<p>Ok, I told myself that if I received the kind of score I was expecting on the Oct SAT, I'd come to this site and post a little bit about my SAT path (actually, a lot bit...in fact run away now if you feel averse to reading a long post). Not because I'm particularly special, but because I think my story is somewhat unique. Well, first of all, let me start off by saying that I've taken the SAT a grand total of 6 times (including once in the 7th and 8th grade). My first score in 7th grade was a 990, with a 470 math and a 520 verbal. My second score in 8th grade was an 1110, with a 490 math and a 620 verbal. The gap between my math and verbal in eighth was probably odd since I'd taken algebra in 8th grade, but to be honest, I disliked math and learned virtually nothing. My math score improved only very minorily obviously. </p>
<p>In 10th grade I took the PSAT's, scoring a 1250 with a 700 verbal and a 550 math. By this point my math and verbal gap was becoming rather extreme. Especially since I'd taken algebra I again in 9th grade, and was a few months through geometry. Later, in June I took the actual SAT's to see if a full year of geometry had substantially improved my progress. Apparently it hadn't as I score a 1250 again. In 11th grade, I was determined to prove that I was capable of getting the scores I hoped for on the SAT's (1500+) so I spent about 30 hours over a month time period, studying for the PSAT's. I improved substantially, scoring a 1470, with a 780 verbal and a 690 math (I also managed a 770 writing). After this score, I was much more confident in my abilities. Too confident. When I took the SAT's in January of Junior year, I went into them completely cold, expecting that I'd score somewhere in the 1500's naturally. Instead, I scored a 770 verbal and a 650 math; respectable scores by any measure, but I knew I was capable of more. </p>
<p>I convinced myself that I had merely been overly nervous. So when I took the SAT again in April (or May, not too sure), I went in cold again, determined to be less nervous. It failed horribly and I received a 1370: 710 verbal (I panicked and second guessed myself because I was so intent on an 800), 660 math. This was the third time I had taken it, and all logic said I should "quit while I was ahead". Fortunately, I've ever been stubborn. This time, I resolved that I was going to be prepared for the test. But rather then use the common prep-books, I created my own unique study plan. In order to improve my math, I played chess, which has been shown to improve math ability significantly, fairly often during the summer. I also read many math theory books such as "Imagining numbers" and "e:the story of a number". To be honest, I was just looking for a way to improve my math ability in general and wasn't using these methods solely to improve my SAT scores. But I believe they none-the-less helped me immensely. For verbal, I just did what I'd always done: I read. Books like 1984, A Brave New World, and Plato's Republic. </p>
<p>For all this effort though, I wasn't even sure I'd wind up taking the test again. In fact I missed both the regular and late registrations for the Oct SAT because of my indecision. But, I decided I had to at least see if my unorthodox methods had made any difference. So I sat down about 8 days before the test, and took a practice test. I was stunned by the results. 1570. 800 verbal, 770 math. Thinking it was just a fluke, I took another practice test the next day. 1590. 800 verbal, 790 math. At that point I realized what had happened. Firstly, I had finally realized exactly what it was the SAT math tested. Contrary to what I'd previously thought, I realized that it didn't test math. It tested reasoning and it tested carefullness. Partly because of chess, my reasoning skill was much improved, and I was much less impulsive when choosing answers. I understood the logical path from A, the question, to B, the answer, with much more clarity. I also came to realize something that I should have been obvious to me from the start: you shouldn't try to solve math problems on the SAT. In fact, that is one of the worst things you can do because it takes up time and is totally unnecessary. </p>
<p>One of the most amazing revelations I ever came to was realizing that collegeboard gave you the answers to virtually every question. They sit directly beneath every question, numbered A, B, C, D, or E. All you have to do is determine which one is correct. And the best way to do this is to take the easiest path. Actually solving the question using algebra is almost never the easiest path. I can honestly say, that on more than 80% of the math questions on the Oct SAT, I used various methods of plugging in numbers to receive the answer in about half the time it would have taken me to solve in algebraically (actually, much less then half the time because I really possess very little if any algebraic skills. I couldn't have solved many of the problems even if I tried). </p>
<p>Do not solve the problem unless it's absolutely necessary. There is always an easier method if you can just find it (which, admittedly, can take some getting used to). Anyway, to make an already long story, slightly less long, I'll conclude. I received a 1570 on the Oct SAT. 800 Math and 770 verbal (this was vaguely annoying as I'd been getting all 800's on practice tests). The moral of the story? Don't let the SAT beat you. Figure out exactly what it's testing, and it'll start to seem like a walk in the park. And always remember, be extraordinarily careful on math. Make sure you consistently underline the given info and what the question is asking (the only math question i got wrong in Oct I missed because I used diameter as a radius: old habits die hard). And remember, if I can go from a 550 Math in 10th grade to an 800 only two years later, anyone can achieve their goals.</p>