<li>Careless mistakes</li>
<li>Couldn’t think of it (even though you knew how to do it, just couldnt click it at that time)</li>
<li>Didnt know how to do it</li>
</ol>
<p>for me, what hinders me from getting a 800 is #1, and sometimes #2.</p>
<p>On average, I miss about 5 questions in any given practice SAT. I estimate there are about 3 math questions that I simply do not have enough time to analyze, organize, and solve. I can totally accept that. But what disappoints me is that there are always around 2 math questions that are ridiculously easy but somehow I find ways to get it wrong. With just 3 wrong, I can exceed my magic plateau of 700 in math. I have only done it once, but I've come oh so close so many times (670-690). One more right answer (which was prevented by a stupid mistake) and I would've been so satisfied.</p>
<p>do you know enough math for the 2c. The 2c curve allows you to miss like 8 or 9 out of 50 and still get 800. The drawback is of course that the questions are harder than the 1c, and that after an 800, your percentile plummets.</p>
<p>Even 800 on the 2C is only 90th percentile.</p>
<p>Yeah, the scaling and percentiles seems strange...until you realize that a much smaller group of students take the SAT IIs than the SAT Is. SAT II students are usually good students applying to top schools, so the percentiles shift accordingly.</p>