KAPLAN SAT PREP Strategies, facts, and information courtesy of Kaplan Test Prep

Critical Reading Section  Two 25 minute sections  One 20 minute section  Short Passages  Long Passages  Sentence Completions

Writing  One 25 minute section  One 10 minute section  Essay  Grammar/Usage Multiple Choice

Scoring the SAT  Students receive 1 point for every correct answer.  For every incorrect answer to a Multiple Choice question, students lose ¼ point.  The essay is rated on a 6 point scale.  Each section is scored  The maximum score is  The average score is 1500.

Strategies  Eliminate answers to help your chances.  If you have to guess, be sure you have eliminated one or two options, this will better your possibility of a correct answer.

Sentence Completions  Known for their devotion to their masters, dogs were often used as symbols of _________ in medieval and Renaissance painting. a. treacheryStep 1: Read and look for clues b. prosperityStep 2: Predict an answer c. loyaltyStep 3: Select an answer choice d. antiquityStep 4: Read the choice back in e. courage

Two-Blank Sentence Completions  Usually the press secretary’s replies are terse, if not downright ______, but this afternoon his responses to our questions were remarkably comprehensive, almost ________. a. rude/conciseStep 1: Work on one blank at a time b. curt/verboseStep 2: Look at relationships (+ or -) c. long-winded/effusiveStep 3: Look for transition words d. enigmatic/taciturn e. lucid/helpful

Two-Blank Sentence Completions  French army captain Alfred Dreyfus was unjustly _____ for the crime of espionage, but he was later _____. a. fabricated/vindicated b. condemned/obviated c. incarcerated/exculpated d. convoked/disbursed e. promoted/absolved

The Kaplan Method for Critical Reading  Step 1 – Read the passage  Step 2 – Decode the question  Step 3 – Research the answer  Step 4 – Predict the answer  Step 5 – Select an answer choice

Critical Reading Suggestions  There will always be a “big question” on the passage. (#4 on the sheet is a good example)  Read for the Point of View  Look for contrasts  Almost always the same types of questions, which means you don’t need to read questions ahead of time. Know the types of questions, instead of the actual questions.

Writing Section: Sentence Errors  Teachers have discovered that class disruptiveness is reduced substantially (A) whenever (B) they permitted (C) milk and cookie snacks early in the afternoon (D). No Error (E)  Step 1 – Read/Listen for errors  Step 2 – Check for common errors (subject/verb agreement, pronoun/antecedent agreement, idioms/diction/word order  Step 3 – Check the other choices to make sure

Writing Section: Improving Sentences  Knowing that you should practice a healthier lifestyle and to do it are two different things. a. to do it are two different things b. doing it are two different things c. to do them are two different things d. doing it is two different things e. by doing it is two different things. Step 1 – Read/Listen Step 2 – Eliminate wrong sound/error Step 3 – Put other options in sentence Step 4 – Pick best option

Essay Section  Essay section is always first.  Essay is worth 1/3 of overall grade for the writing section.  Transitions words are KEY!!!!!  Pick a side – do not sit on the fence.  1 minute to read the essay question  3 minutes to outline  18 minutes to write  2-3 minutes to proof  Be sure you include:  Topic/Thesis  Support (three or more examples)  Organization  Language (Regular formal language – do not try to throw in HUGE words to impress. This usually does not work out).  Opening (Introduction)  Middle (Body Paragraphs)  Conclusion (If you have time include one)