What can I do to help avoid careless mistakes on the SAT math section?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Okay, so I need some help.</p>

<p>I'm currently slotted to take the SAT again on January 26th, and am trying to achieve a perfect score on the test. Unfortunately I seem to be coming to a roadblock at the Math section. </p>

<p>The first time I took the SAT I was a sophomore, and my main goal was to experience the test in the actual testing environment. As such I didn't study beforehand, so I didn't know all of the necessary math formulas, and I put very little effort into the essay section. </p>

<p>Luckily I was able to get an 800 on the reading section, but my final scores were:
800 (reading) 640 (math) 580 (writing)
Since I had not studied beforehand, I was extremely pleased with these scores, and decided that I was going to shoot for a 2400. </p>

<p>Since that point I have been working mainly on the Math portion, thinking that the writing score would be greatly improved through simply making an effort on test day (and this appears to be true, as I got an 800 on the writing section of my PSAT. I know it lacks a writing section, but it's still an improvement) and I have now learned how to solve virtually every problem that the SAT throws at me.</p>

<p>The problem is that I'm still unable to break 700.</p>

<p>While I can solve for nearly every variable, volume, and radius on the test, I'm now in a situation where I will solve the problem doing all of the necessary math, and I'll more or less do that math correctly, but I'll end up supplying the value for x when they're looking for 2x, or I'll say the total number of marbles in the bag instead of just the red and blue ones.</p>

<p>While I keep reading that that's something that should resolve itself with time, I've been at it for months now, and my scores don't really seem to be improving much. Sure I might be jumping to my answers more quickly (I can now finish the math portion with around seven minutes to spare), but I keep falling for the same tricks over and over again. </p>

<p>Is there any way that I could try to work specifically on this? I mean I'm trying to focus as hard as I can, but I'm still falling to the same errors. My dad wants to sign me up for a tutor, but I'm not sure how much one would help considering the fact that my problems aren't rooted in a lack of an understanding of the math.</p>

<p>(and i'm sorry if this is worded a little weirdly—I tried to clean it up as much as I could, but I've spent a majority of today translating the books of the Aeneid and my brain's kinda shot)</p>

2

<p>Read the question and ask yourself what are they asking for.</p>

<p>Do the problem.</p>

<p>Read the question and ask yourself what are they asking for.</p>

<p>Check that your answer corresponds with what needs to be solved.</p>

<p>Make it a habit.</p>

3

<p>You might want to read my article titled “Stop Making Careless Errors in SAT Math.” It’s posted on this forum - just do a search.</p>

<p>Note that this problem will never “resolve itself.” You need to actively follow the suggestions I make in my article.</p>

4

<p>[Stop</a> Making Stupid Mistakes](<a href=“http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Resources/articles.php?page=mistakes]Stop”>Stop Making Silly Mistakes)</p>

5

<p>Thanks Guys!
I’m gonna go take some practice tests and try to apply that</p>

6

<p>I make a point to circle what the question is asking me to solve for and then I reread the question after I solve it.</p>