THE SAT TEST

There are 60 questions that count on the math SAT and you only need to get about 30 of them correct to get a 500 which is considered average. You may have more questions than 60 but you don’t know which ones count nor does the proctor so you must take them all seriously—they are field testing the others. UNLIKE the PSSA DO NOT answer every question. Answer only those that you know or for which can reduce the number of choices before guessing. There is a built in penalty of.25 for each wrong answer # correct –.25 #wrong = score there is no penalty for skipped questions, they just don’t add to your score. No points are deducted for gridded questions which are wrong so try all the gridded problems.

Each multiple choice question counts the same as any other so don’t spend too much time on any one question—if you don’t get it skip it, and come back if time remains The questions in each part are supposedly set up from easiest to hardest—based on the number of correct responses in the past. But everyone is different and remembers different things so don’t panic.

Remember drawings are not to scale unless stated. There are formulas at the beginning of each section. Things to look for: The use of Pythagorean triples 3, 4, 5 6, 8, 10 5, 12, 13 are the most common Remember The special right triangles and The smallest side(s) are always one and there is always a “2” on the hypotenuse these are now included as diagrams on the test is not a prime number—primes can be divided by 1 and themselves The following are perfect squares 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144

Raw Score Scaled Score Raw Score Scaled Score Raw Score Scaled Score Raw Score Scaled Score

The test is a standardized test If the score for the math and reading parts of the test, the average µ= 1026 and the standard deviation σ= 110 Click on the graph for chart of past averages

Then 68.2 % of all students should score between 916 and 1136 and should get into most colleges. 13.6% will score from 1136 to 1246 and be able to go to most universities. 2.15% will score above 1246 and will be able to apply to the ivy league schools. In the opposite direction, 13.6% will score from 806 to 916 and be able to get into most colleges but may need to take summer/remedial courses prior to attending full time. And the 2.15% that score under an 806 will need to retake the test if they intend to get into college. Colleges look at more than SAT scores, they look at GPAs, activities, etc. but this gives you an idea of what you need to shoot for

SAT TOPICS Arithmetic work problems Percent Prime numbers Ratio and proportion Logical reasoning Sets (union, intersection, elements) Properties of integers (even, odd, etc) Divisibility Counting technique Sequence and series (including exponential growth) Elementary number theory Properties of exponents Algebraic work problems Substitution Absolute value (NEW) Rational and radical equations (NEW) Equations of lines (NEW) Direct and inverse variation (NEW) Basic concepts of algebraic functions (NEW) “new operations” based on common operations ie 3*&5 means (3 x 5 )/ (3 +5) solutions to linear equations quadratic equations simplifying algebraic expressions area and perimeter of a polygon area and perimeter of a circle Volume of a box, cube, cylinder Pythagorean theorem and special properties of isosceles triangle, equilateral triangles, and right triangles Properties of parallel and perpendicular lines Coordinate geometry Geometric visualization Slope (NEW) Similarity (NEW) Data interpretation Statistics (mean, median (NEW) mode (NEW) probability

SAT INFO The new SAT will take 3 hrs 45 min a writing section is included. The SAT is not an IQ test, it tests college readiness.

PSAT INFO The new PSAT will take 2 hrs 10 min same as the old—the writing will not be included as it takes too long to grade.

PSAT INFO web site full length test on site, also the question of the day can be sent to you

SOURCES OF PRACTICE web site full length test on site, also the question of the day can be sent to you Sat prep book—given when you sign up—has one full length test SAT study Guide new prep book has 8 full length practice tests, practice questions and essay prompts, plus approaches to take the test

Practice test #1