<p>Hi, I'm new here so apologies if this is in the wrong area. I'm from Ireland and will be taking the SAT on June 7th.
Obviously I am an international student and so am self teaching myself, I got the blue book whilst visiting my boyfriend in the states just before he deployed and am hoping to do well so that I can apply for a college in the states shortly after he gets back (or asap really)
Problem is, although I've always gotten A/B grades the SAT practice test scores I'm getting have not gotten any higher than 560.
Maths has always been my weaker subject however, reading and writing I got all A at GCSE (exams here) achieved high grades at A level too (more exams here)
Please can someone recommend tips?</p>
<p>I never really memorized any formulas for math except those of a circle. Personally I just really guessed then checked through the whole test and I got an 800. Guess and check my boy, guess and check</p>
<p>Barron’s possible? Try to do as much practice as you can. My first diagnostic test for this, I got a ~40% (and this was + google and the help of unlimited time). I just spent the time and did a bunch of practice tests (like at least 20) and I ended up getting an 800 (scoring high 70%'s to mid 80%'s on practice tests) in a couple months. For you, there are only a couple weeks. However, do practice tests and try to find patterns for question types and how to solve them. This technique and practice will definitely improve your score if you actively put time into it (which I believe you will).</p>
<p>Thank you for the suggestions, I think I’m just worried that I won’t improve by the time I take the test. I have however been making sure I’m working each day for a good number of hours. Hopefully with more practice I will improve, with maths I think I’m over thinking the questions and messing up. Any tips for the passage based questions? </p>
<p>If your still getting in the 500s you may need more work on the concepts. I would take a break from the practice tests and use your Grubers and maybe PWN the SAT to review any math concepts that are giving you trouble. Will all due respect to @capitalamerica, forget Barron’s, if the college board’s tests aren’t helping its unlikely a 3rd party’s tests will help.</p>
<p>Thanks again for your help, I’ve been working through Gruber’s all day rather than just doing tests from the bb, feeling a bit more positive. I’ve noticed though that questions such as this one - 1/y+1/x=1 and x+1=3 where I have to solve for x and y, I’m having some trouble with. I just can’t seem to do them, I get some right but I’ve noticed that I get these type of questions wrong regularly on practice tests. Any advice for questions where I have to solve an equation using the solution of another? </p>
<p>Well those are the problems you definitely want to know how to do.
You have to understand that in order to solve this type of problem, you have to figure out one of those letters (x or y)
And they give you that x+1=3.
You can think about this logically… What plus 1 is equal to 3? 2.
Or algebraically… Subtract 1 from each said and get x=2.
Now plug x in… (-1/y) + (1/2) = 1
Now that we found x, we can subtract (1/2) from each side. We get (-1/y) = 1/2.
Now you can either look at it logically… What number would satisfy the equation? -2.
Or cross multiply… -1(2) = 1(y)
Or y=-2</p>
<p>This is the basis for many SAT problems…
Also, know your geometry concepts. They’re very important…</p>
<p>Can you do an online prep course?</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with College Confidential lingo… Does BB mean ‘Barron’s book’ or ‘Blue book’?</p>
<p>If it means Barron’s book, then you can relax a little. Barron’s book math is definitely harder. I scored 700+ on my SAT but can only secure about a 660 on Barron’s book math.</p>
<p>If it means Blue book then you’re screwed because that ish is accurate.</p>
<p>Any chance you could try the ACT? it is a standardized test that all the US unis accept, but it ‘thinks’ in a different way than the SAT. Some people find that one or the other is markedly better for them.</p>
<p>If you are not making improvements then I think its best to first address the basic maths concepts that are tested in SAT. Spend a few days studying concepts, look up spark notes or check khan academy. Try to identify the type of questions you often miss. For many students its the verbal or critical reading or understanding of maths problem and not the maths itself. And it could be bit of both. If that is the case, more practice would help. Check out SAT quantum or other sites that give some detailed explanations of answers but do first address basic concepts that are tested.</p>
<p>Definitely screwed, keeping in mind that here in Ireland I completed my exams in maths and things almost 3 years ago due to how our schooling works. So I’m self teaching everything again and things that I would normally understand, I’m getting wrong due to different wording between American and Irish tests so it’s not going great, maybe I’ll retake it and get a tutor next time. I do think though that when I get used to maths and things again I should be fine but 3 years out of maths takes its toll I have to admit!</p>
<p>your english isn’t great. Which colleges are you aiming ? You probably gonna have a hard time with the essay.</p>
<p>So how’d you do?</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>@irish5569 If you’re retaking it read Xiggi’s and Silverturtle’s free guides here on College Confidential to get a feel for the test. Also if you’re having trouble with any area of algebra just go the Khan Academy and watch the corresponding videos. Make sure to learn the basic formulas for the math section and the basic math needed for it. For reading try going straight to the questions then bracketing the lines that are mentioned in the questions (extremely quickly) and then reading the passage while devoting 100% of your focus to it and focus even more when you get to the bracketed sections, also google Erica Meltzer’s website and read all of her tips for both reading and writing. For writing sparknotes explains a lot of the rules the repeatedly test so just google it, I think it was titled something along the lines of the “Seven deadly grammar mistakes”. After you’ve read all the guides take all of the remaining practice tests you have. </p>