SAT Strategy Workshop - SharpSchoolhsnscougars.ss7.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_212086/… · Teach Psych, Business, GMAT, ... but also knows how to guide and motivate

SAT Strategy Workshop

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Your Presenter» ANTHONY RUSSOMANNO | MA, MBA

Teaching and counseling at The Princeton Review for over 17 years Frequent presenter at HSs, colleges & conferences as admissions & test prep expert Former high school teacher, Licensed State Soccer Coach and family counselor National Director of Educational Partnerships for The Princeton Review Premier SAT, PSAT, GRE Tutor Teach Psych, Business, GMAT, CBEST and trained for LSAT for the fun of it M.B.A., Specialization in Sales & Marketing, Keller Graduate School of Management M.A., Clinical Psychology & Family Counseling, Pepperdine University B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Irvine

What Do They Say?• “Third time is a Charm, and Anthony is our lucky charm! He has done it again with our third son. I knew he had the

potential to excel on his SAT test, but Anthony was able to tap into that potential. Our son's SAT score improved by 440 points, following Anthony's tutoring. Our older two sons' scores also improved in excess of 400 points. Anthony really has a terrific rapport with his students and not only knows how to show them an effective approach to the SAT, but also knows how to guide and motivate them. His check-in e-mails and calls throughout the tutoring process and afterwards demonstrate how much Anthony cares about his students. Our first son is enrolled at UCLA. Our second son attends USC and I know our third and final child will get into the college of his choosing after working with Anthony and The Princeton Review. I am very proud of his hard work, dedication and success as he made his way through Anthony’s effective study plan.” -GF

• Nick really enjoyed Anthony's approach to learning. He really cares about his students. He has a very good way with them and makes the otherwise tedious task of SAT prep interesting and meaningful. We have specifically requested that he work with our next son! Student’s Score = 2030; Improvement = 470.

[email protected] 888-758-7737 x5017

Agenda

• SAT Quick Facts & Misconceptions

• Testing Tips & Strategies

• The Princeton Review Testing Timeline

• Q & A

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What this workshop is NOT…

SAT

Attribute SATFrequency 7 times/yearLength (w/o breaks)

3 hours, 45 minutes

Sections/Tests Math (3), Critical Reading (3), Writing (3) + Experimental (1)

Scoring 800 per section, 2400 total

Average Scores Math: 516Critical Reading: 501Writing: 492

Overall Breakdown

SAT

Reading Sections

Attributes SAT ReadingQuestions 67

Minutes 70 (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section)

What does it cover? Critical reading, diction, and vocabulary –passage reading and sentence completions

SAT

Math Sections

Attributes SAT MathQuestions 54 (44 multiple-choice

and 10 grid-in)Minutes 70 (two 25-minute

sections and one 20-minute section)

What does it cover? Tests basic arithmetic, algebra I & II, and geometry

SATWriting Sections

Attributes SAT WritingQuestions 49 multiple-choice questions,

1 essay question

Minutes 60 minutes (one 25-minute section, one 10-minute section, and one 25-minute essay)

What does it cover? Ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, improve paragraphs

Essay vs. the Rest The Grammar portion of the Writing section makes up about 70% of your Writing Score.

• SAT scores measure your intelligence

• A student with a high GPA will ace the SAT

• You cannot learn how to increase your scores

• Best scores win in college admissions

• Test scores are becoming less important

Misconceptions

What Does The SAT Really Measure?

How well you take the SAT

SAT

• Don’t take your scores personally

• Scores DO NOT measure your intelligence

• Proper coaching can increase your SAT score

• GPA is most important in admissions

• Test scores are still heavily relied on

Testing Truths

A high school career

AcademicCredentials

Non-academiccredentials

CollegeApplication

GPA College credits

Class rigor Trend HS profile Rank

HS transcript

Standardized Test ScoresSAT/ACT SAT Subject Tests

Outside the classroom

The individual

Succeed On Multiple-Choice Tests

1. C

2. S

3. T

4. P&A

5. C&E

• Author/Test-Writers• Content Covered• Format

◊ Scoring◊ Point System◊ Order of Difficulty◊ Predictability ◊ Tricks

TIP: Know Thy Enemy

Why do we take the SAT?

SAT

SAT Scores

Low Scores(Lowest = 200)

Medium Scores(Middle = 500)

High Scores(Highest = 800)

Why Students Struggle with the SAT

SAT High SchoolNumber of Questions on the exams

Designed so you can’t finish or you really have to rush to finish

Designed so you can finish

Answer Choices Written to trick students and filled with common errors

Goal is to assess strength’s and weaknesses, not to try to get a student to answer all questions incorrectly!

Essay 25 min Hours & weeks

Reading Under serious time constraints

Read at home

Writing GRAMMAR! Grammar has little emphasis in most schools

Math Intentionally hard to understand and convoluted

Straight forward

Word Association

Think of a word after I say a word and you hear it or see it

Word Association

You have 3 seconds

PEANUT BUTTER

(type it in the chat)

Word Association

You have 3 seconds

BOY


Now Think of a Number


Are you an average Joe?

• Jelly or Bread

• Girl


Did you pick a number… • over 1000• over 100• that is negative (-11)• that is a fraction (3/7)• that is a decimal (1.243)


• You could have picked any word but most of you probably chose jelly

• You could have picked any number, but almost all of you chose a positive whole number (i.e. 2, 10)

• We’re all predictable and the test writers know it!

• They know which wrong answer choices you’ll like and they put them in the test on purpose.

• Personality Types

• Manage your test

• Know how you study

• Pace yourself

TIP: Take On Your Own Terms

TIP: Take On Your Own Terms

What is the capital of Malawi?

A. Washington, D.C.B. ParisC. TokyoD. LondonE. Lilongwe

TIP: Process of Elimination

• Narrow down choices• Increase probability

What is the capital of Malawi?

A. Washington, D.C.B. ParisC. TokyoD. LondonE. Lilongwe

TIP: Process of Elimination

• Narrow down choices• Increase probability

If you don’t know an answer, should you guess?

It depends

You don’t learn this SKILL in school

TIP: Guessing

A. DCB. ParisC. TokyoD. LondonE. Lilongwe

POE & Guessing




What do you do?

1. 2. 3. 4.

What happens when you answer?• If you get it right…

• If you leave it blank…

• If you get it wrong…

Scoring

What happens when you answer?• If you get it right… You get 1 full point!

• If you leave it blank… You gain/lose nothing (0)!

• If you get it wrong… You lose ¼ of a point for a multiple choice and 0 points for a student-produced response

Scoring


POE & Guessing




• If you are down to 3, what do you do? GUESS• If you are down to 4, what do you do? GUESS

• If you are down to 2, what do you do? GUESS Chances on 2 Q: 1 right, 1 wrong Raw Points: 1 – ¼ = ¾ …Earning points

1. 2. 3. 4.J

• Get in the habit of placing a line through the answers you know are wrong in the test booklet.

• Use what you know about the order of difficulty to cross off wrong answers.

• Be aggressive• If you can’t eliminate anything, what do you do?• Skipping• Flip a coin vs. Letter of the Day

POE & Guessing Strategies

SAT – Math Sample Problem

17. On Tuesday, Jasmine buys an apple pie. She eats 2/5 of the pie that night. On Thursday, she eats 2/5 of what is left. How much of the pie still remains uneaten?



Average Joe: 2/5 * 2/5

Average Joe: 1 – (2/5 + 2/5)




Average Joe: 1 – (2/5 + 2/5)

Partial

Partial




Average Joe: 1 – (2/5 + 2/5)

Partial

Partial

Tues. 2/5 eaten, 3/5 left Thur. 2/5 of 3/5 = 6/25 eatenTues. + Thur. = 2/5 + 6/25 = 16/25 (eaten)What’s Uneaten = 25/25 – 16/25 = 9/25

• Not difficult math. Everything you need to know for SAT math you’ve learned by the end of your sophomore year!

• Questions will be in order of difficulty. The first third will be easy, the middle third will be medium difficulty, and the final third will be hard.

• Keep in mind that easy questions will have easy answers. Difficult questions will have difficult answers.

• Knowing the order of difficulty in a test section helps you significantly when eliminating answer choices and determining your testing strategy.

SAT Math

What’s really being tested?

The number 0 is…

A.evenB.oddC.neitherD.I don’t careE.I really don’t care


The number 0 is…

A.positiveB.negativeC.neitherD.I don’t careE.I really don’t care


The number 0 is…

A. Even

C. Neither


Everything you need to know for SAT math you will learn by the end of your sophomore year!

FundamentalsProperties of zeroIs 1 a prime number?

Basic arithmeticAlgebra I & a bit of II Geometry

• Skills - step by step methods for specific problem types» Proven to work

• Game plan» Math » Reading» Grammar» Essay

TIP: Technique

If there is an error in the sentence, it is underlined and numbered. Some sentences contain no error. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.

13. In the year 1492, Columbus discovered the New WorldA

even though he was actually trying to reach India. No errorB C D E

14. Malaria is often a threat when traveling in other countries. No error.A B C D E

Don’t believe your ears. Memorize the rules.

SAT Writing QuestionError ID

44

16. The vast majority of New Yorkers who drink decaffeinated, non-fat cappuccinosA B

prefer chocolate for dessert. No error.C D E

17. Neither of the homeless men was offered any money by the superbly dressedA B C D

insurance executive. No error.E

18. There was a great disparity in potato distribution; while Tatian received more ofA B

the french fries, poor Brendan was served fewer mashed potatoes. No error.C D E


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If there is an error in the sentence, it is underlined and numbered. Some sentences contain no error. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.

13. In the year 1492, Columbus discovered the New WorldA

even though he was actually trying to reach India. No errorB C D E

14. Malaria is often a threat when traveling in other countries. No error.A B C D E

Don’t believe your ears. Memorize the rules.


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16. The vast majority of New Yorkers who drink decaffeinated, non-fat cappuccinosA B

prefer chocolate for dessert. No error.C D E

17. Neither of the homeless men was offered any money by the superbly dressedA B C D

insurance executive. No error.E

18. There was a great disparity in potato distribution; while Tatian received more ofA B

the french fries, poor Brendan was served fewer mashed potatoes. No error.C D E


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8. Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strangebehavior worried her owners.

(A) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners.

(B) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat worried her owners with her strange behavior

(C) With her darting from room to room and her twitching the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners.

(D) The cat, darting from room to room and twitching, her owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior.

(E) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior.

SAT Writing QuestionImproving Sentences

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12. On her first four tests, Amy received an average score of N. If, on her fifth test she exceeds her previous average by 20 points, what is her average for all five tests?

A. NB. N + 4C. N + 5D. N + 10E. N + 20



A. NB. N + 4C. N + 5D. N + 10E. N + 20

Strategy: Recognition• Average• Plug-In



A. NB. N + 4C. N + 5D. N + 10E. N + 20

Technique: Plug – In + Average Wheel

N = 8

# Avg

Total

x

divide



A. NB. N + 4C. N + 5D. N + 10E. N + 20

Technique: Fill In the Average Wheel

N = 8

4 8

32



A. NB. N + 4C. N + 5D. N + 10E. N + 20

Technique: Need 2nd

Average Wheel

N = 8

4 8

32

5



A. NB. N + 4C. N + 5D. N + 10E. N + 20

Technique: Fill in 2nd

Average Wheel

N = 8

4 8

32

5

60+28



A. 8B. 8 + 4C. 8 + 5D. 8 + 10E. 8 + 20

Technique: Find TARGET, plug in for N

N = 8

4 8

32

5 12

60divide



A. 8B. 8 + 4 = 12C. 8 + 5D. 8 + 10E. 8 + 20

Technique: Find TARGET, plug in for N

N = 8

4 8

32

5 12

60divide

• THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS…TO NOTCRITICALLY READ THE PASSAGES » Why learn 57 facts about clay pot making, when the test will only

ask you about 3? Instead, critically read the questions because that’s where the points are!

• These are little, open-book tests. Make sure you goback to the passage and come up with your own answer before looking at the answer choices.

• On long passages, the questions will appear chronologically. Speed up your search for an answer by knowing where to look!

• VOCABULARY (sentence completions and vocab in context)

SAT Critical Reading

A) showcasing the diverse architectural styles of a single time period

B) monuments in the United States are striking in appearance but lack true cultural value

C) were glad to see a silly boy endure some punishment

D) commentary provided by the onlooking townspeople

E) empirical facts can never be successfully modeled


A) showcasing the diverse architectural styles of a single time period

B) monuments in the United States are striking in appearance but lack true cultural value

C) were glad to see a silly boy endure some punishment

D) commentary provided by the onlooking townspeople

E) empirical facts can never be successfully modeled


POE Technique: Extreme Answers

The author uses the word “comparative isolation” (line 15) in order toA) indicate a condition that facilitates the evolution of a languageB) describe a situation that inevitably results in the creation of a new languageC) D) E)

The author uses “for the supporters…dangers are” in order toA) B) Show an opponent’s only purpose is to point out hazardsC) Emphasize the value of listening to opponents D) E)

SAT Critical ReadingDown to Two

The author uses the word “comparative isolation” (line 15) in order toA) indicate a condition that facilitates the evolution of a languageB) describe a situation that inevitably results in the creation of a new languageC) D) E)

The author uses “for the supporters…dangers are” in order toA) B) Show an opponent’s only purpose is to point out hazardsC) Emphasize the value of listening to opponents D) E)

SAT Critical ReadingDown to Two

• Practice makes perfect - take numerous practice tests. It will: Increase confidence & lower test anxiety Increase endurance, overall speed & accuracy

• DO NOT take it for the first time when it counts towards admissions!

• Analyze your exams - Weakness first, strengths later• Stagger practice• Timing and Pacing are difficult aspects

Time it – use a watch helps keep your pacing goals and tells you if you are

spending too much time on one section or passage.

REGISTER: www.princetonreview.com/events

TIP: Triple P with A

Succeed On Multiple-Choice Tests

1. Content

2. Strategy

3. Technique

4. Practice & Analysis

5. Confidence &Endurance

• Take Official SAT or ACTSAT ACTJanuary February (not in NY)March AprilMay JuneJune SeptemberOctober OctoberNovember DecemberDecember

• Take Official SAT Subject Exams

Senior Year is used for backup test dates

11th Grade

Timeline Considerations• When should I take my SAT?

Time to prep properly. Summer before Jr year ideal, if not before end of Jr

• How many times will you take the SAT and/or ACT? Prep for one, Plan for two, Leave time for three

• How much prep do you need?• Depends on your goal so however much is right…FOR YOU!

• What extra-curricular activities do you have that will impact your prep schedule?

• Are you taking AP tests?

• Do you need to take SAT Subject Tests?

• Will you be submitting any early applications?

Lower End of This List: SAT: 1850ACT: 27

(Elon University)

Higher End of This List: SAT: 2260ACT: 34

(CalTech)

Middle of This List: SAT: 2050ACT: 31

(Georgetown University)

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Visit PrincetonReview.com for more score data!

Where will your scores take you?

The College Admissions TestsWhat are the five major standardized tests geared toward College Admission?

• The PSAT – www.collegeboard.com• The SAT – www.collegeboard.com• The ACT – www.act.org• The SAT Subject Tests & AP Exams –

www.collegeboard.com

If you are going to be a number…

2400…be a BIG one!

Now What? Ready to Prep!• Last year, The Princeton Review helped

more than 3.5 million students realize their college dreams.

• Over 4 out of 5 Princeton Review graduates who got into college were accepted into at least one of their top choice schools.

• 99% of Princeton Review graduates who have applied to college have been accepted.

How we can help!

Our job is to raise scores• We are the experts: we know these tests cold• We have developed test-specific strategies—that other

companies copy• We’ll teach you the content you need to know• We’ll show you what vocab you need to learn for the SAT• We’ll help you develop an appropriate pacing strategy• We’ll help you manage test anxiety• We have options for every schedule and learning style

We are passionate about what we do and we are so confident with our results we actually GUARANTEE them!

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Over 4 out of 5 Princeton Review Graduates were accepted into at least one of their top-choice schools.*

*Among students responding to our 2009 survey.

How we can help!Our Guarantee to You• Readiness Guarantee: Take it again if you don’t feel ready!• Satisfaction Guarantee: Take it again if you aren’t satisfied

with your score!• Money Back Guarantee: If you don’t improve at all, get your

money back!• 150 Point Money Back Guarantee (SAT Ultimate only): If

you aren’t happy with your score, take it again, and if you still don’t improve by 150 point, get your money back, too!

See www.princetonreview.com/guarantee for more details!

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What We Offer: Private Tutoring (one-on-one)IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

What you get:• A completely custom prep plan• A focus on your strengths and weaknesses• A schedule built around your lifestyle • In-person or web-based sessions• Comprehensive or pay-as-you-go packages• 4 proctored practice tests• Up to 17 additional practice tests• Frequent adjustments to match your progress

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HonorsINTENSIVE PREP FOR TOP-SCORING STUDENTS

What you get:• The most classroom hours you can get with a

Princeton Review expert - 60 hours of in-class instruction

• A guaranteed score of 2100 or higher on the SAT• Prep with our most experienced and successful

instructors• Interactive Admissions and Financial Aid Seminars• Access to both our SAT and ACT Online courses with

40+ hours of video lessons• 5 proctored practice tests• Up to 17 additional practice tests

*Small Group Instruction (no more than 4 students) available for Honors programs (certain cities only)

What We Offer:

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Ultimate ClassroomOUR MOST INTENSIVE AND POPULAR OPTION

What you get:• 30 hours of in-person or online instruct-led prep• 150-point score-improvement guarantee on the

SAT†• Interactive Admissions and Financial Aid

Seminars• Access to both our SAT and ACT Online courses

with 40+ hours of video lessons• 4 proctored practice tests• Up to 17 additional practice tests• In-class mastery with extensive practice and drills• Highly trained and charismatic teachers

Fundamentals ClassroomA SHORTER COURSE COVERING THE ESSENTIALS

What you get:• 18 hours of in-person or online instruct-led prep• 4 proctored practice tests• Up to 15 additional practice tests• Additional online practice tools• Score higher or repeat the course for free

*Small Group Instruction (no more than 4 students) available for Ultimate programs.**LiveOnline courses available for Ultimate and Fundamental and are held in our Blackboard Collaborate virtual classroom

Special Offer!For Attendees – Enroll by April 30 & SAVE• $250 OFF Ultimate or Private Tutoring • $150 OFF Fundamentals• $75 OFF Self-Paced

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for your Discount Promotional Code.

2. Then enroll online at www.PrincetonReview.com - during check out, enter your unique code in the field 'Promo Code' OR mention code when calling Anthony @ 888-758-7737x5017.

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Try Before You Buy – Our free class is a great way to figure out if a Princeton Review course is for you.

Visit www.princetonreview.com/events and pick your test and enter your zip code.

SAT is ChangingVisit www.PrincetonReview.com/SATChanges• Impacts class of 2017 and beyond. • No change until spring of 2016• Highest possible score lowered back to 1600

Change Impact

The test scores will revert to a 1600-point scale The test is going from 3 sections to 2

The essay section will be optional Don't get too excited; some schools may still require the essay

There will be no penalty for incorrect answers Guess away, you have nothing to lose

A change in the vocabulary words tested No more obscure words you'll never use again

A revised approach to testing math concepts Get ready for some multi-step problems

No calculator on some parts of the test Don't worry, you can do math without one!

Q&A

For official information from the test makers, visit:• CollegeBoard.com

SAT PSAT SAT Subject Tests APs)

• ACT.org

For other information from us:• Call 1-800-2-Review • Visit www.PrincetonReview.com

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Anthony [email protected]

888-758-7737 x5017

[email protected]

www.PrincetonReview.com

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SAT Strategy Workshop - SharpSchoolhsnscougars.ss7.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_212086/… · Teach Psych, Business, GMAT, ... but also knows how to guide and motivate