Quick Summary
This guide by Jerry Bobrow provides a comprehensive preparation strategy for the revised SAT and PSAT, focusing on specific testing techniques researched at leading universities. It covers critical reading, mathematics, and writing, including an essay, detailing effective approaches for various question formats like multiple-choice and grid-ins. The book outlines tactical systems such as the plus-minus method and elimination strategies, emphasizing active reading, strategic problem-solving, and error identification. Through timed practice tests and detailed answer explanations, the guide aims to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to achieve high scores by understanding the abilities tested and utilizing consistent practice and review.
Key Ideas
A comprehensive strategy is essential for achieving high scores on the SAT and PSAT.
Effective test-taking involves specific tactical systems for different question types.
Mastery of critical reading, mathematics, and writing (including an essay) is crucial for exam success.
Consistent practice, detailed review, and analysis of recurring errors are key to improvement.
Understanding question formats and actively avoiding common pitfalls are vital for optimal performance.
Introduction to the SAT/PSAT Exam Structure
This section introduces the comprehensive preparation strategy needed for the revised SAT and PSAT. It highlights a direct, user-friendly guide focusing on specific testing techniques developed at leading universities. The emphasis is on understanding each section's abilities and maintaining a consistent practice and review cycle for high scores.
Jerry Bobrow explains that the revised SAT and PSAT require a comprehensive preparation strategy to achieve high scores.
General Test Description and Changes
The exam spans nearly four hours, covering writing, critical reading, and mathematics. Key changes include the removal of verbal analogies and quantitative comparisons, along with the addition of an essay and advanced Algebra II. The format incorporates multiple-choice, math grid-ins, and short reading passages.
Overall Approaches for Multiple-Choice Questions
Successful multiple-choice strategies include the plus-minus method, prioritizing easy questions and marking harder ones for later. An elimination strategy helps by crossing out incorrect options. To prevent misreads, circle the specific question requirement. For complex multiple-multiple-choice questions, evaluate each statement to eliminate incorrect groups.
Critical Reading Section Strategies
The critical reading section assesses vocabulary, comprehension, and contextual understanding through sentence completions and passages. For completions, pre-think answers and use signal words to identify relationships. For passages, engage in active reading, marking main points, and preread questions to pinpoint key details. Always ensure answers are directly supported by the text.
The author highlights the importance of active reading, which involves marking main points and conclusions while ignoring outside information.
Mathematics Section Strategies
The math section covers operations, algebra, geometry, and statistics. Strategies include circling required values, extracting data from word problems, and working forwards or backwards by testing choices. For algebra, substitute simple integers for variables, and for geometry, sketch diagrams. Always check for reasonableness and use elimination.
Grid-In Question Techniques
Grid-in questions require student-produced responses. Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions or decimals. There's no penalty for guessing, but precision is crucial for repeating decimals. Always double-check units and write the answer above the columns as a bubbling guide.
Data Interpretation (Charts, Tables, Graphs)
This section focuses on interpreting various visual data. Learn to use bar and line graphs for fluctuations, pie charts for part-to-whole relationships, and scatter plots for variable correlations. Effective analysis involves examining all labels, identifying trends, and referring back to the visual aid for accuracy.
Essay Writing Section Strategies
The essay requires a persuasive response within 25 minutes, scored on organization, idea development, and English command. Utilize prewriting methods like brainstorming or outlining. Structure with an introduction, thesis, and body paragraphs supported by concrete evidence. Write at least three paragraphs, ensuring legibility and proofreading for grammatical errors.
Multiple-Choice Writing Section Strategies
The multiple-choice writing sections assess your ability to identify and correct standard written English violations. This involves tasks like identifying sentence errors, improving sentences for clarity, and revising paragraphs for logical flow and conciseness.
Common Grammatical Errors and Corrections
This section details common writing errors: subject-verb/pronoun agreement, misplaced modifiers, and illogical comparisons. It also covers diction and idiom errors. The guide instructs on identifying single errors like faulty parallel construction or incorrect verb tenses, and rectifying issues such as dangling modifiers, unclear antecedents, and punctuation mistakes like comma splices. The most concise grammatically correct option is often best.
The author suggests that for questions where multiple options are grammatically correct, the most concise and direct version is typically the preferred answer.
Full-Length Practice Tests and Analysis
This section emphasizes the importance of taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam. The guide provides answer keys and detailed explanations to help students analyze results, identify recurring errors, and understand the logic behind correct answers. This process aids in approximating potential scores.
PSAT/NMSQT Specifics and Practice
The PSAT/NMSQT serves as essential SAT practice and a scholarship gateway. It features two critical reading, two math, and one writing skills section. The guide provides detailed answers and explanations for the practice test, emphasizing error identification. A score range approximator helps estimate performance by calculating raw scores and applying scaling tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall purpose of this guide to the SAT/PSAT?
This guide provides a comprehensive preparation strategy for the revised SAT and PSAT. It focuses on specific, university-researched testing techniques to help students achieve high scores through consistent practice and review.
What are some general strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions effectively?
Key strategies include the plus-minus method for pacing, an elimination strategy to narrow choices, and circling specific question requirements to avoid misreads. For complex questions, evaluate each statement individually.
How can students improve their performance on the Critical Reading section, especially with passages?
For passages, practice active reading by marking main points. Preread questions to guide your focus, ensure answers are textually supported, and manage your pacing to address all questions within time limits.
What are the most important tips for the Mathematics section?
In math, always circle the required value, substitute simple integers for variables in algebra, and sketch diagrams for geometry. Use calculators efficiently, check for reasonableness, and apply an elimination strategy when unsure.
Why are full-length practice tests and their analysis crucial for exam preparation?
Full-length practice tests simulate the actual exam environment, helping students manage time and identify recurring errors. Detailed answer explanations enable focused review, ensuring a deep understanding of concepts and improving future test performance.