So I have gotten the Blue Book and have been doing a few practice tests. On the first test I actually did pretty well
(780 CR, 760 W, 680 M). The reading and writing I did well on because I read a lot and also because I used the Erica Meltzer grammar book. The math was frustrating because I am in high level math in school and tend to do pretty well in them, but it is mostly just stupid mistakes. Anyway, the second practice SAT, i just bombed. I got like a 2050 or something
with both reading and writing dropping more than 50 points. Now whenever I take practice test I am always really nervous and I notice that I don’t just easily fly through the test like I did the first time. Before I would finish each section with at least 6 minutes left and would not feel any pressure during the test. This has happened to me in the past in school when I realized something mattered and I started working seriously and stressing out a lot, my scores would go down.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on why this might have been and what I can do to get back up to the high score range. ( I am shooting for that sweet 2300+ score)
Also, just wondering what I should do about math if I am normally quite adept but in this case tend to do poorly, especially do the silly mistakes.
Thanks (this is my first post so please tell me if I did something wrong)
You could say that the grading curve in very cruel in SAT I math. The best way you could avoid mistakes is by reading the questions carefully. SAT I math is quite easy for someone who is adept in maths, but the questions are a bit tricky. Practice a lot so that you can get used to the question pattern. Apart from basic mathematical knowledge this is the only thing you need.
SAT math is… different. What you want to do is remind yourself that you can retake it as many times as you like. Maybe it means a year or two in a college you’re not thrilled with, or a gap year- but it doesn’t mean that you’re stuck. You have to be calm, because misreading a question or panicking and losing time is going to seriously lower your score.
Practice is good, but you also want to read the math section of your book. Get a few tips, or review already learned information. Always use old SATs, don’t take made-up practice tests. Also, always write the essays- good practice, plus it helps with stamina since that’s the most difficult (physically, at least) bit of the SAT.
The most important thing is just to learn what’s on the SATs. If you can afford it, tutoring can be helpful. If not, there are tons of free videos out there. The more confident you are about something, the faster you’ll complete those questions and the more time you’ll have for the rest.
I’m the same with the silly mistakes. Take an extra few seconds to THINK about the question. Chances are the answer’s simple (if it’s not, ask someone for help and then you’ll know next time), but you have to think. Make sure you learn the distance formula and that you’re confident in the Pythagorean Theorem.
Also, always space out your practice tests. Among other things, you can’t be taking the test within the next month or two, and there aren’t that many practice tests available. If you take more than one a day, or one every day, you’ll get frustrated- and with good reason. It’s long and it’s hard. Make sure to spend some time relaxing and reading up on theory as well as sitting down and taking the tests.
Good luck!
Disclaimer: I did terribly on math on the SAT. This is my advice, and what I learned while studying and what I plan to do when I retake. But just keep in mind that actual knowledge (I hadn’t finished Algebra 2 or taken Geometry) matters too.
I recommend doing corrections (writing down the problem you got wrong and its explanation) for math section. You’ll soon find out the pattern and spot the usual SAT traps.
And for some problems, read the question carefully, even extra carefully.