PREPARING

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
WHATS ON THE SAT?
4
WHATS 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 dont forget, if you can rule out
  any choices, you probably should guess.
• Dont panic if you cant 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 dont 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. Dont 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.
  Cant 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 writers 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.
• Dont 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 youre 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 Bor A is a kind of B
or A is an example of B
24
ANALOGIESis a type of
Emeraldgem An emerald is a type of
gem. Codfish A cod is a type of
fish. Spoonutensil A spoon is a type of utensil.
25
ANALOGIESType of

• BRONZEMETAL
• irontin
• oxygenwater
• beadnecklace
• weedgarden
• hydrogengas

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
ANALOGIESis a part of
Quarterbackteam A quarterback is a part of
the whole team. Fishschool A fish is a part
of the whole school. Starconstellation A
star is a part of the constellation.
28
ANALOGIESPart of

• TREEFOREST
• hillvalley
• leafbark
• catanimal
• shoesock
• flowerbouquet

E is correct
29
ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP Is a Place Where
Translate this into a sentence formula to create
A is housed in B
30
ANALOGIESis a place where
Airplanehangar An airplane is housed in a
hangar. Papernotebook Paper is stored in a
notebook. Birdcage A bird is kept in a
cage.
31
ANALOGIESA place where

• ANIMALSZOO
• earthwormssoil
• artistsstudio
• beeshoney
• fishaquarium
• skierslodge

D is correct
32
ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP Is Used to
Translate this into a sentence formula to create
A is used to B
33
ANALOGIESis used to
Penwrite A pen is used to write . Knife
cut A knife is used to cut. Light
bulbilluminate A light bulb is used to
illuminate.
34
ANALOGIESIs Used to

• COMPASSDIRECTION
• skyscraperheight
• thermometermercury
• speedometerroute
• radiolisteners
• watchtime

E is correct
35
ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP Degree of
Translate this into a sentence formula to create
A is less intense than Bor A is more intense
than B
36
ANALOGIESDegree of
Jogsprint A jog is less intense than a
sprint. Coolfrozen Cool is less intense than
frozen. Gladecstatic Glad is less intense
than ecstatic.
37
ANALOGIESDegree of

• CRUMBBREAD
• ounceunit
• splinterwood
• waterbucket
• twinerope
• creambutter

B is correct
38
ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP Is a Characteristic
of
Translate this into a sentence formula to create
One characteristic of A is that it is B
39
ANALOGIESis a characteristic of
Sapsticky A characteristic of sap is that
it is sticky. Icecold A characteristic of
ice is that it is cold. Ballround A
characteristic of a ball is that it is round.
40
ANALOGIESCharacteristic of

• MISERSTINGY
• laboreridle
• amateurexpert
• cowardbrave
• liarcompulsive
• dunceignorant

E is correct
41
ANALOGIESRELATIONSHIP Antonym
Translate this into a sentence formula to create
The opposite of A is B
42
ANALOGIESis the opposite of
Ambiguousclear The opposite of ambiguous is
clear. Divergemerge The opposite of diverge
is merge. Diligentcareless The opposite of
diligent is careless.
43
ANALOGIESOpposite of

• VETERANROOKIE
• epicstory
• comedianamusement
• breadcrumb
• principalschool
• old-timernewcomer

E is correct
44
ANALOGIES RELATIONSHIP Definition
Translate this into a sentence formula to create
Another word for A is Bor A means the same as
B
45
ANALOGIESdefinition
Benevolentkind Another word for benevolent
is kind. Maliciousmean Another word for
malicious is mean. Plainordinary Another
word for plain is ordinary.
46
ANALOGIESDefinition

• CRESTWAVE
• framepicture
• summitmountain
• stepladder
• floorwall
• deltariver

B is correct
47
MATH TIPS

• Bring a calculator.
• The SAT doesnt 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.
• Dont choose a close enough answer.
• Dont be afraid to skip.
• Give your pencil a workout. Plug in numbers,
  write down formulas, and draw pictures.

51
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.

52
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
cant hurt you. Be sure to fill in something,
anything, in case you get lucky and hit on the
right answer.
53
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.

54
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 dont have enough information to
  determine the relationship between the quantities.

55
MATH STRATEGIESFOIL method of algebra

• To multiply algebraic expressions, use FOIL
  First-Outer-Inner-Last.
• To reduce algebraic equations, use FOIL backward.

56
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

57
MATH STRATEGIES

• USING A CALCULATOR
• RULE 1
• Dont Over-use It!
• Most questions can be solved more quickly in your
  head.

58
MATH STRATEGIES

• USING A CALCULATOR
• RULE 2
• Practice beforehand.
• Make sure you are comfortable
• using your calculator.

59
MATH STRATEGIES

• USING A CALCULATOR
• RULE 3
• Set up the problem first.
• Jot down the expression you are solving in your
  test booklet. Its easy to forget one of the
  terms if you dont have the full expression
  written down.

60
MATH STRATEGIES

• USING A CALCULATOR
• RULE 4
• Check your calculator entries!
• After you input each number, check the display
  before you press the process key.

61
MATH STRATEGIES

• USING A CALCULATOR
• RULE 5
• They are helpful but not required.
• Dont grab your calculator every time you see a
  few numbers. Always look for the shortcuts.

62
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 doesnt test grammar or require an essay.

63
KEEP SMILING! SIX THINGS NOT TO DO ON THE SAT

• Try to get the phone number of the stud/babe next
  to you.
• Picture the test proctor naked.
• Clip your toenails and arrange them on your desk
  to determine the number of degrees in the arc of
  a circle.
• Swap underwear with your best friend during the
  break for luck.
• Make rude noises, hoping to distract the other
  students and make your score look better in
  comparison to theirs.
• Try to impress the babe/stud next to you by
  answering your cell phone with, Yes, Mr.
  President? A matter of national security? Ill be
  right there.