PSAT Results--How to Use Them

Sometime in December High Schools will start to distribute the results to the PSAT which was administered in October. The student is given a perfect starting point from which to set goals on the big test, the SAT. I have recently written an article which suggests how to set realistic SAT goals based upon PSAT performance. The link to the article is here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Setting-SAT-Goals-From-PSAT-Results&id=1720942

Examples of Answers that are Too Narrow

A main idea or global question on the passage based reading section of the SAT is by definition a broad based inquiry. Broad questions are correctly responded to with broad answers. When presented with a question such as "The primary purpose of the passage is to......"

The correct answer to this question cannot contain facts stated in just one specific part of the passage--such an answer may be true but too narrow to be the correct choice. The correct answer must be broad enough to encompass the entire thesis.

For an example of an incorrect answer that is too narrow in the Official Study Guide, see p. 405 #19, answer (A)

Outline Your Essay Before Writing It

Read the prompt. Figure out what is being asked. Scribble down your thesis. Spend two minutes making a crude outline of the major points which will support your thesis. Refer to this outline while writing the essay. This is two minutes well spent. The notes will keep you calm. The notes will prevent writers block. The outline will provide organization to the essay. An organized essay will often command a higher score and instill confidence as you navigate the rest of the SAT.

Examples of Extreme Language In Critical Reading

I took the following wrong answers from the Official SAT Study Guide:

p. 458 choice (D) They were universally admired by British women from every class of society

p. 467 choice (A) was exasperated that she allowed Waverly to embarrass her in public

p. 470 choice (B) criticize the human obsession with time

I noticed a common thread contained in the above answer choices--all had extreme language, ie. super positives or super negatives

Extreme language answers are often wrong because the subject matter of the passages is rarely radically one sided. When practicing passage based reading beware of extreme language in answer choices. Look for more moderate and reasonable language.

Try and locate all wrong answers which contain extreme language. This will help eliminate tempting choices and increase the odds of finding the correct answer.

Six Reasons Critical Reading Answers are Wrong

Do not be fooled! Knowing what not to do is almost as important as knowing what to do. Here are the six most frequent characteristics of incorrect critical reading answers:

1. The answer is too narrow;
2. The answer is too broad;
3. The answer is out of scope;
4. The answer has misused detail;
5. The answer is opposite of what is being asked;
6. The answer is too extreme.

We will examine each of these characteristics in coming posts.

Critical Reading--Paired Passage Strategy

The paired passage reading questions require the student to compare and contrast themes and ideas between two passages. The length of each passage will vary from a single paragraph to several paragraphs. It is important to tackle these questions with the following systematic approach:

1. Scan the questions without looking at the answer choices. Mark each question--1, 2 or B for Both;
2. Read the italics and the first passage first;
3. Answer only those questions pertaining to the first passage;
4. Read the second passage;
5. Answer only those questions pertaining to the second passage;
6. Finally answer those questions pertaining to both passages.

This approach allows the reader to focus on each passage, one at a time. It avoids the confusion of mixing up the main ideas and points of each passage.

SAT Dates for 2009

The following SAT exam dates for 2009 are as follows:

January 24, 2009
March 14, 2009
May 2, 2009
June 6, 2009

Register now and plan your prep strategy early. Don't get shut out of the most preferable testing sites.