SAT tips from BrainWorks

Students at Hickory High had the opportunity to participate in a BrainWorks SAT prep class for three days after school in April. The following were some tips provided by BrainWorks staff that we would like to give to all of our students in hopes that it will help them when they take the SAT. 

1. Guess when you can confidently eliminate one answer choice on the multiple choice questions.
2. Predict your answer before looking at the answers. 
3. Math:  you will have 3 math sections.  They are all multiple choice except for the 10 grid-in questions.  There is no penalty for getting a grid-in question wrong.  Math problems are presented from easiest to hardest, so pace yourself accordingly.  If you don’t know how  to do a problem, skip it and move on.  You get the same point value for the easy ones that you do for the hard ones.
4. Review geometry formulas
5. Reading comprehension:  make notes as you read the passages.  Words to notice:  descriptive words, opinions, differing opinions, repeated words, contrast words.  Often the main idea will be followed by an illustration of the main idea.
6. Reading comprehension:  eliminate answer choices.  There is usually a ‘good’ answer that is the trap.  You are seeking the ‘best’ answer.
7. Every word counts:  sometimes just one word in an answer choice can make it wrong, it may sound great, but that one word makes it invalid or incorrect.
8. Vocabulary:  make your own predictions before looking at the answer choices!!!
9. Vocabulary:  use word charge, sentence tone, contrast/agreement words, punctuation, and prefixes/roots/suffixes.
10. An intro + 2 supporting paragraphs + conclusion = strong essay
11. Intro:  remember the ‘magic’ sentence:  Two distinct examples of this idea are ----------------- and -----------------.
12. Supporting paragraphs need to contain at least 3 facts – who/what/when/where
13. Organization and logical flow of ideas are critical
14. Do:  vary your word use and sentence structure.
15. Don’t:  use contractions, slang, abbreviations, repeated word use.
16. Grammar:  remember the hierarchy of errors  (verb, pronoun, etc.)
17. Memorize the correlating conjunctions:  either/or, neither/nor, as/as, not only/but also, just as/so, both/and
18. Comparative and Superlative forms of words:  
1. Comparative when comparing two things: "er" ending (ex: happier, fuzzier). Also use "better" and "more." 
2. Superlative when comparing three or more:  "est" ending (ex: happiest, fuzziest). Also use "best" and "most." 
19. Know when to use:  fewer (countable) vs less (non-countable), between (comparing 2) vs among (comparing more than 2)
20. And most of all  RELAX! Remember to breathe. Practice deep breathing to promote relaxation and reduce stress by breathing deeply, pushing out your diaphragm, holding it for 5 seconds, then exhaling for 5 seconds. 

BrainWorks offers one-on-one SAT tutoring and various classes throughout the spring and summer. Check out their website (http://www.brainworkslearningcenter.com) for more information.

See your counselor if you need assistance registering for tests. Also, if you believe you would qualify for a fee-waiver, please see your counselor to assist with test costs.

You have been preparing for these tests for a long time and should be prepared. Try not to stress too much.  We wish you the very best when taking your tests!

Sincerely,
Your HHS Counselors