<p>How does Gruber's SAT Math Book actually help? I've read the first 130 pages and it deals with fractions, decimals, and percents. I've gotten every question on the diagnostic correct, but my SAT Math score is so low. How is it supposed to help?</p>
<p>PLEASE HELP</p>
<p>anyone? 10char</p>
<p>Maybe going the strategy section would help?</p>
<p>The diagnostic is like 5 questions dude. Seriously just read all the material, then just practice away on real SAT questions (blue book). The algorithm for score improvement is not all that difficult.</p>
<p>What’s your current score? And what kind (how much) of improvement are you looking for?</p>
<p>630 and I want a 700 +</p>
<p>Source books such as Gruber’s are not meant to be read cover to cover. They are reference books that should help refresh one’s memory or clarify a nebulous issue. Use them as you would use an encyclopedia. </p>
<p>Let the official practice tests guide your preparation.</p>
<p>^ I would agree in regards to the math review itself (fractions, algebra, geometry, etc.) but I highly recommend that the OP go through all of the strategy sections. You’ll benefit greatly from them.</p>
<p>I doubt that there are many people here who would agree with me, but if you’re having trouble with the concepts (that is you need to do more than just “brush up”) I would recommend Art of Problem Solving Volume I. While its not a SAT prep book by any stretch of the imagination it will vastly improve your SAT math score. In fact if you complete it I would say a 800 is almost guaranteed; that is you will not miss a question because you don’t know how to solve it. While, the book would probably take awhile to complete (months?) the reward is certainly worth it. Because you’ll gain so much more from it than the superficial prep books.</p>
<p>xiggi, if only people would actually learn that the SAT isn’t a knowledge test but a skill test meant to be practiced for and not crammed for, we’d get a lot less of these posts here. </p>
<p>Get the blue book. Do every question. Understand every question. Get a higher score. Use Grubers, as xiggi says, to look up particular <em>knowledge</em>. But there are no magic bullet strategies that Gruber, Kaplan, PR, or anyone else have that will make you go up in score, contrary to the hype.</p>
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<p>This is probably the best post I’ve ever seen. But remember, the AOPS books are meant for people training for much harder competitions and for those who enjoy math beyond just wanting to get a high score on a test. But yeah, if you actually want to develop math abilities and creativity, AoPS series is a place to begin.</p>
<p>^ See that’s the beauty of it! It could take someone who just wants to do well on a test (SAT), and give them SO much more. Not only will you understand math MUCH better, but you might just fall in love with it =D For me the AoPS books are FUN - that’s the only reason I go through them.</p>
<p>If only I had the time or the motivation =/</p>
<p>Arachnotron, the Jerk Store called, it’s running out of you.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why people ask questions and then proceed to insult the ones who are only trying to help.</p>
<p>^ You don’t have to spend a ton of time, and you don’t need any motivation because its fun! I really don’t spend that much time doing extracurricular math. Some people are fanatics and spend like 5+ hours every day, but I just spend like 1-2 hours a day during the summer (less with school) and I thoroughly enjoy all of it!</p>
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<p>I’m such a dirty, no-good prick because I do things like: </p>
<p>** Writing a prep guide with everything I did to achieve a score that most CC’ers want without expecting compensation **: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/633765-arachnotrons-sat-prep-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/633765-arachnotrons-sat-prep-advice.html</a></p>
<p>AND </p>
<p>** Offering to solve any SAT math problems for people whom I do not even know for free **: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/759703-math-help-center.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/759703-math-help-center.html</a></p>
<p>I’d best be off to the jerk store.</p>
<p>@ spratleyj - I hang out on the AoPS forums. Do you have an alias there as well?</p>
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<p>Trying to make an ordeal fun is the key to a successful SAT (or ACT) preparation. Pretending that solving problems (as fast as one possibly can) is not that different from solving a quest on Everquest is not a bad concept. After all those years on CC, I have not changed my mind about the fact that people who were avid readers, loved puzzles and charades, or did math for fun a la AoPS discovered the Holy Grail of the SAT: it’s a game that is ripe for the taking.</p>
<p>Yeah I’ve read all your posts in the AMC section of AoPS 
And I still have no idea why you’re spending your time on SAT math =D</p>
<p>Nice pictures for the SAT and PSAT</p>