P/SAT: Overview and Strategies

Test-Taking Strategies for Students

Introduction to the SAT Test

Overview of SAT Test

● You will take an important practice test at NHS on February 10th

● The SAT is around 3 hours long; the PSAT is similar but a little shorter

● 4 sections of the test:○ Reading: 65 minutes, 52 questions○ Writing & Language: 35 minutes, 44 questions○ Math-No Calculator: 25 minutes, 20 questions○ Math-Calculator: 55 minutes, 38 questions

Overview of the SAT

● Paper and pencil test - not on a computer● All questions are multiple choice (A, ,B, C, D - fill in

the bubble) or grid-in for math● No required essay section

Why is this test important?

● College readiness○ Shows colleges the skills and knowledge you

have○ Is one way to meet DPS and Northfield

graduation requirements● Scholarship opportunities

○ Based on your score● School scores

○ Affects Northfield’s SPF or overall rating

What scores do I need to pass the SAT (11th grade)?● Scored on a 400-1600 scale

○ Reading and Writing: 480○ Math: 530

What scores do I need to pass the PSAT (10th grade)?● Scored on a 400-1600 scale

○ Reading and Writing: 430○ Math: 480

What scores do I need to pass the PSAT (9th grade)?● Scored on a 400-1600 scale

○ Reading and Writing: 410○ Math: 450

Reading Test Specifics

Reading Test Specifics● You have 1 hour to take the reading test● 5 Reading Passages

○ 2 science passages○ 2 social studies passages○ 1 narrative-style passage

Reading Test Breakdown● Tests command of evidence & words in context

○ Vocabulary○ Simple vocab words that are trying to trick

you into the wrong answer!● High-level reading passages

○ Original historical documents○ Articles from science journals

Language and Writing Test Specifics

● Writing and Language test○ Expression of ideas, standard english

conventions (grammar/punctuation)● There is no actual writing or essay section of the

test

Math Test Specifics

Types of Math Questions

● Problem Solving and Data Analysis - 17 questions: ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning to solve problems in science, social science, and career contexts.

● Heart of Algebra - 19 questions: mastery of linear equations and systems, which help students develop key powers of abstraction.

● Passport to Advanced Math - 16 questions: more complex equations and the manipulation they require.

● Additional Topics in Math - 6 questions: Geometry in context and trigonometric functions.

Math Test Specifics

● Last section of the test● 2 parts of the math test:

○ Calculator: 55 minutes, 30 questions, 8 grid-in questions = 38 total questions total.

○ No-Calculator: 25 minutes, 15 multiple choice questions, 5 grid-in questions = 20 total questions.

Grid-In Style Questions

● Always at the end of the math sections○ Not multiple choice - you provide the answers

yourself and fill in the bubbles○ Same amount of points as multiple choice

questions!

General SAT Test-Taking Strategies

General SAT Strategies● Every question is worth about 10 points.

● Answer every question!

● When there are 5 minutes left, fill in every bubble that is blank on that section!

● If you do not know an answer, select a Letter of the Day. Each letter appears around 25% of the time, so guessing a consistent letter will yield more points.

● All questions are worth the same amount of points -regardless of how hard or long they are!

General SAT Strategies● Answer the easiest and quickest questions first!

● Make sure you go back and answer questions you skipped!

● Do not change your first answer! Most times your first answer is correct, so do not second-guess yourself.

If you don’t know an answer...

● Review the option choices and cross of any that don’t make sense.○ Cross out answers that have “always” “never” ○ Cross out answers that seem strange or

exaggerated● If a question seems straightforward, it probably is.

SAT Reading Strategies● Reading passage questions will take longer than

grammar /punctuation questions

● For reading, do the questions with line numbers first. Often you do not need to read the passage first--just the lines listed. Once you have completed these questions, you have read most of the passage.

● If you do not know answer at all, choose the Letter of the Day!

SAT Math Strategies

● Choose the answers you are most comfortable with and do those first!

● Answer the easiest questions first! The longer questions are worth as many points as a simple calculation.

SAT Math Strategies continued...

● Do not get stuck on the language of word problems.

● Do not worry if you don’t know a word in the sentence - look only at the math the questions are asking.○ Example: Glendy was asked to husk a bushel of corn for

her father’s farm share. She husked 45 ears of corn in 75 minutes. How many ears of corn did she husk?

Final Reminders:

● Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the test ● Make sure you are hydrated● Relax and be confident!● Answer every question● Remember each question is about 10 points - even

answering 5 extra questions correctly can boost your score by 50 points!