<p>I just took the online sample test, and my scores were pretty mediocre I guess. I got CR:680 and W:630, but the one that seemed really pathetic was M:580. Math has never been my strong suit. Does anyone know which books cover math the best? I've heard that if you know the "tricks of the trade" you should never even need a calculator for the test. If there is a book out there that gives you an idea of some of those tricks it'd be great.</p>
<p>Not trying to scare you (i actually have the exact same scores) but the online math tests are actually easier than the real thing. I raised my score from a 480 to a 580 by using Barrons (its really hard but worth it) and then doing every BB math practice test and going over any question I got wrong or skipped, because there is really only 20 different questions they use, just with different numbers, so after a while you will see the pattern and know how to do them.</p>
<p>haha I think its funny that we have the same scores.</p>
<p>Honestly, the tricks are probably going to confuse you more than they would help you. I think that the most essential things that you need to do for the math section are:
1. Learn, or memorize, all the formulas that you don't KNOW and that aren't given to you on the test. I know that not everyone is a great memorizer, but there are probably at least 5 problems on the test that you missed because you just weren't familiar with the formula. Example: the arc length formula. It's not a formula that I generally use, but it shows up often on standardized tests. Questions like these aren't tricky--you just need to know the formula. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Have a good calculator that you know how to use really well. Yes, it is a waste of time to use the calculator to do 10 times 10, but don't be concerned about using the calculator a lot--it will almost certainly save you time. Most people can't "see" the tricks that those books talk about, so it would take them a lot longer to find the tricks than to just plug-plug-plug and get the right answer with a calculator. It is helpful to know some of the tricks of your calculator at well, because they can help you save time. Example: I use a TI-83 calculator, and it has a function that allows you to add fractions and get a fraction out. It is a lot easier to plug in a few fractions and use this function than to do it myself. Again, I don't NEED to use it, but unless we're adding 1/2 + 1/2, it comes in handy. </p></li>
<li><p>Time is money on the math, for the vast majority of testers, I think. I am never pressed for time on the CR section--I end up staring at the clock for at least 5 minutes at the end of each little section--but I work right to the end of the test for math. Knowing the formulas, having a good calculator, and taking timed practice tests will all help you finish the math test (and hopefully get a better score!). </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I'm not saying don't get a prep book--any reputable prep book will contain those kind of tricks that you reference--but focus on concrete things that you can fix, and leave those tricks for later. </p>
<p>Also, your scores might not be where you want them to be, but they are far above mediocre, and a 580 Math is not horrible. Take heart! You might not get to 2400, but a little dedication to prep and you can increase your scores dramatically.</p>
<p>I think my biggest problem was with those pesky problems like Xiggi talks about where you are averaging speeds, etc and then those that involve formulas and graphs. I'm a returning student and so I've forgotten a lot in the 10 years since school. I wouldn't bother with the SAT's, but it seems a 4.0 in college doesn't always get your foot in the door if you want to transfer...heck I'm amazed how many college won't even let you apply as a transfer without them :-p</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear the math score isn't that bad. Maybe if I can raise the others a bit it'll be overlooked that my math scores are lower than they'd like (since I'm going into humanities anyway and won't be taking much, if any, math).</p>
<p>Jlime 18, I thought the online SAT prep through college board was actually an older test? If it's not accurate, then will I run into the same problem with their "Official Book" past tests, not being indicative of the difficulty of the current tests?</p>
<p>^^Their "offical book" contains actual, recent past tests, and so would be every bit as rigorous as any given SAT. I know this for a fact--I took a practice test out of one of these books and realized mid-way that it was actually the last SAT that I had taken! (One year previous to that). </p>
<p>Math is generally considered the most straightforward to prepare for, so I really think that you could at least get to 650, which is a respectable if not amazing score. I can only imagine how much you have forgotten in 10 years--I hardly remember taking Geometry and it was only 4 years ago!</p>
<p>update:
i took an online test and my mathscore was between 580-660
just took a bb test and i got 520-600,so i think that the online tests are a little bit easier than the bb but you never know.</p>