I. Important Facts About the SAT
What Is On the SAT?
It will include a student-written essay and a multiple-choice writing section testing student's ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, and improve paragraphs. Although grammar and usage will be tested, students will not be asked to define or use grammatical terms, and spelling and capitalization will not be tested. This essay section will be the first part of the test. The Math section will include arithmetic, geometry, algebra I, and some advanced math covering topics in Algebra II, statistics, probability, and data analysis. The test will measure reasoning ability and problem-solving skills. The other parts of the test will contain some long and shorter reading passages, a long paired passage, a short paired passage, and sentence completion questions.
How Will the Test Be Scored?
There will be a range of three scores each from 200–800 for the Writing, Math, and Critical Reading.
How Long Will the Test Be?
The total time of the test will be 3 hours and 45 minutes compared to 3 hours for the SAT.
What Verbal Background Must I Have?
The reading and vocabulary level is at the 10th- to 12th-grade level, but strategies presented in this book will help you even if you are at a lower grade level.
What Math Background Must I Have?
The Math part will test first- and second-year algebra (Algebra I and II) and geometry. However, if you use common sense and rely on just a handful of geometrical formulas and learn the strategies and thinking skills presented in this book, you don't need to take a full course in geometry or memorize all the theorems. If you have not taken algebra, you should still be able to answer many of the math questions using the strategies presented in this book.
Is Guessing Still Advisable?
Although there is a small penalty for wrong answers (1/4 point for 5-choice questions), in the long run, you break even if you guess or leave the answer blank. For a full explanation of why, see p. 61, Strategy 3. So it really will not affect your score in the long run if you guess or leave answers out. And, if you can eliminate an incorrect choice, it is imperative that you do not leave the answer blank.
Can I Use a Calculator on the Math Portion of the Test?
Students can continue to use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. While it is possible to solve every question without the use of a calculator, it is recommended that you use a calculator at least at the scientific level for the SAT.
Should I Take an Administered Actual SAT for Practice?
Yes, but only if you will learn from your mistakes by seeing what strategies you should have used on your exam. Taking the SAT merely for its own sake is a waste of time and may in fact reinforce bad methods and habits. Note that the SAT is released to students on their Question and Answer Service three times a year, usually in the January, May, and October administrations. It is wise to take exams on these dates if you wish to see your mistakes and correct them.
Can I Get Back the SAT with My Answers and the Correct Ones After I Take It? How Can I Make Use of This Service?
The SAT is disclosed (sent back to the student on request with a $16.00 payment) 3 of the 7 times it is given through the year. Very few people take advantage of this fact or use the disclosed SAT to see what mistakes they've made and what strategies they could have used on the questions. Check in your SAT information bulletin or log on to www.collegeboard.com for the dates this Question and Answer Service is available.
Should I Use Scrap Paper to Write on and to Do Calculations?
Always use your test booklet (not your answer sheet) to draw on. Many of my strategies expect you to label diagrams, draw and extend lines, circle important words and sentences, etc., so feel free to write anything in your booklet. The booklets aren't graded-just the answer sheets (see General Strategy 4, page 61).
Should I Be Familiar with the Directions to the Various Items on the SAT Before Taking the SAT?
Make sure you are completely familiar with the directions to each of the item types on the SAT-the directions for answering the Sentence Completions, the Reading, the Regular Math, and especially the Grid-Type (see General Strategy 2, page 60).
What Should a Student Bring to the Exam on the Test Date?
You should bring a few sharpened #2 pencils with erasers, and also your ID.
How Should a Student Pace Himself/Herself on the Exam? How Much Time Should One Spend on Each Question?
Calculate the time allowed for the particular section. For example, 25 minutes. Divide by the number of questions. For example, 20. That gives you an average of spending 11?4 minutes per question in this example. However, the first set of questions within an item type in a section are easier, so spend less than a minute on the first set of questions and perhaps more than a minute on the last set. With the reading passages you should give yourself only about 30 seconds a question and spend the extra time on the reading passages. Also, more difficult reading questions may take more time.
How Is the Exam Scored? Are Some Questions Worth More Points?
Each question is worth the same number of points. After getting a raw score-the number of questions right minus a penalty for wrong answers-this is equated to a "scaled" score from 200 to 800 in each of the Critical Reading, Math, and Writing sections. A scaled score of 500 in each part is considered "average."
It's 3 Days Until the SAT; What Can a Student Do to Prepare?
Make sure you are completely familiar with the structure of the test (page xxii), the basic math skills needed (pages 155–164), and the basic verbal skills, such as prefixes and roots (pages 352–356). Take a few practice tests and refresh your understanding of the strategies used to answer the questions (see page xxiii for the Four-Hour Study Program).
What Is the Most Challenging Type of Question on the Exam and How Does One Attack It?
Many questions, especially at the end of a section, on the test can be challenging. You should always attack challenging questions by using a specific strategy or strategies and common sense.
What Should a Student Do to Prepare on Friday Night? Cram? Watch TV? Relax?
On Friday night, I would just refresh my knowledge of the structure of the test, some strategies, and refresh some basic skills (verbal or math). You want to do this to keep the thinking going so that it is continual right up to the exam. Don't overdo it, just enough so that it's somewhat continuous-this will also relieve some anxiety, so that you won't feel you are forgetting things before the exam.
Should a Student Answer All Easy Questions First and Save Difficult Ones for Last?
The easy questions usually appear at the beginning of the section, the middle difficulty ones in the middle, and the hard ones toward the end. So I would answer the questions as they are presented to you, and if you find you are spending more than 30 seconds on a question and not getting anywhere, go to the next question. You may, however, find that the more difficult questions toward the end are actually easy for you because you have learned the strategies in this book.
What Is the Recommended Course of Study for Those Retaking the Exam?
Try to get a copy of the exam that you took if it was a disclosed one-the disclosed ones, which you have to send a payment for, are usually given in October, January, and May. Try to learn from your mistakes by seeing what strategies you could have used to get questions right. Certainly learn the specific strategies for taking your next exam.
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