How can I best improve my SAT Math section?

Question

I got my SAT scores online today. (First time taking them)

I got a 1780

Critical Reading:630

Math:460

Writing:690

as you can see, math KILLED my chances of reaching my goal. How can I improve my math score for next time aroud, are there any specific formulas repeated on every test that i should know?

Answer 1

ohi got your answer ok math is actuallly really easy to score higher in.

take a sat math book study every possible type of question

(i recommend princeton)

i had a tutor...but he really didnt do much i did all the work he just answered questions i had .....score went from 550 to 670.

PRACTICE AND PRACTICE for about 2 months.

5x a week for about an hour

& trusts me you'll improve!

Answer 2

Math on the SAT is more oriented toward facts than formulas, and most of the formulas you need to know are given to you, but there certainly are several other formulas that do reappear on the test frequently.

I have a web site up with SAT math formula guides in pdf format (free, no ads or other junk):

http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/

(try the link that says "must-know formulas")

Beyond that, grab a book like Kaplan and/or Princeton Review, either of which will give you lots of good practice questions in math (as well as full practice exams). Spend some effort studying these resources this summer, and it will be well worth your time.

One final note: assuming you are a high school junior (or younger), you'll be able to take advantage of a new collegeboard policy that lets you choose which tests to report to your colleges of choice. So: don't get too stressed out about this particular test result. Study your math, and you'll see some improvement.

Answer 3

First off, you have done very well and should be proud.

Second, you should be even prouder that you have claer goals. So many high school students do not have a clue.

My son took the test on the same day you did, so we are very aware of the SAT and are also focuing on it right now.

Here is what I recommend as your next step:

The College Board has a great course on-line. It costs about $70. Take it and do a lesson every day. It covers all three sections. The math lessons are very clear and comprehensive. The advantage of this course is that it uses real, not made up, SAT questions, right from the horse's mouth.  

The course starts with a pre-test. You don't really need this as you already have your current scores. But it wouldn't hurt to start with this.

It then has a sequence of lessons, with seven practice tests, scheduled at regular intervals, so you can see how you are doing. You will not need any additional math prep, as the course covers every SAT math problem: no guess work.

There are many review books (Kaplan is good) that are filled with sample problems. If you need more than the College Board course provides just finish each lesson and then do more problems. The College Board provides a free "question of the day" Sign up for this service. It's free.  

Every time you get a question wrong in the CB course it will explain exactly what you did wrong and what is the best approach.

Tip: get your parents involved with your study preparation if you can. They can really help. as my wife and I are discovering.

The website for the course is listed below.

Answer 4

wow...it really did hurt your overall score. But it's not like you got a horrible score or anything..

The best advice I can offer you is to just keep practicing...buy SAT review books and keep taking practice tests, and for whatever quesitons you get wrong, figure out why you got it wrong. Anybody dedicated to improving their math score would do that - practice does make perfect.

Also things like the Pythagorean Theorem are a must

Best of luck.