PSAT Scores and Assistance in Math

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>So I recently got my second PSAT test scores best. I took it first in freshmen year, and for having had barely any of the classes I needed, felt like I did very well. I improved GREATLY by this year. Seeing as how I'm a junior, that makes sense.</p>

<p>I scored perfect in the Critical Reading (80), so no worries there. I got a 60 in math, and a 68 in Writing.</p>

<p>This all translates to a projected score of 2,080 on the SAT. </p>

<p>Most of the problems on the Writing Skills section I missed because it was taken last- and I knew the answers to all of the ones I missed, so I'm not sure why I missed them, but with extra studying I'm sure I'll be fine there. (Here's a secret- I didn't actually study before taking this test at all, because I hadn't planned on taking it. I imagine if I'd studied I'd probably do better.) </p>

<p>However, in the math section, I really did have trouble. I had to omit a LOT because I either didn't even know where to begin, or just plain ran out of time. I find I have 3 main problems with the math: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I don't even understand what the question wants or I don't understand how to go about solving it. This mostly applies to the hardest questions.</p></li>
<li><p>The problems take me too long to solve- I can never solve them all, because I can't do math quickly. I have to write everything down and it takes me time.</p></li>
<li><p>They're not phrased at all how we learn in class. A lot of them are far more theoretical, asking like how many numbers between this # and that # contain the numbers 4, 6, 8, 9 or other weird ones like that. I've never seen something like that before.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So I have a few questions:</p>

<p>Firstly, suggestions on how to gain a better understanding of what the Math questions want, and how to answer them more QUICKLY. I have considered just getting a SAT math tutor for a few sessions. Secondly, good study habits for the writing section. Just generally- I'm not too worried about it but I'd like to improve it to above a 70, preferably a 73+. And lastly, while I know a 'good' score is highly subjective, if i'm planning on going to a good school but not an Ivy League, are those scores on the right track/good to get me into a decent school? I'm thinking a top public school, for various reasons. </p>

<p>Other Notes:</p>

<p>In math I did well/best in Geometry and Problem Solving, and struggled the most with Representation, Numbers and Operations. I also had trouble with Algebra and Functions, as well as Reasoning. The rest of the Math sections I omitted 1 or 2, which is why they were bad- ran out of time. </p>

<p>In Writing Skills I correctly answered all Phrases and Clauses, as well as Correctly Formed Sentences. I missed 2 of the harder problems in Grammatical Relationships between words, and 1 in Relationships of Sentences and Paragraphs, as well as 1 in Words and Phrases Used to Modify and Compare. </p>

<p>Thank you in advance for any replies and any help offered. It is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>I take my SAT in March and would like to be as prepared as possible. I will also be retaking it Senior year, unless I do outstanding.</p>

2

<p>Math questions may try to trick you with weird wording or function notation (like a@b = a^2 + b^2). Best thing to do is interpret the question exactly as written and never assume anything you don’t know is true.</p>

<p>There are a lot of counting/combinatorics/number theory problems on SAT. They are actually pretty introductory, but most schools don’t teach these topics well. I suggest a MATHCOUNTS or AMC10 book (such as Intro to Counting & Probability).</p>

<p>Most SAT problems have multiple solutions, so finding the fastest one will save you lots of time. </p>

<p>Again, you could try pulling from contest math problems (such as MATHCOUNTS, AMC) as a means to prepare. Two advantages are that they cover topics not often taught well that are on SAT, and that you see a wider range of math problems that enforce good problem solving. I don’t know how technique this is, but nearly everyone I know who has done well on these contests has had no problem scoring 800 on the math section.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much for your reply. Yeah- my problems are mostly with the theoretical and problem solving math problems. I will definitely check out those books. </p>

<p>As a side note, I wish they wouldn’t try to trick us with wording. Not very nice of them.</p>

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<p>Yeah, the wording is sometimes meant to confuse you. Just interpret every question exactly as it is written and you’ll be fine.</p>