I need to get the 800 to pull my superscore above 2300. In May I got a 740, and then in October it somehow dropped to 650 (though I feel that was just a fluke; I got a 670 on the math section in 8th grade). I don’t know why I struggle with this section so much; I’m in AP Calc BC, and I’ve been doing prep ever since like 7th grade, and time isn’t really an issue for me (I always finish early), but I end up making careless mistakes. Now, I do realize that this is probably due to going too quickly, but I always check my work after I finish the section and I feel like I didn’t make any mistakes. I usually miss 0 or 1 on practice tests, and I took an SAT math intensive bootcamp for the whole month of September, 3 hrs every Friday, yet my score still managed to decrease by 90 points (740 to 650). Any advice? I definitely feel like the 800 is within reach, but I just don’t know how to get there yet.
When you solve the problems, try to read each question careful…
Just Kidding.
I had the same problem like you. My first SAT math score was 760. But my second score was 800.
Try to CIRCLE the keywords on the questions. I assume you know how most SAT math questions go, like the tricks and pitfalls CB often uses. So as you read each question, try to circle those keywords that trick the test takers.
I did it and pulled off an easy 800.
It happens often. My personal experience with math is that you have to treat every question with extra care. I used to get carried away due to a few 800’s on practise tests. Then when the real test comes, I underestimated the questions and got many errors. Now when I do a math section, I scrutinize every question and act as if every question could be a pitfall. This method took my score back up again.
Thanks guys
The best way in my opinion to get an 800 on math consistently is too always guarantee some good amount of time left to check your work. The math section is 25 or 20 min at times, so I worked on completing a section in 15 or 10 min. I practiced using these time limits for many practices. I also learned how to do competition math (like AMC’s and MATHCOUNTS) effectively. In combination of managing my time and figuring out how to solve a problem really fast, I always had 10 min or more to check my work. Because of this, I have never gotten below 800 on any practice math section nor the real deal since like 8th grade.
EDIT* I just noticed that you already finish early. How early? Because at least for me, I have enough time to check all the problems again twice. I normally go all out in terms of speed the for first check. I then go back and reread each problem and solve it a different way and see if I get the same answer. I then go back and reread each question one by one to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Sounds like a lot, but gift in speed will really help.
EDIT** Also learn how to do math section without using the calculator. I realized that the calculator can sometimes be a burden if you rely on it too much. Basically finish section fast without calculator. Then go back check answers with calculator. Then go back and reread each question word by word to make sure nothing was missed.
@daman12356 I can’t place an exact number on how many minutes I have left, but on average it’s around 7 minutes, never exceeding 10 minutes and never less than 5.
Uh, try to finish even faster i guess…
Wow, I followed some of the tips mentioned in this thread for my math practice test and my score jumped from a 670-690 average to an 800. I usually make 3-4 errors on the math section but this time, I had around 5-7 minutes to check my answers, correcting some 1-3 questions I got wrong per section I don’t know if this is just luck but I will most definitely try this out on test day.