Math: how to score 800 consistently?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

Hi everyone! I would like to consistently score an 800 on math and I’d like to inquire about some things.

My lowest in math is a 700 and highest is an 800. But this difference of 100 points is quite huge. Honestly, I sometimes feel “lucky” because I get to be skilled with some questions. At other times, I lack some little detail that would change my answer 5 times, so I can get 5 mistakes. Here is what I do:

I take 3 sections a day.
I review my mistakes, re-solve the question, and check whether I was just lacking a detail or a lesson.
If it’s a lesson, I study it.
If it’s a detail, I take careful note of it.

Anything else should I be doing? I want to be safe for an 800.

P.s: I have no problem with timing. If I know the concepts and details of all the questions, I can spare at least five minutes.

2

Here are a couple tips:

  1. Read and fully understand the question before solving, so that you don't make silly mistakes such as missing one detail.
  2. Keep your scratch work organized and in order to minimize probability of a silly mistake.

Of course, dumb mistakes can still happen – I have made many of those before.

3

Totally agree @MITer94 - when I get a 780, it’s usually because of a stupid mistake, like marking the wrong line (AB, for example, instead of AC)

Thanks! :slight_smile:

4

Another question! I make extremely stupid mistakes. Will I be able to eliminate those with practice and taking note of them?

5

Yes - as well as with clear handwriting and organization.

6

I will add to what @MITer has to say in the context of the math section:

  1. Any problems that you found difficult or were somewhat shaky on, mark them, and come back and redo them if you have time left at the end. Most students who score an 800 have extra time left at the end.

  2. Most careless mistakes happen on the medium level questions, read them carefully, several times if needed and redo them if they are wordy or have a lot of information.

  3. Getting an 800 requires a lot of focus and concentration and you can not take any of the problems lightly. From a content point of view the SAT math is not terribly difficult, but getting an 800 is not trivial.