I apologize if this is an inappropriate thread, but my first SAT is less than a week away. I haven’t prepared for it yet (I know, man), so I’m super worried this is going to be the thing that ends me. I’m fine on English, got into the 99% on the PSAT. Math is another problem, so I’m trying to study it right now. I’m on KhanAcademy trying to get through these practice problems, but I literally don’t know over half of this material? The question I’m looking at right now, for example, is what I’m just about to learn in my precalc class, and the SAT is next weekend, omg.
How am I supposed to do well if I haven’t even learned any of this before? I’m probably far from saving now, but still, do you guys know any last-minute info that might help? Thank you! (Ha, is the ACT math easier than this?)
I’m guessing you’re a Junior, since you’re taking the SAT for the first time?
Why not simply postpone the exam until May, when so many other Juniors will take the test? Yeah, I know all the hype about the exam changing. But you really don’t sound prepared for this one. So take a breath, and prepare over the next 2 or so months, then take the test in May.
If there are a few particular math topics, let us know and we’ll try to talk you through them. But it sounds as though this issue is bigger than that.
I think the math on Khan Academy is a little hard too. Have you checked out the practice from the actual college board website? It will be more accurate
I would say that you need more practice. What year are you? It doesn’t sound like you are ready to take the test. I would suggest postponing if you have the time.
Sorry for the late reply, but I appreciate your guys’ response. It’s the new SAT. I’m a junior, but I think it’s too late to cancel now, and since I had to apply for financial aid for the test, I’m guess I’m just stuck taking it. I don’t want to bother my parents or my school office with rescheduling and money and all this close to the SAT, and I don’t think I’ll take the May SAT since I have AP tests too; maybe I’ll try again in June. I haven’t checked out the College Board’s own tests, but I’ll try to, thanks.
I don’t know what my problem is /exactly/, I just know it’s just a broad weakness in math. I mean, I’m sure I’ve seen way easier variations of these types of problems, but when I just open up a practice problem, I find myself blanking. I don’t know how to solve it. I don’t do poorly because of silly errors and miscalculations, I just don’t know how to go about a problem. I’ve always gone through my math classes by following strict steps and formulas, so the SAT, with all its creative problem-solving stuff, is really gonna hurt me. So yeah, that’s it, basically. I know there’s not really much to help me, but again, I really appreciate everyone’s feedback.
My D is in a similar spot as you @Cocohorse . She is finding the math on Kahn Academy much harder than the CB SAT prep book and the PSAT. She is required to take it "in-school’ this Wednesday so there is no cancelling for her.
It appears the Kahn Academy material uses a different approach (Common Core? Critical thinking?) than was taught in my D’s Algebra classes. Her Pre-Calc and even Physics are helping her some, but there are still a lot of problems she does not know how to solve. If she can do just a little better than her PSAT math score her verbal should pull her through.
She went through 3 of the CB practice tests for PSAT (practice scores were very close to actual scores) and did the fourth recently for SAT. She is not a practice test taker type. She would rather use Khan Academy to learn areas she is weak in.
Yes, prep time is over for this sitting anyway. If she brings math up a little she may be one and done. If the PSAT was not a good predictor for SAT math and Khan Academy is more realistic then she is in for a long summer.
So @dallaspiano , are you predicting SAT scores based on PSAT scores yet?
@CaucAsianDad,
Excellent. I don’t have time for Khan either, so I just go over and over CB practice tests since this is their first new SAT, the format probably will be like the practice ones
My D took the SAT yesterday. Without reviling any of the content of the exam, her advice would be to study to the level of the PSAT and the CB practice exams. Khan Academy is a great tool to increase your proficiency, which will result in a better SAT score, but it is not necessarily a gauge of your actual performance on a SAT exam. That is why the CB provided the practice exams.
Never underestimate the value of talking to a teacher. My D looked at what she missed and went to her favorite math teacher for help. She was shoring up weak areas and is currently in Calc 1 but even if you only have time to help on a couple areas it is better than nothing. The teacher can judge where to best spend the limited time. Some concepts are easy but just areas you haven’t been taught yet in PreCal or missed in earlier math classes.
Thank you so much, everyone. I’m taking it tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll do alright enough. I’ll keep all of your guys’ advice in mind when I retake it in June!