<p>So after taking both tests, I’ve decided to share some things I think everyone can benefit from. These are 15 Tips for Math Subject Tests:</p>
<p>1) BUY A TI-NSPIRE CAS: this is probably one of the most useful calculators you will EVER use. it can factor, solve for real/imaginary zeroes, expand, solve equations, do systems, solve polynomial division problems, find derivatives, and MUCH MUCH MORE. Even though it is useful for about 8 questions on the test, those 8 questions usually take 2 minutes but can be done in 30 seconds on the CAS. It’s also helpful in school, but the only downside is that it’s hard to use quickly. Have no fear, though, you can use two calculators (what I did) such as your TI-83/84 AND the CAS.</p>
<p>2) Law of Sine: will be your best friend on any geometry problem involving triangles. it is SO much faster than doing Path. Theorem plus it’s easier to do on your calculator. there’s almost NO thinking involved, and it works on absolutely ANY triangle (as opposed to PT which only works on right triangles). You can find ANY side/angle with this. Just for reference, it’s:
lower case is the length of the side, uppercase is the angle in degrees.
sin(A)/a = sin(B)/b = sin(C)/c</p>
<p>3) Limits: know them. they’re easy, but also easy to get wrong and not worth using a calculator to do because they’re so easy.</p>
<p>4) Formulas for Volume of a Cone and Cylinder: The two most common (or so i’ve seen) volumes you have to find. even though they’re given, knowing them is very beneficial. everything just look back to the formula page (i would fold down the page for easy access at the beginning of the test).</p>
<p>5) Factor QUICKLY: for polynomials to the 2nd degree that have no coefficient in front of the first term, you should be able to look at it and figure it out in less than 5 seconds. if is a HUGE time saver.</p>
<p>6) Parenthesis: know how many you need to use if you’re using an 83/84. retyping the whole problem is a huge timewaster. you won’t have this problem with an nspire/CAS.</p>
<p>7) DON’T DOUBLE CHECK: that is, unless you have time. trust yourself that you got it right the first time.</p>
<p>8) Estimating: if you got an answer that doesn’t match one of the answers but is pretty close, choose that answer but circle the problem to return if you have time to check what went wrong. often it’s only because you typed in 304/31 instead of 304/32.</p>
<p>9) Make Program for Quadratic Equation on 83/84: Ignore this if you have a CAS. Quadratic equation is the most obnoxious thing if you don’t have a CAS, so be sure to have this programmed because it wastes a LOT of time. not so much for volume, but you can make programs for those too.</p>
<p>10) Use a Watch: this may be problematic for some people, but i liked keeping time myself becuase i would be able to know how much time has passed and how much i have left. i never allow more than 30 seconds on the first 10 questions and a minute on everything else. keeping time was a big benefit for me.</p>
<p>11) Graphing: i know it sounds simple, but you would be surprised at how many questions can be solved in ten seconds just by graphing it. for a question that requires you to find how many times it intersects the x axis or the minimum/maximum, some people actually solve for x setting the equation to 0 when you can just graph and count or use the min/max/zero function on any 83/84/nspire/CAS.</p>
<p>12) Mechanical Pencils w/ #2 Lead: this is, of course, completely up to the test taker, but i found using this allowed me to do my work quickly and neatly. my regular #2 pencil often got a flat point after question 10.</p>
<p>13) Read CAREFULLY: i’ve made plenty of mistakes on practice tests because i thought the question was solving for x instead of plugging it back in for f(x) or i found the answer to the wrong variable. READ CAREFULLY.</p>
<p>14) ALWAYS BRING TISSUES: not having tissues and having a runny nose is the second most uncomfortable and distracting thing to have happen. #1 is the if the person next to you is coughing/sniffling continuously throughout the test.</p>
<p>15) Write Down Your Work: Trust me, don’t be a genius and do it in your head. write your work in the book. this minimizes mistakes PLUS you can refer back to it later if you need to.</p>
<p>SEPARATE ADVICE IN TERMS OF PREPARATION:</p>
<p>DON’T USE BARRON’S FOR PRACTICE TESTS: disclaimer: this is 150% my opinion. I hate barron’s for math, i think it is awful, lowers your confidence, and doesn’t give you enough practice OR over-prepares you because the problems are impossible. i got a 690 on my one and only barron’s practice test for math 2 and i got an 800. i used kaplan the whole time and i thought that was MUCH better prep.</p>
<p>All this info is purely my opinion. Please feel free to disagree or, even better, offer your own advice! I hope you find this useful and I hope everyone does well when they take the test.</p>