Hey guys, pretty stressed here thinking about the Math section without a calculator. Any tips on how to ace this part? I'm good with numbers but the time pressure freaks me out. Also, if you have suggestions for prep guides that helped you, that would be awesome! What are your study routines for the no-calculator questions?
The no-calculator portion of the SAT can indeed be daunting, but with the right preparation, you can handle it confidently! A key strategy is to strengthen your mental math skills. Practice doing arithmetic operations quickly and accurately in your head, and get comfortable with simplifying algebraic expressions manually.
For time management, learn to answer the easier questions first and skip the harder ones temporarily, returning to them if time permits. Additionally, practice makes perfect. Use a mix of SAT prep books and online resources. The College Board's official SAT study guide is highly recommended because it provides practice tests formulated by the actual test makers.
For study routines, regularly set aside time to take timed practice sections to simulate test conditions. This will help you get accustomed to the pace required. Don't forget to review your mistakes to understand where and why you've gone astray—this is crucial for improvement.
Forming or joining a study group can also contribute to your motivation and help exchange useful tricks amongst each other. Keep at it, and don't lose heart; the more you practice, the more you'll improve!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.