SAT Archives - SciMath Education

SAT math tips, formulas and concepts students should memorize

A good way to memorize formulas is to memorize that as both text and image. Convert the formula into text, memorize the text by saying it out loud to yourself and copying it out as a mathematical formula. Before you take the SAT, drill yourself on the formulas and concepts. What are some things you need to memorize for the SAT math? The Slope Formula If you have the coordinates of two points, to calculate the slope of a line, use the following formula: “Y two minus Y one over X two minus X one.” The Distance Formula “Distance is the square root of Y two minus Y one squared plus X two minus X one squared.” Distance is exactly the same as the Pythagorean theorem, where the distance between two points is the hypotenuse of a right triangle. The Midpoint Formula If you have coordinated for two points, calculate the midpoint by averaging the x coordinated and averaging the y coordinates. The Quadratic Formula The quadratic formula can be used to find the X-intercepts of a parabola: “Negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac all over 2a.” How to get the X-coordinate of the vertex of a parabola in standard form: “Negative B over 2A” If you need the Y-coordinate of the vertex, plug the X-coordinate you got into the...

Transform Your PSAT Score Into an SAT Game Plan

Transform Your PSAT Score Into an SAT Game Plan Students can use newly released PSAT scores to create an SAT study plan right away, while the content is still fresh. U.S. News & World Report By Tiffany Sorensen, Contributor |Dec. 11, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. This year, high school students will receive their PSAT scores on December 11, 12 or 13. PSAT scores range from 320 to 1520. The redesigned PSAT adheres more closely to the revised SAT, which has a maximum score of 1600, and performance on the PSAT is an ideal starting point for SAT study endeavors. The following three steps can help you translate your PSAT results into an effective SAT review plan. [Use your PSAT performance to choose a college entrance exam.] 1. Account for differences between the tests: There are a number of key differences between the PSAT and the SAT. For instance, the PSAT is two hours and 45 minutes long, while the SAT is three hours without the essay and three hours and 50 minutes with the essay. As a result, the SAT requires increased focus and stamina. The essay component, which is not present on the PSAT, also requires students to use analytical and rhetorical skills. As you prepare for the SAT, consider both the essay and the exam length so that you are neither exhausted on test day nor lacking the proper practice to excel on the essay. In addition, keep in mind that the most complex SAT questions may not appear on the PSAT. For a strategic approach, you can review by question type, such as focusing on trigonometry problems on both the PSAT and SAT. Within each type, note those SAT practice questions that are marked as difficult, since you may not have encountered them on the PSAT. Given these differences between the PSAT and the SAT, your approach to studying for the SAT should be cautiously optimistic. It is better to assume that your SAT score will be lower than what the PSAT suggests, rather than to be overconfident that your PSAT score will translate directly to your SAT score. [Read 10 test prep tips for SAT and ACT takers.] 2. Create a review plan immediately: You should create a study plan for the SAT as soon as possible after reviewing PSAT score reports. The PSAT’s content and format will be relatively fresh in your mind, and you should have a rough idea of which question types and sections were most challenging for you. Carefully review your PSAT score report to determine which questions you consistently answered incorrectly. The College Board provides detailed explanations for each item to help you better understand where and why you erred – so be sure to read these. [Get information on how parents, teens can make use of PSAT scores.] 3. Set realistic expectations: Finally, make sure to plan for sufficient time between the PSAT and the SAT. Taking the tests too closely together may result in disappointment if you have not given yourself space to improve. Be honest with yourself about target scores and the amount of time you can dedicate to SAT studies. For example, signing up for the March 10, 2018, date may not be conducive if you hope to increase your score by 200 points but will have limited time to study in January and February. One general rule to abide by is that each 10-point increase on the SAT necessitates several hours of intensive study. Therefore, if you wish to increase your score by 100 points, assume that you will need to review for roughly 40-50 hours. Be aware, however, that this number is only a general estimate and will depend on the quality of...

Understand the stakes, but don’t fret

The pressure to excel on the SAT or ACT can be high – but students must find a healthy balance between understanding the test’s importance and ensuring they don’t push themselves too hard. While attaining great test scores is certainly a goal worth going after, pressuring yourself to an unhealthy point is unlikely to help you get there. Don’t forget that you can take the test multiple times, and most people do. Just try your best and don’t let the test environment or any small missteps get the better of you. This is another time when being prepared comes into play. We advised arriving at the test site early to help alleviate any extra stress. Nothing stresses someone out more than being late. Additionally, if you’re not there at the correct time, you might not be able to take the test. Leave your day wide open, show up early and put yourself in the best position you can to do well on the exam. Remember, the more practice exams you take the more comfortable you will be on during the real exam. SciMath Education offers mock testing for students taking standardized tests several Saturdays out of the month. We attempt to replicate the testing process and environment to enable students to experience actual test conditions. Learn more about our mock testing program...

Students: Know standardized test strategies

While the main concern on students’ minds for typical tests may be remembering certain material that will be covered, standardized exams require them to think about specific test-taking strategies, rules, and approaches that aren’t always relevant for other exams. That said, if students go to take the SAT or ACT and have only studied content for a few days, as they would for any other exam, they may be at a disadvantage. The ACT and SAT tests are not exams where you can cram the night before and shove the material in your short-term memory. It takes weeks, months, or even years to adapt to the strategic test-taking skills required for questions that assess a very specific skill set. SciMath Education can help you prepare for your standardized exam. We offer specialized tutoring services catered to your individual needs. Contact: breanna@scimatheducation.com for more information....

Don’t drastically change your routine

The end of the year maybe a hectic time for many high school students. Students not only are preparing for final exams, but also for the final testing sessions of the year for the SAT and ACT. The pressure is on when it comes to impressing colleges and universities with both strong test scores and GPA’s. If you are a student you may ask yourself how do I avoid letting the pressure get to me? Remember, excelling on the ACT or SAT requires a different approach than other exams, partly because of the nuances of the standardized test environment and format. Here are a few tips for students. Don’t Drastically Change Your Routine Test day for the SAT and ACT is no ordinary day, so do not make things more complicated than necessary. Remember, you are going to a new test site with unfamiliar surroundings and a new type of exam so stick with as much of your comfortable, familiar daily routine as possible to minimize fallout. Of course, some aspects of test day prevent you from treating it as a totally normal day, which is why it can help to simulate the SAT or ACT test day experience beforehand so you know exactly what you are getting into. SciMath Educations Mock Test program is a great way to go through specific procedures for the ACT or SAT, so when test day comes around you will be able to repeat those same habits, ultimately making yourself more comfortable. Register here for a mock...