What to do if Math II is way over my head?

Archive SAT Subject Test Preparation
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<p>So I’ve been using a Barron’s Math II book that has been absolutely no help to me. I’ve been getting 400s on the practice tests, I don’t understand any of the concepts whatsoever (my highest math is Pre-calc, got an A). I knew that Barron’s was harder than the actual test so I looked online and did some of those practice tests (collegeboard and random sites): still, way too hard! I didn’t understand any of it!</p>

<p>I’m taking Math II in October and will be apply to many UCs and CSUs these coming months as a computer engineering major. I NEED to score as high as possible obviously. What should I do? I don’t even understand the basics, where do I start? Is there some kind of online (free, preferably) study guide that I just haven’t found?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>how in the world did you end up with an A in precalc if you’re lost on these concepts?!?!?!</p>

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<p>I have no idea. I mean, I’ve used most of these concepts, I’ve done problems LIKE these but on a much less complex level. And even then, I had the formulas in front of me and I knew which direction to take.</p>

<p>This is what happens when I do a practice problem:
I read the question.
I don’t know how to answer the question.
I try to work it out, but with no success.
I look at the answer and explanation.
I recognize the path they took to come up with the answer but there are so many steps missing that I wouldn’t know how to end up with the answer.</p>

<p>I just wish there was much more explanation, someone to dumb everything down for me.</p>

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<p>“where do I start?”</p>

<p>1) You start with possibly reconsidering your major choice.
2) There is nothing in Barrons book that cannot be done with Precalc knowledge (well, only conic sections maybe a little stretch). I am not implying anything, but this is exactly the reason why standardized tests exist. If you cannot get a 700+ on Math II, it will put a serious question mark behind your A in the pre calc class (once again, not implying anything, but have you ever heard of grade inflation?). The test is doable, you just picked the wrong book IMHO. Barrons is a good book to serve as a refresher for those who are good with math, but it can be confusing for those who find math somewhat challenging.</p>

<p>P.S. I dont see why everyone considers Barron to be “harder than the actual test”. Although I havent taken the actual test yet, I find Barrons tests very comparable with other prep books.</p>

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<p>I know I can DO this stuff; I’ve done it before, just usually with more guidance. What book should I use then, if not Barron’s?</p>

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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I noticed your post and realized I too have the same issues. The following are a couple web sites I’ve found to be quite useful in alleviating somewhat that manichean struggle between literacy and numeracy.</p>

<p>[Chicago</a> undergraduate mathematics bibliography](<a href=“http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~abhishek/chicmath.htm]Chicago”>Chicago undergraduate mathematics bibliography)</p>

<p>[Teaching</a> Yourself to Learn: Study Smarter, Not Harder](<a href=“http://mit.edu/uaap/learning/teach/smarter/index.html]Teaching”>http://mit.edu/uaap/learning/teach/smarter/index.html)</p>

<p>Best of luck and do not ever give up.</p>

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<p>I cannot issue a recommendation on the book. I am using Barrons only and thats why I drew the conclusion written above. There has to be a book out there thats more explanatory. Do your research or ask on this board.</p>

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<p>Barron’s is more challenging than other books I’ve seen, but it isn’t that bad. You might try working up through the levels of [these</a> contests](<a href=“http://cemc.math.uwaterloo.ca/contests/past_contests.html]these”>CEMC - Past Contests - Mathematics and Computing Contests - University of Waterloo). The higher grade levels are far more difficult than Barron’s, but the lower ones might help you out.</p>

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<p>Thank you, lotm, for those articles and the encouragement! Especially the studying one, I now know exactly where to study!</p>

<p>And thank you, no imagination! That is exactly what I was looking for to refresh!</p>

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<p>Dude, Barron’s is screwed up. They ask questions like what is the curvature of the humerus of the hyperbola.</p>

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<p>Yeesh. Admittedly, conic sections I have all but given up on, and logarithms are a close second. However, I’m still easily scoring 700+…I suggest going to your teacher with some questions. I’ve done that with my chem and math teachers, and they’ve both been quite helpful.</p>