Math sections tend to stir up the most anxiety in students during ACT and SAT testing. The time constraints cause even more pressure, which often results in mistakes. Awareness is key, however, and students who know of these mistakes in advance and take steps to avoid them on test day will see higher scores in their math sections.

Math Mistakes to Avoid During ACT & SAT Testing

1. Failing to Write Out Each Step

Showing your work isn’t required on either test, but failing to write out each step could result in getting the wrong answer, particularly on sections where you can’t use a calculator. By writing everything out, you can go back and see where you went wrong if you come to a dead end.

2. Forgetting Important Formulas

The SAT provides some of the basic formulas you’ll need, but not all of them. The ACT doesn’t provide any formulas. While memorization is important, you also need to know how and when to use these mathematic tools. A reputable ACT or SAT prep tutor will help you understand which formulas you need to know, so you can practice them and commit them to memory.

3. Panicking at Unfamiliar Question Formats

If you’ve never taken an SAT or ACT prep course before you take the test, you might panic when you see unfamiliar question formats. While these formats may be unlike anything you’ve seen on a math test or in a book, they will test your problem-solving skills by urging you to approach them in a different way. The only way to excel at these puzzles is by practicing.

4. Getting Careless With the Calculator

This is a simple mistake to correct, but carelessness can cost you, especially when it comes to time. A missed number or accidentally pushed button can result in a wrong answer and force you to start a problem over. Time is of the essence on these tests, but it will serve you best to slow down and make sure you’re hitting the right buttons.

5. Not Pacing & Rushing

The math portions of both the SAT and ACT are timed. Without practice, students may start out too slow and then rush in an attempt to finish, or they may go too fast and make careless mistakes. Aside from memorizing formulas and practicing hard problems, one of the keys to preparing for ACT and SAT testing is timing yourself.

Whether you’re a student gearing up for ACT or SAT testing or a parent who wants to ensure their child is ready, working with a tutor is an excellent place to start. Peach State Tutoring & Test Prep serves Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, and Alpharetta, GA, by providing students with test prep courses and academic tutoring. If you aren’t sure which test is right for you, they offer a free diagnostic test so students can see how well they perform on each one. Visit their website to learn more, or call (678) 824-6890.