You Don't Need To Solve All the Problems

Sharp eyes, or lucky guesses?

Whether it is a school math test or a state exam, chances are that you would guess on a problem if you are stumped, in hopes of getting an extra point. That's great and all, but you might want to reconsider using that strategy on the SAT.

If you haven't heard of it already, the SAT takes off a quarter of a point for every problem you answer incorrectly. Mind you, that you lose 0.25 point for every question you answer incorrectly, and then you lose ANOTHER point for not getting the correct answer. Meaning that the total amount of points you lose for answering incorrectly is 1.25. Answer 4 questions incorrectly, blech, 5 points down the drain.

The SAT discourages guessing to prevent students from earning points "wrongfully". But since guessing is a totally different topic, we'll discuss it some other time. Right now, let's talk about how you don't need to solve all the problems. Boom.

UNIVERSE!!!

After checking 3 actual previously administered SAT Math exams, and 7 other practice exams, I have concluded that you can score at least 600 by solving all of the easy and medium questions correctly, and skipping all of the hard questions. We're talking about 600 here, that is usually about the top 25% out of all test takers. (Of course, if you're aiming for over a 700, then disregard this post. You're going to need all of the correctly answered problems as possible.)

Sound crazy? I know, right? For those who can't believe this insane fact, check it out yourself. 

Click Here

I'll save you the trouble:

1. There are 16 hard problems (Level 4's and Level 5's)
2. And there is a total of 54 problems.
3. Subtract 54 by 16 (remember, we are skipping the hard problems, so we don't lose an extra quarter point)
4. Which equals 38.
5. What is the scaled score for a raw score of 38?
6. 610 (OMG)

TLDR: If you skip all the hard problems and get the all easy and medium questions correct, you'll get at least a 600.

Where do you find the hard questions?

Here's a link.

Happy SAT prep.