<p>OK so I've taken the SAT's, I have 690 Math, 760 Verbal, 800 Writing. I got a 74 on my math PSAT and I need to be able to raise my math SAT 1 score a bit on the test in October. I need advice. </p>
<p>The first time I tried the "Xiggi Method" (thankyou SO much!) but I'm still stuck on the math. I'm having trouble knowing the 'fastest way' to solve the questions. What is your advice on individual SAT tutoring, the books, etc.? I've used a bunch of books but I'm not sure it's helping. If I'm looking at some top schools, I do need to raise my math score right? Even if I'm not pursuing a math/science related field? At least 10 points? I need advice. Thanks so much guys.</p>
<p>wow, first off, that's incredible scores in the CR and writng section!
As for math, I keep a notebook of all the really tough math questions I encountered and record all the tricks ot every single type of math qeustion possible.</p>
<p>WOrk on your weak areas. I know, duh. But I mean work em until you sweat!!!
I sucked at probability and ALWAYS missed it on the test, so I busted out my old math textbook and did probability practice questions for a week. It worked.</p>
<p>Also, develop a "number sense." -- it's kind of like how you learn judgments of distances and speeds in driving. Sometimes you can't really "measure" how fast a car is coming at you just from looking at it, but you nevertheless have a "sense" of its speed and whether or not you should make a pass. Same with math; develop a sense for numbers. Like if a question asks to solve the all variables in the 2 equations: 2x+ 3y= 10
and -2x+ 5y= 15
Then you can "sense" that 2x and -2x are opposites. Thus, if you add the 2 eqautiosn together you can solve for y.... ect. </p>
<p>Another trick is that ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE QUESTION IS THERE FOR A REASON. THis is especially true and vital to grasping geometry problems. When the original ques tells your line x and line y are parallel, then you must somehow NEED or USE that info in the process of solving the question. Sometimes I find that if I added this # and that # together, then I could get an answer that was one of the answer choices. however, if i did not use ALL the clues/info in the original problem, then I know that something is wrong and my answer is incorrect.</p>
<p>Other than that, you need to know EAch and EVERY single type of math question really well. </p>
<p>Here's some general types of math ques:
Probability- counting problesm where you jsut multiply the 2 probiliteis together
Union and Intersection
Line problems- these are often mixed with "finding the slope" and which point is this problems
Marble problems (part of probability)
Number line problems. (+,-, multiply, divide, and even square 2 points on the # line)
Geometry problems- angles, length of arc on a circle, ratio shaded areas
Parabolas-finding vertex, roots or x-intercepts or zeros, finding a specific X coordinate for a given Y coordinate
weird functions and multiple variables
Piethagorem theorem/special right triangles</p>