Learn the Language of the SAT

Every standardized test has its own rules, its own language. The SAT is no different. To understand the language of a test, is to know how to attack each question type. To understand the language of the SAT is to be prepared and avoid the trick answer. In my next series of posts, I will address the language of the SAT for each topic: Math, Critical Reading and Writing........

Active vs. Passive Voice

Passive language is awkward and wordy. The SAT grammar section does not like sentences written in the passive voice. Make sure the subject is actively "doing" whatever is meant. For example "Steve loves Amy" is a much better sentence than "Amy is loved by Steve" Steve is the subject and he is doing the loving. Amy is the "object" of Steve's affection. Please listen to a short 4 minute lesson from Grammar Girl by clicking on the following link: http://bit.ly/dcUyMP

Grammar Tip-What is a Comma Splice Error?

The SAT Writing Section tests many of the classic rules of grammar. One main theme is punctuation. When do we use a comma, a semi-colon, or a period? Grammar Girl is an excellent multi media website which addresses this issue and many more. Click on the following link and get the rule on comma splice. There is a written transcript and an audio presentation: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/comma-splice.aspx

4 Steps to a Better Essay

The four steps necessary to improve your SAT Essay are:

1. Take time to properly reflect upon what you will be writing about and what supporting materials you will be using to make your case
2. Carefully draft a thesis or topic sentence so that the reader clearly knows your position
3. Support your position with clarity, organization and engaging language
4. Check your draft for errors, run on sentences and missed words.

I will examine each of these steps in detail in future posts.

Teach Kids to Write

In today's NY Times there is an article by Stanley Fish, a Professor at Florida International in Miami. While grading papers, Fish was appalled at the poor writing skills students displayed. In an insightful article, Fish analyzes the root causes of the lack of uniform writing instruction within institutions of higher learning. For the full article click here: http://tr.im/x3lx

Identifying Sentence Errors

Realize that for approximately 20% of these questions the correct answer will be choice E- no error. Correct sentences are the most often missed answer choices by students. Naturally when you are doing a series of questions which are called IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS the first thing you are looking for are errors. After searching for an error (or two) if you still have not spotted an obvious error chances are its choice E- no error. Do not try and create an error. Learning to identify correct sentences are just as important as identifying the errors.

Learn From Your Mistakes

When reviewing practice exams, you will learn more from the questions you get wrong than the ones you answer correctly for several reasons. First, if you answer a question correctly, presumably you already know how to do it, so there is no reason to focus on something you already know. Or worse, if you got the question right because it was a lucky guess you may think you know something you don't. Wrong answers represent with certainty, questions and concepts that must be studied. Ask yourself, "Was this a careless error? Do I understand why it is wrong? Is there a better method to get the correct answer?" For sentence completions, study all the vocabulary word answer choices you don't understand. Re-read a passage and try and find the answer. Learn a new rule of grammar from an incorrect short answer writing question. Look for patterns. Do you find that the same type of questions always give you the most difficulty? For example, a student of mine had trouble answering the critical reading main idea questions. So I directed the student to some study aids and quizzes designed specifically for that type of question. This is what I call efficient study time. Use your time wisely by zeroing in on those questions that pose the most difficulty.

SAT Writing Section

According to a new study by the Collegeboard, performance on the SAT Writing Section is the best indicator of a students performance in his or her freshman year of College. According to the data on 150,000 students, the writing section is a better predictor than the math or critical reading sections. Introduced in 2005, the writing section consists of one 25 minute timed essay, one 25 minute multiple choice section and one ten minute multiple choice section. The complete study is to be released this summer. To read more about this please click on the link to USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-04-24-sat_N.htm