<p>Hey I need to get at least a 520 on my math SAT tomorrow. Any helpful strategies? I've taken it twice already and got a 480 once and a 490 the second time. Please help :(</p>
<p>Math is a section going in chronological order. Easy -> Medium -> Hard. Make sure to get those easy questions out of the way ASAP but do not make simple mistakes on them. If you must omit any, generally the very last questions are the best candidates as they are the hardest. Other than that, you should have been prepping previously to achieve a higher score.</p>
<p>I have an SAT book that I do practice tests in and I’ve been scoring in the 500 range and I’ve gone to seminars about tricks and tips. I’m just looking for last minute advice. I’m so nervous.</p>
<p>Then the best advice I can give is review the concepts for a couple of hours this afternoon in Algebra, Geometry, and Arithmetic, relax, and do your best.</p>
<p>I would say it more strongly than that: you would be better off working so slowly and carefully that you run out of time before you even come to the last third of any math section. And if you DO answer questions from that last third, it should be because you recognize a specific problem/trick from your prep – such as making up numbers for variables. But even then, these are a bad time investment at your current score level.</p>
<p>I can’t say this clearly or strongly enough: if a 550 - 600 would make you very happy, then going slow and being careful, playful and stubborn about answering the ones you do work on is the best gift you can give yourself during this test.</p>
<p>Good luck tomorrow…</p>
<p>Do not over-think the easy questions on the math section. The sections are divided out so that their is an even number of easy, medium, and hard questions. If you get all of the medium and all of the easy questions, then there should be no trouble for you. This does not mean to not try the hard questions.</p>
<p>I just want to add some specifics to pckeller’s advice (excellent advice by the way). As a general guideline, for someone with your current score I would recommend pacing yourself to answer the following number of questions:</p>
<p>15/20 on the 20 question section.
12/16 on the 16 question section
6/8 of the multiple choice on the 18 question section
The first 7 grid-ins on the 18 question section.</p>
<p>If you only answer these questions (even ommitting and/or getting a few wrong), you will be very happy with your score.</p>
<p>If you feel particularly strong in a certain subject area, then if you have time, glance at the last few questions and pick out 1 or 2 to try from that subject - don’t stress over this though - it’s not necessary.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>