PSAT/SAT Prep

1. PSAT/SAT Prep Introduction

2. Why are you here? Why are you taking this class today? There are many levels on which you could answer the question. Consider long-term goals associated with SAT performance when you answer the question.

3. Why are you here? So, what are some of your reasons?

4. Why am I here? Conjecture on the reasons why I am here.

5. SAT – What do you know? Let’s discuss facts and commonly-held opinions concerning the SAT. What do you already “know” about the SAT and the PSAT?

6. SAT – What do you NEED to know? What do you need to do, what mindset do you need to have to be successful on the SAT? What do you think that it takes to be successful on the SAT? And what IS success on the SAT?

7. SAT Success – It’s a Mindset • Questionnaires to 561 students with a 1600. • Questionnaires to a similar number of students with 1000-1200

8. Self-Motivated Intellectually Curious Read Voluminously Voraciously Interestedly Passionate Create Luck Find Support Success in Life SAT Success – It’s a Mindset

9. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Time Studying • Perfect-Score Student – 10 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 9 hours/week

10. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Pleasure Reading • Perfect-Score Student – 5 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 4 hours/week

11. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • School Reading • Perfect-Score Student – 9 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 4 hours/week • This difference is statistically significant.

12. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • TV Watching • Perfect-Score Student – 4 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 5 hours/week

13. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Computer Use • Perfect-Score Student – 6 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 8 hours/week

14. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Sports • Perfect-Score Student – 7 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 9 hours/week

15. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Socializing • Perfect-Score Student – 8 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 14 hours/week • This difference is statistically significant.

16. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Clubs • Perfect-Score Student – 6 hours/week • Average-Score Student – 7 hours/week

17. Perfect vs. Average –The Difference • Work • Perfect-Score Student – 9 hours/week (based on 25% who worked) • Average-Score Student – 20 hours/week (based on 62% who worked) • This difference is statistically significant.

18. Perfect vs. Average –The Conclusion • What differences are statistically significant? • Perfect-Score Students read more school-assigned reading, and socialized and worked less. • Need to make any decisions?

19. Perfect-Score Students –The Advice • Read everything. • Buy SAT books and take practice tests. • Realize that it is only a test. • Memorize vocabulary. • The night before, SLEEP, don’t STUDY.

20. Perfect-Score Students –The Advice • Pace yourself. • Identify and focus on weaknesses. • Double-check your work. • Study early (preferably a year before). • Take a prep course.

21. Conclusion • Read. • Read. • READ! • Practice. • Learn Vocabulary.