Preparing for the SAT: Mathematics

For most high school students, they are either good at math or not. If you are not, the mathematics section of the SAT may cause you concern. You may worry about this section dangerously lowering your score. First and foremost, take a deep breath. When it comes to the SAT, too many students get themselves so stressed. You do not want this to happen. Instead of wasting time worrying about math and your SAT score; focus on how to do well.

As with the writing and critical reading sections of the SAT, you will find two types of questions focusing on mathematics. These are multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses. For most, the student response questions are the most nerve-wracking. With these questions, you aren’t given the answers. You must produce the answers and use the answer grid. Luckily, you are not penalized for the wrong answer, but you should still attempt to get it.

Although you are not deducted points for a wrong answer on the student-produced math questions, you get points for correct answers. Your answer should be within the approved range. The answer does not have to be exactly 100% correct, but should be close. Unfortunately, many students make mistakes with the answer grid. The Official SAT website, operated by the College Board, says it is to vital to review the answer grid layout before the test. You will lose test time by examining it for the first time on test day.

For the mathematics section of the SAT, little studying needed. What you can do is practice. Your SAT test booklet will have common mathematic formulas. For that reason, you do not need to memorize formulas. Do not waste your time doing so. With that said, it is your responsibility to know when to use what formulas and how to use them. This aspect you can study.

When it comes to practicing, you have many options. There are practice SAT tests available online and in many printed study guides. Find these. Your best option is to use a printed study guide, like the Official SAT Study Guide or the Barron’s SAT book. These not only give you the answers to mathematics questions, but reasoning. If you get the wrong answer, you are left wondering what you did wrong. You will see.

Only a select number of practice SAT tests are found in printed study guides and online. If you do all of them but want to practice your math more, turn to your textbooks. If not currently taking a mathematic course, speak to your former teachers. You can borrow the textbooks and possibly later gain access to the answer key. This allows you to test and grade your responses. When doing this, focus only on the mathematic equations you need practice with. Do not waste time improving your strengths, focus on your weaknesses.

On the day of the test, have a calculator handy. Use this calculator when needed. Do not make the mistake of losing valuable points for letting simple mistakes pass you buy. You can bring a graphing or scientific calculator, so use it! As for your answer, if you are having problems, stop focusing on the right answer. Instead, focus on the wrong. This allows you to eliminate multiple-choice answers. Guessing is not usually recommended, but it can work after eliminating a few answers.