<p>Everytime i don’t understand a problem, i have this tendency to stick to it until I solve it. Unfortunately, this habit sticks to me on the SAT. I want to move on, but I can’t. In my mind, I’m thinking, if I don’t sovle this problem, I can’t get a good score. I know I should move on under time pressure, but I can’t. Help!</p>
<p>Make your decision to leave it alone more quickly. Once you start investing time, you start to feel more and more like you should stay on that one. Next thing you know, out of time and a lot of Qs you could have gotten are just sitting there blank.</p>
<p>Decide literally within a few seconds if it’s within your reach. If you feel unsure, leave it and move on. If you have time left after you’ve done all the ones you definitely can do, you can always give it a closer look.</p>
<p>Here is your homework for the next few days (this is in addition to your regular prep):</p>
<p>Each day choose 5 math problems a little above your current ability level. Set a timer (with alarm) for 30 seconds. When the alarm goes off do one of the following:</p>
<p>(1) If you have no idea how to do the problem, reset the timer and move on to the next one.</p>
<p>(2) If you think you can get the problem, reset the timer for another 30 seconds and see if you can finish the problem within that time.</p>
<p>Remark: I am assuming your current math score is above a 650. If not, you can give yourself 45 seconds instead of 30</p>
<p>DO NOT try to solve the questions you could not get. If you want you can come back to them in a week and go over the solutions. </p>
<p>This exercise will
(1) help you kearn to be okay with letting go
(2) train your mind to learn where the 30 second mark is
(3) set your mind on autopilot for moving on to the next question</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I concur that if a way to solve the problem doesn’t occur to you in a few seconds, you should move on. I’ll just add that this is a great strategy not only for time management reasons, but also for cognitive ones. Sometimes moving on to the next question and focusing your brain on something different can help your brain see a different solution when go back to the first question. Forcing yourself to stick with it only increases your frustration and anxiety. So don’t be afraid to move on quickly! Remember that the idea is to get as many questions right as possible, so don’t stick with a question you’re likely to get wrong and take time away from a later question you’d get right if you had enough time. Good luck!</p>
<p>The fact that you’re thinking, as quoted from your writing, “if I don’t sovle this problem, I can’t get a good score”, just shows you’re not actually actively looking for a way to solve the problem. I’m going to assume you’re talking about math problems: Math on the SAT just comes down to finding an elegant solution to the problem. If you’re thinking other things in your head, things won’t click and the path won’t be exposed.</p>