Some Math Tips for SAT!

<p>I have been prepping for the SAT for about a year, and learn a lot. So I wanted to give back to the awesome college Confidential Community, some tips to help you score higher in SAT Math. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Always read the question carefully, give some time understanding the question, then solve it. Slow down, It help increase my 650 SAT math score to 770+.</p></li>
<li><p>Have strong understanding on topics like basic arithmetic, algebra I & II, and geometry. I found this amazing website, that reminds us the basic content of these topics. I have so many classmates come to me, and they forgotten how to calculate percent change, I tell them go to this website, and revise your math skills. :) <a href="http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/map_to_SAT_material.htm"&gt;http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/map_to_SAT_material.htm&lt;/a> This will teach the formulas, and content you need to know, then after you mastered the website (or topics), apply it on the Blue Book.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>For example, Bob is working on fractions on onemathematicalcat, after he is done with all the lessons for fractions, he will go to the Blue Book and hunt EVREY SINGLE FRACTION PROBLEM, until he his confident on fractions. You don't have to use only the Blue Book, you can also use Barron's, Princeton Review, Gruber's... and the whole web (Even Khan Academy once the SAT part of the website is done).</p>

<ol>
<li><p>For Geometry problems, LABEL, LABEL, AND LABEL. And if the problem says not drawn to scale, BE VERY CAREFUL, the "evil" ETS will make the figure look like 3 is the radius, but it was actually 8. >:) Also try to draw a figure, if not given.</p></li>
<li><p>Very simple tip, if you finish early, plz go back and review your answers. What I do is put a star next to the problem, that I might want to go over at the end, besides being stuck on it, I move on, and come back later to it. </p></li>
<li><p>If you really want to get a boost your SAT math score, review SAT math vocabulary (integers, even, odd, inscribe...)</p></li>
</ol>

<p><a href="http://advancedmathtutoring.com/must-know-sat-math-definitions-formulas-part-1-3/"&gt;http://advancedmathtutoring.com/must-know-sat-math-definitions-formulas-part-1-3/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://advancedmathtutoring.com/5-obscure-sat-math-formulas-that-you-must-know-to-score-an-800-on-the-sat-math-section/"&gt;http://advancedmathtutoring.com/5-obscure-sat-math-formulas-that-you-must-know-to-score-an-800-on-the-sat-math-section/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://advancedmathtutoring.com/must-know-sat-math-definitions-formulas-part-3-3/"&gt;http://advancedmathtutoring.com/must-know-sat-math-definitions-formulas-part-3-3/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://quizlet.com/24288905/sat-math-1-2-subject-tests-basic-definitions-flash-cards/"&gt;http://quizlet.com/24288905/sat-math-1-2-subject-tests-basic-definitions-flash-cards/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/sat-math-vocabulary-0.pdf"&gt;http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/sat-math-vocabulary-0.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.mcelroytutoring.com/blog-post.php?id=281"&gt;http://www.mcelroytutoring.com/blog-post.php?id=281&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<ol>
<li>Another simple tip, be aware how many problems they are in the section you are working on (Its up top, on the beginning of section). </li>
</ol>

<p>SAT Math Sections:</p>

<p>25 minutes - 20 questions (multiple choice)
25 minutes - 18 questions (multiple choice, grid-in)
20 minutes - 16 questions (multiple choice)
Also could be a 25 min experimental section.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Hard SAT Math problems = Easy Math topics combined
For example,</p></li>
<li><p>Let the function p be defined as p(x) = a(x - k)^2 where a and k are positive constants. For what value of x will the function p have its minimum value?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>(A) -a
(B) -k
(C) 0
(D) a
(E) k</p>

<p>This is a level 5 problem from 2008 QAS.
The question is asking for basically do you know what a constant is, basic exponent rule, and basic arithmetic skills.
All you had to do was choose any POSITIVE number (you could have done negative but the problem said positive only) for a and k (a = 2, k =5).</p>

<p>Just by glancing at the choices E is right answer. Because 2 * (5 -5)^2 = 0
Now a negative number would be smaller than zero right...
But If you know that any number square ^2, would make it automatically positive. Making E the right answer. </p>

<p>If you truly master the basic topics and rules of Math, you can solve any hard SAT Math question. :)</p>

<ol>
<li>Stop making CARELESS MISTAKES. You worked your butt off for the last 6 months (or more) prepping for the SAT, and on the test date you bubbled choice C, when you got answer A. Pay attention!! [-(</li>
</ol>

<p>Later on I will write more specialized tips for certain Math problems (These were only general tips)!</p>

<p>I hope the best for everyone taking the SAT. Have a great day. :)</p>

<p>Let me know your opinion on the tips… and if you have any, please put it in the comments :)</p>

<p>Here is the SAT Math topic list:</p>

<p>If you are scoring in 500 - 600 range, it means you haven’t mastered this topics. </p>

<p>Numbers and Operations</p>

<p>· Arithmetic word problems (including percent, ratio, and proportion)</p>

<p>· Properties of integers (even, odd, prime numbers, divisibility, etc.)</p>

<p>· Rational numbers</p>

<p>· Sets (union, intersection, elements)</p>

<p>· Counting techniques</p>

<p>· Sequences and series (including exponential growth)</p>

<p>· Elementary number theory</p>

<p>Algebra and Functions</p>

<p>· Substitution and simplifying algebraic expressions</p>

<p>· Properties of exponents</p>

<p>· Algebraic word problems</p>

<p>· Solutions of linear equations and inequalities</p>

<p>· Systems of equations and inequalities</p>

<p>· Quadratic equations</p>

<p>· Rational and radical equations</p>

<p>· Equations of lines</p>

<p>· Absolute value</p>

<p>· Direct and inverse variation</p>

<p>· Concepts of algebraic functions</p>

<p>· Newly defined symbols based on commonly used operations</p>

<p>Geometry and Measurement</p>

<p>· Area and perimeter of a polygon</p>

<p>· Area and circumference of a circle</p>

<p>· Volume of a box, cube, and cylinder</p>

<p>· Pythagorean Theorem</p>

<p>· Special properties of isosceles, equilateral, and right triangles</p>

<p>· Properties of parallel and perpendicular lines</p>

<p>· Coordinate geometry</p>

<p>· Geometric visualization</p>

<p>· Slope</p>

<p>· Similarity</p>

<p>· Transformations</p>

<p>Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability</p>

<p>· Data interpretation (tables and graphs)</p>

<p>· Descriptive statistics (mean, median, and mode)</p>

<p>· Probability</p>

<p>I would like to add one tip:</p>

<p>Whenever a question is about a graph and you can’t figure out how to crack it, think about slope. SAT loves the slope formula. I have seen it on each and every SAT test I have given.</p>

<p>@determined2300‌ Yes, the SAT loves using slope. I have seen in about every single graphing problem. :smiley:
@Jor26029‌ Thank you :)</p>

<p>Also don’t let strange SAT-like function notation throw you off-guard.</p>

<p>Its almost time for us to crack the SAT…all the best to everyone out there taking it.</p>

<p>@MITer94‌ True most students freak out when seeing function notation. Just take it slowly :slight_smile:
@collegehelp08‌ Yep, lets crack this test :smiley: </p>

<p>SAT Math Score Bracket: </p>

<p>Anything lower than 500:</p>

<pre><code> You need to review every single topic in the SAT Math topic list!
Start taking untimed tests, and only doing problems 1 to 10. Boost your confidence!
</code></pre>

<p>500 - 600:</p>

<pre><code> Now we are showing mastery on the Topics. Try to make schedule that everyday for one month (or more), I will study one topic a day. For example, Bob chooses to work only functions today, he will first go over the lesson in onemathematicalcat and/or textbook. Try to make this like homework, everyday 45 mins (or more), and on the weekends recap what you learned that week. Then Bob looks for functions problems in the Blue Book, Internet, and the library. Next day he will choose another topic. I used this method, boosted my 650 to 770+. Just try this method, if doesn’t work, you can use yours :slight_smile: FYI: My method you need to give at least one month, you can’t do this in one week.

Majority of teens use another method, where they do BUNCH of tests, they miss the same things over and over again, and then do another TEST. Please stop doing this, review YOUR MISTAKES, so when test date comes you don’t miss.
</code></pre>

<p>600 - 700</p>

<pre><code> To make this jump, you need a firm grip on the SAT format and topics. You must read the question careful, SAT writers always put trap answers. You must also know all the SAT writers math vocabulary. Use my method up top.
</code></pre>

<p>700 - 800</p>

<pre><code> This is the hardest jump. Its a 4 to 5 problem difference from a 700 to 800 (varies on tests). Just focus on the test, and don’t make any silly mistakes.
</code></pre>

<p>Good Luck :smiley: (More coming soon!!)</p>

<p>Hi Everyone,</p>

<p>Just want to share this PDF, I used to help boost my 700 to 800. The difference from 700 to 800, is about 5 problems. Typical when you hit 700, its the level 4 and 5 problems, that give the most trouble. So I found this PDF which has only HARD SAT QUESTIONS. So if you are scoring around 700 range, use the PDF, and hopefully your score goes higher. If you are not scoring around 700, DON’T use this pdf, the problems are going to be to hard, and you will be discouraged.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.crushthetest.com/”>CrushTheTest.com is available at DomainMarket.com. Call 888-694-6735; (Check out both of the PDFs)</p>

<p>Peace. :)>- </p>

<p>Just wanted to share some great SAT Website and/or Blogs:</p>

<p><a href=“http://■■■■■■■.com/pwnthesat”>http://■■■■■■■.com/pwnthesat&lt;/a&gt; (Amazing Website, great math content)
<a href=“http://■■■■■■■.com/pwnthesatqa”>http://■■■■■■■.com/pwnthesatqa&lt;/a&gt; (Mike’s QA, you can drop any SAT Math, Writing, and CR question you have)</p>

<p><a href=“SAT | Test prep | Khan Academy”>https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat&lt;/a&gt; (Another amazing website, SAT portion is still in progress)</p>

<p><a href=“http://■■■■■■■.com/bluebooksoultions”>http://■■■■■■■.com/bluebooksoultions&lt;/a&gt; (This are the Blue Book answer explanations, only for Math)
<a href=“http://bbb.ttprep.com/”>http://bbb.ttprep.com/&lt;/a&gt; (Samething)</p>

<p><a href=“http://magoosh.com/sat/”>http://magoosh.com/sat/&lt;/a&gt; (Its a nice blog, with some great tips)</p>

<p><a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides; (I haven’t used this website before, but I have heard its really good)</p>

<p>Thanks for the tips - they’re really helpful.
I’m trying to go from about 650 -> 700+, so hopefully all of this will help. </p>

<p>@IBNick That’s great. If follow these tips, you will score 700+. A 650 to 700 is only 4 problem, difference so it’s very doable. :)</p>