About the SATAbout the SAT

What is it?What is it?

Reasoning and problem-solving test which Reasoning and problem-solving test which colleges use as an alignment tool with how colleges use as an alignment tool with how well you will do in college.well you will do in college.

This along with teacher recommendations This along with teacher recommendations and your high school records are key and your high school records are key factors for you to get in to college.factors for you to get in to college.

Not a measure of your ambition, desire, Not a measure of your ambition, desire, motivation, perseverance, courage, motivation, perseverance, courage, character, creativity…etc. character, creativity…etc.

What is on it?What is on it?

There are 10 sections on the SAT.There are 10 sections on the SAT.

1)Three math sections1)Three math sections

2) three critical reading sections2) three critical reading sections

3) three writing section3) three writing section

4) One experimental section4) One experimental section

The math sectionsThe math sections

Section 1: 25 minutes to complete 20 multiple Section 1: 25 minutes to complete 20 multiple choice questionschoice questions

Section 2: 25 minutes to complete 8 multiple Section 2: 25 minutes to complete 8 multiple choice questions and 10 student produced choice questions and 10 student produced questions.questions.

Section 3: 20 minutes to complete 16 multiple Section 3: 20 minutes to complete 16 multiple choice questions.choice questions.

Range of score: 200-800 pointsRange of score: 200-800 points

CalculatorsCalculators

Calculators should Calculators should absolutelyabsolutely be used but be used but try to not over use them. Unnecessary try to not over use them. Unnecessary time spent with the calculator can take up time spent with the calculator can take up some precious time.some precious time.

The two types of questionsThe two types of questions

Multiple choice- Multiple choice-

The 44 multiple choice questions consist of The 44 multiple choice questions consist of 5 choices. You must use your best 5 choices. You must use your best judgment to eliminate any answers that judgment to eliminate any answers that are, for lack of a better term, “nonsense.” are, for lack of a better term, “nonsense.” Some answers come from the many errors Some answers come from the many errors students make on the type of problem students make on the type of problem however, so BE CAREFUL!however, so BE CAREFUL!

Student producedStudent produced Open-ended questions which involve filling your answer in a grid. Open-ended questions which involve filling your answer in a grid. You can input fractions, decimals, or whole numbers into the grid. You can input fractions, decimals, or whole numbers into the grid. Machine is programmed to recognize all correct answers. Machine is programmed to recognize all correct answers. There are four columns that can be used, but unused should be left There are four columns that can be used, but unused should be left

blank. Answers in the boxes are not scored; they are just there to blank. Answers in the boxes are not scored; they are just there to help you fill in the ovals.help you fill in the ovals.

No need to reduce fractions unless they do not fit grid.No need to reduce fractions unless they do not fit grid. Furthermore, mixed numbers should not be inserted into the grid. Furthermore, mixed numbers should not be inserted into the grid. Repeating decimals must use entire grid and do not include a Repeating decimals must use entire grid and do not include a

leading zero for decimals. leading zero for decimals. No need to worry about negative answers No need to worry about negative answers or percent symbols.or percent symbols.

To guess or not to guess? That is a To guess or not to guess? That is a good questiongood question

For each correct answer you will achieve 1 point For each correct answer you will achieve 1 point to your “raw score.” to your “raw score.”

For each incorrect answer, you will lose one-For each incorrect answer, you will lose one-quarter of a point. If you can narrow it down to 2 quarter of a point. If you can narrow it down to 2 choices, it may be wise to guess.choices, it may be wise to guess.

Student produced questions are only Student produced questions are only beneficiary, so be sure to guess.beneficiary, so be sure to guess.

However, DO NOT try wild guessing.However, DO NOT try wild guessing.

Ten strategies to solving SAT Ten strategies to solving SAT problems:problems:

1) Sub-in1) Sub-in

-plug in values that are familiar and/or easy to work with.-plug in values that are familiar and/or easy to work with.

For example:For example:Of the U.S. Olympians who get a medal, three-fourths get a silver Of the U.S. Olympians who get a medal, three-fourths get a silver

medal, and one-fifth of the remaining get a bronze, what fraction get medal, and one-fifth of the remaining get a bronze, what fraction get a gold medal?a gold medal?

If we use a number we are familiar like 100. So, we are saying if there If we use a number we are familiar like 100. So, we are saying if there are 100 Americans who get a medal…are 100 Americans who get a medal…

Three-fourths get a silver - 3/4 of 100 = 75Three-fourths get a silver - 3/4 of 100 = 75

One-fifth of the remaining 25 get a bronze – 1/5 of 25 = 5One-fifth of the remaining 25 get a bronze – 1/5 of 25 = 5

So 20 out of our 100 get a gold – 20/100 = 1/5So 20 out of our 100 get a gold – 20/100 = 1/5

2: Backfill2: Backfill Backfill is basically plugging in the choices you get until Backfill is basically plugging in the choices you get until

one works. You will sometimes be given problems where one works. You will sometimes be given problems where this is an option.this is an option.

For example:For example:The sum of 2 times a number and one-half a number is 7.5.The sum of 2 times a number and one-half a number is 7.5.In this case you are looking for a number that would solve In this case you are looking for a number that would solve

the equation…the equation…

2x + .5x = 7.5 2x + .5x = 7.5

If it a multiple choice, you can plug choices in until it works. If it a multiple choice, you can plug choices in until it works. Choices: a) 4 b) 1 c) 3 d) 2.5 e) 0Choices: a) 4 b) 1 c) 3 d) 2.5 e) 0

A key method to making an educated guess if A key method to making an educated guess if you are not sure.you are not sure.

The idea is to get rid of any answers that don’t The idea is to get rid of any answers that don’t make sense.make sense.

For example: What represents the area of the blue section?For example: What represents the area of the blue section?

a) 8 - 2 x b) 8 - xa) 8 - 2 x b) 8 - x2 2

c) 16 - 2 x d) 16 - xc) 16 - 2 x d) 16 - x22

e) xe) x22 - 16 - 16

3: Scan the answers3: Scan the answers

4

x

4: Do not waste time on long 4: Do not waste time on long solutions:solutions:

Chances are, if you completing numerous Chances are, if you completing numerous steps to solve a problem, you missed the steps to solve a problem, you missed the point.point.

For example:For example:

Five consecutive integers add up to 1000, Five consecutive integers add up to 1000, what is the value of the largest integer?what is the value of the largest integer?

5: Fill in what you know5: Fill in what you know

If you are stuck on a problem, simply fill in If you are stuck on a problem, simply fill in and write down everything you know about and write down everything you know about it. This might make something click. it. This might make something click.

6: Recognize figure not drawn to 6: Recognize figure not drawn to scale:scale:

Do not assume anything unless it is given. Do not assume anything unless it is given. Some problems may be drawn to throw Some problems may be drawn to throw you off if you don’t recognize the “not you off if you don’t recognize the “not drawn to scale” next to the diagram.drawn to scale” next to the diagram.

AB = BC and B is 30AB = BC and B is 30oo

What is the value of m?What is the value of m?

A

BC

m

7: Test the extremes:7: Test the extremes:

If given a range of values, test the If given a range of values, test the extremes and the answer should be extremes and the answer should be obvious.obvious.

Example:Example:

If y = 4x – 3 and 0<x<3, what values is y If y = 4x – 3 and 0<x<3, what values is y between?between?

a)a) -3 and 9 b) -2 and 10 c) 0 and 12 -3 and 9 b) -2 and 10 c) 0 and 12

d) 1 and 5 e) 1 and 9d) 1 and 5 e) 1 and 9

8: Find a pattern8: Find a pattern

Example:Example: If x is a positive integer, which of the following If x is a positive integer, which of the following

cannot be the units digit of 7cannot be the units digit of 7xx??

a)a) 1 b) 3 c) 5 d) 7 e) 9 1 b) 3 c) 5 d) 7 e) 9

7711 = = 77: 7: 722 = 4 = 499: 7: 733 = 34 = 3433: 7: 744 = 2,40 = 2,4011: 7: 75 5 = 16,80= 16,8077: : 7766 = 117,64 = 117,6499 7 77 7 = 823,54= 823,5433 7 788 = 5,764,80 = 5,764,8011

9 and 10: 9 and 10: Do not be misled by generic Do not be misled by generic

answers and do the mathanswers and do the math Some problems will contain choices like “none of Some problems will contain choices like “none of

the above” or “all of the above.” If you are the above” or “all of the above.” If you are attempting a guess, do not guess these. These attempting a guess, do not guess these. These are only if you can clearly eliminate all other are only if you can clearly eliminate all other choices.choices.

When in doubt, just do the math. There are When in doubt, just do the math. There are some quick tricks to some problems, but it is in some quick tricks to some problems, but it is in fact a math test. They want to test your fact a math test. They want to test your knowledge of math, so you are better off knowledge of math, so you are better off spending the time doing the math instead of spending the time doing the math instead of searching for a trick.searching for a trick.

Other remindersOther reminders The material on the test involves problems from Algebra, The material on the test involves problems from Algebra,

Algebra II, and Geometry. Algebra II, and Geometry. The scratch work will be done in the test booklet (no The scratch work will be done in the test booklet (no

scrap paper allowed)scrap paper allowed)Remember:Remember:A calculator is good to use, but use it wisely. Don’t let it A calculator is good to use, but use it wisely. Don’t let it

steal your time. Also, remember that guessing can be a steal your time. Also, remember that guessing can be a smart choice sometimes. smart choice sometimes.

The SAT can be taken as many times as it is offered and a The SAT can be taken as many times as it is offered and a “good” score only depends on the school you want to “good” score only depends on the school you want to attend. attend.