<p>The discrepancy between the sections is alarming! I mean, my critical reading scores put me in the running for some truly excellent colleges/universities, but, the math section is a disaster! Sad, really. I suppose I should have expected it. I have never claimed to be numerically gifted :) Math is a struggle. Language is definitely my knack. </p>
<p>Does anyone have experience in college admissions with the lopsided test taker? I don't want to settle for less competitive schools solely on the basis of the math section of a PSAT, but, would more competitive colleges even look past such an eyesore? </p>
<p>I know I will probably receive at least one "look into test optional schools" response, but, frankly, if I pull near a perfect score on the critical reading portion of the SAT, I would want it to be noted. Mid 500s for math, not so much. </p>
<p>I would be applying as a potential English/psychology/history/foreign language major, mostly to liberal arts colleges. </p>
<p>The PSAT scores should be used to help you know where to study. You should wait until you actually take the SAT to worry about how your scores will affect your college list. Study harder for the math section than you do the CR section and you may be surprised at how well you do.</p>
<p>Math is the easiest section to improve - get the Blue Book and focus on the math sections. Grade your tests immediately and see where you need to focus. My d put a bunch of math formulas etc. on note cards.</p>
<p>You don’t say what level schools you’re aiming out. But I’ll give you the answer you don’t want–test optional schools are the best bet for a chance at some top school like Bowdoin when the split is that big.</p>
<p>For me, my psat math scores weren’t as good as they could of been because I had not yet went over the material for some of the test. Specifically, geometry. Depending on what grade you’re in, I’d either just chalk it up to not being taught the material yet or take the time between now and your real SAT to study math. Math is probably the easiest section to increase your score imo. Once you know how to do the problems, it’s pretty easy.</p>
<p>I’m a senior, and I was definitely in a similar boat when I took the SAT. My final scores were 800CR, 680M, and 800W. I’m not a bad math student, but my projected M score was lower before I took the test. </p>
<p>I can’t emphasize how important it is to PRACTICE for the math section if it’s not your strength. The same <em>kinds</em> of problems are repeated on most versions of the SAT, so get Math workbooks and do every problem in the book. Study basic rules and theorems. Language people are often good at memorizing things :), so practicing <em>will</em> improve your score!</p>
<p>Also…take the SAT twice. Try to get your language scores as high as possible the first time around. If you’re happy with them, focus mostly on studying math for the next test. If you can get your score up to about a 600, I’m sure you’ll be just fine. Best of luck!</p>
<p>rose39 has good advice–exploit score choice! And now that your weaknesses have been illustrated to you, focus on studying for the math section. You can learn how to attach the types of problems they throw at you.</p>
<p>Absolutely true! There’s a virtually limitless scope of vocabulary that can be asked in CR, but the M section uses a relatively limited number of formulas. Study them with someone else who’s a strong math student. You can bring up your score a considerable amount in the next year.</p>
<p>Luckily for you, math is easy to prep for. My PSAT scores were like this: 80/65/78 (CR/M/W). Not as lopsided as yours, but still very obvious I was not balanced. After some prep (I didn’t even prep that hard!) I got on my SAT 800/760/730 (the CB hates my writing)</p>
<p>I agree with the claim that Math is the easiest section to improve. I took practice tests from the Blue Book, and scored a 580 on the first test, and a 740 on the last. Gruber’s SAT has been cited as an example of a book that will help you with this particular section. </p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone. You guys have renewed my confidence in the possibility of meeting my very, very ambitious goal, particularly by CC standards, of a 600. OK, maybe the last part was sarcasm, but, in all sincerity, thank you. </p>
<p>Fledgling, thanks for citing Gruber’s. I would never have found that on my own (I don’t know of anyone to have used it, frankly) , and, according to Amazon reviews, it works, particularly the math reveiw portion.</p>
<p>My first practice SAT, I got 800/640. Now I’m up to 800/750. It has diagnostic tests so you can easily figure out which parts you need to study the most for, and great little reviews of important concepts. For the most part, it’s just a matter of refreshing math you might have learned in middle school.</p>