<p>Is doing random SAT problems/sections out of PSAT/SAT books an okay thing to do, if all I want to do is work on slowing down, and to stop making carless mistakes? </p>
<p>Someone in the past has told me do never do random problems, and to just focus on my weaknesses, but I think making careless mistakes way too often is my real weakness on the SAT because I have a processing disorder/learning disability.</p>
<p>What do you think? Thanks.</p>
<p>241? Seriously?</p>
<p>Working on a complete section is ok. Picking a random question from a section… I don’t know about that</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’ll answer your question and then give you some helpful advice.</p>
<p>(1) Doing random questions - or any questions at all - is never a BAD thing to do. A lot of the time, simply working on problems enough times will give you the confidence and consistency to avoid the errors you continuously make. Now, when people say that you should never do random questions, I think they really mean, simply doing random questions is not the most effective way to overcome your issues. When they say to focus on your weakness, they are telling you to actively try to make your personal weakness better.</p>
<p>(2) Weaknesses are not always academic. Sure, some students really cannot figure out how to add fractions. But other students cannot read the RC fast enough, so they end up guessing or freaking out. In that case, you would not re-learn how to read, rather, you would focus on speed reading and quick comprehension techniques. The pre-fundamentals, so to speak, that are essential for a great score.</p>
<p>My Advice</p>
<p>You say that your weakness is careless errors. Does that mean you understand the math, reading, and grammar concepts that are being tested, you just forget to carry a one, ignore universals, and get stuck on things lik collectives?</p>
<p>If so, there are two things you should consider:</p>
<h1>1 If you really do have a learning disability, consider getting a time extension. if you weren’t so stressed about time, maybe you could spend enough of it on each question. There is info here: [SAT</a> Testing - SSD - SAT With Testing Accomodations](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ssd/guidelines/sat]SAT”>Administering the SAT Weekend with Accommodations – Accommodations | College Board)</h1>
<h1>2 Identify where those careless errors are. For example, are your careless errors in math, reading, or writing? Or all three. Once you recognize your problem, you can cater your prep to that problem. Instead of doing random questions, start doing sets of problems in increasing time crunch.</h1>
<p>For example, take a short section from a test booklet and instead of giving yourself 20 minutes, give yourself 18 minutes. Work through each of the problems as quickly as possible. When you go back through your problems, you should notice whether the wrong answers are wrong because you don’t get it or if the time pressure made you freak and miss obvious answers.</p>
<p>Then you would make a list of each of the silly errors (Forgot that multiplying exponents means I add, forgot that square roots cannot be in the denominator, totally forgot the “flock of birds” is singular) and review those. </p>
<p>Then rinse, wash, and repeat.</p>
<p>The best way to fix these silly errors is to identify the cause (freak outs, time constraints, learning disability) and focus on exploiting that weakness to a point where you FORCE yourself to review, work quickly, and perfect the minute details.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Craig Gonzales</p>
<p>When it comes to the SAT, you should avoid using the adjective “careless.” Either you get a question right or you get it wrong. The reason you got it wrong is not important. In the advice I give below I am only talking about the math since this is my area of expertise:</p>
<p>(1) Doing full tests and/or random problems is not a very efficient way to increase your SAT math score. In fact, at best this method will usually only give a marginal increase in your score. </p>
<p>(2) Ideally you figure out where your sticking point is in each of the 4 subject areas: Number Theory, Algebra and Functions, Geometry, Probability and Statistics. For example, if you are struggling with Level 3 Geometry problems, then it makes no sense AT ALL to practice Level 4 Geometry problems. You should be focusing on Level 3 problems until you are getting many of them right (don’t neglect level 1 and 2 problems either). DO NOT practice Level 4 Geometry until you are somewhat comfortable with Level 3 Geometry.</p>
<p>(3) EVERY time you get a question wrong keep it marked off, and keep redoing it once per week until you get it right ON YOUR OWN. I don’t care if you think it was a “careless” error. 95% of errors on SAT questions are careless errors. You learn from your mistakes - not your successes. </p>
<p>(4) Read number (3) again. Following that advice is the difference between an average increase and a dramatic increase in score.</p>
<p>(5) Try to solve each problem you attempt in up to 4 ways: (a) using an SAT specific strategy, (b) the quickest way you can think of, (c) the way you would do it in school, (d) the easiest way for you.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, craiggonzales. I usually understand the questions that I usually do, but yea, I think I miss details in the questions due to my learning disability.</p>
<p>And I already have all of that SSD/Accomodations stuff. My school said that I must take the test over 2 days, since I get double time on everything.</p>