<p>I'm a 10th grader and I'll be taking the PSAT for the first time this fall. I'm really nervous about the math section of the test. I was looking at some PSAT math multiple choice questions that had been on previous tests, and I couldn't get the right answer for most of those problems. How hard did you think the PSAT math was? What should I do to study for it?</p>
<p>How hard are the PSAT math problems?</p>
<p>It depends on the person. For people who have a good grasp of Geometry and Algebra II, it should be easy. </p>
<p>How to study for the PSAT math questions?</p>
<p>Well, you have many options. You could join a prep class if your score is really really low. Or if you have a modicum of self-motivation, you could simply pick up any PSAT or even SAT book and look at the math section.</p>
<p>The algebra problems are pitifully easy, but the geometry tends to be really tricky, probably much trickier than anything you’ve ever seen before so you’d be stupid not to get official practice problems.</p>
<p>Having taken the SAT, I can tell you that there is an enormous emphasis on geometry, and there is tricky wording that will try to trip you up(an equilateral vs isosceles vs scalene triangle question nearly got me, I switched literally five seconds before time was called). I personally like geometry. I missed two algebra problems and one arithmetic problem, so people clearly have their strengths and weaknesses. Try some diagnostic tests in prep books and see where you’re worst and practice there. If you haven’t taken geometry yet, you probably won’t score well. Don’t worry about it if that’s the case.</p>
<p>Geometry has lots of proofs. I once thought I had to memorize them all. You don’t, really, you just need a sense of logic(triangles add to 180 degrees, supplementary angles add up to 180 degrees, all that good stuff).</p>
<p>Incidentally, there is no math that requires knowledge of Precalculus or beyond on the PSAT or SAT, and there is very little Algebra II(if any) on the SAT, and none on the PSAT. If you’re not good at that kind of math, you should still be fine. There aren’t any logarithms or trigonometric equations or calculus questions or anything complicated like that. It’s simple math, but often worded in a tricky way, and some of the “hard” questions require you to think outside the box.</p>
<p>I hope this all makes sense and helps you a lot!</p>
<p>The PSAT tests a predictable subset of concepts from Algebra I and II and Geometry. Parabolas and functions, which will show up on your PSAT, are topics emphasized more in Algebra II than Algebra I.</p>
<p>Try going to Collegeboard.com.
They have online math questions(relating to the SAT’s) that you can answer and they have a walk through just in case if you don’t understand how you got the answer.
I suck at math and that little prep helped. Also, those questions very closely resemble the ones on the SAT’s/PSAT’s.
goodluck(:</p>