<p>On the math and writing sections, little mistakes can be so costly...I'm taking the SAT in october and I heard that it's going to be harder (cause of the score curve).</p>
<p>You know on the BB, when you calculate your score, there is a range? for example for math, if you get like 2 questions wrong the range is 720~800. I always calculate the lowest number so I can be fully prepared, and I realized the only way to really guarantee an 800 or a high 700 is to basically get every question right, maybe 1 question wrong. </p>
<p>I score badly on the critical reading, lol, but for math and writing lately I am making 2~5 mistakes. Sometimes (especially math) it is just mindless mistakes even after I double check. And sometimes I run out of time so I can't throughly check over.</p>
<p>Any tips on double checking/avoiding mistakes?
for ex. do you go through the questions slowly, or do them all quickly and then double check? Do you double check right after you finish a question or wait until you finish all of them? </p>
<p>I know it's probably different for everybody but it doesn't hurt to share some tips and try out different ways that could help us out :)</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of the sat test in October bein harder… Who told u that? It’s a standarized test, I don’t thing it can fluctuate in it’s difficulty monthly or yearly if it’s a national standaizd test…I may be wrong though let’s see what others say</p>
<p>@Hossain the test itself does not become easier or harder, but the curve changes based on who is taking the test and how well all the scores are. I have not heard that it will be harder to score well this year, but it could easily be true.</p>
<p>In math, I think it’s imperative to reread the last part of the question after I solve it. So often I will find x, only to go back and see that they wanted x + 2 or x/y. I also am very careful with my calculations if the problem involves distributing negatives, squares, or cubes, and I am meticulous with FOIL. These areas seem to be traps for careless mistakes. If I have time, I go back and check the calculations of the problems that involved the most work.</p>
<p>and what I meant by ‘harder’ was exactly what pyroqueen said, not that the test itself gets harder ^^. I’ve heard that the october SATs are harder because it’s the last/second last? SAT to take before early admissions, and it’s right after summer vacation after everybody studies. I’m not sure if it’s true, just what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>There is no month in which the SAT is harder than other months. The difficulty level of the test is different from SAT to SAT, but that won’t affect your score since final scores are adjusted accordingly. There is absolutely no advantage to taking an SAT in one month as opposed to another month. You should take your SAT when you’re ready, preferably after 3 months of consistent preparation.</p>
<p>As far as getting an 800 in math goes, it is important to make sure that you know all the standard SAT math strategies AND apply them regularly to “hard” problems while practicing. If you want to ALSO try the problems the way you’ve learned in school that’s ok (and I suggest you do), but always make sure you can do them using strategies as well, especially those last few questions on the test. If you don’t use SAT strategies you will often be tricked into getting the wrong answer, and mistakenly chalk it up to a careless error.</p>
<p>go more slowly! I took a practice test yesterday and scored a 2180 (120 points of careless mistakes!!). I was very upset and told my self that I would NEVER make a careless mistake again. Now I take my time and it helped me get an awesome score on my practice test today. Good luck! It happens to everyone!
And yes, the test is on a more generous curve (atleast from 05-09). I have the curves that collegeboard came out with if u want to see them. It definetly shows that October is generally more generous than any other month (except for math…reading is the bad one)…but that doesnt mean that it will be “hard” in october…and Dr.Steve is correct with what he says about the curves. Some are harsh and others are lenient, but there is no advantage of taking the test in a certain month. It all evens out</p>
<p>I have the same problem with math problems. What I always do is go back and reread the end of the problem where it usually asks you what they are looking for if I have time. </p>
<p>@raza68, I would like to see those curves if you could post them?</p>
<p>I find that I also run out of time…so I will try practicing by doing the sections in 70% of the real time and train myself to develop accuracy. On a practice test today i got 710 - 4 careless mistakes…gah…</p>