How Do I Solve an SAT Math Problem?

Many times there will be multiple methods for solving a given SAT Math problem. Which way is best?  The fastest way.

The SAT is a multiple choice test (for the most part). There is no partial credit for the math problems. You either know the answer or not. The math sections are also time sensitive. In a typical math section you will only have 25 minutes to answer 24 questions. There is no time to ponder, there is only time to act.

How does a student confidently deal with this pressure? By tackling every possible question type from any practice test he or she has. After all, if you have seen every type of math question, they can’t fool you!

Happy July 4th!

The following is an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence.  How many words can you define in bold?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,  — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.  — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Jerry Rice–SAT Philosopher?

NFL Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Jerry Rice once said: “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.”

During his playing days, Rice’s off-season conditioning regimen was legendary. He worked out incessantly in preparation for the grueling NFL season.

I have said many times that the “game” is often won in practice. What will you do with your free time this summer?

How does this quote apply to your studying?

An Inspiration To All of Us

A student of mine just improved her SAT score 200 points and scored a 10 on her essay. Impressive, but this is not the whole story. Six years ago she was not even living in the United States and did not speak English. This fall she will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co.

Her mother called to thank me. I told her mother, “Don’t thank me, it’s your daughter that put in the work and took the test.” Moral of the story–Everyone should own their effort. A tutor is only a conduit of knowledge and test taking advice. How the student uses this knowledge will ultimately determine success or failure.

Moral of the story–you can achieve any goal which you deem important enough to put in the appropriate time and effort.

The Importance of Vocabulary

Vocabulary is an essential component of the SAT. Sure, mastery of definitions is important for sentence completions. However, a great vocabulary is also an asset for success on the entire test. For example, many times there will be a keyword in the sentence itself. How can we complete a sentence we don’t fully understand?

Often, difficult words will show up as the answers to passage based reading questions. At other times, difficult words will be in the passage itself. I have even noticed that such words like “respectively” will sometimes show up in a long winded math word problem. Of course, almost immediately, my students will ask me, “What does respectively mean?”

Even in the writing section, a sentence error might contain the improper use of a word

Our 2011 SAT Summer Study Guide is Out

If you are a High School student who intends to prepare for the SAT/PSAT in the Fall of 2011, please ask us for our FREE Summer Study Guide.  This is a 30 page action plan which walks the student through–what books to buy; what to study each day this summer; how to improve your critical reading skills and vocabulary; how to approach complicated math problems; the formula for the ultimate SAT essay’ the 13 rules of grammar and much, much more.

How do you obtain this free Study Guide?  Visit our website www. testniques.com, go to the Contact Us page and email Steve.  He will send you the study guide ASAP