Hi,
I am looking for some guidance regarding the math tested on such standardized tests as the ACT and the SAT, as well as my specific circumstances.
Ever since I was first exposed to high school math, I realized that I have poor ability of interpreting spatial information. I am more of a logical and verbal person. I am good with facts and memorization. Application is an entirely different story.
When I took the PSAT in October of last year, there were not many difficult questions at all (according to the CollegeBoard’s rating). My best questions were in Geometry & Measurement, whilst my worst were in Number & Operations. My composite was a 68, and my projected SAT score range was a 640-720.
In March of this year, I took the SAT for the first time. I had not done much prep aside from reviewing online Math questions. When I took the exam, the Student-Produced Response section looked like no math I have ever seen before. I left one Multiple Choice question blank and four Grid-In questions blank. I found out my score was a 630. Interestingly enough, my Score Report said I did not leave any questions blank. The number of questions I had correct in terms of easy and difficult Geometry & Measurement questions steadily decreased from my PSAT. I improved slightly in Algebra & Functions, but my Number & Operations answers remained poor. I assumed it was a fluke considering all my scores were lower than typical, and my Score Report indicated I did not leave a single question blank.
Therefore, I decided to retake the SAT in May of this year. In the month leading up to the test, I spent entire days preparing. I recall one day where I spent 10 hours examining every possible method of shading areas, analyzing differentiable curves, tangential segments and Pythagorean triples, and anything else I could fit into my Geometry arsenal. I assumed it (mastering Geometry) would be the best technique of improving my Math score. Low and behold, my Geometry & Measurement answers were outstanding (difficult and medium). However, my Algebra & Functions answers (which were typically my second best) declined. The number of incorrect answers I had on Number & Operations questions was even greater than before. I even had a question wrong on the Data Analysis, Statistics, & Probability portion (which I never had before). My score was a 620.
I am beginning to feel that scoring high on the SAT Math is more so strategy than knowledge. Prior to the May exam, I retaught myself my school’s Geometry curriculum, having had some trouble in the past. The more I mastered Geometry, the worse I began to perform on Algebra & Functions and Number & Operations questions. I have never been able to master the Number & Operations questions on this section. As mentioned, this math is completely unfamiliar to me. I am a decent math student: I self-studied Algebra to skip to Geometry in 8th grade, taught myself basic calculus for physics this year, and I generally have a Math GPA of 3.8.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this. I was hoping you could comprehend my weaknesses in mathematics and help me to determine: Would it be worth retaking the SAT again? My personal goal has always been to attain a score of 700+. Do you believe this is even a possibility with my skill-set? In addition, considering my weaknesses, how do you believe I should prepare for the ACT Math in September? Most importantly, how do you think I should prepare to attain my goal of a 32+? Again, I thank you for reading, and I hope you may be able to provide some advice.