<p>My weakest section is math and I know I should be reviewing my mistakes, but I find it really hard to learn from the explanations. I get each step that's in the explanation but when I get a new question I don't know how to piece all the different steps together. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>This is a hard problem and since I’ve tutored some friends I know they have this problem too. Here are a few suggestions:</p>
<p>-analyze the problems you miss to see if there are any patterns you notice. For example, maybe the really complicated geometry questions are tripping you up because you have to go from circle to triangle to square. Some people connect certain concepts together better than others.</p>
<p>-when you read an explanation, don’t read it from beginning to end. Try to read one line at a time, and see if you can figure it out after the last line. This will help train your ability to connect concepts together. You might even read the explanation backwards, to see if you’re missing the last step or the first step more often.</p>
<p>-do more practice problems. SAT problems repeat over and over again, so as you get more familiar with the logical leaps you need to make you’ll do better.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>For each of the four subject areas identify what Level questions you are stuck on. For example, maybe in geometry you are getting almost all the Level 2 problems right, but most Level 3 problems wrong. In this case you should focus on Level 3 geometry (and a little bit of Level 2). DO NOT worry about Level 4 and 5 problems until you are getting most Level 3 geometry problems right on your own. Every time you get a question wrong, go over the solution, and mark the problem off. Redo this problem every 5 days, and keep it marked off until you can get it right on your own. The more time you spend converting wrong answers to right answers, the more effective your preparation will be. DO NOT be so focused on trying new problems when you still have tons of old problems you haven’t gotten correct yet.</p>
<p>The biggest mistakes during SAT math preparation are:</p>
<p>(1) wasting time on problems that are way above your current level.
(2) dismissing errors as “careless” and never reattempting them.
(3) choosing quantity over quality - doing new problems does not improve your score - getting old problems correct that you once got wrong does improve your score.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
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<p>I applaud the above post as it summarized what has been repeated here for more than a decade. </p>
<p>I would like to add that a basic issue that precludes higher math scores is a lack of correct fundamentals. There is a basic knowledge that is required to be recalled instantly. For instance, I noticed that some students did NOT understand the formulas … shown on the test itself. They assumed they knew them but could not recall them. </p>
<p>Filling the blanks in your memory and knowledge bank is crucial and … not that hard if your practice proactively. Fwiw, many only look at the errors made. It is equally to review the correct answers and make sure the answer was not the result of guessing or luck. This is important because questions are repeated ad nauseam on the SAT. </p>
<p>Another mistake is to focus on timing and scores from the get go. Yes, you want a starting point --we all did-- to compare but your progression should be measured in how calm and methodical you approach the test. The day you will recognize most questions instantly is the day you will be ready. The biggest dangers looms in getting nervous and frustrated and losing confidence in yourself. </p>
<p>It sounds simplistic, but this test is not one of true knowledge. It is a test of reasoning under pressure and a test of concentration. Think how you would perform on the SAT if attached to a polygraph device! The construct of the test is aiming at making you nervous through the time pressure and the arcane (or different) presentation. </p>
<p>Lastly, there are no truer words than DrSteve first point. Years after years, students waste their time with horrible tests that are purported to be harder than the SAT. Resist the tentation to jump on the new fad or listen to people who “heard that XYZ book” is the new bomb. Ultimately you will find out that the best advice comes from people who keep it simple and do not pretend that the SAT requires a bag of tricks! </p>
<p>What it takes is dedication and patience. You spent 15 years of schooling to get where you are. Take a few weeks to take the most important test in your college application! </p>
<p>@neuerman @DrSteve @xiggi wow, thanks so much for the detailed and very helpful advice. I’ll try this out in my studying.</p>