SAT Math: Advice

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hey everyone. Just to start off, I'm a strong student -- in the top 5% of my class, 3.9 GPA, 5s on both APs taken, etc., etc. Math and science have always been my best/favorite subjects, even though I consistently do well in Humanities courses. This is my senior year, and I have a 5.1 with my AP classes (an A+ in AP Calculus AB.)</p>

<p>Anyway, I just received my October SAT results, and I'm slightly disappointed.</p>

<p>760 CR, 680 M, 760 W (10 Essay) ; And previous SAT subject tests: 720 Math II, 770 US History
(All without prep, save looking over a friend's SAT Math workbook)</p>

<p>I really enjoy math, but always find myself making the most stupid mistakes on standardized tests. For example, my score report shows that 3 of the 6 questions that I answered incorrectly were "easy" questions, with the other three being "hard" Number & Operations questions.</p>

<p>I'm applying to colleges as a science (bio or physics) major, and am reaching for the Ivies, but am afraid that my SAT Math scores will be what keeps me out. </p>

<p>Basically, I need some advice. Is it worth going through the stress of taking the SAT again and studying my butt off in math, even though dumb mistakes can EASILY ruin my score again? Will my SAT II Math II score balance out my poor SAT Math score when colleges (the Ivies) look at them? Should I forget the SAT I and study my butt off for the SAT II Math II test again to prove my math skill??</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, everyone!</p>

2

<p>Perhaps if you’re making dumb mistakes you should focus on fixing that aspect, rather than just ‘studying your butt off’?</p>

<p>i.e. work on your accuracy and speed rather than simply knowledge.</p>

<p>To do that you’d probably work on practice math tests (timing yourself of course).</p>

<p>And if you want to get into your college of choice that much, then don’t you think it would probably be worth it?</p>

3

<p>I agree with Overide. </p>

<p>I think the SAT math portion is soooo much easier than math II, so it is worth raising that score. However, I do believe your math problem is easily fixable. Not understanding a math concept if one thing, but if you just tend to be a bit careless (like I am), your scores can easily be raised. </p>

<p>Do you have any problems finishing a math portion on time? If not, then, maybe, slow down a bit, and take more time to read each problem carefully. Or, when you have time left, ALWAYS double check your answers. Since you know you tend to miss the easy ones due to small errors, than maybe spend whatever time you have left checking those first.</p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck! ^^</p>