<p>Hello guys, I have read and learned a lot of things on these forums about college and other things relating to the SAT, but I would now like to share some of the strategies I learned through my own preparation. I consistently get 760-800 on my math section of the SAT and I started out at just 650 at the beginning. Here are strategies. </p>
<p>Problem Solving Methods!</p>
<p>-Look at All Parts of the Problem
On many geometry problems that involve a picture, the answer most likely lies away from the actual question. Many times you will find a circle inside of a square and it will ask what the radius of the circle is. More times than not, info given about the square will help you solve the problem. Always look at all the parts of the problem, even in word problems, 99% of the time, the SAT won't put in info that you don't need to solve the problem. Everything is useful.</p>
<p>-Guess and Check
Instead of working out algebra problems to find an equation that will fit the scenario, just guess and check. ie. A question may ask "How much does the value of "y" go up in this equation if "x" is doubled?" Simply put in 1 for x and then 2 for x and find the difference instead of messing with the equation. Tons of problems will best fit this method.</p>
<p>-Know your simple geometry and algebra rules
Knowing that the slope of a perpendicular line is the opposite reciprocal of the current one or that opposite angles in a picture are always the same or the distance formula help. These rules are used in many problems and knowing them can be a real point saver. Just review problems you miss and if any rules need to be known, go back and review them. </p>
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<li>For the "how many numbers in between" problems
Usually these problems are listed as hard, but there is one fool proof strategy to solve them. A question may ask "How many numbers between 1 and 100 have a "3" within them?" It helps to understand basic principles of patterns in these cases. For example, exactly one number in every 10 numbers has a three that appears, and the 30's have exactly 10 numbers with threes that appear. So 9 sets of 10 with one number containing a "3" is 9 numbers with a "3"! Then there are 10 more numbers in the 30's with "3's" so 10+9 = 19 numbers!<br></li>
</ul>
<p>-Check Check Check
Make sure to check. The math section allow for a little over a minute per problem. The first 5 problems will often take less than 20 seconds each if you know what you are doing and you are trying to go for a 700+. Try to spend at least an extra 5 seconds to reread the problem and quickly plug in your answers to check. You will still end up with multiple minutes at the end, waste little time, and not be ****ed later when you score a 780 because you missed a level one easy question. PS: This biggest mistakes come when it asks you to answer for a variable. It might ask what does "y" equal or what does "x+y" equal or what does "2x" equal. Be careful and make sure you underline this part of the problem so you know what you are looking for.</p>
<p>-Practice Practice Practice
There are many workbooks but the SAT BLUE BOOK should be enough. I guarantee if you just take like 3 practice tests, your score will improve a decent amount. Practice in math is the only way to improve. Like me, you will see patterns, you will start to understand what strategy is best, how to start solving, or what to look for. Like now, when I see the phrase "both children and adults bought tickets to the play" or something similar, I automatically start jotting down a system of equations before I read the entire problem, the sat always used this type of phrasing for a system problem. It also uses phrases for other key topics as well, you will notice them. It will start to come naturally. </p>
<p>-Pacing and knowing what you want
Some of you may be going for that 800, some for a 700, some for a 650, or some for less. Know what you need to answer and what you don't. If you are going for an 800 you must answer everything, don't omit, it's not worth it, you should be able to reach the last to problems with 5 minutes left. If you can't, keep practicing until you can, or aim for a little lower score. You can't guarantee an 800 if you can't get to the last two with 5 minutes left. I can go through the first 18 problems in a section, and check them with about 7 minutes left...leave time for the end because the math section is where time helps. If you don't know a level 5 problem, it make take just an extra minute for it to click. I cannot tell you on how many practice tests I figured the problem out 5 seconds after the time expired. That extra minute or two will help you! If you are going for a 700ish, you only need to answer 2 out of the last 6 problems total on the math sections. So spend that extra time just effectively checking all your answers and then attempt the last ones, if you aren't sure, don't guess and lost points! For those who are aiming for a good above average score of 600, you can effectively leave 14 question blank. This means that you spend all you time on the other ones and make sure you get them right!</p>
<p>Good luck Everyone....if only CR was this simple.</p>