<p>My SAT scores have been improving dramatically in the past 4 weeks (from 1660 to high 1900 and low 2000 although I had a sharp downturn one week when I dropped from 1990 to 1690 but I raised it back to over 1950 again the following week). I raised my critical reading and writing score by about 100 points from low 600s to low 700s- I am striving to get to mid to high 700s- but my math section score has been narrowly fluctuating between 610-630... I have been to all the math workshops available, I have been reviewing my previous math sections, and so forth but when a problem on a new test comes up, I just can't seem to find the pattern or the way to solve it as simply as my expert SAT math teacher (an eccentric and hilarious chinese man who teaches us the fastest and easiest way to solve a problem based on logic of the question) teaches my class and me. </p>
<p>Lots of people mentioned that Gruber's math sections and its answers and solutions are extremelly good to study with. I have tried that book out but the book goes against what my SAT math teacher has been telling his class, which is to try to solve the problems without using equations because equations are more difficult to memorize. (If you are wondering at his credentials let me tell you that he is a math subject SAT teacher at ELITE and at ELITE, there had been dozens of its students who recieved the perfect 2400 SAT score and the old perfect 1600 SAT score along with the hundreds of 2100 plus score students by teaching them the ways of the SAT in about less than 2 and a half months).</p>
<p>Do you have any suggestions on how to improve my math section grade?</p>
<p>I received a 1680 on my SAT (1600 first time, 1680 second)</p>
<p>I’m trying to raise it for the oct SAT.
I too have Gruber’s and personally like it a lot so far, if i may ask how are you preppin CR+W (im using Barron’s 2400). </p>
<p>Your math tutor is merely advising you what to do one way, but if you have been doing fine (and you have according to your 1900 range scores), stick with it. Attempting to change your methods according to one person may severely tarnish your hard work. I’d stick with your current methods unless you advised how to do a specific type of problem that you couldnt get before.</p>
<p>I agree with your math tutor. If you reach for your calculator (to do anything other than add, subtract, multiply, or divide) or use a formula not already given on the test, you are likely missing an easier, more logical solution.</p>
<p>I was also a 620-650 scorer. I’ve raised that to a near 800 (careless mistakes, every time) by doing exactly what your tutor suggests—letting go of traditional math solution methods. It took me a while to let them go, though. Once I did, my score shot up quickly. It is so hard to practice new methods when the old methods have been “beaten” into you for a decade.</p>
<p>I think what helped me most was categorizing the questions for our materials. I went through the blue book (and other tests) and sorted the math questions by subject area (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, etc.) and then by question type (percent, fraction, right triangle, etc). I created a big spread sheet so that I could quickly look up a question type. Comparing the cylinder questions side-by-side, I saw that there were really only two types of questions. One that asked you to find the area, radius, or height. And one that required you to use a hidden right triangle. Comparing the radical questions side-by-side, I saw that they were just testing whether I could remove the radical and solve. This really helped me put away the calculator and various formulas I had memorized (but didn’t really understand).</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions SATWriter! I also found this thread about this guy/girl improving his SAT score from like 2030 to like 2350 so I will also try to use those idaes too. </p>
<p>To HeroZero1234: </p>
<p>My Critical Reading scores have improved as significantly as it had because I’ve been reading a lot more classic and non-fiction books (historical, theological, philosophical, etc). Hate it (or most of them actually, some I find quite interesting) but I know that it will overall help me with the questions. I am also currently in the process of memorizing 3000 vocab words, of which I am halfway done (in 4 weeks) by using flashcards and the booklets my SAT weekend course has provided for me.</p>
<p>My writing scores I have improved because my writing teacher is demonstrating the types of error problems for each problem that occurs in the SAT and I just apply what I know to each questions. My spot-the-error questions have improved well too (I used to miss like 6 or 7 questions of those-mostly from paranoia- to missing only 2 or 3). My teacher has also been telling my class on how to write a 10 score essay and also a 12 score essay, especially with the introduction, the types of evidence, the cohesiveness of the essay, and the conclusion and how to make that part of the essay well-written and conclusive in the 25 min allotted time.</p>
<p>As an SAT Math tutor and author, I can give you some tips for the math sections:</p>
<p>(1) Learn SAT specific math strategies. If you don’t know these, then you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. For example, if you find yourself doing algebra or complicated computations, then you are not optimizing your score.
(2) Practice SAT math problems 10 to 20 minutes per night. This will maximize your retention and keep you from burning out.
(3) Redo every problem you get wrong OVER and OVER and OVER again (a few days apart each time) until you can get the question correct ON YOUR OWN.
(4) Practice problems of the appropriate level.
(5) Practice tests should be taken just a few times to make sure you are applying all the right strategies under timed conditions, and to make sure you are familiar with the structure of the test. This is NOT the time that you are actively improving your score.</p>
<p>I agree with you 100%! The main focus of my approach to this test is read, think, play. And working in my course or with my SAT math book, I find that students fall into two categories: </p>
<p>The “weaker” students, say hoping to get to 600 - 650, are usually completely on board from the first moment. They are happy to abandon the algebraic approach because it was making them miserable anyway.</p>
<p>The “stronger” students, trying to climb the mountain into the 700 - 800 range often show resistance. They have succeeded in school using algebra and it is scary to try a new approach. I think that OP is showing this kind of resistance. </p>
<p>I urge all of you strong students to have an open mind. With more practice, the non-traditional methods get easier and faster. On the actual test, you can still use algebra when it comes to you quickly, but now you will have another set of tools to work with as well.</p>
<p>Of course, I’m just another “crazy math tutor”, but I’ve seen this approach work for students at all levels.</p>
<p>Could this be because the people at ETS/TCB meant it when they called this a … reasoning test? And why one might not need a calculator to ace the test?</p>
<p>Well, mine is called “The New Math SAT Game Plan” and of course I am partial to it. Whle it does include review of actual math topics, the attitude throughout the book emphasizes playing, making up numbers and working on concrete understanding. But be sure to understand, it is not intended to displace the blue book. You absolutely still have to practice with real tests.</p>
<p>Of course, my main plan is to practice with the blue book. I would review mistakes in these prep books im getting. I like Barron’s and Grubers for math</p>
<p>@ SatWriter, you said, “I went through the blue book (and other tests) and sorted the math questions by subject area (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, etc.) and then by question type (percent, fraction, right triangle, etc). I created a big spread sheet so that I could quickly look up a question type.”</p>
<p>I think that this is a perfect way of studying for the math section, and I had never thought about it before, so I’m wondering if you could tell us what you have under each category (if it’s not too much work). For example: </p>
<p>Geometry- Cylinders= 2 types of question
Type 1: Find the area, radius, or height of the cylinder.
Type 2: Requires you to use a hidden right triangle, to solve the problem.</p>
<p>Will you please do it? I believe it will be benificial to me and everyone else who is having trouble in the math section on CC. Tell me what you think.
Thanks</p>
<p>I’ve heard Dr. Chung’s is very good. In fact, due to rave reviews and a scarce supply, I ordered a copy just the other day. Has anyone here had success using Dr. Chung’s SAT Math book?</p>
<p>I’m having the same problem. I can’t help my son because I can’t figure out the math “logically” and not mathematically. The BB answers only seem to give the mathematical answer when clearly there are easier ways for many problems.</p>
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