOW DO I BREAK 700. Someone please tell me.</p>
<p>Same here. Got 5 in AP Calc and did great on the IIC, but cant seem to pass 700 on SAT I. =[</p>
<p>Someone help us out!</p>
<p>how did you do on the IIc by the way?</p>
<p>Same problem here. I'm taking a prep course, though, so I hope I can figure something out.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if you read my post a hwile ago but I went from a 550 to a 670 to a 720 just by doing the New SAT Workout Book by Kaplan, one chapter a night. It really boostes my scores in only one-and-a-half months.</p>
<p>Do lots of practice tests. You'll start to recognize the problems and be able to do them instantly. Then you'll have time for the few difficult ones. Focus, don't make stupid mistakes. If you're doing a problem when you know you've made a stupid mistake before, slow down and think through every thing and look for things you could possibly do wrong, and don't do them!</p>
<p>Nice job on those other scores! </p>
<p>What makes the Math SAT I different is that, the math is A LOT easier. So, they try to make the questions a little tricky. I would say that after you take the test (if you have time), check the test over. (Or spend a little more time on each problem) When I take practice tests in the Math section, I find that after checking over Math, I am able to find some mistakes I made. Like for example:</p>
<p>"Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.... how much does Jimmy "NOT" have? (A.)4, (B.)42, (C.)96, (D.) Some large number, (E.), Answer cannot be determined</p>
<p>Except the not is negliglible-seeming so at first when reading the question. </p>
<p>Judging from your other scores, I would say all you have to do is make sure you don't make any careless errors.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. I had a similar problem myself. My worst section the SAT was math, even though math has always been my best subject at school, I got a five on the AP exam, etc. Luckily for me, though, it was still well over 700, but it was still a slap in the face. </p>
<p>Th real killer is, of course, stupid mistakes, which are easy to make with the strict time limits. The best way to prevent those is probably just to practice SAT Math over and over until you know exactly how long you can afford to take on each question, and don't feel quite so rushed, which is something that I definitely plan to do this year. Another thing that could help, however, if you have some time, is math competitions. Some of those also have rather strict time limits, and the problems are generally a lot more advanced than the ones on the SAT. While it doesn't prepare you directly for the SAT, it gets you used to managing your time on tough math tests, and after having worked those problems for a while, SAT math seems downright childish. I think that was the main resaon I pulled off a 740.</p>
<p>PRACTICE........I guess that is really all......and Check Over your Work</p>
<p>I always have a problem trying to get the perfect 800. I always get like 2 or 3 wrong (sometimes 5, I admit it) from STUPID mistakes.....</p>
<p>Isn't Bondsfan the guy who thinks the SAT tests intelligence very highly? </p>
<p>Why are you asking advice if you think that you can't improve your SAT scores, just after you post impugning another person's large score increase?</p>
<p>Going by your philosophy, you CAN'T break 700 because your not SMART enough!</p>
<p>Of course, your philosophy is quite incorrect. So I suggest practicing as many official tests as you can, and going over all your answers, like everyone else. Try looking for multiple ways to solve each problem, and seeing if there was some shortcut that you missed. Also, you should try getting Barron's Math workbook to gain experience and practice with the possible SAT-type problems, which should increase your speed and accuracy.</p>
<p>Here's my tip:
Bring your TI-83+ or whatever graphing calculator you use to a Barnes & Nobles or your local bookstore that sells the Barron's Math IIC review book and look inside it to find a load of calculator programs to put into your TI-83+ or whatever. (If you're at B&N, they won't kick you out, that's what I like about it. :D )Those are very useful programs, and they'll help speed up the process by a lot. And quite frankly, I never used those programs on IIC (got a 780) and I only used them on SAT I math.</p>
<p>^ thats not only cheating but stupid also. DONT do that</p>
<p>do ssome practice from 10 real SATs and new blue book. REVIEW what you got RIGHT and WRONG</p>
<p>Using programs is not cheating.</p>
<p>Someone post a problem (from CB) in which this program can be useful in.</p>
<p>One thing I used to do was keep a list of every math question I missed anywhere (SAT, school, contests, etc.). Then I would look over the list, and look for patterns in the types of errors I would make.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if a list is necessary, but just be very aware of why you make each error, what you would have had to do differently to avoid it, and what you should have looked for to catch it while checking answers.</p>
<p>In my case, my errors were overwhelmingly caused by misreading the question (not seeing words like "even," "positive," etc.), but it may be different for you.</p>
<p>I might note that you have not truly felt the sting of stupid mistakes until you miss 4 questions on the AIME because of them. Luckily, I figured out how to avoid them last year and got a 14 (didn't have enough time to do #15...).</p>
<p>I agree.. although programs are not technically cheating, it really is. Plus, I dont think you need programs to answer the questions?</p>
<p>aim high for math, if you have a high score in iic and AP calc, there shold be no reason you can't get 800 on SAT I. but 800 means NO mistakes (no I dont wana hear the excuse of sometime curve lets you have 1 wrong) ok now with that in mind do practices, use your calculator as little as possible to save time and know your triangle properties (45 45 90 and 30 60 90) and circle properties by heart. I aimed for 800 to start with, although on hte first practice test my score was way below 700s, but on the real one I got 800. I started off needing every single second of the given time, but when I did my SAT, all my math sections I used to relax and rest a llittle for verbal sections because i finished math sections (and checking) within half of the given time (by not using calculator when doing the questions and only using it to check answers)
also another thing is know what they are testing you on. there is no calculus or pre calc stuff on the test so, relax and dont think too hard.</p>
<p>Calculator programs are not cheating. If it was, why would it be in a Barron's Book?</p>
<p>I agree with the lots of practice suggestion; taking old math SAT I's is the way to go. I had the same problem. I got an 800 verbal three times. I got a 5 on Calc AB & BC exams and a 790 on the Math IIC. SAT I math, though...I had a 700 in math the first time. Second try, I got a 660. :eek:</p>
<p>After going through the math sections of a "Real SATs" practice book, I ended up with a 740. Not a terribly impressive score on CC, but I was extremely happy with it.</p>
<p>Can you buy the Kaplan books at a bookstore? Do they have REAL math problems?</p>
<p>Would all of those 700+ math section people agree that you all used a lot of formulas?</p>