How to improve about 50-70 points in math?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Right now, I miss 5-8 per math questions per test.
I only miss 0-2 in CR and 0-1 in Writing, but math is holding me back.
I think my main problem is the time constraint; I always have to skip the last question because of time running out. I don’t think I have any particular weakness when it comes to content, as I’m just not that great at any of it lol. Sometimes, I’m just puzzled and have no idea where to begin. Take this problem from a PSAT for example:</p>

<p>Number
80 (frequency: x)
88 (frequency: y)
89 (frequency: 15)
90 (frequency: 19)
100 (frequency: 11)</p>

<p>The table above shows the only five numbers that appear in a data set containing 91 numbers. It also shows the frequency with which each number appears in the data set. If 80 is the only mode and 88 is the median, what is the greatest possible value of y?</p>

<p>I had no idea where to start on this problem. I found that x + y would equal 46 since there are 91 total, but I had no clue what to do from there.</p>

<p>I’m just wondering if I should keep taking practice tests or start studying the actual content itself? I’ve taken three practice tests and I’ve seen little to no improvement in math. Any suggestions on how I can improve? </p>

2

<p>The above problem doesn’t really test understanding of lots of concepts (other than the definition of median, mode). Rather, you have to use <em>all</em> of the information the problem gives you to come up with constraints for x and y, which you probably haven’t done yet. Ask yourself, “where have I used the fact that 80 is the only mode?” You should end up with a few inequalities relating x and y.</p>