<p>Completely avoiding the use of calculators on the SAT I (Math Sections) PRACTICE tests forces the testee to:</p>
<p>1) Build up confidence
2) Slowly by slowly develop new ways of solving the problems, which leads to the testee eventually finding the "each problem in 30 second" method
3) Increase brain power
4) Improve mental math
5) Cut down time [see #2]</p>
<p>Comments? Anyone have success with the approach? Failure? Results?</p>
<p>That is a TERRIBLE strategy that simply wastes time. I forgot my calculator the first time and got a 710. I retook and I miraculously got a 780 with no additional prep. Hmmm...I also tutor in SAT Math and many of my students simply cannot do math in their heads/ they do it incorrectly. I advise using the calculator because they feel more confident knowing that they are doing the problem correctly and faster than if they wanted to do it out in their heads.</p>
<p>I personally haven't tried it. I'm trying to receive different input. sam besides the score jump, did you actually USE the calculator to save time?</p>
<p>what's the point of NOT using a calculator? if you're allowed to use one, why wouldn't you? i used one and got an 800 on the math section. it saves time and cuts down on the number of careless mistakes.</p>
<p>I think he's trying to say it develops a better understanding of certain tricks and strategies in math. Nonetheless, the calculator is there, it's an advantage, use it!</p>
<p>I guess the best strategy would be to have the calculator near, approach all the problems without a calculator, and if you feel the math is too hard, jump to the calculator.</p>
<p>the OP is suggestion that you avoid using a calculator WHEN YOUR PRACTICING SAT MATH Q'S, NOT WHEN YOU TAKE THE ACTUAL SAT. ( people didn't seem to get that, so i felt the need to type it in bold).</p>
<p>^ if that is true, then it's incredibly stupid. you need to practice using your calculator and figure out when to use a calculator while doing practice tests. </p>
<p>the best strategy is not to use a calculator only when the math gets too tough. use it for every problem if you have to. it doesn't waste time as everyone seems to think and you can be sure that your answers are right.</p>
<p>The correct strategy is to think through the problem without touching your calculator. Only when you have an understanding of what operations you need to plug into your calculator should you use it.</p>
<p>^ i agree...</p>
<p>I agree also with mikesown. Practicing without using the calculator CAN help..it forces you to think about the problem and about an EASIER way to solve it. Then, when you figure it out, and need to calculate something..use your calc, but it really does help.</p>
<p>I rarely use a calculator for sat math problems. Not to say never; but most the time it isn't required.</p>
<p>mikesown and akvareli have a good strategy. I guess that is similar to what I was thinking. Just to mention it, while omitting using the calculator on the practice tests it DID in fact help me greatly, I somehow saw the best way to approach it (Which usually requires less math...since the questions are full of ways to be exploited). In conclusion, it in fact increased my pace greatly. I guess people should do what works for them. I just recommend, don't just dismiss the strategy without trying it.</p>
<p>I've tried this streatgy and heres what i have to say:</p>
<p>First get used to using your calculator for the math sections if you dont know how to use it already
Then after you are skilled enough at using calculator simply ditch it and practice without it, once you get to the real test you'll realize that you are just breezin through the problems.</p>
<p>I do this most of the time (usually its cause im too lazy to go get a caclulator).. and i can(if neseccary) do a math section in half the time alotted ( while getting most of them right) when i use a calculator though usually its a lil more time than that . which is a great advantage cause then you have alot of time to review (even rest a little).
This technique helped me alot on the PR diag test...</p>
<p>Amu, I did use my calculator the second time and I saved considerable time. I left 2 blank on my first try and it cost me a lot of points.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree that mental math is preferred for simple problems such as 51/3=17. You shouldn't run to your calculator for everything. For problems that require math operations like 29 x 41, you should definitely use a calculator.</p>
<p>I recommend understanding every problem and using the calculator as a TOOL rather than a GO-TO.</p>