PREPARING FOR THE SAT

PREPARING FOR THE SAT

WHAT IS THE SAT?• Originated as SAT – Scholastic

Aptitude Test aptitude = ability• Today, the SAT does not stand for

Scholastic Aptitude Test, but is simply used to name this widely used college entrance exam

• Today, the SAT measures “developed reasoning”– skills that we develop in and out of school

WHAT’S ON THE SAT?

VERBAL SECTION NO. OF ITEMSSentence Completions

19

Analogies 19Critical Reading 40Total 78

WHAT’S ON THE SAT?

MATH SECTION NO. OF ITEMSFive-Choice 35Quantitative Comparisons

15

Grid-Ins* 10Total 60*Student-Produced Answers

SAT SCORING

•The SAT awards you 1 point for every correct answer.

•For every wrong answer, you lose 0.25 points.

•You do not lose or gain points for items you do not answer.

BEFORE THE TEST

•Know the test directions for all six question types. Use the time you save by not reading directions to answer questions.

•Get familiar with the answer sheet. It has four pages, and you need to know what answers go in which section.

DURING THE TEST

•Know where the easy questions are and do them first.

•Know where the hard questions are, and consider omitting them. If a hard question looks easy, your answer is probably wrong.

DURING THE TEST

•Omit questions that you really have no idea how to answer. But don’t forget, if you can rule out any choices, you probably should guess.

•Don’t panic if you can’t answer every question.You can get an average score by answering about half the questions correctly and leaving out the remaining questions.

DURING THE TEST

•Use your test booklet for scratch work.

•You can also cross off choices you know are wrong and mark questions you have omitted so you can go back to them if you have time.

•Keep track of time.

GUESS SMART

•If you can rule out even 1 or 2 answers you know are wrong, you have a better chance of guessing correctly.

•If you know 2 out of the 5 answers are wrong, there are only 3 answers left. So you have a 1 in 3 change of getting it right, instead of 1 in 5.

SENTENCE COMPLETION

• Read the entire sentence for meaning.

• If possible, predict words to fit into the blanks.

• Insert every answer choice into the blanks and reread the sentence.

SENTENCE COMPLETION

• Look for key connecting words that may change the meaning of the sentence (because, although, despite, therefore).

• Predict that you need positive or negative words to fit in the blanks.

• Skip questions with answers that depend entirely on words you don’t know.

• Use a few basic RPS (roots, prefixes, suffixes) to figure out the killer vocabulary.

CRITICAL READING

•Consider reading the questions before reading the passage.

•Answer the questions based on the passage (not on your knowledge of the subject).

CRITICAL READING

1. Be positive or neutral, not negative.

2. Choose answers containing key words.

3. Be wishy-washy, not dramatic.

4. Correct answers are usually above or below the key words or indicated line numbers.

CRITICAL READINGAttitude or Tone

•The correct answers are usually neutral or positive; they are rarely negative.

•This type of question is easy to answer, even without reading the passage. Make sure you eliminate negative answers first.

CRITICAL READINGMain Idea/Best Title

•Look for the answer in the topic sentence, which is usually the first sentence of the passage.

•Correct answers often contain key words from the first sentence of the passage.

•Correct answer is usually positive or neutral, rarely negative.

•This type is a good one to try to answer without reading or understanding the entire passage.

CRITICAL READINGTypes of Passages

Science•They are neutral or positive.•The passages may be hard to understand, but their questions are easy and straightforward.•Read science passages quickly, just to get an overview of what they cover. Don’t try to understand everything you read.


Humanities•Often about minority groups.•Usually positive or neutral, often focus on a pioneer in a field or someone who overcame great obstacles.•Rarely say anything remotely critical about the subject.•Read slowly, carefully and between-the-lines. Can’t be answered by skimming.


Theories•Express personal opinions, which may or may not be correct.•May be either positive or neutral, rarely negative.•Answer based on the writer’s opinions (not yours).•Read slowly and carefully. Try to understand how the writer thinks.


Fiction•Usually excerpts from novels or short stories, which can be recent or very old.•Fiction passages follow no rules. Ignore tips and tricks suggested for other types.•Don’t skim them. Go slowly, as you would in a theories passage. Read for fun, as you would read a pleasure book.


Double or Paired•Two separate passages covering related topics; may present similar or opposing views.•The last few questions about these passages ask you to compare or contrast the passages; usually the most difficult questions and time-consuming. Skip them unless you’re absolutely sure of the answer.

STRATEGIES FOR ANALOGIES

Make up a sentence that shows the relationship between the two words.

ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: Is a Type of:

Translate this into a sentence formula to create:

“A is a type of B”or

“A is a kind of B” or

“A is an example of B”

ANALOGIES“is a type of”

Emerald:gemAn emerald is a type of gem.

Cod:fish A cod is a type of fish.

Spoon:utensil A spoon is a type of utensil.

ANALOGIES“Type of”

BRONZE:METAL(A) iron:tin(B) oxygen:water(C) bead:necklace(D) weed:garden(E) hydrogen:gasE is correct

ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Is a Part of”:

Translate this into a sentence formula to create

“A is a part of the whole B”

ANALOGIES“is a part of”

Quarterback:team A quarterback is a part of the whole team.

Fish:school A fish is a part of the whole school.

Star:constellation A star is a part of the constellation.

ANALOGIES“Part of”

TREE:FOREST(A) hill:valley(B) leaf:bark(C) cat:animal(D) shoe:sock(E) flower:bouquetE is correct

ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP: “Is a Place

Where”:


“A is housed in B”

ANALOGIES“is a place where”

Airplane:hangar An airplane is housed in a hangar.

Paper:notebook Paper is stored in a notebook.

Bird:cage A bird is kept in a cage.

ANALOGIES“A place where”

ANIMALS:ZOO(A) earthworms:soil(B) artists:studio(C) bees:honey(D) fish:aquarium(E) skiers:lodgeD is correct

ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP: “Is Used to”:


“A is used to B”

ANALOGIES“is used to”

Pen:write A pen is used to write

.

Knife:cut A knife is used to cut.

Light bulb:illuminate A light bulb is used to illuminate.

ANALOGIES“Is Used to”

COMPASS:DIRECTION(A) skyscraper:height(B) thermometer:mercury(C) speedometer:route(D) radio:listeners(E) watch:time

E is correct

ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Degree of”:


“A is less intense than B”or

“A is more intense than B”

ANALOGIES“Degree of”

Jog:sprint A jog is less intense than a sprint.

Cool:frozen Cool is less intense than frozen.

Glad:ecstatic Glad is less intense than ecstatic.

ANALOGIES“Degree of”

CRUMB:BREAD(A) ounce:unit(B) splinter:wood(C) water:bucket(D) twine:rope(E) cream:butter

B is correct

ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP:

“Is a Characteristic of”:


“One characteristic of A is that it is B”

ANALOGIES“is a characteristic of”

Sap:sticky A characteristic of sap is that it is sticky.

Ice:cold A characteristic of ice is that it is cold.

Ball:round A characteristic of a ball is that it is round.

ANALOGIES“Characteristic of”

MISER:STINGY(A) laborer:idle(B) amateur:expert(C) coward:brave(D) liar:compulsive(E) dunce:ignorantE is correct

ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: Antonym:


“The opposite of A is B”

ANALOGIES“is the opposite of”

Ambiguous:clear The opposite of ambiguous is clear.

Diverge:merge The opposite of diverge is merge.

Diligent:careless The opposite of diligent is careless.

ANALOGIES“Opposite of”

VETERAN:ROOKIE(A) epic:story(B) comedian:amusement(C) bread:crumb(D) principal:school(E) old-timer:newcomer

E is correct

ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP: “Definition”:


“Another word for A is B”or

“A means the same as B”

ANALOGIES“definition”

Benevolent:kind Another word for benevolent is kind.

Malicious:mean Another word for malicious is mean.

Plain:ordinary Another word for plain is ordinary.

ANALOGIES“Definition”

CREST:WAVE(A) frame:picture(B) summit:mountain(C) step:ladder(D) floor:wall(E) delta:river

B is correct

MATH TIPS

• Bring a calculator.• The SAT doesn’t test calculus or

trigonometry.• Formulas are given at the end of

the directions.

MATH STRATEGIES

• Question Order: Easy to Medium to Hard

• Questions are rated 1 for easiest to 5 for the most difficult

• Typically, 18 of the 60 questions will have a difficulty rating of 4 or 5

MATH STRATEGIESMultiple Choice

•Read the problem through carefully and circle what the question is asking for.•Predict how hard the problem is or how time-consuming solving it will be.•Preview the answer choices.•Solve the problem forward and backward by plugging in the answers.

MATH STRATEGIESMultiple Choice

•Easy problems often have easy answers.•Eliminate illogical answer choices.•Don’t choose a “close enough” answer.•Don’t be afraid to skip.•Give your pencil a workout. Plug in numbers, write down formulas, and draw pictures.

MATH STRATEGIESGrid-in Answers

•Read the problem through and circle what the question is asking for.•Predict how hard the problem is or how time-consuming solving it will be.•Solve the problem, double- and triple-checking your equations and calculations.•Darken in your answer, being sure to put it in the form requested.

MATH STRATEGIESGrid-in Answers

AN IMPORTANT NOTE:There is no penalty for a wrong answer on the 10 grid-in math questions. These are the only questions on the test that can’t hurt you. Be sure to fill in something, anything, in case you get lucky and hit on the right answer.

MATH STRATEGIESQuantitative Comparison

•Solve for the quantity in column A•Solve for the quantity in column B•Compare the two quantities•Quantitative comparisons have no answer choice E. Do not fill in answer E under any circumstances.

MATH STRATEGIESQuantitative Comparison

•Choose A if the quantity in Column A is greater Column B.•Choose B if the quantity in Column B is greater than Column A. •Choose C if the quantity in Column A is equal to Column B.•Choose D if you don’t have enough information to determine the relationship between the quantities.

MATH STRATEGIESFOIL method of algebra

• To multiply algebraic expressions, use FOIL: First-Outer-Inner-Last.

• To reduce algebraic equations, use FOIL backward.

MATH STRATEGIESFOIL Expressions

MEMORIZE THESE 3 EXPRESSIONS:

(a + b)2 = a2 +2ab + b2

(a - b)2 = a2 -2ab + b2

(a - b) (a + b) = a2 – b2

MATH STRATEGIES

USING A CALCULATORRULE #1

• Don’t Over-use It!• Most questions can be solved

more quickly in your head.

MATH STRATEGIES


• Practice beforehand.• Make sure you are comfortable

using your calculator.

MATH STRATEGIES


• Set up the problem first.• Jot down the expression you are solving in your test booklet. It’s easy to forget one of the terms if you don’t

have the full expression written down.

MATH STRATEGIESUSING A CALCULATOR

RULE #4

• Check your calculator entries!• After you input each number, check

the display before you press the process key.

MATH STRATEGIES


• They are helpful but not required.

• Don’t grab your calculator every time you see a few numbers. Always look for the shortcuts.

GENERAL TIPS

FOR SAT SUCCESS

•Half right is average.•Wild guessing can hurt your score. Most questions subtract points for wrong answers.•Mark your answers in the booklet and on the grid.•Skip around within a section.•Double-check easy and medium questions and forget hard ones.•The SAT doesn’t test grammar or require an essay.

KEEP SMILING! SIX THINGS NOT TO DO

ON THE SAT1. Try to get the phone number of the stud/babe next

to you.2. Picture the test proctor naked.3. Clip your toenails and arrange them on your desk

to determine the number of degrees in the arc of a circle.

4. Swap underwear with your best friend during the break “for luck.”

5. Make rude noises, hoping to distract the other students and make your score look better in comparison to theirs.

6. Try to impress the babe/stud next to you by answering your cell phone with, “Yes, Mr. President? A matter of national security? I’ll be right there.”

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PREPARING FOR THE SAT