SAT Test Taking Strategies

SAT Math Tips & Advice

* SAT Math time management

SAT math questions are arranged in ascending order of difficulty. With practice, you will learn your personal abilities and limitations with math questions. However, when you take the test, you should probably not spend too much time on the first questions, as these are the easiest and you probably answered them easily.

If you have trouble answering an early question, go back and re-read it. Chances are you simply misinterpreted what was being asked.

Try not to skip any of these initial questions. You may not have time at the end to come back to finish them, and leaving them blank may lower your score. At a minimum, you should be able to at least eliminate a few answer choices through our dear old friend, process of elimination.

Mark what you are trying to answer

This is helpful advice for all sections of the SAT, but especially so for the math questions. You are allowed to write in your test booklet, so don't be afraid to mark it up -- particularly by marking what it is that you need to answer. The test writers will intentionally include incorrect answer choices that provide the right answers to the wrong questions, including other values referred to in the question.

On a related note, be on the lookout for such key question words as not and except. Be on the lookout, too, for changes in units of measurement. We'll show you some practice questions that utilize these techniques just in case you do not see what we mean!

Simplify problems wherever possible

Process of elimination is your best friend in answering SAT math questions. Simplification comes next. The SAT1 is not designed to make you do unnecessarily long calculations. If you find yourself tangled in a string of numbers, chances are that you have overlooked a way of simplifying the equation. On this note, all SAT questions are meticulously designed. If you are given a piece of data such as 1 mile = 5,280 feet, there is a reason it was given, and it is most likely related to a perhaps not-so-readily-apparent way to simplify the problem.

Work backwards if you can't work forward

Working forward is the most effective and efficient way of solving a math problem when you instantly recognize the proper formula and method needed to answer it. (In that case, the best way to manage your time is to solve the problem, choose the corresponding answer choice, and move on to the next question.)

Working backwards, however, is an effective tool when you have forgotten how to answer the question.

Working backwards means plugging a value from one of the answer choices into the appropriate formula and seeing if it works. We recommend you always start with choice C, which will be the median value of the answer choices. If choice C yields an answer that is too large, then you will instantly know the answer must be A or B. Conversely, if choice C yields an answer that is too small, then you will know the answer must be choice D or E.
Use your SAT practice time to practice this skill. You should soon be comfortable working backwards no more than 2 times per question, i.e. if choice C is too small and choice D is also too small, then you will know the answer must be choice E. This approach will help you manage your test time more efficiently and help you achieve the highest possible score on the SAT.

Use easy numbers when you need to plug in a value

With these questions, you will have to do the "leg work" yourself. Therefore, use easy small numbers. For percent questions, we suggest you use 100.

Approximation is useful when the answer choices are widely disparate

Should you encounter answer choices that are widely disparate, try approximation. For example, let's say you can closely guesstimate the answer to be 30%, and the answer choices are 4%, 13%, 29%, 47%, and 81%. In that case you will know the correct answer must be 29%.

Draw diagrams when they are not provided and they would be helpful

Many students find this a useful technique. Just keep the drawings simple and don't fret over just how accurate they are. You will not receive any bonus points for drawing the best right angle triangle inside your test booklet!

Remain calm and rational

If you see a question (it would most likely be a word question) that you have no idea how to solve, examine the answer choices for help. This frequently happens with "time" questions.
Here is an example:
Bob can finish a book report in 3 hours and Linda can complete the same book report in 2 hours. How long would it take both of them to complete a book report if they worked together?
This may look very intimidating at first glance. However, logic tells us that since Linda can do this report herself in 2 hours, there is no way it should take both of them working together more than this amount of time. (No assumptions about goofing off are required for the SAT.)
The real answer, if you are curious is 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Test Preparation for Standardized Tests

Top Notch Tutoring offers Test Prep Courses and private tutoring for the GED, PSAT, SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, high school admission test and more!

Key Benefits:
*Score higher on the test
*Gain confidence in taking the test
*Choice of small classes or one-on-one private tutoring
*Flexible locations
*Focus on strategies and approach during sessions
*Top Notch tutoring is more cost effective since diagnostic and practice test are taken outside of the sessions
*Tutors identify areas in need of improvement and focus attention there while maintaining areas of expertise

Sign up today to prepare for upcoming tests.

See below for the dates of the standardized testing -

GED Test Dates:
Year-Round

SAT Test Dates:
May 2, 2009 - SAT & Subject Tests
June 6, 2009 - SAT & Subject Tests

ACT Test Dates:
April 4, 2009
June 13, 2009

GRE Test Dates:
Year-round General Test
April 4, 2009 - Subject Tests

GMAT Test Dates:
Year-round

LSAT Test Dates:
June 8, 2009
September 26, 2009
December 5, 2009

MCAT Test Dates:
March 28, 2009
April 4, 2009
April 18, 2009
April 24, 2009
May 1, 2009
May 2, 2009
May 22, 2009
May 28, 2009
June 18, 2009
July 2, 2009
July 17, 2009
July 30, 2009
July 31, 2009
August 5, 2009
August 6, 2009
August 14, 2009
August 21, 2009
August 25, 2009
September 3, 2009
September 4, 2009
September 10, 2009
September 12, 2009

Background of Top Notch Tutoring, LLC

Top Notch Tutoring was founded in 1998 by Kristin (Notch) Ries. The name was chosen due to its double meaning (Notch is Kristin's maiden name). Kristin tutored several students throughout college and afterwards. She became so busy that she was driving all over the metroplex and unfortunately was unable to tutor all the students herself. Therefore, she found contract tutors who were able to tutor the students that she was unable to tutor and that is how the business officially started.

Top Notch Tutoring provides private and group tutoring for students of all ages, most subjects and many locations throughout the United States.
Our tutors come to your preferred location. We offer flexible hours, seven days a week, to fit with your schedule.

We offer:
Tutoring at your home, local library, bookstore, office or other preferred location
Flexible hours (mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends) seven days a week
Experience with learning, emotional and developmental issues
Certified teachers and/or experienced tutors with professional degrees
No registration, enrollment or assessment fees.
Package rates for several hours purchased up-front at a discount rate
Tutors throughout the United States and Online!

Our tutors tutor all ages and grade levels including: pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, college, graduate school and adults
Subjects offered include: Mathematics (all levels), English, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, History, Literature, Science, Psychology, Music Lessons (instrumental, theory and voice), Art, Drama/Theater, Computers, (software, web design), Business, Engineering, College Courses, Foreign Languages, Accounting, Finance, ESL, Resume Writing & Private Test Preparation or Classes

Please visit our website for more detailed information about we offer: www.topnotchtutoring.com.

Kristin Ries, M.A.
Managing Member
Top Notch Tutoring, LLC
www.topnotchtutoring.com
info@topnotchtutoring.com
720-939-2804 (Colorado)
1-888-2-tutor-1 (Nationwide)