How to get a PERFECT 800 on the SAT Math (2024)
TLDRThis video offers a comprehensive guide to achieving a perfect SAT Math score, emphasizing the test's focus on specific concepts rather than overall math knowledge. The presenter, an experienced tutor, outlines a three-part strategy: understanding the SAT Math structure, a blueprint for efficient preparation, and tips to avoid common mistakes for a perfect 800. The video promises a quick score improvement with the right approach, highlighting the importance of practice tests and the testing effect for better retention.
Takeaways
- 📈 The SAT Math score is one of the most improvable aspects of a college application, regardless of your current level.
- 🎓 The speaker has personal experience with perfect SAT Math scores and tutoring, indicating credibility in their advice.
- 🔢 The SAT Math section only covers up to Algebra 2 and omits more complex topics like conics and logarithms.
- 📚 The SAT Math tests a limited set of concepts, which can be mastered by understanding the style of questions the test favors.
- ⏰ Improvement in SAT Math score can be achieved relatively quickly with the right approach and dedication.
- 📉 The speaker emphasizes the effectiveness of practice tests for building intuition and familiarity with SAT question styles.
- 📝 The 'testing effect' is highlighted as a powerful learning tool, where actively testing oneself leads to better retention.
- 📉 A structured blueprint for SAT Math preparation is provided, starting with obtaining a benchmark score and analyzing it.
- 🤓 The importance of understanding and not just memorizing formulas is stressed for long-term retention.
- 🕒 Strategies for avoiding common mistakes, such as going too fast or running out of time, are discussed to optimize scores.
- 🧠 The video concludes with motivational advice on maintaining consistency in preparation and self-accountability.
Q & A
What is the easiest aspect of a college application to improve according to the video?
-The easiest aspect to improve on a college application is the SAT Math score, as it can be improved quickly with the right approach.
What is the significance of the SAT acronym, and what does it measure?
-The acronym 'SAT' stands for nothing; it is not an actual acronym. The test is officially called 'sat'. It measures college readiness, although the connection between the test content and college readiness is not always clear.
What are the four main categories of concepts tested on the SAT Math section?
-The four main categories are algebra (linear equations and inequalities), advanced math (nonlinear equations like quadratics and exponentials), problem solving and data analysis (tables, statistics, and ratios), and geometry and trigonometry (circles, angles, volume, and simple triangle concepts).
How can understanding the SAT Math test's style of questions benefit a student?
-Understanding the style of questions helps build an intuition for shortcuts and tricks that the SAT uses, making it easier to solve problems efficiently.
What is the testing effect mentioned in the video, and why is it beneficial for learning?
-The testing effect is a cognitive science phenomenon stating that testing oneself is a more effective way of storing information in long-term memory than passive studying methods like reading or watching videos.
What is the first step suggested in the blueprint for preparing for the SAT Math?
-The first step is to get a benchmark score by taking a practice test under conditions similar to the actual SAT, without any resources or breaks.
How should a student approach reviewing their answers on a practice test?
-A student should review each problem, asking how they approached it, how they should have approached it, and what they should do differently in the future, even for problems they got correct.
What common mistake can be avoided by taking a practice test without time constraints and focusing on accuracy?
-Dumb mistakes caused by going too fast can be avoided by taking an untimed practice test and focusing on making no mistakes, articulating the logic behind each step.
Why is it suggested to skip difficult problems initially and return to them at the end of the test?
-Skipping difficult problems initially saves time for answering easier questions correctly. If time permits, one can return to difficult problems at the end, potentially increasing the overall score.
What strategy is recommended for students who struggle with word problems on the SAT Math?
-Students should pay special attention to patterns in word problems, associating certain situations with specific math concepts, and practice translating English to math effectively.
How can understanding formulas conceptually, rather than memorizing them, benefit a student's performance on the SAT Math?
-Understanding formulas conceptually helps students apply them correctly in various contexts and reduces the likelihood of forgetting them during the test.
What motivational strategy is suggested for students preparing for the SAT Math?
-Setting a consistent study schedule and holding oneself accountable can help maintain motivation. Alternatively, getting a private tutor can provide external accountability and guidance.
Outlines
📚 SAT Math Score Improvement Strategy
The speaker introduces the video's purpose: to guide viewers on how to improve their SAT Math scores. They share personal experience as a tutor and SAT veteran, promising a three-part structure to the video. The first part will explain the SAT Math structure and what the College Board is looking for. The second part will provide a blueprint for efficient preparation, and the third part will focus on optimizing for a perfect score by avoiding common mistakes. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the SAT's preferred problem types and the limited scope of math concepts tested, suggesting that significant score improvements are possible with the right approach.
📝 Blueprint for SAT Math Preparation
The speaker outlines a detailed blueprint for SAT Math preparation, emphasizing the importance of using practice tests and past SATs to build intuition and recognize the test's style. They advocate for the testing effect, which suggests that actively testing oneself is more effective for long-term memory retention than passive studying. The blueprint includes getting a benchmark score, analyzing every problem for improvement, and focusing on the style of SAT problems. The speaker also advises on avoiding common mistakes such as rushing, missing out on time management, and struggling with word problems, suggesting strategies to overcome these issues and aim for a perfect score.
🚀 Achieving a Perfect SAT Math Score
In the final part of the video, the speaker addresses how to achieve a perfect SAT Math score. They discuss common mistakes made by students, such as 'dumb mistakes' due to rushing, and provide strategies to avoid them, like taking an untimed practice test to focus on accuracy. The speaker also talks about time management, suggesting skipping difficult problems initially and returning to them later if time permits. They provide tips for word problems and emphasize the importance of understanding rather than memorizing formulas. The video concludes with advice on staying motivated, suggesting a consistent study schedule and self-accountability, and ends with a promotion for the speaker's private tutoring services.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡SAT Math
💡College readiness
💡PSAT
💡Tutoring
💡Practice tests
💡Testing effect
💡Algebra
💡Advanced Math
💡Problem Solving and Data Analysis
💡Geometry and Trigonometry
💡Perfect score
Highlights
Improving SAT Math score is achievable regardless of current ability and can be done quickly.
The presenter has experience with perfect SAT Math scores and tutoring for over 2 years.
The SAT Math tests a limited subset of concepts, focusing on what the College Board prefers.
All SAT Math content is based on material already learned in school.
A significant score improvement can be achieved with focused tutoring and practice.
The SAT Math is designed to measure college readiness, though its relevance is debatable.
The test includes four main categories: algebra, advanced math, problem solving and data analysis, and geometry and trigonometry.
Understanding the style of SAT Math questions is key to improving scores.
Practice tests are crucial for building intuition and recognizing SAT-specific shortcuts.
The testing effect supports the use of practice tests for better information retention.
Benchmark scoring and self-evaluation are essential steps in the preparation process.
Avoiding 'dumb mistakes' involves slowing down and being meticulous with each step.
Skipping difficult problems initially and revisiting them can save time and improve accuracy.
Understanding word problems requires recognizing patterns and translating them into mathematical concepts.
Algebra proficiency can be improved by focusing on problem-solving without a calculator.
Memorizing formulas is less effective than understanding their derivation and application.
When stuck on a problem, work backwards from the desired outcome to find a solution.
Maintaining motivation involves setting a consistent schedule and holding oneself accountable.
Private tutoring can provide structure and accountability, but it's not mandatory for success.