PREPARING FOR THE SAT

1. PREPARING FOR THE SAT

2. 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

3. WHAT’S ON THE SAT?

4. WHAT’S ON THE SAT? *Student-Produced Answers

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. CRITICAL READING • Consider reading the questions before reading the passage. • Answer the questions based on the passage (not on your knowledge of the subject).

14. CRITICAL READING • Be positive or neutral, not negative. • Choose answers containing key words. • Be wishy-washy, not dramatic. • Correct answers are usually above or below the key words or indicated line numbers.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. CRITICAL READINGTypes of Passages • 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.

19. CRITICAL READINGTypes of Passages • 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.

20. CRITICAL READINGTypes of Passages • 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.

21. CRITICAL READINGTypes of Passages • 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.

22. STRATEGIES FOR ANALOGIES Make up a sentence that shows the relationship between the two words.

23. 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”

24. ANALOGIES“is a type of” Emerald:gem An emerald is a type of gem. Cod:fish A cod is a type of fish. Spoon:utensil A spoon is a type of utensil.

25. ANALOGIES“Type of” • BRONZE:METAL • iron:tin • oxygen:water • bead:necklace • weed:garden • hydrogen:gas E is correct

26. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Is a Part of”: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “A is a part of the whole B”

27. 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.

28. ANALOGIES“Part of” • TREE:FOREST • hill:valley • leaf:bark • cat:animal • shoe:sock • flower:bouquet E is correct

29. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Is a Place Where”: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “A is housed in B”

30. 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.

31. ANALOGIES“A place where” • ANIMALS:ZOO • earthworms:soil • artists:studio • bees:honey • fish:aquarium • skiers:lodge D is correct

32. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Is Used to”: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “A is used to B”

33. 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.

34. ANALOGIES“Is Used to” • COMPASS:DIRECTION • skyscraper:height • thermometer:mercury • speedometer:route • radio:listeners • watch:time E is correct

35. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Degree of”: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “A is less intense than B”or “A is more intense than B”

36. 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.

37. ANALOGIES“Degree of” • CRUMB:BREAD • ounce:unit • splinter:wood • water:bucket • twine:rope • cream:butter B is correct

38. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Is a Characteristic of”: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “One characteristic of A is that it is B”

39. 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.

40. ANALOGIES“Characteristic of” • MISER:STINGY • laborer:idle • amateur:expert • coward:brave • liar:compulsive • dunce:ignorant E is correct

41. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: Antonym: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “The opposite of A is B”

42. 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.

43. ANALOGIES“Opposite of” • VETERAN:ROOKIE • epic:story • comedian:amusement • bread:crumb • principal:school • old-timer:newcomer E is correct

44. ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP: “Definition”: Translate this into a sentence formula to create “Another word for A is B”or “A means the same as B”

45. 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.

46. ANALOGIES“Definition” • CREST:WAVE • frame:picture • summit:mountain • step:ladder • floor:wall • delta:river B is correct

47. MATH TIPS • Bring a calculator. • The SAT doesn’t test calculus or trigonometry. • Formulas are given at the end of the directions.

48. 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

49. 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.

50. 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.