<p>So apparently, having A’s in all my advanced math classes at school doesn’t qualify me to get an SAT Math score above 700. I’ve taken the SAT twice, and even after doing what I considered studying, my score only improved 20 points from 620 to 640. My other scores are up there (770cr/750w), but my poor math score can’t make it, and it’s sad, and I’m sad. </p>
<p>Please, people of College Confidential, of whom I know are always receiving high 700’s and posting about how easy it is, reveal to me your secrets of how on earth you do so well, so that next Fall I can do as well on my own tests and stand a chance at competitive universities. </p>
<p>I realize this question is vague but literally anything might help lol</p>
<p>Dr. Chung’s SAT math review book.</p>
<p>SAT Math Bible.</p>
<p>I bet you aren’t up to the challenge, though. :P</p>
<p>First, it depends on what math classes you are taking. If you are taking advanced geometry in like 11th grade, that’s not getting you anywhere because you need to have a pretty extensive math background to do well on math SAT. </p>
<p>Second, go buy practice books. The more problems you do, the more types of problems you will encounter and will feel more comfortable solving them. Many of the SAT questions are just pure problem solving and thats a skill that needs to be practiced </p>
<p>Third, be thankful because SAT math is easy as heck compared to ACT math. If you are going to take the ACT, then I suggest you start studying like crazy for ACT math.</p>
<p>Be Asian…
I would say PR and the CB book because it has lots of practice tests. Just study. :)</p>
<p>the math section isn’t really about knowing math, it’s about applying it and thinking critically. Sure, you need to know math topics, but you can’t just get a good score by knowing how to do math. You have to think outside of the box. You also have to make sure you are reading the questions really carefully, because the questions try to trick you a lot. Also, a lot of the questions can be done by just plugging in the answer choices in the question and seeing which one works, so you have to be able to realize which questions are like that. Finally (if you’re not just a natural math genius), just practice a lot. There are only so many different topics they can test you on, so the more you practice, the more you know, and the less you will get wrong.</p>
<p>To be SAT math genius you must have lots of practice for SAT math exam u must know the 22 chapters and study them well and each and every rule as well. The next step is to start solving REAL math exams from " collegeboard" “official sat” book buy all edition till u know many types of question and also types of tricks . u should do it again and again . The SAT exam need more practice and patient to reach your goal and jump over 700 . Now i’m 500 . Doing those steps hope to reach 800 . Good luck :)</p>
<p>@imadropout…in my humble opinion, I think ACT Math is a little easier than SAT math. Sure, there’s trigonometry, but most of it is “what is the sin of this?”. I think the limit of trigonometry is the Law of Cosines, which is overrated in tests, but useful in practice. In any case, I think the ACT Math is A)more straightforward and B)more tricky. I think that after doing the SAT II Math, the ACT is very similar in quality, but a little lower in difficulty. For those that want to improve in Math, people suggest practice, but I also would like to point out the value of understanding. I recommend Barron’s SAT Math II for this purpose, but I am sure there are other texts as well. I think an interesting approach is to improve one’s overall problem solving skills. Then standardized testing will look easier, and perhaps only 15-20 # questions will provide any sort of challenge. For those with ~500, I simply suggest working a reasonable amount of problems a day (30 min - 60 min). You could also take some classes if you are in that range. For ~600, it is more or less the same, but you might not need the classes. For those in ~700, first know that you are in a good place to be. At that point, shooting for 800 becomes a matter of accuracy. Keep building your familiarity with the types of problems, and ideally practice for time.</p>
<p>If you want to increase your Math Score to 700 or above, you need to practice more. Studying and learning mathematical rules can be easy, it’s practice that makes the difference. Solve many Math practice tests to familiarize yourself with the ideas. You also need to practice with time. Timing is important. You need to give yourself an even smaller amount of time than that is given to you on the test; it will help you stay relaxed knowing that you can finish before time is called. Good Luck :)</p>
<p>I will trade you my math for your Critical Reading! 770?! I am so jealous.</p>
<p>;~; your school’s grading must be pretty lenient then…</p>
<p>Okay, guys, I think we are using the term “Math genius” pretty loosely. :-)</p>
<p>Getting 800 in SAT math isn’t exactly something that requires genius level talent. My son’s 800 in math portion of SAT and 800 in SAT math II didn’t impress me and his math talent is certainly no way near genius level.</p>
<p>@tigerdad99: </p>
<p>Yes it isn’t a qualifier for math “genius,” but I think you’re a pretty harsh dad if you say both of your son’s Math 800’s don’t impress you. That’s very rare and very impressive and he should know this.</p>
<p>VHSgrad2014, you may have a valid point from an outsider point of view. But I measure achievement/result against effort/invest. </p>
<p>My son (10th grader) has been in math clubs and competitions since 7th grade. Always in school math teams and many state or national level math competitions. 2 summer camps and numerous afterschool math programs. I was hoping he could qualify for USAJMO as a sophomore but he didn’t. </p>
<p>Perhaps you can see where I am coming from - having invested so much in math and achieved very little in competition, it really didn’t impress me (in fact, it disappointed me.). He isn’t a genius for sure. We have different standards.</p>
<p>It disappointed you? It doesn’t get better than an 800…</p>
<p>Yeah, about getting all A’s but bad math SAT scores - it isn’t just me. It’s like my entire school haha. Our math department isn’t the most effective in terms of preparing for the SAT. </p>
<p>I’m really appreciating all the advice on here! It sounds like I really just need to practice test, practice test, practice test lol. I’ll probably try and go through a prep book as well. Thanks! </p>
<p>@tigerdad99 I feel bad for your child.</p>
<p>@tigerdad: </p>
<p>He was a sophomore when he scored those too?! I understand I don’t have an insider’s perspective on your family, but come on! I did math bowl/ math team: Viking math league all throughout middle school, and I only scored 740 Math SAT I & 770 Math2 SAT II. I am very skilled with calculus, one of the best in my school. His scores shouldn’t by any means, “disappoint” you, even if they don’t impress you (which I cannot wrap my head around). It’s been his time and work investment. Poor kid has it rough.</p>
<p>Guys, don’t feel bad for my kid. No worries because one day he would be better than all of you combined, math skill wise. Maybe he already is. LOL </p>
<p>Yes, he is currently a sophomore with SAT 2240 (800 M, 710 R, and 730 W), SAT MATH II 800. Pretty sure he is getting a 5 on AP Stats. </p>
<p>Read my lines carefully. I never said his 800 scores disappointed me. I said his failure in qualifying for USAJMO (i hope you know what it is if you are really good in math) disappointed me. </p>
<p>@VHSgrad2014, what is your AMC 8 or 10 scores or AIME scores if you have done the tests? Like i said, it’s a matter of expectation. Perfect scores in SAT, GMAT, GRE math portion aren’t very difficult to do and certainly don’t rise to the level of math genius. I did perfect score on GRE math portion 20 years ago and feel like it’s elementary school level math.</p>
<p>Down tiger!</p>
<p>These are high school kids trying to improve math scores on the SAT. That is a good thing to try to do.</p>
<p>The world of high level international math competition is a pretty small part of the math world, (and an even smaller part of the “real world”) and it is really a matter of personal preference. Some very mathy people I know prefer not to work under time pressure, others enjoy the thrill of competition, some like to use math in applications, others branch off into discrete math, computer science, biostatistics, bioinformatics. I would call many of them math geniuses.</p>
<p>There are many ways to develop one’s talents and interests, one’s “genius”. It’s like being artistic; architecture, painting, poetry, ceramics, fiber art? Is one kind of art better than another? Most would argue not. </p>
<p>I draw a parallel to math - many flavors of genius are out there, and what really matters is that you enjoy what you are doing, wake up each day and appreciate the abilities that allow you to care for those around you.</p>
<p>Your son sounds like a very interesting young math enthusiast. My best wishes, and it is very cool you can share your math passion with him.</p>
<p>@tigerdad: </p>
<p>I got an 8 on AIME. It’s not perfect, but I was pleased. I wouldn’t say your son is going to be smarter than all of our math knowledges combined ( that is preposterous considering the group you are speaking too) but he definitely has more dedication and probably passion for the field, and he performs better under time! All I am saying is that even though he does not meet your expectation, he is still very mathematically gifted. USAJMO is highly competitive, elite to say the least. It’s cool that you share a passion with your son but he shouldn’t be compared to you (who was apparently a math wizard).</p>