How to increase SAT Math score?

<p>Hi CC, I'm a rising high school senior aiming for a 2100+ on the October SAT</p>

<p>I took my first real SAT in June and got a 2000, breakdown 720 CR 700 W 580 M</p>

<p>According to the collegeboard breakdown, my biggest problems were in Algebra and Geometry (I feel stupid lol). I went through all the blue book tests and tried to look up the answers to questions I didn't know but still had difficultly. I also frequently run out of time on the math sections.
I'm considering retaking the blue book exams and trying to study differently. Are there any other books I can use/ways I can improve greatly on the math sections, and/or improve in the other sections as well?</p>

<p>Extra info: I am a Latina student from a Catholic school in NY. Undecided major, but leaning towards english/journalism or law/political science. Nothing math related haha. Took the US History Sat II in may, got a 730. Planning to take 2 more in November. My dream school is Cornell.</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

<p>In your situation, the way to improve is to practice, practice, practice! Do SAT math problems regularly and keep track of the questions that you do wrong (mark them with stars or something) so that you can look over your mistakes. No one gets better without knowing and correcting errors, right? Study those trouble areas, not necessarily with the SAT material, but from whatever math practice source you can get. It might be better to learn concepts from an actual math book/website instead of from SAT study books. Once you understand all the concepts, then keep practising; now the goal is to improve speed and accuracy. And then when that’s done and you’re getting satisfactory scores, relax a bit: stressing out causes really bad careless mistakes.</p>

<p>Good luck with the SAT and with Cornell!</p>

<p>also, maybe look into a guide with more in-depth math info. I always had trouble with the math section, but using the Dr. Chung book and Barron’s “How to Prepare for the New SAT” (2005, I know it’s old, but it’s all my library had lol) gave a lot more pinpointed help/ math tips. Also, I found that Regents Prep websites (especially the geometry one) were a big help.</p>

<p>good luck! (:</p>

<p>thank you all so much for the great advice!</p>

<p>I used Barron’s SAT 25th edition while studying for the SAT. Math came easy but I used it to touch up. I think it will be really helpful. In my opinion though, the key to getting a higher math score is to not make careless errors.</p>

<p>Is SAT math hard for you or do you think you’re just making careless mistakes?</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Anxiety, careless mistakes and time management are huge downfalls for me. I calculate very slowly. I can get a little over half of the medium questions right on a good day but the hard ones are very hit or miss and I usually run out of time by that point.</p>

<p>I do not have a very firm grasp of algebra and geometry either, unfortunately. I did well in the subjects but I transferred schools a lot those two years, so the information did not stick well.</p>

<p>I’m in the same boat as you with almost the same SAT score (1990). I have been diagnosed with ADD and therefore I don’t always process directions correctly and I process things slowly, so the SAT lets me take extended time. Are you able to do this? Ask your school for a code that you can use to sign up for extended time if you think you can handle 6-8 hours of the SAT. :p</p>

<p>By the way the 1990 was without extends time…I thought I had extended time that day but forgot to enter in my code on CollegeBoard, so I am not sure yet if the extended time actually makes a difference, but you did mention you run out of time on the math (as did I).</p>

<p>Unfortunately I have been tested for ADD (my brother has it) but I’m clear; I’m going to have to learn to answer questions faster it seems.</p>