1. What do you need to know to get the Best SAT Score Mrs. Volynskaya

2. Average SAT for Admission in 2013 for all testers by section: Overall: 1498; Critical Reading: 496 Critical Reading: Mathematics:Mathematics: 514; Writing: 488Writing:

3. What does the test look like? SectionContentNumber of Questions Critical Reading 70 minutes Two 25-minute sections One 20-minute section Extended Reasoning Literal Comprehension Vocabulary in Context Sentence Completions Total 36-40 4-6 19 67 Mathematics 70 minutes Two 25-minute sections One 20-minute section Number & Operations Algebra & Functions Geometry & Measurement Data Analysis, Statistics & Probability Total 11-14 19-22 14-16 5-8 54 Writing 60 minutes One 25-minute essay One 25-minute multiple choice One 10-minute multiple choice Essay Improving Sentences Identifying Sentence Errors Improving Paragraphs Total 1 25 18 6 50

4. How difficult is the SAT? On average, students answer 50 or 60 percent of questions correctly 80 percent finish nearly the entire test Almost all students complete at least 75 percent of the questions

5. SAT Timing Test is 3 hours and 45 minutes of testing time, plus three 5-minute breaks, for a total of 4 hours to complete the entire test. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. –Spend seconds on the easiest questions –Hesitate to spend more than 1-2 minutes even on the hardest questions Remember the SAT consists of a series of small, timed, mini-tests. –Keep track of the time allotted for each one and how much time remains. Wear a watch to the testing center.

6. Understand the Scoring! You get a point for a right answer. You lose one-quarter point for a wrong answer. There is no deduction for omitted answers, or for wrong answers in the math section’s student-produced response questions. Each of the 3 sections is on a 200 to 800 point scale.

7. Overall Test Tactics Learn the section directions now. Answer easy questions first. Mark skipped questions so you can quickly locate them. Guess….. IF you can eliminate at least one answer choice. Skip any question if you don’t have the faintest idea about the answer. You DON’T lose points!

8. Overall Test Tactics Easy questions usually precede hard ones. Don’t change an answer unless you’re sure you made an error. Read the words of the question carefully. Be sure to answer the question asked and not the question you recall from a practice test.

9. Recording Your Answers You MAY and SHOULD write in the test booklet. –Cross out wrong answers. –Do scratch work. Take care when filling in the answer grid for the student-produced response questions. Avoid stray marks on the answer sheet. Make sure you are using a No. 2 pencil. Mark only one answer per question. Keep checking that you are placing your answer in the correct section and number on the answer sheet.

10. Retaking the SAT About 55% of juniors taking the test improved their scores as seniors Approximately 35% had score drops About 10% had no change in score On average, juniors repeating the SAT as seniors improved their combined critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores by approximately 40 points

11. Using SAT Skills Insight Sign in for FREE Practice with www.sat.collegboard.com/practice Shows which academic skills students can concentrate on to improve their scores

12. Using the College Board site to prepare for the SAT www.sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-practice-questions Sample questions for each area of the test as well as a full length practice test www.sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-study-plan Allows you to create a personalized plan to prepare for the test based on the number of times you’ve previously taken it and your testing date

13. Using the College Board site to prepare for the SAT www.sat.collegeboard.com/practice/answers-imagined Helps provide suggestions for how to handle tough SAT questions www.sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-question-of-the-day Sign up for a daily emailed question of the day Answers will include explanation of the correct answer

14. Calculator Policy Calculators are highly recommended. You may NOT share calculators. Calculators permitted during testing are: –Graphing calculators –Scientific calculators Unacceptable calculators –Models with typewriter keypad, pen-input stylus, or touch-screen capability –Models that use paper tape, “talk” or make unusual noises –Modes that can access the Internet, have cell phone capability, or have a digital audio/video player or a camera

15. Mathematics Section Contains two types of questions –Standard multiple choice (44 questions) –Student-produced response questions that provide no answer choices (10 questions)

16. Strategies for the Mathematics Section READ carefully directions ahead of time. SAT test does NOT require you to memorize formulas. –Commonly used formulas are provided in the test book at the beginning of each mathematics section. –It is up to you to decide which formula is appropriate for a given problem.

17. Strategies for the Mathematics Section Read the problem carefully. –Note key words that tell you what the problem is asking. Ask yourself the following questions before you solve each problem: –What is the question asking? –What do I know?

18. Strategies for the Mathematics Section With some problems, it may be useful to draw a sketch or diagram of the given information. For multiple choice questions, you may want to refer to the answer choices before you determine your answer. Eliminate choices with wrong answers Make sure your answer is a reasonable answer to the question asked. All figures are drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.

19. Grid-In Guidelines Answers are NOT multiple choice –Written in a grid as numerical values All fractions should be expressed as improper fractions, NOT mixed numbers Start the answer in the left-most grid column Never forget to fill in the bubbles as well as writing the number at the top of the grid If you have no idea of how to solve the problem, Always guess on this section –You are not penalized for a wrong answer in this section

20. Calculator Tips Remember to bring your calculator to the test and be familiar with how to use the calculator you bring. Make sure it is in good working order and contains fresh batteries. Do NOT try to use a calculator on every question. Get your thoughts down before using your calculator.

21. Math Topics on the SAT Numbers and Operations (20- 25%) –Arithmetic word problems Including percent, ratio and proportion –Properties of integers Even, odd, prime numbers, divisibility, etc. –Rational numbers –Sets Union, intersection, elements –Counting techniques –Sequences and series (including exponential growth) –Elementary number theory Algebra and Functions (35-40%) –Substitution and simplifying algebraic expressions –Properties of exponents –Algebraic word problems –Solutions of linear equations and inequalities –Systems of equations and inequalities –Quadratic equations –Rational and radical equations –Equations of lines –Absolute value –Direct and inverse variation –Concepts of algebraic functions –Newly defined symbols based on commonly used operations

22. Math Topics on the SAT Geometry and Measurement (25-30%) –Area and perimeter of a polygon –Area and circumference of a circle –Volume of a box, cube and cylinder –Pythagorean Theorem and special properties of isosceles, equilateral, and right triangles –Properties of parallel and perpendicular lines –Coordinate geometry –Geometric visualization –Slope –Similarity –Transformations Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability (10-15%) –Data interpretation (tables and graphs) –Descriptive statistics (mean, median and mode) –Probability

23. Final Preparations Relax and SLEEP well the night before exam Eat breakfast Be aware of traffic and other potential delays Arrive early to select a seat you are comfortable sitting in for the test Things to take with you to the test –Admission ticket, acceptable photo ID, number 2 pencils with a good eraser, calculator with fresh batteries –Snacks (to eat during breaks), a watch (without an audible alarm), a backpack or bag (to be kept under the seat), and extra batteries DO NOT BRING –Any electronic device, scratch paper, notes, books, a dictionary, compass, protractor, or ruler. NO CELL PHONES!! –Highlighter or colored pencils; Portable listening device or recording device; Camera If you are easily distracted don’t sit near the door or test administrator