500 New SAT Math Problems
Just 19.99 on Amazon

Hi everyone! The latest edition of 500 New SAT Math Problems is now available in paperback from Amazon. This edition just has been modified from the previous edition to account for the changes on the Digital SAT.

The paperback is now on sale on Amazon for only $19.99. Note that once the sale ends (by the end of today), the price of this book will go up to $42.99. 

The promotion has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated. The book is now available at its regular price here: 500 New SAT Math Problems

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at steve@SATPrepGet800.com 

Thank you all for your continued support!

A Trick For Free Two Day Shipping

I would like to finish this post with a little trick you can use to get free 2 day shipping on any of the books you decide to purchase without making any additional purchases. If you have never used Amazon Prime you can sign up for a free month using the following link.

Sign Up For Amazon Prime For Free

If you have already had a free trial of Amazon Prime you can simply open up a new Amazon account to get a new free trial. It just takes a few minutes! You will need to use a different email address than the one you usually use.

This next part is very important! After you finish your transaction, go to your Account, select “Manage my prime membership,” and turn off the recurring billing. This way in a month’s time Amazon will not start charging you for the service.

After shutting off the recurring billing you will still continue to receive the benefit of free 2 day shipping for one month. This means that as long as you use this new Amazon account for your purchases you can do all of your shopping on Amazon for the next month without having to worry about placing minimum orders to get free shipping.

Just be aware that certain products from outside sellers do not always qualify for free shipping, so please always check over your bill carefully before you check out.

Well I hope you decide to take advantage of this very special offer, or at the very least I hope you will benefit from my Amazon “free 2 day shipping trick.” Here is the link one more time:

Sign Up For Amazon Prime For Free

If you think your friends might be interested in this special offer, please share it with them on Facebook:

Thank you all for your continued support!

Welcome to this week’s message. I hope you have found what I have to say regarding the SAT useful…

Students often ask me if there is any way they will ever be able to get through all of the SAT math questions in the given amount of time. In response, I always explain they are asking the wrong question. For most students, worrying about getting to the end of the test will not improve your score. Of course, if you are shooting for an 800, it goes without saying that you need to attempt and correctly solve every problem on SAT day (although there are rare instances, once every few years, in which there is an SAT where you can miss one math problem and still score an 800).

For most students, the problem is that they are already attempting too many questions. This advice might sound strange at first because students have been conditioned not to leave questions blank on tests. But the fact is, on a standardized test, students will usually increase their score by reducing the number of questions that they attempt.

First, let’s have a quick overview of the math section on the SAT: There are 3 math sections on the SAT. They can appear in any order. There is a 20 question multiple choice section, a 16 question multiple choice section, and an 18 question section that has 8 multiple choice questions and 10 gridins.

Let’s call these sections A, B, and C, respectively. You should first make sure that you know what you got on your last SAT practice test, actual SAT, or actual PSAT (whichever you took last). The table below shows the general goal (number of problems to attempt) you should go for when taking the exam.

For example, a student with a current score of 450 should attempt the first 14 questions from section A, the first 11 questions from section B, the first 5 multiple choice questions from section C, and the first 6 gridins from section C.

This is just a general guideline. Of course it can be fine tuned. As a simple example, if you are particularly strong at number theory problems, but very weak at geometry problems, then you may want to try every number theory problem no matter where it appears, and you may want to reduce the number of geometry problems you attempt.

Here is the video on YouTube that explains how many questions you should be answering.

 

Let’s keep in touch!

 

Last week I described a very simple yet effective strategy to solve certain SAT math problems.

The strategy of “taking a guess” is a very useful way to avoid complicated algebra and ensure that a question is answered correctly. See the post from last week for details if you have not already been exposed to this strategy: Basic SAT Math Strategy – Take A Guess

Example

Let’s take a look at another example of how this strategy can be used effectively. Here is a more difficult problem for you to chew the end of your pencil over:

Let the function f be defined for all values of x by f(x) = x(x + 1). If k is a positive number and f(k + 5) = 72, what is the value of k?

Looks tricky?

Well let’s see how we can solve this tricky problem quickly by “taking a guess.”

Let’s take a guess for k, say k = 2. Then we have f(2 + 5) = f(7) = (7)(8) = 56. This is too small. So let’s guess that k = 3 next. Then f(3 + 5) = f(8) = (8)(9) = 72 which is correct. So the answer is 3.

Algebraic Solution

You can see that by using the method of guessing we have found the answer very quickly. Let’s compare this to solving the problem algebraically. Do not worry if the solution that follows confuses you. You will never have to use this method on an actual SAT if you choose not to.

f(k + 5) = (k + 5)(k + 6) = k² + 11k + 30.

Since f(k + 5) = 72, we have k² + 11k + 30 = 72. Subtracting 72 from each side of this equation yields

k² + 11k – 42 = 0
(k – 3)(k + 14) = 0

So k = 3 or k = -14. We reject the negative solution because the question says that k is positive. Therefore the answer is 3.

Further Discussion

As you can see, the algebraic solution involves a fairly complicated multiplication which leads to a quadratic equation. The simplest way to solve this quadratic equation is by bringing everything over to one side and factoring. We can see that the answer is obtained correctly, but for most students there is a danger of getting lost in the algebra. This method also takes longer than the method of taking a guess. So for these reasons, why would you want to use algebra to solve a problem such as the example above? Knowing how the algebra works, however, is good for gaining mathematical maturity. This is certainly important if you want to get an 800 in SAT math. So if you are going for a perfect score, practice the algebraic solution at home. Just do not use it on test day!

More Practice

If you have any questions or comments regarding this strategy, please do let me know. And if you want more practice with this particular strategy, as well as the other important strategies you need to know to improve your SAT math score, please check out my 28 SAT Math Lessons Series. Click on the picture below for more information about these books.

If you liked this article, please share it with your Facebook friends:

And if you have any questions on this topic, then please post them on my Facebook wall:

Look out for more of my SAT math strategies, hints and tips next week!

Taking A Guess

This week I would like to discuss another very basic math strategy for standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT. This strategy is extremely simple to apply and it will often allow you to avoid messy algebraic computations. I call this strategy “Take a Guess.”

Sometimes the answer choices themselves cannot be substituted in for the unknown or unknowns in the problem. But that doesn’t mean you can’t guess your own numbers. Try to make as reasonable a guess as possible, but don’t over think it. Keep trying until you zero in on the correct value.

Example

Let’s see this simple technique in action  with an appropriate math problem.

Bill has cows, pigs and chickens on his farm. The number of chickens he has is three times the number of pigs, and the number of pigs he has is 2 more than the number of cows. Which of the following could be the total number of these animals?

(A)   14
(B)   15
(C)   16
(D)   17
(E)   18

Let’s take a guess and say that Bill has 3 cows. He then has 3 + 2 = 5 pigs, and also 3·5 = 15 chickens. So the total number of animals is 3 + 5 + 15 = 23. This is too big. So let’s guess lower and say that Bill has 1 cow. Then he has 1 + 2 = 3 pigs, and 3·3 = 9 chickens. It follows that the total number of animals is 1 + 3 + 9 = 13, too small. So Bill must have 2 cows, 2 + 2 = 4 pigs, and 3·4 = 12 chickens. Thus, the total we get is 2 + 4 + 12 = 18 animals. So the answer is choice (E).

Teachers and tutors may have their own personal philosophies, but there is one thing that they all agree on – every student should be attempting the questions from the practice SATs given in “The Official SAT Study Guide.”

Despite this, my colleagues and I have always wanted more from the infamous blue book. The problems in the Official Guide are fantastic – they are exactly the types of questions you will encounter on the SAT. The explanations to the problems, however, are not so fantastic. In the blue book there are no explanations at all, and if you do have access to the College Board’s solutions then you have only a single solution which, in my opinion, may not always be the best way to solve that problem. This is why I have created “The Official SAT Study Guide Companions.”

The Official SAT Study Guide Companions contain solutions to the SATs in the Official SAT Study Guide. As usual, I give simple, efficient, in-depth solutions to each of these problems, and most problems are solved using several different methods.

I have created the guides in response to the teachers, tutors and students that have found the College Board’s solutions to these problems to be unsatisfactory.

Tests 1 and 2 are already available; Test 1 is available for free by subscribing to my free 12 part SAT math prep email course. And Test 2 can be found here.

I have just released my solutions to Tests 3 and 4, which are available as electronic downloads for $3 each.

I’m working as quickly as I can to get the next six tests out for you to use – keep an eye on this space for more solutions.

This is the third video in my series of me completing all of the math sections from an SAT.

Take a look at my previous blog entries here and here to see me complete sections 3 and 7 from this SAT.

Click on play below to watch the video.

As always, feel free to comment

I have had many questions asking why my new book series 28 SAT Math Lessons To Improve Your Score In One Month is any different from my other books and any different from the SAT prep books written by big name test prep companies.

Well, this course is specifically designed to get an increase in SAT math from your current score level to the next score level. And this is why there will be three books in the series: Advanced for those scoring above 600 and want to get 800, Intermediate for those scoring between 500 – 600, and the yet to be written Beginner for those scoring below 500.

My previous blog post on describing what the Advanced book is all about can be found here.

But if you really do not want to read when you can watch, then click the play button below to see me explain how the 28 SAT Math Lessons series is different form other SAT math prep books and also to find out who these books are designed for.

Two weeks ago I uploaded a video of me completing section 3 of the first SAT from the College Board’s Blue Book. The link to the blog post with that video is here.

The second SAT video in this series has now been uploaded. Here you will see me complete another math section from the first SAT in the Blue Book: Section 7. Click on play below:

You will notice that I have added annotations to this video. Although I talk through the problems as I am working them out (to help you understand my thought process), I have put these annotations in to give you further insight into how I had completed the questions in the test.

I want to point out that the purpose of these videos is not to teach you how to complete particular problem types, but rather to show you how quickly you can answer problems correctly when you know which techniques to apply. In many problems I am using various SAT specific strategies. As you will notice in the video, I complete this particular SAT math section in just around 9 minutes. On an actual SAT this would leave me with plenty of time to “check over” each answer. Note that what I mean by “checking over” each answer is that I redo each problem using a different method from the one that I used the first time. By comparing the two answers I can practically guarantee that a “careless” error has not been made.

If I had checked my work, I would have noticed that I incorrectly factored a quadratic equation (see problem #4 in the video). This was just a slip of the pencil, and luckily, I did get the right answer. In this case, because I picked the right answer choice, I got away with the small error. But I’d like to use this error to emphasis the point that you must check your work!!

If there are any questions you have regarding the video, including questions about solving problems in more detail, feel free to drop me a message on my Facebook wall. I will get back to you right away.

Next week, I hope to have section 8 uploaded for you too. Look out for that then.

I have just released a new book:

“28 SAT Math Lessons to Improve Your Score in One Month – Advanced Course – For Students Currently Scoring Above 600 in SAT Math and Want to Score 800.”

This book will guide a student in a step by step fashion to increase his or her SAT math score within a month – providing the lesson schedule is adhered to.

I have created this book to provide quick results to students that want a perfect or near perfect score in a short period of time.

If you are currently scoring above a 600 in SAT math and you wish to get an 800 in a short period of time, then this new book is for you.

When this book is used by students for self study a significant rise in SAT math score will result as long as each lesson is completed and the content is internalized.

The intermediate version of this book is already available and I am currently writing a beginner version, but this book is specifically designed for students that are currently scoring above 600 in SAT/PSAT Math.

After the lessons have been completed, I believe a student should see a rise in score from the 600+ to the 750 – 800 range.

This book is perfect for those students that feel as if his or her score has plateaued and cannot break that glass ceiling that is limiting his or her score. It is also great for those students that only have a limited time for study. It takes all the guesswork out of what to study. If you are familiar with my work, you know that I am extremely thorough with the solutions to problems I provide as practice. My years of experience have enabled me to create this guide that will take you to a higher SAT math score.

The introduction contains tips on how to prepare for SAT math, how to tackle SAT math on exam day, and a comprehensive guide for correct and efficient calculator use.

In short, this is a course that hand holds you to an exceptional score in SAT math in just one month. With an improved score, you can apply to the colleges you wish to attend knowing that your SAT math score will not weaken your application.

Click on this link to take you to the product page – you can buy an electronic or paperback version of the book.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about this new book.

I have just uploaded a new video on YouTube. I have embedded it below so that you do not have to go to YouTube itself. But be aware that there are many other useful videos I have uploaded on my channel.

For a while, I have wanted to show how easy it is to complete a section on SAT math. By learning SAT specific strategies that decrease the amount of time you spend on each problem, and help you to avoid careless errors, you too can train yourself to correctly complete each SAT math section very quickly.

As you watch the video, have your Blue Book open to section 3 of SAT 1 so that you can follow along. I cannot reproduce the College Board’s questions due to copywrite laws.

Note that when I say I complete the test very quickly, I do not mean that I rush. Quite the opposite: I often take enough time on each question to not only get the right answer but also to make sure that I haven’t been tricked.

The time that I save can be used to redo each question to ensure that I have not made any errors. Ideally, I would redo each question using a different strategy than I had used the first time around.

In the video above I do not talk about any specific product that you can use to gain the skill set to complete each SAT math section this quickly; however, The 32 Most Effective SAT Math Strategies is an excellent resource to develop this skill set.

This video is just Section 3 of Test 1. I have also completed Sections 7 and 8, so keep an eye out. I will be posting those videos soon.

Last week I posted the laws of exponents that can be useful to know for the SAT. These should be memorized by students that are trying to break a 700 in SAT math. I also mentioned that exponent problems can usually be solved by methods other than using the algebraic rules, but by using algebra you will solve them very, very quickly, giving you time to move on to other questions and then check your answers.

Last week, I had this level 5 exponent problem for you to solve:

If y = 7^x, which of the following expressions is equivalent to 49^x  − 7^x+2  for all positive integer values of x?

 

Let’s solve this algebraically using the exponent laws.

49^x  − 7^x+2 = (7²)^x  − 7^x7² =  (7^x)² − 49(7^x) =  y² – 49y

In the first equality we rewrote 49 as 7² and used the third law in our list to rewrite 7^x+2 as 7^x7². In the second equality we simply rewrote 7² as 49. Finally, in the third equality we replaced 7^x by y twice.

This is choice (E).

And here is an alternative solution using the strategy of “picking numbers”.

Let’s choose a value for x, say x = 2..

Then we have:

y = 7² = 49, and 49^x  − 7^x+2 = 49² − 7⁴ = 0.

Put a nice, big, dark circle around 0. Make it obvious that this is the value you are expecting to be your solution. Now substitute y = 49 into each answer choice:

 

Since (A), (B), (C) and (D) are incorrect, we can eliminate them. Therefore the answer choice is (E).

As you can see the method of picking numbers is more time consuming than the algebraic method. But you will get the right answer as long as you are careful.

Whichever method you choose, you should try to check your answer with a different method if possible. If you can only solve the problem by picking numbers, then at least pick different numbers when you are “checking.”

I have had responses to the competition and many of you did get the right answer. I will be contacting you personally to send you your choice of 28 SAT Math Lessons to Improve Your Score in One Month: Intermediate or Advanced.