SAT Math Strategies - Part I
Posted: Monday, May 02, 2011
by Joe Pagano
Math by Joe
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a major hurdle for those high school juniors looking to get into a competitive school. The new SAT has changed considerably from the one that was administered just a few years ago. The main differences arise on the English section: now an essay is required, the word analogies have been replaced by grammar questions, and the reading comprehension includes shorter sections that were not on the older version. The math section has remained the same insofar as being composed of three sections but the slant has been toward more advanced algebraic and analytic concepts than before. The changes notwithstanding, the prepared student can attack the SAT math section with a ferocity that can boost the score by 100 points or more. This article will call attention to and outline these strategies; a follow up article will go into detail about the implementation and methodology of these same strategies.
These techniques comprise three components: 1) time pacing strategy; 2) omission strategy; and 3) answering strategy. The first of these involves using the clock wisely and developing what is known as a "time bank" which assists the student in answering more questions later in the test. The second uses the knowledge that omitting questions for which the student has limited or no background is better than guessing. The third uses an approach to answering questions in which direct substitution by the five choices given allows one to get the right answer. Knowledge of each of these strategies can boost one's score by approximately 30-50 points per section. Thus using all three competently can boost the overall score by the amount mentioned herein.
The three strategies outlined here are simple, straightforward, and almost obvious; however, my experience in tutoring for the SAT has shown that most students are unaware of at least two, and in some cases, all three of these strategies. What a pity, considering the learning of these methods is simple, and their application on the test is most beneficial. Consequently, it behooves the student to master these simple strategies, further learning the details of their application and implementation. Once accomplished, a student should see a significant pop in the overall SAT score. In the follow up article, we will go into the specific strategies in more detail.
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