<p>or who got into the schools they wanted in spite of a lower than avg. math score.</p>
<p>I am a little worried. Though everything else is solid and the CR scores were really good the first math go around was not and their score puts them below that middle 50 % for several of the schools on their lists. I am not sure how to best advise them on next steps so I was hoping to get that here.</p>
<p>I guess I am looking for some reassurance that there is somewhere to go from here.</p>
<p>I think the math SAT is the easiest part to raise in a short amount of time. My son did all the math part of the Princeton Review book- reviewed the 'tutorial' and worked all the sample and math test problems. When he took the SAT again, he scored a 790- only missed one (on some tests that would have been a perfect 800).</p>
<p>wow! where did his score start?</p>
<p>Did they go through SAT review books or do a lot of practice tests before they took it the first time? My daughter's SAT math score was the weakest aspect of her application. She did raise her score somewhat from PSAT to first SAT to second SAT by studying Kaplan's review book and doing practice tests. Her fields of study do not involve math, and she had many other strong points on her record. Her math SAT was slightly below the 50% for her ED school, but she received a merit scholarship even though she applied ED and in spite of her Math SAT. Although this is off the topic a little bit, my daughter ended up transferring after her freshman year, At her new school, her Math SAT was actually below the 25% for entering students. As a transfer student, both her high school record, including SATs, and her college freshman record were considered, and apparently the relatively low math score was not held against her.</p>
<p>I can't remember her PSAT score but it was in the 500's and for the SAT she had 600 the first time and 640 the second time. This was with the old SAT and I am not familiar with the difference in content now with the new SAT, as far as how easy it is to prepare for it.</p>
<p>started with minimal studying and took SAT for first time for a score of 680 in math. I guess that kind of lit a fire under me: for the next month i did a few math sections a week from the official SAT blue book. When the time came, I scored an 800 in math.</p>
<p>the higher up you go (score wise), the harder it is to improve because of the curve. so if your son/daughter puts in the extra work, he can significantly raise his score! best of luck.</p>
<p>Started in the upper 600's.
Think about this- the HIGHER your score to begin with, the less likely/more difficult it is to increase.</p>
<p>Read/study every math topic, even if you think you already know it. Some of the topics are pretty basic, but it's not going to hurt to go over them again. Work the sample problems and all practice problems for each topic. Do all the math sections of the real tests they have in the book. Look at problems you missed and figure out why you missed them, if you need to, go back over that topic again.</p>
<p>A lot is mental, too. If someone has already taken a test and feels like they aren't 'good' at a subject, they're going to be even more psyched out the second time they take it. Doing tons of practice problems will give them lots of confidence.</p>
<p>If you can get back the SAT test they took with the score sheet, they can see which areas are their weaknesses and they can focus on them.</p>
<p>lol lurker and double play... believe me the score is not so high that it will be hard to bring it up. It is reassuring to know that the increase may be possible and that if it doesn't get there all is not lost.</p>
<p>I will see if the more selective schools superscore. Thanks Mother of Two for that advice and also for letting me know that your D was still accepted eventhough her math was not so strong</p>
<p>doubleplay great advice is that the xiggi method??</p>
<p>When my guy was doing the SAT thing - and he was one of the youngest at the time - he scored far below what we and the GC had expected - very bright guy - NHS - top 10% yadda yadda - and we were really surprised - around 500's in both M/V - something was wrong uuummmm.</p>
<p>Around that same time he had complained that it was taking alot of extra time to study and comprehend things and had occassional headaches as the result of straining his eyes - we had been all been in a car accident around that time as well. Off to the pediatrician we went for a physical - a just in case one - who referred us to the eye doctor - where it was discovered that he had a vision problem - which basically hindered his comprehension as it acted somewhat like dyslexia - tho it was not. Got special glasses - back to school and studying wearing his new prisms - retook the SAT's - and M/V both came up almost 200 points - with time to spare as well :) (A bit more to this story - but not necessary to include)</p>
<p>It was one of those things that had to be explained as well since it was such a big jump - and the explaination was well accepted. His scores matched his knowledge and abilities when all was said and done.</p>
<p>Well basically, that's what you do if you take the Princeton Review class or online course. They go through a bunch of modules/tutorials on each math topic, have you do a bunch of practice problems, then go back over the module if you miss too many. You can do the same thing with a $40 book if you are organized about the approach.<br>
MANY times you find the reason a math problem was missed is NOT because you don't know how to do it- maybe you get in a hurry, don't read it closely, or you read too much into it, or you get anxious and go brain dead. Sometimes you just look at a problem you missed, realize how easy it really was, scratch your head, and say "What was I thinking??" That's why a lot of practice helps- it boosts confidence, and reduces careless errors.</p>
<p>I agree with Doubleplay in general about reviewing on one's own (using the review books available for purchase) versus an expensive course. If a student is motivated and willing to spend the time, they can study on their own, as both of my kids did. </p>
<p>It has been several years since my kids took their SATs, but I remember that the Barron's math books seemed to cover the material in even greater detail and at a higher level than was needed for the actual SAT. This was fine for my son, who excels in math, but confused my daughter, as it was "harder" than what she actually needed. The Kaplan's and Princeton Review books were written more at the level appropriate for her, and she found them to be useful.</p>
<p>My D's score wasn't that great either the first 2 times she took it. The SAT became a real issue given that she has a stellar GPA and great ECs, and she wanted a chance at some selective schools.
So I put her in a Princeton course during the summer before senior year (something we were really originally averse to considering)
Her Math score in the fall test shot up by 80 points.
The thing is that there is so much strategy involved, and the tips helped tremendously. The Math section is actually the easiest to improve upon.</p>
<p>^^Good for her Sequoia!
A friend of mine explained it this way- her son's scores were originally below that which is required for the Florida Bright Futures 100% scholarship. She paid for the class, I think it was something like $800. His score increased and he received the 100% Bright Futures, and also a number of other scholarships to OOS colleges that his old scores would not have qualified him for. She looked at it like an investment- she invested $800 and they came away with tens of thousands in scholarships.</p>
<p>S2's friend, not a math star( no AP math classes in h.s), did one of those online self-study things. His math score went up over 100 points when he took it the second time (something like 510 to 650).</p>
<p>And also, the online PR course is the same exact material and structure as the classroom class, only instead of a live instructor it's an online instructor. But it goes through the modules and presents the same information in the same way, using the same workbooks. And it's about $400. A classmate of my sons used it and went from low 1200's to high 1300's. He was offered OOS tuition waivers at several universities, and will get Bright Future if he stays in Florida. It is so worth it to study or take a class if your SAT scores are going to hinder your acceptances and scholarships! For many students, the only thing between them and their dream is a silly test.</p>
<p>I went from a 600 to an 800. But that's because I had not reviewed at all for my first run, and I went in on an empty stomach and with little sleep.</p>
<p>The second time, I just skimmed the little red SparkNotes books.</p>
<p>I think it makes sense to consider the SAT math score in context so that the best way to address the dilemma is considered. If math is an area of weakness (or relative weakness), then self study may not be the way to go. If the score runs counter to other math experiences, then they may be able to self teach to the type of question they missed. Also, consider the ACT. Maybe take a practice math test section or two and see if it clicks. My child increased the SAT math score greatly from junior year (May) to senior year. She had done extensive prep for the May test, none for the fall test. Sometimes it just clicks due to variation in the test. If there is a common thread in the missed questions, it can greatly aid the preparation for the next test. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>I think the most efficient way is to just do several "real SAT" section (does not have to be timed at first, and see where most of your mistakes are. Figure out how to get those right, then do few more sections. Once you know how to do all the problems, try it timed.</p>
<p>Xiggi's method is summarized here:</p>
<p>I saw several elements of our experience among the posters here. My D has never been particularly strong in math, but has usually scored among the top 1% on a verbal section. All indicators in her PSAT and original SAT administrations pointed to her inability to score outside of the 500 range in Math.</p>
<p>When she took the ACT cold, and totally TANKED in both the math and verbal sections, I freaked out and hauled her in for learning disability testing. She was diagnosed with a mild attention deficit/learning dysfunction (not quite a disability) that affects her mathematic ability, essay-writing capacity, and hand-eye coordination among other things. One problem area for her, apparently, was matching her physiological processing speed to her analytical capacity (no, I didn't really understand it either). The psychologist recommended (you won't believe this) - coffee. Or caffeine, anyway.</p>
<p>My D refused to use any of the SAT guides, online courses, or self-study options. She dreaded the SAT and wanted as little torture as possible. She was willing to accept a low score rather than put time into practice tests (this aversion was predicted by the psychological testing). </p>
<p>She simply went to school as usual. For her second SAT administration, I followed the psychologist's orders to the letter -- with the exception of requesting increased testing time in a solo environment. I dressed her in layers, fed her, then sent her into testing with a Starbucks Frappacino and sugar rush snacks. </p>
<p>With NO additional advance prep of any kind, she increased her math score by 60 points, moving into the 600 range for the first time ever, and bettered her writing score by 100 points. Interestingly, her verbal score remained constant, increasing by only 10 points.</p>
<p>SO -- while I'm a fan of prep courses and self-study, it may be wise to also investigate additional physical/environmental challenges that may affect performance.</p>