<p>Why do i always underperform? I hate it.
For example, after receiving a 201 on the PSAT, I was extremely disappointed because on real PSAT tests i took at home, i averageed a 216. Don’t believe me?
Here’s another example involving the may SAT scores. I got my scores today and received a 2100. Once again, I was extremely disappointed because my average practice tests score (which by the way were all QAS’s) was a 2240. Still don’t believe me?
Here’s a third example:
On 5 straight QAS practice tests, I received an 800 on Math (I kid you not). What did i get on the MAy SAT MATH? 730. What the ****??? and WHY???</p>
<p>What makes one underperform? From what i recall on test day, There was nothing wrong with my environment and i felt fine. So why did i underperform???</p>
<p>Well, i guess i admit that i do have some seriously terrifying test anxieties. But other than that, everything was ok with me.</p>
<p>because you arent consistent, and, therefore, you need to study more. you lose points when you get questions incorrect. therefore you score low because you dont get questions right. simple?</p>
<p>“because you arent consistent, and, therefore, you need to study more. you lose points when you get questions incorrect. therefore you score low because you dont get questions right. simple?/”</p>
<p>I would have never thought of that. Pure genius. ANy more “deep insight” you’d like to add?</p>
<p>Every one knows SAT math questions are hard. But when 2<em>3=5 and believe that is the right answer or compure radius when diameter is asked it means few things.
- Slow down and check the answer for each question after completion of that question You will never be able to comeback after finishing all the questions and check all the questions.
Checking does not mean doing 2</em>3=5 second time. Do this check as 5/2 =? and catch something went wrong or compute the value by another method.
- Treat every question as the only question that matters to get 800 or 0.
- Get over the “underperforming” attitude . You may have the potential to get 800 (and I beleive you do) but the test reveals how overconfident you are and not pay the due respect to simple questions they deserve refelecting what you can do under stress and 3 hour duratiion
- Fundamentally simpler questions - some of them atleast- test deep understanding in a subject. Having a broad brush approach that 'I know" will lead to score like the ones you got. I know you did not have to study at all for the score you got but for 800 may be you do. I agree with crazybandit on his advise.
- I know personally kids who get the top 100 in the Math competions and qualify for AMIE etc miss the 800 mark for the above reasons.</p>
<p>correction:
Every one knows SAT math questions aren’t hard</p>
<p>I must disagree with parent62 on the assertion that it’s bad to be “overconfident,” and that being overconfident leads to underperforming. The complete opposite is true. Being unsure of yourself and worrying too much about getting a 800 will lead you to underperform. Do LOTS of practice and go into the test telling yourself, “I’m going to get a 800 in math, and anybody that says otherwise can go f*** themselves.” Granted, the practice part of this is important as well; you are bound to do worse on test day than during practice (the same way musicians perform worse at a concert/competition/audition than they do during practice). When you’re able to score 800 with 5 to 8 minutes left at home, you can go to the test being with the biggest ego in the state, and get an easy 800.</p>
<p>
you purposely stated that external factors were not the problem, making it hard for us to diagnose your problem. you insisted on this. therefore, the problem must be internal: the questions on the particular test that you did badly on were hard for you. being sarcastic about such a comment implies that you think it is obvious. what is the problem then? do you think there is anything more to it? do you think there is some magic strategy to solve your OWN lack of accomplishment on THAT particular test? not every test is the same. if you score high on 9 tests and score low on 1 test, good job. you conquered 90% of the tests you took within that sample. do you think the 90% somehow accounts for the remaining 10%?</p>
<p>It’s happened to me, and it’s happened to a lot of people I know. I’m not perfect, you’re not perfect, and the SAT is (you guessed it) not perfect. Why else would they tell you those “score ranges” on your score report? Personally, to become more consistent, I found it helpful to do lots of practice tests out of different books made by different companies. Some are easier, some are harder, but if you can master all of them, you’ll be in better shape. The SAT can’t re-invent the wheel, that is, there are only so many types of problems that can be asked. As hard as they try to be accurate, different prep books will focus on different types of problems, so it is important to get exposure to as many as possible, pinpoint any difficulties, and come up with a strategy for solving them.</p>