<p>I recently scored a 780 in reading and an 800 in writing. I've taken the SAT twice already and scored a 550 in math BOTH TIMES. I've studied so hard I can't see straight and I don't know what to do! I want to get into the top colleges, but that's the only thing holding me back. Do I just panic during the test, what's with me?!</p>
<p>Take a step back and look at what the results are telling you. You didn’t improve between the two tests but you studied for it. The conclusion is that the studying didn’t help you, which probably means that you are studying the wrong way. That’s where to begin looking.</p>
<p>A 550 means you got a bunch wrong. I would order your complete results from College Board (including the test book for the test you took) and see which types of questions you are missing, and practice those types specifically. Do timed sections from the blue book and find out the correct way to do the problems you miss. Periodically review the questions you miss until you know the approach to them cold. If you aren’t improving over time on your practice tests, then look for some other way to train.</p>
<p>^ dmt117 couldn’t have said it better. Practice, and review your mistakes thoroughly.</p>