How to score 800 in the SAT Math?

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Are you scoring in the 650-750 range on SAT Math? Do you want to raise that score as high as possible—to a perfect 800? Getting to an 800 SAT Math score isn’t easy. It’ll require perfection, hard work and tons of Practice Test to achieve success.

SAT Overview

I’m going to discuss why scoring an 800 is a good idea, what it takes to score an 800, although there are many strategy to get good scores in SAT Math strategies so you know how to get an 800 on SAT Math.

So why get an 800 on SAT Math? Because it helps you compensate for weaknesses in other sections. By and large, schools consider your composite score more than your individual section scores. If you can get an 800 in SAT Math, that means you only need a 730 in SAT Reading and Writing. This gives you a lot more flexibility.

To improve your score, you just need to:

  • Master the types of questions that the SAT tests, like the one above
  • Draw on the correct concepts you already know to solve the questions
  • Practice on a lot of questions so you learn from your mistakes

Exam Details for SAT Math :

Strategies to Get an 800 on SAT Math

Strategy 1:

Understand Your High Level Weakness: Content or Time Management

Every student has different flaws in SAT Math. Some people aren’t comfortable with the underlying math material. Others know the math material well, but can’t solve questions quickly enough in the harsh time limit.

Strategy 2:

Do a ton of Practice, and Understand Every Single Mistake

On the path to perfection, you need to make sure every single one of your weak points is covered. Even one mistake on all of SAT Math will knock you down from an 800.

Strategy 3:

If You Have Math Content Gaps, Be Ruthless About Filling Them

Within SAT Math, you have to master a lot of subjects. At the high level, you need to know basic algebra, advanced algebra, data analysis, and geometry. Even further, within algebra, you need to know how to solve equations, how to deal with word problems, properties of functions, etc.

Here’s our complete mapping of all 24 skills you need in SAT Math:

  • Basic Algebra
    • Linear functions
    • Single variable equations
    • Systems of linear equations
    • Absolute value
  • Advanced Algebra
    • Manipulating polynomials
    • Quadratic equations
    • Dividing polynomials
    • Exponential functions
    • Function notation
    • Solving exponential equations
    • Systems of equations with nonlinear equations
  • Problem Solving and Data Analysis
    • Ratios and proportions
    • Scatter plots and graphs
    • Categorical data and probabilities
    • Experimental interpretation
    • Mean, median, mode, standard deviation
  • Additional Topics
    • Coordinate geometry—lines and slopes
    • Coordinate geometry—nonlinear functions
    • Geometry—circles
    • Geometry—lines and angles
    • Geometry—solid geometry
    • Geometry—triangles and polygons
    • Trigonometry
    • Complex numbers

Strategy 4:

Finish With Extra Time and Double Check

Your goal at the end of all this work is to get so good at SAT Math that you solve every question and have extra time left over at the end of the section to recheck your work.

In high school and even now, I can finish SAT Math sections in about 60% of the time allotted. This means I finish a 25 minute section in 15 minutes or less, and a 55 minute section in 35 minutes. This gives me a ton of time to recheck my answers two times over and make sure I make no careless mistakes.

Strategy 5:

Memorize the Formulas and Common Math Facts

If you’re still flipping to the front of the section to look at the math formulas, you haven’t gotten to understand SAT Math well enough yet.

Not only does this cost you time, it also indicates that you haven’t practiced enough with SAT Math to have the required formulas come to you fluidly.

Strategy 6:

Keep a Calm Mind During the Test, No Matter What

Now you know what it takes to achieve perfection on SAT Math.

You know that it’s critical to get a perfect raw score, or you might score a 780.

This makes a lot of students freak out during the test.

“I can’t solve this question…my 800 is gone…I’m getting more nervous and I have to skip the next question too…”

You can see how quickly you can unravel like this. Before you know it, you’re scoring way worse than you ever did on a practice test.

To Prepare smartly for the upcoming SAT August, download our free e-book “Smart and effective way SAT prep”.

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