The KAPLAN Method

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The KAPLAN Method

• A student guide for using KAPLAN strategies

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Why all the different KAPLAN methods?

• Standardized tests have predictable question
  types
• These question types are formulaic and yield to
  specific strategies
• Each question type has a corresponding strategy
• KAPLAN has researched the best methods for each
  question type

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How can KAPLAN methods help students to raise
test scores?

• Students have a definite place to start for each
  question so less time is lost trying to figure
  out what to do
• KAPLAN methods focus on identifying the most
  important elements of the question and answers
• The KAPLAN methods help students learn how to
  eliminate answer traps

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How do the KAPLAN methods work?

• Lets see one in action!

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The KAPLAN method for Analogies

• Build a Bridge (a relationship between the two
  words in the question stem)
• Test each answer pair and see if it matches the
  Bridge
• Adjust the Bridge if more than one answer is
  possible
• Lets see it in Action!

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Step 1- Build a bridge

• How would you describe the relationship between
  the following two words
• DOGPUPPY
• a dog is an adult puppy (word 1 is an adult word
  2)
• or
• a puppy is a young dog (word 2 is a young word 1)
• or
• dogs and puppies both are pets (word 1 2 both
  are)

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Either direction, but never both

• A strong bridge describes the definite, necessary
  relationship between the two words
• A weak bridge uses indefinite relationships such
  as maybe, sometimes, kind of or both are
• The order of the bridge matters (word 1 is _____
  word 2)

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Step 2- Test each answer in the
original bridge

• Which of the following answers have the same
  bridge (word 1 is an adult word 2)
• kitten catdolphin whaledonkey mule cow
  calfhusky shepherd

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We know why this answer is right, but why are the
others wrong?

• Question pairs must have a relationship so the
  right answer must also have a relationship
• Answers that reverse the order are traps
  (kittencat is reversed)
• Answers that are the same subject but dont have
  the same bridge are traps(husky shepherd)
• Answers where both words are the same are also
  traps (dolphin whale)

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3. Adjust the bridge if necessary

• It is sometimes necessary to further define the
  bridge
• For example SCALPEL SURGEON
• Word 1 is a tool used by word 2or
• Word 2 uses word 1 to cut

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Either bridge makes sense, but what if these were
the answer choices

• brush artist
• stethoscope nurse
• saw carpenter
• trowel mason
• typewriter secretary

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What if they all work?

• This is a situation where we will have to further
  define the bridge
• All of the previous answers fit the bridge word
  1 is a tool used by word 2
• The second bridge- word 2 uses word 1 to cut
  gives a more precise relationship and eliminates
  every answer choice but one

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Try it again

• SCALPELSURGEON
• brush artist
• stethoscope nurse
• saw carpenter
• trowel mason
• typewriter secretary

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The Best Answer- KAPLAN has it!

• Every question has one, and only one, right
  answer
• KAPLAN has developed proven methods to eliminate
  the wrong answers as well as choose the right
  answers
• The KAPLAN methods save valuable time and that
• Leads to higher scores!