<p>How do you NOT make stupid mistakes? Like those mistakes when you look over your wrong answer and you scream, "THAT WAS SO OBVIOUS? WHY DID I NOT GET IT?"</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>Concentration. Focus. Double-checking your work.
There’s no easy answer.</p>
<p>That’s why I love the PSAT and hate the SAT. I can’t concentrate through the SAT. </p>
<p>SAT: too long.
PSAT: just right.</p>
<p>When you solve a question, validate it. If it’s a sentence modifying/completion/error spotting question, then replace the answer within the question to see if it makes any sense. It takes about 10 seconds anyway, so it’s no problem.</p>
<p>Use the process of elimination in passage-based questions, or paragraph questions. Eliminate answers that seem absolutely unlikely. Rather than trying to prove an answer correct, try to prove it wrong in order to eliminate it. Over time, you’ll be performing this strategy much faster, and this is the one strategy that yields the best results since you’re almost 100% sure of your answer when you’ve eliminated all other answers.</p>
<p>That’s math for me. The only option is to check check check. Of course, pace yourself, but don’t go too quickly.</p>
<p>Taking practice tests with the actual time limits will help you stay focused for longer.</p>