<p>Hi, I got a 780 on the Math II. I did not prepare for it at all.</p>
<p>The trick is to take pre-calculus first during high school. Most of the things you learn in Math II will be perfected during pre-calculus. I did not do particular well during pre-calculus, my average was a B</p>
<p>After you are familiar with the subject, buy a barron's Math II book, get a Ti-83 calculator (most schools let you borrow it) Look at the back, there are many instructions on how to program certain things to figure out the distance between a point and a line, the distance formula itself, and many other useful programs. </p>
<p>Learn how to use the programs.</p>
<p>I managed to use many of the programs during the test (programs are legal) and ended up completing the test with 12 minutes left.</p>
<p>lol, take it after calc and you will get an easy 800. You won't even need "teh formulas" and if you need to do something your handy TI-89 will make the test almost unfair.</p>
<p>FORMULAS ARE LEGAL!??!?!?
thank god i read this before.
I'm taking it soon and scared as hell.
i already took a part of calc AB and havent prepared at all...
i'm still not sure - do you think i should take it this year or next?
are there many algebra/geometry questions on it?</p>
<p>I just took the one in a "Real SATII subject test" booklet (I only have the test, the first question dealt with a varaible "k" and easy algebra, can someone confirm this) and missed none.</p>
<p>The only formula I used that wasn't given was the one for infinite geometric series. Sheep, it's mostly algebra (mostly functions). Geometry is mostly confined to coordinates (including points in space), trig triangles, and solids (there were 2 solid geo questions). Know your trig really well.</p>
<p>The misc. questions I encountered were: infinite geo series, fibonacci (defined), st. dev (if you know that it functions as a range, you can get it), a limit (calculator), 2x2 matrix theory, and a complex plane question.</p>
<p>I don't think enough people take Calc before the admissions process to assess students from all backgrounds nationwide. Calc is generally regarded as a subject taught in calc (at least in the US :-), but of course there is always AP calc.</p>
<p>"Why is it such that any idiot can get an 800 with a calculator?"</p>
<p>It's all about efficiency. If you used the calculator solely to SOLVE the problems, then you probably won't get an 800. Of course there are those who train for this test and store a billion formulas. All I can say is that basic problem solving skills and thinking trump calculator usage, despite the IIC label (although barrons sometimes purposely forces you to use the calc, bah). And those who do get an 800 with just a calculator are pretty smart test-takers but it probably won't get them far in college.</p>