How to Prepare for the SAT Math Test? Use These Tips
The Math SATs can feel incredibly overwhelming and intimidating, especially for those who struggle in this arena. Sample questions, exponential equations, and math questions you need to know can be daunting. The good news is that although they may seem this way at first, there are tips you can follow to help make math concepts and math topics more manageable and increase your chances of success.
Let's take a look at some of the best ways to prepare for your SATs by knowing the types of questions, how to choose the best options per question, and a study plan, so you can confidently face the math exam on testing day.
Tip #1 - Know What To Expect
There's nothing worse than going into a test blindly and facing a difficult question or giving a wrong answer, which is why knowing what to expect is a crucial part of preparing for your math SAT. You will have to complete two standardized test sections within the time lime, one that allows a calculator and one that doesn't. The calculator portion must be completed in fifty-five minutes and contains thirty-eight questions, which include thirty multiple-choice questions you answer on a bubble sheet and eight write-ins. For the non-calculator section, you will have twenty-five minutes to complete the 20 no-calculator questions. In all, you will have around one minute and twenty-two seconds to complete each question, so pacing yourself is crucial.
Tip #2 - Don't Skip The Practice Test
An official practice test is your new best friend, allowing you to get a feeling for what the actual math skills test is like. One of the most important exam test prep tips is using high-quality practice tests will give you a realistic score. Feel free to take multiple practice tests as part of your SAT preparation, using it as a part of your test-taking strategy to monitor your progress leading up to the actual testing day. Time yourself and use a bubble in answer sheet to score your results so you can identify challenging questions and know which areas to focus your studies on. Making sure you understand the actual question comes with practice.
Tip #3 - Know Your Formulas And Facts
Memorizing math formulas and facts will save you time and is one of my favorite strategies to increase your chances of success. Take the time to review all the topics included on the test, so you know which advanced concepts you will most likely encounter on exam day. Identifying solutions quickly is an excellent strategy for completing each section efficiently and accurately. Knowing which formulas to use and when to apply them can save you time and help you answer questions by skill correctly. It is also important to review all topics included in the test so that you are familiar with the concepts and can identify solutions quickly.
Tip #4 - Work On Improving Your Time
Since the SAT is a timed test, you want to complete the questions as quickly as possible to ensure you finish within the required time. Since the no-calculator section is generally more challenging, you will want to become as proficient as possible with the easier, less time-consuming questions, leaving you more time for the more difficult ones. When practicing, time yourself and try to stay within the one-minute thirty-second range per question, ensuring you are as efficient as possible on testing day.
Tip #5 - Be Strategic
Strategic adaptation is invaluable during your SATs, helping you if you encounter an unfamiliar problem. Strategies like backsolving and picking numbers are excellent for saving time and helping you find a solution when you feel stuck. For backsolving, you place the answer choice into the question and see which one is correct. With number picking, you use numbers that match the question's criteria as a variable replacement, converting an algebraic problem into an arithmetic one.
Conclusion
Preparing for your math SAT is the best way to position yourself for success with your college admissions. These five simple study tips will help you tackle your test with confidence!