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Lets start a discussion on the common SAT tricks and pitfalls to avoid. I think math is more revelant in this since there are less tricky stuff on verbal. Please post any revelant formula and shortcuts to solving certain type of problems.

Ask any questions!

By Rokurota (Rokurota) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 11:12 pm: Edit

Isn't the expression "Tricks of the Trade?"

By Celebrian23 (Celebrian23) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 11:27 pm: Edit

these are just common sense, but still:
math
1.make sure your calculator is fully programmed
2.make sure your calculator batteries are fresh
3.if there's a problem and you have absolutely no idea how to solve it or eliminate any answers, omit it
4.last minute cramming can be effective if your the type who can retain information
verbal
1.100% focus is necesary if you don't want dips in your score
2.last minute cramming isn't that effective for verbal, it can take months to bring a score up

By Tigeruppercut (Tigeruppercut) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 04:00 am: Edit

verbal: practice makes perfect (do a lot of problems), get a lot of sleep before test, stay calmed, read WHILE QUESTIONING and get the GIST, while doing practice sentence completions...u should have been recording every word you don't know.

By Whtx (Whtx) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 04:05 pm: Edit

What stuff should we look for in determining the experimental sections. What should tip us off that that particular section is the experimental one.

By Whtx (Whtx) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:11 pm: Edit

1. Did anyone here ever tried doing the SAT Math section backwards? My math score is always around 700 because of careless mistakes and ~1 problem that i dont know how to do. When i do it straightfoward, i usually have more than 5 minutes left to check answers. How good is trying it backwards?

2. Does we need to know combinations/permutations on the test?

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 11:27 pm: Edit

Hmm...backwards...

I might try that in a practice test, see what happens. It makes sense because you'll be fresher and more wary of tricks. When you do a bunch of easy ones first, you start to get used to the easiness.

On the other hand, you might be tired out after doing those tough problems first, and then make some stupid mistakes later on.

But I'll try it.

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 11:57 pm: Edit

Nah, I don't like it. The problems are so hard that they scare me stiff, and I can't concentrate for the rest of them. It's not smart to change your technique days before the test.

By Theapprentice (Theapprentice) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 11:11 am: Edit

SAT math is so easy it doesnt matter
unless its barrons math 2C

AHHHH

By Yz16 (Yz16) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:05 pm: Edit

i think SAT math should be done forwards...:S

easy qs, hard qs, all worth the same. Why risk getting stuck on hard qs and not getting the easy points?

as to getting tired.... hmm, i never thought of that as a factor. I do find that I need to get into a bit of a math mode, so I like to have the easy qs warm me up a little.

as Aim 78 said, i think, if you can't do a math q (more likely towards the end), you'll just spaz yourself out. That's not good for the SAT math, which i think is helped a lot by some good, healthy, confidence.

good luck : )

By Yz16 (Yz16) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:06 pm: Edit

ah yes.

I like to sharpen my pencils then take my thumbnail and snap the tip before the test starts. makes for quick bubbling.

;)

By Tlaktan (Tlaktan) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 01:30 pm: Edit

Yey for permutations and yey for the TI-83's nPr and nCr button! :D

By Emika (Emika) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:36 pm: Edit

Also, if you need to eat during the SAT, you can do so during the bathroom breaks. As you're walking to the bathroom, eat :P

The rules only say that you can't eat/drink in the room.

By Ml41588 (Ml41588) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:17 pm: Edit

also about getting tired..if you want to i think your allowed to have a water bottle with no labels on it. so fill your waterbottle with red bull or coffee or something

By Cherrybarry (Cherrybarry) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 06:28 pm: Edit

10 REALS and under REAL testing conditions...get your mom to make some boring proctor noises if possible