Guide to SAT Prep Flashcards
This deck explains the purpose of this app and the recommended approach to SAT preparation. It covers important overall information about the SAT from when, where, and how to take the SAT to what to do if your score is disappointing. This deck also provides specifics about the Math section of the SAT and what to do to perform at your optimal level on test day.
Is there an order in which you should study decks in this app?
Ideally, you should study the decks in the order they are presented
Deck 1 presents the overview of the SAT and the specifics about the math section as well as some helpful strategies
Decks 2 through 7 are designed to improve your knowledge in core subjects and your mental math skills
In order for this product to help you gain confidence and get a higher score on the SAT Math section, we need to agree on what an effective preparation approach for the test is.
This approach is multifold.
- Gain essential knowledge. To that end, this app gives a detailed recap of the math concepts required on the SAT
- Learn how to effectively manage your time on the test. To that end, the app gives you some important tips
- P**ractice consistently and you will become faster and faster
- Learn to make logical connections and apply your critical thinking skills and core knowledge to the SAT problems
This app gives a detailed recap of some of the most important math concepts.
What is the optimal way to learn many core concepts needed on the SAT in a limited time?
It depends on the student.
However, since math is a combination of understanding of core concepts, logic, repetition and memorization, we decided to break up that overwhelming amount of information into logical, small units to help you learn it easier and faster. The repetition of cards ensures that the material you don’t know or are not able to grasp, you can see again.
Each deck reviews a few subjects.
Each card in the deck presents a formula or a definition or a rule that is followed by a simple example to further help you understand the concept.
What type of questions will you see at the end of each deck in this app?
At the end of each deck you’ll find practice questions.
They are not just drills! Practice questions range from straightforward and easy to quite difficult and “tricky”. You need to turn your “analytical” switch on to look at the basic principles from different angles, and to work the concepts forward and backwards.
These practice questions might not resemble the true SAT type questions. They are shorter and mostly one-step problems but to solve them you need to twist your brain a little.
What are some of the things you can do to manage your time better on the SAT?
- Learn various techniques for better time management
- Learn mental math tricks to be able to solve problems without a calculator
- With the help of this app, build a good “math” foundation to gain clarity and confidence
- Practice and repetition lead to an ability to perform quickly and accurately
How should you manage the limited amount of time you have to get through all questions in a section?
Math questions are arranged in order of difficulty - easy to hard. On the average, you can spend 60 to 90 seconds per question. But, with practice, you will be able to solve easier questions in the beginning of each section faster, leaving more time for harder ones.
In a section that gives you 25 minutes for 20 questions, try to get those first 8-9 easy questions solved in about 7 minutes
If you are an advanced student aiming at 700-800 score, try to have 2 minutes per question towards the end of the section, on the last 3 or 4 problems
What are some of the things you can do to make sure you don’t run out of time?
It’s very important that you manage your time wisely during the test.
Don’t get stuck on a question. If you see that it’s taking you too long, move on. If time allows, you can come back to it
All questions are worth the same points. Make sure you answer all easy questions (usually 1 through 10) in each section
Keep track of time. To get the feel of how much time you are spending per question, take a lot of practice tests as if they were the real tests
What is educated guessing?
Guessing on the SAT is smart as long as you are using “educated” guessing.
Educated guesses are guesses that are made based on a familiarity with the math concepts in the question being asked.
Guess when it’s absolutely necessary. Don’t guess simply because you are not in the mood to solve a problem.
When should you guess?
Guess when:
- you have no idea how to solve a problem
- you are running out of time
- the solution process is taking over 2 minutes
- you face a difficult grid-in question (because points are not lost for wrong answers)
Advanced students should make educated guesses whenever they can eliminate one or two answer choices. Intermediate students should guess only when they can eliminate two or three choices.
Am I an advanced student or an intermediate student?
Take a diagnostic test to determine your level.
You are an advanced student if you consistently score above 650 on the SAT Math section.
Students with scores from 450 to 650 are intermediate students.
What website(s) can you use to find out the necessary information about the SAT like test dates and study schedules?
You can use College Board and/or Princeton Review websites.
www.collegeboard.com
www. princetonreview.com
Check test dates and set your study schedule
Sign up for the SAT question of the day via e-mail
Take free diagnostic tests online.
Very important to identify your strengths and weaknesses for pinpointed study.
When should you plan to take the SAT?
Most students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year and/or the fall of their senior year.
Take into consideration factors such as early decision college applications.
How should you start practicing?
Start with one section of either Math, Reading or Writing segments. Familiarize yourself with content and format of questions. Give your brain time to recognize repeated patterns.
What SAT materials should you use?
Use this app as well as various other resources. Most SAT study guides cover widely the same material. You will still benefit from different approaches.
What makes the SAT so challenging?
The SAT is challenging because it is long and full of traps. The questions have been carefully crafted to create difficulties.
How much time do you have to complete a full SAT test?
The total testing time for the SAT is 3 hours 45 minutes.
However, with breaks and registration, you should expect to be in the test taking facility about 5 hours.
Is your SAT score the most essential part of getting into college?
No, your GPA is more important than your SAT score.
High school coursework is the most important component of your college application. Take challenging classes and do well in them.
