<p>I haven't come across a question on the math section of the SAT I can't do, it's usually just a stupid mistake (didn't read something in the question ect.) I always know to check my answer on the last questions because they're usually very tricky. But I always miss 1 other question. I've never missedn more than 3 questions yet I've never missed less than two. How to I stop making these stupid mistakes? Should I just practice reading slowly and deliberately every single question? I do think I can always reduce it to -1 as I invariably miss a tricky question in the end of the section where I'm just lazy/not thinking to think about how hard the question should be. How can I stop missing the others?</p>
<p>I do not believe there is a secret to getting a perfect score on the SAT Math section. However from my own experience (800), I recommend you to solve as many SAT math problems as you can. Also, try to improve your speed. When I was taking the real test, I was able to solve all the problems the first time and then go back resolve/check on all 3 sections. So I think if you can solve as many problems as you can and improve your speed, you will be able to get a perfect score on math.</p>
<p>i'm with you, cursed with a raw score of 51-52. somehow i constantly make the most ridiculous of mistakes. i remember going through an entire problem mistaking the cube root of 8 as 3.</p>
<p>And don't bubble 15 if the answer is 10.</p>
<p>The secret is to relax -- if you're only getting 1 or 2 wrong, then you'll be in the high 700s anyway. The difference between a 750 and an 800 in math will NOT make or break your application, even to engineering schools, etc.</p>
<p>Try satmathpro.com. They have individual sections for each topic and a set of 20(?) practice questions with step-by-step explanations. And best of all, its free :)</p>
<p>There's no secret. Just be paranoid. Look at it this way: each question is a mistake waiting to happen. Doublecheck when you start getting to the middle (or from the beginning if you have time). Do a quick review of the question in your head and make sure you see if your answer makes sense. To do this in the time limit you need lightning speed in your doublechecking, and being careful is a key element in your practice if dumb mistakes are the problem. At least, it's what I did (not 800, but 780).</p>
<p>Yeah I think the doublecheck starting from the middle is a good idea. They don't even give you dummy answers in the first half.</p>
<p>You see, the secret to an 800 in math section is NOT knowing how to DO all the math questions or their basic concepts, but is to NOT make stupid mistakes. I would consider myself pretty adequete in math, but I always make stupid mistakes as well. I believe that you can only miss 1-2 questions MAX to get an 800. It's just practice and being painstakingly meticulous in math. Also, you have to be SOOOO fluent and comfortable with the SAT math questions that you can finish the section ahead of time so that you have extra time to check and prevent all those "stupid mistakes."</p>
<p>That's what makes the math section so hard- if not harder than reading and writing. Because math is hardly ambiguous and there is only ONE DEFINITE correct answer, the tiniest miscalculation could scratch your chances of getting an 800. So the secret to an 800 math IS NOT MAKING ThOSE stupid mistakes. It's not l ike reading where lightning fast comprehension and insight can help you. Math is jsut about doing the problems until you can do them with one eye closed.</p>
<p>yeah, you can rarely miss one and get an 800.</p>
<p>Yeah stay focused and make sure to read the problem because one word can totally kill your chances [personally my biggest one is always assuming they're referring to the radius but in reality it's the diameter, oh well] but yeah just be paranoid and check over yourself a ridiculous amount of times, that's what I did and it worked fine for me :D</p>
<ol>
<li>Don't make stupid errors.</li>
<li>Double check your work, covering up the answers and doing all of the questions again (if you find that you cannot do this with the time given, you need to practice with speed in your practice tests).</li>
<li>Don't make stupid errors.</li>
<li>Triple check your work.</li>
<li>Repeat steps 1-4 until time runs out.</li>
</ol>
<p>reading comprehension is more important than actual mathematics aptitude. as in read every single freaking problem 5-6 times until you can recite it backwards :rolleyes:</p>
<p>what are some good math workbooks???
i know how to do most of them.i just need help on those hard math problems.</p>
<p>The secret....is to obtain a TI-89......</p>
<p>How does a TI-89 help u?</p>
<p>I only missed one on Math and it was a silly error. I don't have a fancy TI-89 either; it was just a regular scientific calculator for me to type in basic math. My advice is be consistent and read the problems carefully; I find that I miss problems only because I make silly errors.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I don't have a fancy TI-89 either
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah three cheers for the TI-83 Plus :D</p>
<p>Yeah that's it. I just checked my calculator. It's sad that I'm obsessed with math and I don't know which calculator version I have.
:)</p>
<p>the calculator can solve equations for you, though usually its easier by hand (and quicker)</p>
<p>it can solve systems of equations (again, usually faster without, on the SAT)</p>
<p>most importantly, it can graph things for you, represent equations, show intersections(solve equations), and do summations for you, (ie the sum of the first 1000 odd numbers)</p>
<p>however, for all these thing you need to know how to use the calculator properly</p>