I have tutored high-schoolers in SAT Math preparation for some two years. My approach is definitely anti-"No Child Left Behind." I ensure that my students know the math, not just the tricks to solving certain types of problems. In this article, I'm going to share some of what I tell my students.
First, recognize that the test creators have failed both Art/Drawing and English. They can't draw figures to scale and their word problems are sometimes (no, make that often) incomprehensible. Thus, you need to read each question carefully. It is what you know, as well as what you don't know, that counts. List both knowns and unknowns. Then, even if a figure is provided, draw your own. Annotate and label it to help you figure out what additional information might be known. Many times, your figure can actually guide you toward a solution.
I love technology; but for the SAT, I want my students to know how to do things the old-fashioned way. This helped Wayne, one of my more dedicated tutees, when he inadvertently left his calculator in his car on SAT day. He had no choice but to compute by hand. The result was his highest ever SAT math score!
Most SAT questions are multi-step and involve tapping into many facets of your math knowledge base. Initially, the problem may, therefore, appear daunting. Instead of panicking, break up the problem into manageable pieces. Sometimes this involves going forward; sometimes working the problem backward; and sometimes going both ways. Even though your teachers may have discouraged this, note that most math problems have many correct routes to solution.
Always be careful when negative numbers are around. I like to make the minus sign darker using the turned edge of a pencil or overwriting the sign several times. In this way, the sign doesn't get lost.
If you go through your work step-by-step and show what you've done, then double-checking your work is easier. If time permits, check the answer you get by putting it back into an original equation or figure.
First, recognize that the test creators have failed both Art/Drawing and English. They can't draw figures to scale and their word problems are sometimes (no, make that often) incomprehensible. Thus, you need to read each question carefully. It is what you know, as well as what you don't know, that counts. List both knowns and unknowns. Then, even if a figure is provided, draw your own. Annotate and label it to help you figure out what additional information might be known. Many times, your figure can actually guide you toward a solution.
I love technology; but for the SAT, I want my students to know how to do things the old-fashioned way. This helped Wayne, one of my more dedicated tutees, when he inadvertently left his calculator in his car on SAT day. He had no choice but to compute by hand. The result was his highest ever SAT math score!
Most SAT questions are multi-step and involve tapping into many facets of your math knowledge base. Initially, the problem may, therefore, appear daunting. Instead of panicking, break up the problem into manageable pieces. Sometimes this involves going forward; sometimes working the problem backward; and sometimes going both ways. Even though your teachers may have discouraged this, note that most math problems have many correct routes to solution.
Always be careful when negative numbers are around. I like to make the minus sign darker using the turned edge of a pencil or overwriting the sign several times. In this way, the sign doesn't get lost.
If you go through your work step-by-step and show what you've done, then double-checking your work is easier. If time permits, check the answer you get by putting it back into an original equation or figure.
Comments
Selena Elden
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/07/2009
Wow i'm not really looking foward to my SAT but this has a lot of good tips. thanks
Comment 1 (of 1)
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