<p>I’m just wondering. My d has a year til she needs to take the sat’s. Do you prep for critical reading and math at the same time? We’re going to try the study plan by pwcpeng for cr and have her go through the bb with khan academy for math. </p>
<p>How much time would you suggest spending weekly if you had a year to review?</p>
<p>You might want to read my article on the correct way to prepare for SAT math in this thread:</p>
<p><a href=“How can I improve my math scores? - SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums”>How can I improve my math scores? - SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums;
<p>I just want to point out a few important points. The main part of SAT prep should begin 3 to 4 months before the first time the SAT is taken. More than this can cause premature burnout. A bit of prep before this time is okay, but it should not be overdone. One thing that is nice to do more long term is to work on increasing mathematical maturity - this will result in a higher potential SAT math score, which will translate into a higher actual score once preparation begins. Mathematical maturity can be increased by </p>
<p>(1) attempting to learn some mathematics on your own.
(2) struggling with difficult math questions such as those from exams for mathematical competitions, or math periodicals.
(3) taking a more advanced math course - AP calc students “naturally” have higher SAT scores than students who haven’t taken calculus even though there is absolutely no calculus (or anything even close) on the SAT.</p>
<p>Thanks, I printed that off.</p>
<p>For practice do you recommend the blue book only? How do you know what level question you are answering, I haven’t recieved the book yet.</p>
<p>I think we will focus from now til Dec/Jan on Critical Reading, then add math down the road. I tried to ask my son for tips - he only got one wrong, and his answer was simply - just do the problems and get them right, it’s not hard. Not hard for him, his sister isn’t as advanced mathematically as him.</p>
<p>Unfortunately on this forum I’m not allowed to answer what you are asking. Let me try to say what I can.</p>
<p>(1) I only use the blue book with my students for practice tests. I have them do 4 or 5 practice tests over a 4 month period of time (each one in a single sitting). Initially I let them do the math and verbal separately. But the last 2 should be done in one sitting to prepare for the endurance necessary for the actual exam.</p>
<p>(2) Doing problems without any guidance does not generally yield significant results. </p>
<p>(3) A few of my other articles are floating around on this forum. The advice in these will help avoid many of the traps that most students fall into with this test.</p>
<p>“How do you know what level question you are answering, I haven’t recieved the book yet.”</p>
<p>While individual perceptions will vary, the best indicator of the level of difficulty of a problem is its location in the section. Questions get harder as you go along. That’s another reason to stay with real SATs for practicing. You get “calibrated” by your experience. </p>
<p>Of course, for a given individual, your own strengths and weaknesses also figure in. So while, based on the whole test-taking population, # 18 is harder than #14 , you might still find it easier if it hits one of your strengths (say, probability) while #14 hit one of your weaknesses (say, 3d visualization). To get to the point where you are maxing your potential, nothing replaces timed practice and thorough follow-up.</p>