SATBlog

• Remember that each of the correct answers is worth 10 points
• Remember that the questions increase in difficulty by thirds within each section

SENTENCE COMPLETION

• Be sure and look for the clue words (words that show an action or have an importance) in the sentence that will point you to the correct answer
• Remember to be alert for words of contrast such as but, although, in spite of, etc. ? these words change the direction or flow of the sentences

READING COMPREHENSION

• Remember to read questions first
• In the case of the comparative reading passages, remember that the first third of the questions are descriptive questions about passage number one, the second third of the questions are descriptive questions about passage number two, and the last third are comparative questions. So read the first third of the questions over then read passage number one, then read the rest the questions over and read passage number two and answer the rest of the questions.
• Remember that frequently they ask you questions that about what both authors of the compared passages would agree on. In this case look for answers that anyone would agree to…sort of a “duh” answer.
• If you can narrow the answers to main idea questions down to two, frequently you can distinguish which is the better answer by reading the first of the passage over and the last of the passage over. This usually indicates the main idea of the passage.
• Be aware of the fact there will usually be at least one minority passage and that negative answers can be ruled out in the case of this passage.

MATH

• Remember with percentage problems that it frequently helps to do your addition and subtraction on the percentage side.
• Remember with word problems that you must get the numbers out of the words as you read the problem.
• Remember that in the case of simultaneous equations which or stacked up or side by side you must focus on the targets, i.e. what you’re looking for and then the decide how to manipulate the equations to get to that goal.
• In the case of word problems that have simultaneous equations embedded in them, remember to determine who or what you’re looking for, put everything in those terms, and solve.In the case of made up functions, remember to focus on the new instructions - orders that you’re given and follow them, substituting the values for the variables.
• When you see triangles, remember that if they’re asking you questions about triangles, they usually can be attacked this way: 1 - if the triangle contains a 90 degree angle look and see if you can get the answer best by solving for area or use the Pythagorean theorem to solve the question 2 - if they’re asking questions that have to do with angles, they are usually centered around the fact there are 180 degrees in a triangle 3 - if they don’t give you any angles, they are usually asking if you remember that the sum of any two sides of the triangle must exceed the third side.
• Remember that questions about circles nearly always have something to do with the radius or the diameter.
• In the case of volume questions, remember that volume is usually simply area times height.
• If questions have to do with coordinate points on a graph, remember to plot them carefully to determine the distance between the points.
• Remember that with a change in average problem you must work with the totals that the averages generate.
• Remember that the mode is the most frequent or common score or value.
• Remember that the median is the midpoint, i.e. half of the values or scores are above it and half of the values or scores are below it.
• Remember to look for the special sequences that he SAT asks for: 1 Special sequences where they ask questions about the ones or the units values of numbers that are being raised to different powers. Remember that the sequence repeats. 2  Sequences where they give you an odd number of consecutive integers and ask questions around the fact that the sum or the product of those integers is zero.
• Remember in the quantitative comparison section, if they give you very little or no boundaries on the variables involved “D” is the answer you have to talk yourself out of, i.e. your first consideration.
• Remember a digit is a counting number (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9).
• Remember an integer is a positive and negative whole number and ZERO.

One of the ways they try to distract you is by trivializing the Scoring . They tell you that you get one point for every answer you get correct. Answers you skip won’t count for you or against you. Answers you miss will count 1/4 of a point off. You take the test thinking the questions are only worth one point, so it becomes easy to dismiss questions since a perfect score equals 800 points.

But think about it. There are only 67 questions in the verbal SAT! There are only 54 questions in the math test and only 49 in the writing skills section! So there’s absolutely no way the questions can be worth only one point. When you take the test, think of every question being worth 10- 15 points each.

This brings us to Guessing versus skipping questions. There is a technical rule of thumb for guessing. The rule is that if you can eliminate any of the answer choices, guess. Let’s say you do a reading passage, you get three of five questions wrong and two of them right, you’re one and a quarter points (or 12.5 actually) up. When practicing the test absolutely guess. First, that’s the only way to get better at reasoning out answers that you don’t know you know, you only think you know. Secondly, it’s the only way to find out where you are good at guessing and where you don’t do it well. Last, but not least, this will help you tune into that little voice that can lead you to some correct answers. You want to be able to “feel” that some on the answers are right. Your intuition can help you steal a few points. Learn to listen to your little voice — that little whisper or feeling that you get about answer choices or word meanings because that’s a crucial idea in getting those last few points you need to beat this test.

The score you’re shooting for also determines your Guessing Strategy. Choose the range of score you want. Up to 1500, you want to be conservative and focus on the questions you know you know. 1500 to 1800, you need to be more aggressive and go after questions you feel uncomfortable with. 1800 and up you have to answer everything except those you have absolutely o clue as to which might be the correct answer.

Sometimes blatant hypocrisy stares us in the face and yet we fail to really see it. The College Board continues to say preparation for the SAT will only get you a few points, if that. Through the years they have repeatedly said that preparing for the test is a waste of money and time.

Yet when you go to their website you will read that their SAT preparation program is available for $69.95. Look at that again…..$65.95!

They must be selling something which is of value, otherwise they are taking advantage of you. Which is it?

(I know I should link to them, but I am in the test preparation business and they are clearly competitors!)

JUNIOR YEAR SCHEDULE

September — Inquire about the  PSAT date, time, & place.

October — Take the PSAT

December – Get the results of the PSAT, read your score, consult school counselor or any private advisor to determine how you might improve.  This can be an excellent time to begin preparation for your SAT and ACT.

January — Register for the SAT and SAT IIs and the ACT. Begin to make a preliminary list of which colleges you would like to attend. Get your social security number.

February — Meet with your school counselor to prepare a more specific list of colleges to explore.

March, April, May, — take SAT, ACT., etc.

March — Write to colleges on your list and evaluate the literature sent to you.

April — When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue challenging yourself.  Look into summer jobs.

May — Attend a college fair.  In May or June take the SAT II subject tests if appropriate.  Take Advanced Placement exams if appropriate.  Make wise use of your summer.  This is a good time to begin working on college essays.

SENIOR YEAR SCHEDULE

September — Sign up for October and November SATs, ACTs, and SAT IIs  if  necessary.  Meet with school counselor to be sure that your college list is compatible with your academic and personal records.  Write to the colleges still on your list and request applications.  Plan visits to colleges.

October — .  Take the SAT, SAT II, and ACT test.  Attended annual college fairs investigating and making contact with those colleges to which you’ll probably apply.  Begin putting together information needed for applications.  This is the time to be finishing up your college essays.  If applying for early admission send application at the end of this month.

November — take the SAT, ACT., SAT II tests.  Continue filing applications.  If appropriate, obtain your financial aid form.

December — Take any remaining tests that are necessary.  Be sure all your college applications are filed.  Remember to keep working on your grades throughout your senior year!

January — Be sure your transcripts for your first semester grades are sent to the colleges to which you have applied.

February, March, April — Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time.

May — Take Advanced Placement exams if appropriate.  Request that your counselor send your final transcript to the college you will attend.

Howdy from Dallas.  If you have visited before, you will see that the site has changed a bit and that we have lost previous entries. I wish i could blame that on someone else, but I got frustrated upgrading and just decided to start all over.  Since there were only about 10 entries, I’ll replace them shortly.

This blog is about college entrance tests.  The Study Hall Blog will address the tests in general, but that blog will address much broader issues….like choosing colleges, getting into colleges, scholastic success, and my ideas and thoughts.

So bookmark or track this page for tips and techniques for beating the tests.