<p>I have read a lot that Barron's over preps you for Math II. Is this necessarily a bad thing? I am in precalculus right now and I need another subject test. I took the January 26th US History test and got a 760. Davidson College recommends two subject tests, one being a math test, so I figure that since I am in precalculus, the May test would be the best to take. So, should I invest in Barron's review of all that stupid, elementary stuff I forgot and then some (a lot more according to fellow cc'ers)? Or should I go with PR? </p>
<p>Ok, excellent. I am not much of a math person anyhow. I am praying to the Atheist gods I can manage at least a 700 on Math IIC. I don't want to take IC because of the curve and IIC is better anyhow in terms of "prestige." My US History score was easily achieved without much study; I am going to have to work my butt off in precalc and go over PR to get a desirable score.</p>
<p>I am good at math, 790 SAT reasoning math, (if you know what the AMC12 is, I got a 105 on that). I learned precalculus over the summer on my own, took a year of BC calc, and then, without a scrap of studying, took a complete practice SAT MathII, and got a 720. I was a bit shocked, since I had expected it to be a breeze, since I had found AP BC calc quite manageable, but there were a few topics that snaked me. I worked through the barrons book in a month, got a 800 on the real thing. The barrons book works, I don't know if it's the best, but I did about 3 hrs. a weekx4weeks, and it gave me a 80 point boost. Maybe PR is better, but Barrons does get the job done, it isn't bad, and the extra knowledge doesn't hurt. The real question to ask is does PR give you less than you need? Barrons, from my experience, overdid it a bit, like 105%, but that is better than 95% of the material.</p>
<p>Don't aim for a 700... if you got a 760 on the US hist, then you can get the same on the SATmathII, math person or not. In my personal opinion, over do it. For example, the knowledge of calculus is completely unnecessary on the test, but I know that I used it on at least 3 questions that I had forgotten how to do with archaic precalc. I'm not saying to go learn calc, I'm just saying that everything you know can help you, so overdoing it can make a small difference. Don't pray to your atheistic god, just study the hell out of it, especially if you aren't a math person.</p>
<p>I feel that if you find Barron's helpful, that means you able to understand it which means you are already a genius, and thus study guide books are pointless, and you will get an 800 regardless.</p>
<p>Barrons' is WAY too long. My dad got me that book and helped me review and it was hell...hah. I also had the college board book. That is so much easier. Maybe review the topics covered in barrons, but definitely DO NOT take the practice tests in there...they're are EXTREMELY difficult ( i thought, and i am in ap calc bc my junior year). however the CB one is more like the actual one you will take.</p>
<p>is the PR book you guys are talking about Cracking the SAT Math 1 and 2 Subject Tests? i've only been able to find that one so far, so i'm not sure if that's the one or if there's a book just for math 2?</p>
<p>The PR book covers both IC and IIC. They just mark the topics that are IIC level in the review section. There are two IC and two IIC practice tests in PR.</p>
<p>DEFINITELY use the barrons book.
i know from experience from all of my friends..
they knew almost all the material on the barrons and got 800's.
they didn't even LOOK at the PR.</p>