<p>So I studied my butt off for the SAT Math II in November and took the Lit blind. Even though I'm supposedly a top math student at my school, my school does not teach a lot of the material that shows up on the exam. I went from Algebra II to Calc with no problem at my school (our precalc class is just a repeat of algebra II pretty much).</p>
<p>Math II- 640
Lit- 550</p>
<p>I need to get 700+ on two subject tests, one being Math II.</p>
<p>I ran out of time on math, finishing 35/50, and guessed C on the rest.
I ran out of time on Lit, finishing 38/60, and guessing C on the rest.</p>
<p>I think it would be silly to retake Lit, so I decided to take Bio for December, since I'm in AP Bio, although it is the beginning of the year so I just started. My stupid school freshman year put me in one semester of regular (joke class) bio, since that's all they offered.</p>
<p>So, after studying hard from the Princeton Review book, I took a spark notes practice test and scored a 550! I don't even know what to think anymore. I've spent all my time studying for stupid bio, and that's what I have to show. I haven't even studied for math yet. And I have a week left. Not to mention I have put off some homework to study for this stupid test.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to think I'm not stupid.. I went from a 1860 SAT to 2100 after studying.. I have a 3.8/4.2 GPA.. I think I'm capable of getting over 700?? If I am capable, what the hell am I doing wrong?? : (</p>
<p>Are you a junior? If so, you have plenty of time, just study every day, etc etc etc.</p>
<p>Buut if you are a senior (I suspect you are) all you can do at this point is focus on test taking skills and memorizing last-minute bio concepts. I think your problem might be going too slow; do you think about a question for a while after you have an answer? Just answer and move on. For math, learn how to use your calculator to best advantage. It’s not always fastest to use it.</p>
<p>Sparknotes tests are brutal. I took one a few days before my Oct Physics SAT II and got a 480. I was FREAKING OUT. But I got 710 on the actual test, which shows that Sparknotes is created to destroy your confidence.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Sparknotes is generally on target with the real exam. Don’t be afraid to read good prep books as your primary form of learning. My school is similar to yours in that its math curriculum is inadequate for the “standardized” subject tests.</p>
<p>Yeah, I am a senior. December is the last time I can take the Subject tests for the UC application. I can take them again in January for the private schools if needed.</p>
<ul>
<li>Learn Calculator Tricks</li>
<li>Keep studying Biology</li>
</ul>
<p>Any other useful tips?</p>
<p>I’m kind of in a similar boat. I took the SAT Bio test last June and got a 630. I self-studied almost half of the material, and even though I got 750s on both of Barron’s practice tests I ended up with that bad mark. Now, though, I realize that what was wrong with me is that I didn’t study good enough. And that just might be your problem.
Mind telling us how you study? Your approach might just not be good enough. Also, although it might seem odd, I think one of the worst mark-killers there ever is would be stress. Did you find yourself freaking out during the test? Everybody’s nervous during an exam. Just make sure the nerves don’t kill you.</p>
<p>For math, the only thing I would suggest is practice. Math isn’t about studying, its about practicing. You can’t just look over a couple of examples and say “yeah this stuff is easy I can do it”. It won’t work. Solve a couple of practice tests. Don’t just do them, score them, look over your mark, and then panic. Study them. Know your mistakes cause a similar question is almost bound to come up on the actual thing.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>