How to get a Perfect Score on SAT Math

Even if you have never thought of getting a perfect score on the other SAT exam sections, we bet the idea of getting a perfect score on SAT Math has definitely crossed your mind. And why should it not? It is the section where you don’t have to worry much about vocabulary or comprehension or the fact that the two answers look very similar. And you can get a perfect sat score in the math section if you are careful and follow some simple strategies.

Many of our students have followed the following strategies to get a perfect score on SAT writing and we are sure that you too can achieve that perfect score. 

To start with, keep the following in mind: The SAT Math is designed to trick you and if you manage to recognize the tricks, you’ll avoid making common mistakes. So, you must understand the SAT Math syllabus and the traps in a way the SAT does. The good part is that it is a simple three-step process:

1. Understand the types of SAT maths questions.

2. Learn strategies to answer these question types

3. Practice, Practice, and Practice

   Strategy 1:

Let’s start looking at the strategies:

Strategies first, speed later

Strategies are more important than gaining speed initially. Why? Because, in SAT math exam, once you know the right approach to solve a question, your speed will automatically increase. 

So, keep in mind that speed on the SAT Math just doesn’t mean solving the questions but solving them in the most efficient manner. How do you know what methods are the most efficient? Through the strategies for each question-of course. 

Strategy 2:

Maintain an error log

It is extremely important to know what you go wrong with and it is even more important to know what you go wrong with more often. A good error log will help you identify the patterns quickly, and hence, will help in a faster improvement too. 

What should your error log contain?

1. The questions you missed.
2. The source of the question.
3. The topic of the question.
4. Why did you miss it? (Silly error, incorrect approach, new concept, formula)
5. What could have helped you to get this correct?

Every error in SAT math question happens for a reason and if you don’t understand why then you will do the same error again and again. Hence, it is important to understand what you miss and how it can be worked out in the future. 

Strategy 3:

Fill your gaps

Once you have identified the gaps in the math concepts, now is the time to fill them. There are many mathematical concepts that the SAT maths paper tests, however, your job is to find the concepts that create trouble for you. As soon as you find these patterns, you create an opportunity to improve your scores. 

Start by working out on the basics of that topic and get more practice on that topic. The Collegify portal is a great place to start as it provides you with SAT maths questions at different difficulty levels for each concept. Hence, you understand your progress instantly. The repetitive practice for the concept on many questions will help you fill the gap and improve your score. 

Strategy 4:

Try again without help

When you miss a question, do you directly go to the answer explanation to check why did you get it incorrect? If yes, STOP!

That’s a disservice to yourself. 

Always try the question again without any help, most probably, with a new approach this time. Solving an SAT maths hard question in multiple ways helps you get a better sense of the best way to solve a question quickly and more efficiently. 

Strategy 5:

Master even the rarest topic

The SAT tests a plethora of questions, however, not all sat math topics are equally important. For example, you would most probably see only one question from Trigonometry and most probably no questions from lines and angles. However, just because you don’t see many questions about these topics doesn’t mean that you should not master these programs. You have to know all about SAT math questions. Leave no stones unturned. 

You never quite know what questions would be tested from which concept, hence, you need to study every single aspect of each topic. This is one big challenge that you see on the SAT math - you need a wide BREADTH of knowledge with a DEPTH of mastery in each topic. So, if you want to get a perfect score, then treat each concept equally. 

Strategy 6:

Repeat your questions

You might be wondering why? Because it is always good to look at a ‘good’ question multiple times to get the most out of it. Every time you go back to a question, try to answer it with a new approach. You’ll be surprised at how you learn and gain more understanding of math as you go through the same question multiple times. All this extra time will take you closer to a perfect score. 

Strategy 7:

Avoid careless mistakes

Careless mistakes are among the most common in SAT math and also the most frustrating ones. You know the concept, you know the approach, you did correct calculations, but when you checked your answers, you realized that the question asked for 2x and you marked the value of x. 

How can you avoid these errors?

1. Underline what the question really asks. 
2. Check the units before you bubble your answers.
3. Check once again after you bubble the answers.

Strategy 8:

Know the common SAT Math Formulas and Facts

Formulas and facts are the building blocks of math. They help you attempt the questions more accurately and efficiently. When you start learning the formulas and facts, also understand why and how they work. 

Strategy 9:

Keep your calculator usage to a minimum

As you already know, section 4 of the SAT allows you to use the calculator. But, is it necessary to use the calculator on these questions? The calculator is really for some questions, but for most, the calculator only wastes your time. Hence, learn how to answer these questions without the calculator. 

Treat every calculator problem as a challenge. Try to solve each problem without using the calculator. Try to be creative! You will be surprised to know that it is generally faster than solving the problem with a calculator. 

Keep a positive mindset on the test day and be mentally strong. 

Happy prepping!!