<p>I am tutoring a student in SAT math, who scored dismally on this section. However, he has absolutely no knowledge of basic math principles and I get the impression his mother expects me to teach him geometry, algebra, etc. I have no problem going over basic math principles like a^2 + b^2 = c^2, but I think it is absurd that she expects an SAT math tutor to essentially teach her child geometry, algebra, etc. Has anyone else experienced this? This is not what I signed up for…</p>
<p>Well you can only do your best… talk to his mother and tell her how much knowledge he lacks, so she won’t expect miracles. Just start working on that basic algebra that he NEEDS to know. Hopefully that will get him a somewhat higher score…</p>
<p>You should begin managing expectations sooner rather than later. I once tutored a kid who was struggling to break 300 in math. I tutored him four times and he went from 290 to 370. I was very happy. Two months after the test, he was drafted from high school into the NBA. He is now a millionaire. Go figure. Not everyone has to do well in math, or in school for that matter, to succeed in life. He was a really good kid and I am happy for him and his family.</p>
<p>Karl S</p>