<p>I had the same problem as you with dumb mistakes in the math. I made up a process to avoid them:</p>
<ol>
<li>Do the problems. Skip ones you can’t solve immediately</li>
<li>Go back and redo the problems. Put a big check by ones you’re sure of.</li>
<li>Look at the ones you couldn’t get right away and try to solve those again</li>
<li>Repeat step 2 for those you were able to solve</li>
<li>Enjoy a higher score!</li>
</ol>
<p>As for the essay, just fill up both pages. That pretty much guarantees you an 8. If you recognize a counterargument and use at least 2 cogent examples, you’re up to a 10 at the MINIMUM. Try to throw in impressive words when appropriate for bonus points.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. Alright, do as many official Collegeboard practice tests as you can (Blue Book, Online Course). Then you’ll start to see patterns. Basically the SAT keeps asking the same questions over and over with different numbers. This will save you time on the real test. For my method above, stick with steps 1-3. If you cannot know how to solve the problem in 10 seconds, circle it, move on, and don’t look back until the end. The goal of the SAT is to get as many questions right as possible in the time allotted. Remember not to sacrifice accuracy for speed however. If you felt like you sped through a problem, go back and do a quick recheck to make sure you aren’t falling into a trap.</p>
<p>The essay…don’t even think about what you are writing. Just churn out words like a madman. There isn’t enough time for a planning period. With examples, recognizing the counterargument, and two pages, you will get a good score on the essay.</p>
<p>I wish everybody luck on future standardized tests and college admissions.</p>
<p>"I am not put down. I think it’s high enough that I’ll never have to take it again. That is actually quite an uplifting feeling.</p>
<p>I told myself before that I would be content with anything 2300+. I got this, but collegeconfidential made me think twice afterwards. I guess this website is just ridiculous."</p>
<p>This guy speaks the truth. You guys have to collectively CHILL. Do something fun…see a show, go to a party, call a friend, or make some fajitas. I don’t think getting a 750 on a math section is going to keep you from going to one of the ivy league schools. Look at the HYP High School Class of 2006 EA thread, and you will see that plenty of kids got rejected with 2360’s, 2370’s, even 2400’s. The kids who got deferred or rejected all replied “I didn’t have a hook, or anything that would make me noticeable from the crowd.” It’s what you do outside of school, and outside the realm of standardized tests that will ultimately decide what school you’ll get into. And it’s not like going to a State school will ruin your chances of being successful…in fact, you’ll probably have a nice head start because you won’t be held down by student loans.</p>
<p>Mine are, honestly, entirely inexplicable (in parentheses are the score improvements from 2nd sitting, score improvements from first sitting)…no complaints though.
790 W (+150, +170)
780 CR (+100, +110)
710 M (+30, +70)</p>
<p>Overall
1490/2280 (1360/2000, 1310/1930)</p>
<p>Math was the only section I really studied for. Go figure.</p>
<p>Hmm, fractions don;'t need to be reduced? Thats pretty lame then if i got a 680 and the fraction ones were not on of the ones i missed. I know i missed one for sure, and i guess one only one or two other ones. Im guessing i made very careless errors or the curve after that was very harsh.</p>