<p>PWN, I don’t think that I disagree with anything you’re saying. The strong students do tend to over complicate things initially. This is why I made the point that higher mathematical maturity does not necessarily translate to a higher SAT score. However, the fact remains that a student that gets an 800 in SAT Math is more likely to be an AP Calculus student than a student still taking Geometry.</p>
<p>As I’ve said, the most important thing you can do when preparing for the SAT is to learn SAT specific strategies, and to practice SAT problems (and as you’ve said to stop using such sophisticated methods to solve simple problems).</p>
<p>But, the fact remains that those last couple of questions in a math section could be anything. No matter how many of these “difficult” problems they practice, a different question will come up on their test. The only way to guarantee that a student will answer these questions correctly is that they have a certain level of problem solving skill. </p>
<p>And I agree that mathematical maturity can’t be developed overnight, but it can be increased over a period of several months. Mathematical maturity can be developed just by studying SAT problems as long as the student takes a little more effort to get a deeper understanding of each problem.</p>
<p>All that said, for the student who enjoys mathematics picking up a more advanced text and working through it on their own is never a bad thing.</p>
<p>I think we’re mostly in agreement then. I usually say that a student needs to know how to struggle on the hard ones (and preferably ENJOY the struggle). </p>
<p>I agree that a heightened mathematical maturity (or a strong intellectual curiosity in general) is pretty highly correlated with that.</p>
<p>I’m just being so strong with my advice because even though I’m new to the boards with this username, I’ve been coming here to read for a long time, and I know how many very smart kids there are on here who get in their own ways on the hardest questions by trying to do calculus.</p>
<p>If you’re from Staten Island, you must know a kid or two from Tech who does that, too. :)</p>
<p>@ Mirage2000 really I didn’t mean to offend you, I just don’t understand you reasoning. So if you will please explain your sources and correct my errors because I don’t want to falsely believe that I getting a higher score than I really am and continue grading myself inaccurately…</p>
<p>Some math review:</p>
<p>Functions:</p>
<p>Points:
A(5;6) B(8;11)
A(x=5;y=6) B(x=8;y=11)</p>
<p>Graphs:
y=kx+b It’s linear equation which doesn’t go through point (0;0)
y=kx goes through point (0;0)
y=kx^2 parabola</p>
<p>Slopes:</p>
<p>change in y rise y2-y1
------------ = ----= ------= slope of a line
change in x run x2-x1</p>
<p>Slope is positive if it increases though left to right
Slope is negative if it increases though right to left</p>
<p>Shifts:</p>
<p>y=f(x)-original</p>
<p>y=f(x+2)- shifts left</p>
<p>y=f(x-2)- shifts right</p>
<p>y=f(x)+2 - goes up</p>
<p>y=f(x)-2 - goes down</p>
<hr>
<p>Is there something about graphs for SAT I not included above?</p>
<p>Super important: parabolas are symmetrical. Many hard parabola questions have nothing to do with equations and everything to do with this.</p>
<p>Yes, I’ve had many students from Tech. And I agree completely about many smarter kids getting in their own way. This is just due to the fact that they haven’t properly learned how to take a standardized test effectively. It is often a challenge getting them to give up more advanced methods for simple solutions. </p>
<p>One thing that I want to clarify. When I talk about picking up an advanced book I’m not really thinking about Calculus. I would prefer a student pick up a book on abstract algebra or set theory, or possibly a problem solving book such as the one written by Larson. I realize that these are difficult subjects, but this recommendation is only for the strongest students.</p>
<p>I’ve been in Staten Island my whole life. I might actually decide to move to Brooklyn in the near future since it’s closer to where i work.</p>
<p>y’all should try out gruber lol.</p>
<p>they are mad hard sat math questions. if u can pull a 700 on that u can easily get an 800 on the reg sat math.</p>
<p>i myself find it difficult…</p>
<p>Everything in the math section is material you have covered in your academic career. The only thing that is left is practice and few tricks.</p>
<p>The notion of reading consciously helps significantly. I brought my score from 600 to 720 by just consciously reading the question and what it is asking. Most of the time, people just tend to read faster and miss the point of the question, but that leads to careless mistakes. You have to put your entire focus on the question you are reading(literally; trust me, it’ll pay off). Repeat in your head: Don’t make careless mistakes! Like I’ve said, everything in the math section is material you have covered and what is bringing your score down are careless mistakes!</p>
<p>Also, another suggestion is that make sure to be resourceful with the hints and information they give you. Think of ways to solve a problem by the information and hints given by that problem. If there are triangles and it is asking you to find a length or ratio, try to see if it is a special-triangle(30-60-90; 45-45-90) or whether it is a triplet, etc…</p>
<p>Guys – I agree with some of this but not all of it:</p>
<p>Whle a more mathematically mature student will score better, I can’t imagine telling an 11th grader in algebra-II to go invest time in reading an abstract algebra book. I don’t think it will pay off in a timely way. </p>
<p>Rather than mathematical maturity, what I think what we are after is a sort of puzzle solving creativity and tenacity. So if a student has time (over the summer, say) I would sooner see them working with books of mathematical puzzles like Martin Gardner’s. In fact, I wish those books were part of the high school curriculum. (BTW, for an interesting read, google Paul Lockhart’s “Mathematician’s Lament”. )</p>
<p>I definitely agree that strong students sometimes let their higher math get in the way. My mantra is “read, think, play” – it is what I emphasis with every student in my course and it is a theme that runs through my book. So I also agree with the idea of “conscious reading”. It is just bitter to lose points for casual mis-reads. For some kids, I have them pretend that they have to pay $25 to read the question but that they get a refund + $100 if they get it right.</p>
<p>
And PLUG-IN! Great! Thanks!</p>
<p>I got a 310 on my SAT math. Do you guys have any tips on getting my score up to 750?</p>
<p>But I’ve recently got accepted into Harvard Law last Monday so it really doesn’t matter I guess…</p>