Things You'll Need:
- SAT practice book
-
Step 1
To ace SAT math, the first step is to know the layout of the test. The math sections go from easiest to hardest, with about 40% algebra 1, 40% algebra II, and 20% geometry questions. So, to skip a question at the beginning of the section would probably not be as good as at the end. Also, if you know what score you need to get into your colleges, you can know exactly how many questions you can skip. The SAT is geared so that if you only answer 2/3rds of the questions, and get 2/3rds of those right, you score a 1500. If you need an 1800, you need only still answer 2/3rds, but you must answer 4/5ths correctly. You can skip the last two questions in each math section (the hardest) and still get above a 2000. However, you need about 7/8ths of the ones you do answer to be correct. You can go off this benchmark or use your SAT book to calculate this exactly, but either way, the first step to ace SAT math is to set these goals going in.
-
Step 2
After you have set goals, the second step to ace SAT math is to know your strategies for individual problems. Substitution is useful for problems with many variables, and should be used even if you know the "correct" way to do the problem. Mistakes are less prevalent when you are working with numbers. If a problem has many variables, simply substitute numbers in for those variables and work the problem out. The answer will be a number. Set that number equal to all 5 answer choices. The correct answer will be the answer choice that actually equals the number.
-
Step 3
Once you have mastered substitution, the last strategy to ace SAT math is backsolving. Backsolving is the strategy of going to the answers first. You can identify these problems because the problem will say something like "x is which of the following?" Well, what follows? That's right; the answers. Many students will try to remember the exact method in class that they used to answer similar problems, when many times, all they have to do is backsolve. Many questions on the SAT are meant to be backsolved and cannot be solved any other way, though they fool you into thinking they can be. So the final step to ace SAT math is to not be stuck in one way. Use the strategies above, and any other strategy short of cheating to get the right answer. Remember: the SAT is not a math test. It is a logic test.
Comments
obviousness said
on 10/17/2009 Set goals and do well is your advice?
lizzysmith1981 said
on 10/13/2009 The pointers are really very enlightening. I am also a tutor with a website, examville. I would agree that Math section poses a lot of problem for many kids taking SAT, but online practice tests are easily available and much cheaper.Also at examville, there is a facility of live review classes.