<p>I am helping my daughter prep for the Jan SAT I. She scored 740 Verbal on a practice test without any prep, so 800 is not out of the question. But she will be lucky if she can beat 600 on Math. </p>
<p>So here's my question: Is it worth trying to go from 740 to 800 Verbal, if Math will not top 600? Or should she focus all effort on math?</p>
<p>Work with math.. If she isn't topping 600, then with practice, her score will fly to atleast 700. Focus on the mistakes and use a prep. book to cover basic material.</p>
<p>The difference between a 740 and 800 verbal is not that significant (98th percentile vs. 99th percentile) and is the result of probably only 5 or so missed questions. This shows that she is capable of getting an 800 verbal, most likely without preparation and just by the luck of the draw. </p>
<p>Now, the difference between a 600 math and, say, a 660 on math (going with the 60 point difference) is the difference between the 74th and 87th percentile. The low math, IMHO, will also be a drawback to this part of her application in comparison to a more balanced score of 740v, 660m. Also, a 600 math indicates that she doesn't understand all of the material, allowing for greater room for improvement. Who knows, if she starts to understand the reasons behind the math problems better, she may go up past even 660.</p>
<p>If I were trying to help her study, I would focus on both verbal and math, but with more emphasis on math. Maybe something like a 30% focus on verbal and a 70% focus on math.</p>
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<p>Agreed. Imo, it is quite easy to raise a math score, by just practicing out of 10 Reals or other prep books. I went from a 620 math to a 770 math by just practicing for a month or so and by taking several practice tests.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice and encouragement. But Math has been a long-term problem also influenced by spatial-visual difficulties in early childhood. So do you think an 800 v is a better compensation for low math than a 740 v or makes no difference?</p>
<p>pyewacket,
my son has a 790 v and 670 m best composite. He did not want to retake the SAT I a third time because he really hates SAT I math - so he took the SAT IIC and scored a 750 with a bit of review. We are hoping that will somewhat compensate. </p>
<p>If your daughter can get her math into the middle 50% split where she is applying, I think would be could. BTW, is she a junior or a senior?</p>
<p>I have the same problem. 800v 620m, but I'm a senior, so I don't have time to take any more tests. I think what Ohio_mom's son did would work for your daughter, though. If she is a junior and doesn't want to take the SAT I again, have her study hardcore for the SAT II Math IIC.</p>
<p>She will not be applying to colleges until Fall 2005 but I don't know if she could stand another math prep session. We figured old SAT math would be better for her than new SAT.</p>
<p>same here moocow, i am like the opposite. 800M 600V (tried everything)
i tried not showering, not eating, studying everything, u name it i probably tried it.</p>
<p>Pyewacket, I would try the practice new SAT math questions on the collegeboard. She may find them easier. I believe it is more know-the-material-based than reasoning-based.</p>