<p>I just got my SAT scores back and I scored a 640 in math with my highest math score being 660. I’ve taken the SAT math 1 and math 2 exams and scored 700 and 720 respectively without much studying. I’m currently in calculus BC and have never received anything lower than an A as my final in all my math classes. Math comes easy to me. I can miss a week of school and pick up what I missed relatively easily. So why do I struggle so much with the math sat? Shouldn’t that stuff be like 5+5 for me? Does anyone else have this problem?</p>
<p>Got a 310 on math. 
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<p>you actually have a pretty high score in general to tell you the truth. I would be happy with your score considering mine where quite low in comparison. but thats besides the point. For the SAT math section although you are good at math, it might not be the math confusing you, but the question itself. You may believe you understand the question- but the math is not the problem, its the way the question is worded. The SAT does not give hard math, the SAT words the problems in a difficult and tricky manner. so its not your math you should focus on, I think you may want to focus an making sure your solving for the correct math question and not being tricked by the wording. practice practice practice and learn the math problem tricks the SAT uses on kids. </p>
<p>The SAT math is known to be “tricky”…so take special care to answer what they are specifically answering and in the form they are asking.</p>
<p>Take the ACT…less tricky.</p>
<p>Some of the later math problems can be tricky indeed…so you have to be more careful. Also the SAT math tests topics usually covered in earlier HS math classes such as algebra and geometry, and some of them do not show up in Calculus BC. Lastly, the average scores on the subject tests are higher.</p>
<p>Your 660 is actually a better score (percentile wise) than your 720.</p>
<p>ACT - Easier questions… harder topics
SAT - Easier topics… harder questions</p>
<p>*talking about the later questions in the tests</p>
<p>640 isn’t a bad score actually but don’t let one test define your ability</p>
<p>Honestly, I feel like I ‘get lucky’ on some tests and not so lucky on others (im talking about practice tests though) — One day I would score a 630 on math, the next practice test I would just luckily understand the questions and wording of the questions better and score 750. Its very odd, but I guess thats why people say to take the SAT multiple times </p>
<p>I had a real problem with the SAT math section also. I scored in the mid to high 600s on my PSAT and SAT (both taken within 2 weeks of each other) assuming that I wouldn’t need to study for math because I was a flat 100 average student. You can know as much as you want about math, but the difference between high 600s and high 700s is most likely comfort and familiarity. Get used to the way the SAT asks questions with the blue book. Figure out when the answer should be a simple one and when it’s a trick. Personally, I had trouble on the “trick” questions. I used Barron’s 2400 (insanely hard, basically every question is a trick) and scored a 780 after. Check your score report, if your mistakes were mainly easy or medium questions then you’re probably overthinking them or making silly mistakes. If your mistakes were mainly hard questions, when you get to those, assume you’re being tricked and try your best. Good luck!</p>
<p>310 for the win :)</p>