Trouble with SAT Math

Test Preparation
1

OK, I’ll be honest, I’m probably a bit too young to be on here worrying about this, but I’m here anyways, so, oh well.

I suck at math. No matter how much I study, no matter how many notes I take, I almost always fail, or come close to failing math tests. Now, I’m pretty much fine with this. I know enough math to get me through life, and even enough to get me through AP Chemistry. But then I read about the Math portion of the SAT, and I end up on sites like this posting threads about it.

So, to my question. Well, actually, there’s a little more background necessary, and then I’ll go to my question. Sorry, I’m a writer, I can barely talk without giving a lecture on something or other.

I plan on going to college in Sweden and majoring in art or perhaps computer science. Neither of those really require too much math, though I know computer science sounds like it does. Admittedly, I don’t know too much about the SAT’s at this point, so feel free to correct me. I want to know if, while applying to colleges, a poor Math SAT score will bar me from getting into any of my choices, most of which are pretty non-competitive?

2

Do Swedish schools even care about the SAT? Have you tried taking any practice exams? What the heck year are you? If you can pull a 500, I doubt that a non-competitive school will bat an eye. Sweden. Brrrr. Also $$$$. But if I could live my life over, I’d seriously consider Uppsala. :slight_smile:

3

You fretting about this now will save you from heaps of stress and trouble in the future.

You’re starting high school later this year, so unless you’re on an accelerated math track you’re only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the world of math. Struggling with math and failing tests can be solved by reconsidering your approach towards math overall and your study habits.

Do you consider yourself an “Art Person” more than a “Math Person”? If so, get rid of the idea that such a divide exists. Unless you have something like discalculia, you are perfectly capable of understanding math and excelling in it! You will not be able to major or succeed in CompSci if you are stuck with this mindset.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/10/the-myth-of-im-bad-at-math/280914/
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/math/you-are-not-bad-at-math
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/30/not-a-math-person-how-to-remove-obstacles-to-learning-math/

There are excellent resources such as KhanAcademy in order to help you with catching up mathematics. I recommend starting in PreAlgebra and working your way up. (with regards to your interest in coding, I recommend codecademy. Start with something simple, like javascript.)

I used to suck at math, too, but now I’m making 100s every grading period and acing every test, final, and assignment. If it’s possible for me, it’s possible for you! :slight_smile:

If you’re fine with being eh at math then disregard all of the above.

I’m unsure about how much Sweden will care about your proficiency in math. However, I do have a feeling that they’d want an international applicant to either be on par or exceeding the average Swede when it comes to Math/Reading, and Sweden’s national average PISA Math/Reading scores dived down 2012, so you’d probably do alright.

Though, I have to ask, how much research have you done on being an international student in Sweden? Do you know if there are Swedish proficiency tests that you will need to pass? Do you know if you will need to apply for a visa? Will the country or program you apply to have housing and other accommodations for you? Will Sweden CARE about your SAT and ACT scores? I found a few links that may help you.

https://studyinsweden.se/how-to-apply/
https://sweden.se/society/higher-education-and-research/
http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/international/europe/sweden/
http://www.studying-in-sweden.com/

This response was really long because I see a lot of myself in you. In fact, our interests seem to be eerily similar. I too at your age desired to move and study in Sweden, and possibly major in Art or maybe even CompSci. I also really loved Gravity Falls and writing. However, I overlooked a lot of things and I didn’t really try or care about all of this stuff going into Freshman year. I wish you the best of luck with starting high school! Make it count. :smiley: