Tutor profile: Clifton L.

How can you do your best on the SAT math test?

The SAT math test is coachable. There are specific test-taking strategies that will save time, build confidence, and help you do your best. If you solve every math problem from start to finish, finding the precise answer, you will not be able to complete the test in time (20 questions in 25 minutes for Section 3 and 38 questions in 55 minutes for Section 4). You must learn time-saving strategies in order to complete problems as quickly as possible.

What's the best way to prepare to do your best on the ACT math test?

The ACT math test is coachable. The key is practicing in the focal topic areas and managing the test time extremely well. The test entails 60 math problems to solve in only 60 minutes, so strategically approaching problems and determining which to spend the valuable time on is critical to doing your best.

So often question ask about "x" (a variable). In math problems, why does "x" sometimes represent a specific value and why does "x" sometimes represent any value?

There are two different categories of math problems. The first entails solving for the value of "x", usually in an equation that has other numbers, but where "x" is the single variable that we're solving for and isolating, transforming the equation and into the form: "x = _____". Then everything on the right of the equal sign. The second category entails a function, often with an equation that has two variables, like "x" and "y". In these instances, the "x" value is the input or independent variable, and the "y" value is the output or dependent variable (pick a value for "x", and plug it to find the "y" value). A two-column table or graph in a coordinate plane can be created to show the functional relationship between "x" and "y". In this second category, the function represents the relationship between the two variables (for example how increasing "x" by one unit produces a new value for "y").