Understanding The SAT and Test-Taking Strategies

1. Understanding The SAT and Test-Taking Strategies

2. The SAT Up Close • Purpose • Format • Order of Difficulty • Scoring System

3. Purpose of the SAT College Admissions • provides a “standardized” score to help admission officers make selection decisions Competition • students use SAT to win scholarships • National Merit Scholarships (>$26M/year)

4. SAT Format

5. What is your score goal?You Don’t Need to Answer Every Question You need to know the score you want and what it takes to achieve it. Make sure you don’t skip too many questions.

6. SAT Scoring SystemDesigned to eliminate the benefits of random guessing +1 point for every correct answer 0 points for every question not answered - .25 point for every multiple choice question missed 0 points for a wrong grid-in math question Theoretically guessing on 5 questions will result in a net score of 0 (1 - .25 -.25 -.25 -.25 = 0 )

7. Order of Difficulty • The SAT ranks questions • Easy, Medium, and Hard to answer • Questions generally start easy and then get harder. • Except critical reading passage-based questions and Improving Paragraphs writing questions • Easy questions count as much as hard questions !!! Understanding the order of difficulty can be a huge advantage if your goal is 600 or less in any section. Focusing your time on the easy/medium questions gives you more time per question.

8. Order of DifficultyApproximate distribution of questions Level of difficulty within question types go from easy to hard. The exceptions are the passage-based critical reading and improving paragraphs writing questions where the difficulty level has no real pattern.

9. General SAT Test-Taking Strategies • Set score goal and the steps to achieve it • Know the directions • Think with your pencil • Realize the questions get harder (Difficulty level) • Know your speed and control it • Answer those questions first that are easiest for you • write answers on test next to question number • mark questions you don’t know (x or ?) • Know when to guess • Work the whole time and don’t panic. Remember 1 = 10

10. Score on a real Test Focus on weakest skills Performance in all areas Individual Skill Feedback Report

11. SENTENCE COMPLETION QUESTIONS Student’s Usual Strategy Plug in answer choices until they find one they think fits Preferred Strategy Use clues to find the definition within the sentence & anticipate the answer

12. TYPES OF SENTENCE COMPLETION QUESTIONS Definitional – sentence contains the definition Contrast – subordinate clauses change the direction of the sentence Cause and Effect – key word signal a resulting effect (because, due to, as a result of, in order to) Synonym – continuation of a matching thought ( since, furthermore, and)

13. What Is The Missing Word? • Find the question within the question…..what is the blank referring to in the sentence? • What part of the sentence are you being asked to clarify? • This process is essential to finding the key word or phrase that will lead students to the answer.

14. “LANDMARKS” What question is the blank asking? • Punctuation , ; • Contrast Words • Although, however, but • Similar Words • Since, therefore, and • Sentence Structure _____, _____; _____is _____and “Landmarks” help you find the definition within the sentence.

15. Fill In The Blank Strategy • Do NOT look at the answers until after you work the sentence. • Your task is to find the DEFINITION in the sentence. • Read the sentence looking for “landmarks” • Use the definition to help you to put your own word in the blank. • Now look at the answer choices.

16. FINDING THE ANSWER Three things can happen now… • The word you put in the blank is one of the answers. • A synonym for the word you put in the blank is there. • None of the answers match the word you put in the blank.

17. BACKING INTO THE RIGHT ANSWER If none of the answers match the word you put in the blank… • Try to eliminate answers that you know don’t mean the word you put in the blank. • Use prefix and roots. • Try to eliminate three answers before guessing. • Read the two remaining answers for “sound”. If all else fails, skip the question! Is the question in the last 1/3 of the Sentence Completion Questions?

18. SENTENCE COMPLETION Although I appreciate his romantic dreams, he is _______, because they are unrealistic. Try the strategy. • robust • commendable (C) practical (D) remediable (E) quixotic

19. “TWO BLANKS” Questions • Work on one blank at a time • Use either strategy • Check the answers for that answer position. • Two or three of the answer choices may be eliminated. • Now switch to the 2nd blank if needed. Make sure you line out answers you’ve eliminated

20. Positive and Negative StrategyUse this if you can’t plug in a word Use positive (+) and negative (-) connotations This strategy can be particularly useful for questions with two blanks. Although the British public once _______ Prince Edward VIII, the would-be king who renounced his claim to the throne in order to marry a commoner, recent revelations about the Prince’s Nazi sympathies during World War II have _____ such positive feelings. • revered..assuaged • ridiculed..alleviated • dismissed..enhanced • loved..augmented • admired..minimized + — Answer: E

21. American pioneers moved west with tremendous hope, but often only ____ awaited them, given the ____ realities of the new land.(A) excitement..bleak(B) disillusionment..harsh(C) success..strenuous(D) surprise..golden(E) failure..abundant Try The Strategies Answer: B

22. Critical Reading Passages • What are the two words students always use to describe reading passages? • Students need a strategy to stay focused. • Students must recognize the types of questions being asked. Remember The only reason you’re reading the passage is to answer the questions

23. Types of Reading Passages • Single Long passages • Paired Long Passages • Single Short Passages • Paired Short Passages Passages range in length from about 100 words (short passages) to about 850 passages (long passages). Passages typically come from social studies, natural sciences, humanities, and literary fiction.

24. Quick answers Specific Detail Vocabulary Main Idea Tone More thoughtful answers Inference Attitude TYPES OF QUESTIONS

25. HOW QUESTIONS ARE WORDED Specific Detail • Primarily in order to • Functions to

26. HOW QUESTIONS ARE WORDED Vocabulary in context questions Treat like a sentence Completion problem On line 36 the word “ameliorate” most nearly means

27. HOW QUESTIONS ARE WORDED Main Idea • The primary purpose of the passage…

28. HOW QUESTIONS ARE WORDED Inference Questions • Suggests • Inferred • Implied • Feels • Seems

29. HOW QUESTIONS ARE WORDED Tone and Attitude These questions typically just have the words in the question.

30. For some very small animals, survival means existing in a state that conventional biology defines as death.Which of the following is the primary concern of the author?(A) redefining the significance of death(B) giving specific examples of animals that do not die(C) calling into question traditional definitions of death(D) announcing the discovery of a new species of animal (E) attacking biology texts as erroneous and inadequate Just The Facts

31. 3 Strategies for Reading Long Passages These are 3 different approaches to attacking the Critical Reading passages. Students can try each one and see which one works best • Read the passage then answer the questions • Read the passage paragraph by paragraph (Chunking) • Answer the questions associated with the paragraph (line refs) • Read each question (not the answers) and annotate the part of the passage associated with that question • Use line number references. • Continue through the passage • Read the passage, focusing on annotated areas

32. Annotate The Passage Use the line cues to show you where to focus Read the question – NOT the answers • Circle or underline vocabulary words • Bracket lines & include “notes” to remind you of what to focus on. • Mark the line cue of the last question – there may be no need to read beyond that line! This Should Take About 3-4 Minutes Now Read the Passage and Answer the Questions

33. Divide And Conquer Paired Passages • Most students will try to read both passages and then answer the questions • The second passage is what’s in short-term memory • The initial questions relate to the first passage • Divide And Conquer • Read Passage one, answer questions pertaining to the passage – use line number cues • Read Passage two, answer questions pertaining to the passage • Answer the compare and contrast type questions When reading the Passages use one of the three long passage reading strategies

34. Short Reading Passages • Single Passages • Read the passage, then answer the questions • Paired Passages • Use the divide and conquer strategy if possible • Many of these questions are like analogies

35. SAT Math It’s Not Just About Numbers!

36. Use Logic to Answer Math Questions All problems are designed to be answered without a calculator. This is a level 5 (hard) that can be answered with no calculations A sock drawer contains 15 pairs of colored socks. There are 5 blue, 5 white, and 5 red pairs of socks. Without looking, what is the fewest number of pairs that can be taken from the drawer to ensure that there are at least 4 pairs are of the same color taken? • 3 • 5 • 6 • 9 • 10 Answer: E

37. There’s Only One Right AnswerLearn to Eliminate the Wrong Ones Using Basic Math Facts If abc < 0, which of the following could be values for a, b and c, respectively? • 0, 3, 5 • 1, 2, 3 • 5, -3, -7 • -2, 5, -6 • -2, -3, -4 Answer: E

38. Words Matter on the SAT If (2-x)(y-2) = 0, Which of the following can be true? • x = 2 • y = 2 • x = y • None • I only • II only • I and II only • I, II, and III Answer: E

39. Words Matter on the SAT If (2-x)(y-2) = 0, Which of the following must be true? • x = 2 • y = 2 • x = y • None • I only • II only • I and II only • I, II, and III Answer: A

40. The Answer is There Use The Backsolving Strategy To Find It The sum of 3 consecutive even integers is 120. What is the largest integer? • 36 • 38 • 40 • 42 • 44 • Strategy • Use the answer choices to solve the problem or set up the problem • Always start with (C) • If (C) isn’t the right answer • Determine if (C) was too large or too small • If too small – Eliminate (A), (B) and (C) and then try (D). If (D) isn’t the answer, (E) is • If too large - Eliminate (C), (D) and (E) and then try (B). If (B) isn’t the answer, (A) is Answer: D

41. Try Plugging In Numbers • 3 • 6 • 12 • 18 • 24 • Strategy: • Pick a number that can easily “plug in”. • Be aware of constraints (x>0) • For percentage problems start with 100 • Plug in the number(s) you chose into the problem and solve the problem • Plug in the number(s) to each answer choice • If only one answer choice matches the problem-that’s the answer • If more than one (or no) answer choice matches the problem – plug in another number Answer: D

42. Geometry What is the area of the square ABCD? • 6 • 12 • 18 • 24 • 36 Figure not drawn to scale Answer: B

43. Special FunctionsAKA Math Problems Kids Have Never Seen! Answer: D

44. Educated Guessing • If 3a = -27 and ac = 3, what is the value of c? • 3 • 2/3 • 1/3 • -1/3 • -3 Answer: D

45. SAT Writing Section

46. Key Points to the Essay Rubric • Have a point of view • Don’t be “wishy-washy” • Support your point of view • Use appropriate examples • Personal experience or observations (Personal Essay) • Literature or classroom studies (Academic Essay) • Have a conclusion • Be organized -Stay on topic • Vocabulary - Use apt vocabulary, not “50¢” words • Sentence Structure – Use varied sentence structure • Most students write in short, declarative sentences • Grammar • Essay doesn’t have to be error free but serious errors, such as punctuation, verb tense and subject/verb agreement, will be penalized

47. How To Approach The Essay The Essay consists of two components • The prompt • A boxed excerpt or quote • Designed to stimulate thoughts on the subject • Problem: it can confuse you or slant you to write about the prompt • Solution: skip the prompt if at all possible • The assignment • This is the “money” component • It asks the student a question • underline the question • This is the question you must answer in your essay

48. Two Minutes, Two Decisions 25 minutes is not very long to write an essay so time management is critical. • Decision One – Agree or Disagree? • Decide your point of view on the subject • If you have a strong opinion – GREAT • No point of view – get one and stick to it • There is no right or wrong point of view • Decision Two – Academic or Personal Essay? • What example will support the point of view • Students know themselves – shoot for the personal essay first • School, home, sports, boyfriend/girlfriend, volunteer work • Academic essays can be history, literature, or current events • Only one example is needed • One is hard enough – multiple examples make for difficult transitions • Jot down thoughts in the test booklet to make a rough outline

49. Tips On Writing a High-Scoring Essay • Start with a quote • It gets you writing • Can grab the reader’s attention “Well, what do you want to do now?” Joey demanded. • Use one, well supported example • Easier to fully develop a single example • Use internal questions • Helps to show insight • “Should I stay or run?” I asked myself. I vacillated because if I stayed I’d get in trouble but if I ran everybody would call me a coward.

50. Tips On Writing a High-Scoring Essay • Vary Sentence Structure • Use parallel structure followed by a short, punchy sentence • Even though I knew I’d get caught, even though I knew I’d get suspended, my friend needed my help. So I stayed. • Always have a conclusion to reinforce your point of view and show insight. • “In conclusion …” NO!! • What did you learn? This shows insight. • “This shows that it is…, I learned that…” • “We did get caught and I was suspended for a week. However, Joey was safely at his mother’s. This taught me that sometimes you do need to sacrifice your own goals for the benefit of others.”