How I got 800s on Math SAT tests

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>HI GUYS O.o
So, I'm a rising freshman, and my asian family is forcing me to study for the SAT.
Well, I thought that I could help some people out with math.</p>

<p>I got a 640 on the SAT math (7th grade)
However, I liked math, and I was taking Algebra I then...</p>

<p>What I did that may have helped me:
Math Competitions
AMC 10s
MATHCOUNTS state experience.</p>

<p>OF COURSE this isn't needed, especially for people who are in high school (MATHCOUNTS is for middle schoolers :P)</p>

<p>I took practice SAT Math Sections and reviewed what I got wrong</p>

<p>Then, I read through the Math Section of SAT Blue Book</p>

<p>SAT Math can be split into, basically, 4 areas:
Algebra I: Factors, Proportions, quadratic equations, inequalities, etc.
Geometry: 30-60-90/45-45-90 triangles, areas and volumes, circles, etc.
Algebra 2: Graphing, Functions, harmonic mean, etc.
and finally, Discrete Math/Arithmetic: probability, number theory, counting, etc.</p>

<p>If you have a month to study for this section specifically, you should devote about 10 hrs per week.
2-3 hrs- Practice Test and Review Solutions
1 hour Algebra Problems
1 hour Geometry Problems
1 hour Algebra 2 Problems
1 hour Discrete Math Problems
^these problems can be from the Blue Book, tests from your math classes, etc.
and if you want some more, PM me for math problems and I'll try to reply ASAP</p>

<p>DO THAT FOR FOUR WEEKS AND YOU'LL GET A HIGHER MATH SCORE</p>

<p>but remember, it's all about putting the effort,
planning and saying "I will do it" is easy. DO IT. Unlike me. I'm too lazy while studying CR right now... T.T</p>

<p>Some tips and final words:
1. Challenge yourself with harder math problems, even if they are overwhelming
2. Don't be intimidated by problems on SAT Practice Tests
3. For long word problems in math, carefully read the Important stuff, just like SAT CR has "trigger words", math has it's own important words (sum, difference, quotient, squared, etc.)
4. Sign up for Collegeboard's question of the day, sometimes they have math questions.
5. GOOD LUCK. You will do amazing. :)</p>

2

<p>I also did MATHCOUNTS in middle school (qualified to nationals twice). The thing is, SAT questions are roughly MATHCOUNTS-level, and so are the easy-mid AMC questions. If you can consistently score high enough on the AMC10-12 to qualify for AIME, you should be getting 800’s on math SAT with no prep.</p>

<p>Which leads to another good way to prepare for the SAT, try MATHCOUNTS and AMC10-12 problems.</p>

3

<p>@rspence:
EXACTLY. Unfortunately, some people on this thread didn’t know about MATHCOUNTS in middle school. Therefore, they might want to go through SAT-specific math. :P</p>

4

<p>Yes, but one could theoretically prepare for the SAT by doing past MATHCOUNTS and AMC exams. I don’t know how effective it is (it may be), but the advantage of this is that these questions are a little more “out-of-the box” and require a deeper level of thinking. So when the student sees a bizarre-looking SAT math question, he should be more prepared.</p>

5

<p>That’s true. I’m sure it has many advantages, but some questions almost require you to have a higher knowledge than SAT math, don’t you think? Maybe a little higher?</p>

<p>The only reason I didn’t emphasize AMCs were that they improved my score some, but not up to an 800 if you know what I mean. Oddly enough, I can do certain hard problems, but I can’t do a lot of easy ones on the AMC. </p>

<p>With the SAT, they kind of have different wording and stuff. A different style, maybe.</p>

<p>However, they have many similar questions and I definitely agree with you.</p>

<p>Anyone who has the time and willingness to practice using AMC 10 exams should definitely try them out.</p>

<p>You can find them at [Art</a> of Problem Solving (AoPS)](<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com%5DArt”>http://www.artofproblemsolving.com)
Click the Resources tab and there should be a link that says AMC problems or something.
If you can’t find them, ask me. Or maybe rspence, I think he knows, too.</p>

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<p>Yeah, the AMC12 exam, for example, includes questions on trigonometry, logarithms, and complex numbers. Some AMC10-12 questions also use topics not often covered in high school (although they are interesting!), for example, Ceva’s theorem, area of a triangle using Heron’s or inradius/circumradius, Stewart’s theorem, modular arithmetic, Chinese remainder theorem.</p>

<p>I usually just google “AMC problems” and find the first AoPS link.</p>

<p>For example, #6 on the 2012 AMC12A:</p>

<p>The sums of three whole numbers taken in pairs are 12, 17, and 19. What is the middle number?</p>

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<p>Haha yeah, trigonometry DEFINITELY won’t appear along with logs and complex numbers (thank goodness! :))
For the sake of a -somewhat- quicker approach to doing well (700+) on SAT Math, people should do AMC 8s and 10s. Just ignore the non-SAT type ones (nearly 25% of them haha)
AMCs are good practice, now that you’ve been mentioning it!
Thanks for the extra info, I’m sure others are grateful too.</p>

<p>(THAT PROBLEM: I used systems of equations by using variables during this year’s test, and I chose the middle variable (ex. I used x,y,z and chose y. What a fail)</p>

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<p>Yes, AMC’s definitely put good problems. The AMC8 is probably the closest to SAT level (even though it’s a middle school exam).</p>

<p>For that problem, you have x+y = 12, x+z = 17, y+z = 19 (x,y,z are ordered). Adding the three equations and dividing by 2, x+y+z = 24. Subtract second equation to get y=7.</p>

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<p>I remember taking the AMC 8 last school year, it reminded me of the SAT haha.</p>

<p>Haha yeah, I must have used different variables then… WHY DID I MISS AN EASY QUESTION??? I could have gotten a few more points and possibly made it to AIME.</p>

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<p>Okay, I think I’m going to make a new thread that focuses on SAT Math Advice, Tips, etc.</p>

<p>Anyone who did well on the SAT math should definitely post! rspence!</p>

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<p>AMC8 doesn’t qualify you for AIME. AMC10 and AMC12 do.</p>

<p>I’ll definitely take a look at that thread!</p>