Today's SAT question has underlined portions of a sentence to check for errors. Adding to the mystery of what to notice is the fact that you are asked if changing one of the underlined portion will improve the sentence. Therefore, you know that the underlined portion may be correct all by itself--but it may need a change to correct the sentence.
The only way to do this is to read the sentence noting what could be the question (the dual role of reading and evaluating): INotice whether the sentence is a complete sentence (not a fragment), whether the sentence is a run-on (using a comma where a semicolon or period is necessary to divide into 2 sentences), whether there is subject-verb disagreement, pronoun-antecedent disagreement. In short, watch for the predictable errors that SAT sentence errors include.
There are none. This takes LESS THAN A MINUTE.
Mark: No error. Glance over it again as a whole sentence, reading for comprehension. No error. Mark it and Move on.
This is our patent ROCKETCAT RACECAR strategy. You read it forwards. You find the answer and mark it. You speed backwards to eliminate the other possibilities. (Racecar is the same word read backwards. It is a palindrome.)
You have this point. Move on.
judiethcarol&rocketcatApril2010c
Saturday, April 17, 2010
SAT MATH AND FAST TRACK: 2 Best Tips
by judiethcarol & rocketcat Keep Coming back to http://www.coolrocketschool.org/
This is brain exercise with the SAT question of the day!
We favor our patent RACECAR strategy for just about every language arts style question, whether filling in one blank or two or noticing a way to improve sentences. Most of the time, we reserve this strategy for the Q&A of the type that is quick for us. Part of the strategy is checking by going forwards --and then backwards, like RACECAR, which reads the same either way (a palindrome).
For math, the rocketcat strategy is generally forward only. On the SAT test, you do have to consider speed. You want to pace yourself so you will get to just about every problem. Though there are some advisors to tell us that the questions get more difficult, that will depend upon what is difficult for you. Never assume that the higher level mathematical problems will be more difficult for you.
The SAT is designed to measure aptitude. The mathematics on the SAT will require several steps; but the actual numbers will usually be low enough numbers to consider without a calculator. The calculator is useful for two (2) major areas on the SAT: (1) quickly checking arithmetic as you figure out the steps of a problem and--(2) quickly solving an infrequent but more complex style of problem by plugging in each of the possible answers. These two best uses for the calculator on the SAT display the reasons the calculator is allowed at all. Your use of the calculator is not going to make you seem smarter than you are. You really are smart if you can use it in the top strategic ways!: Check your calculations as you move along, and plug in possible answers.
If you do some of the math problems on a daily basis, using other sources to supplement the SAT Question of the Day, you will start to notice a trend in the math problems that will help you to gather in points on this section. The way you may gain more points in the math section is to learn to write a word sentence into an algebraic sentence--in the shortest form possible. Another strategy in math that is not the first thing that comes to mind is to fill in the codes for unknown numbers with a made up number. (Use a low number that is easy to manage!) Often, if you will just plug in a number for 'x' or 'a' or whatever the unknown is called, you will see the relationship among the numbers and symbols better.
Ironically, the hard thing about some of the problems in math for people who read a lot is the variety of questions that 'could' be the question coming up. You see, a strong reader is constantly 'predicting' what is next. You will 'hear' yourself predicting what the question will be. This is a good sign. You ARE reading with attention and comprehension. It is just very important to keep noticing that the question may be different from what you are assuming.
It is not just to trick you that the answer to the question you 'think' they are asking will be on the list as well as the answer to the question actually asked. The reason a test designer does this is that this is an easy way to measure whether you are focusing on the big picture--and, then, the details.
We need some more math strategies to make that portion of the test as easy as checking your language arts questions. Tune in later. We will do some examples.
judiethcarol&rocketcatapril2010
This is brain exercise with the SAT question of the day!
We favor our patent RACECAR strategy for just about every language arts style question, whether filling in one blank or two or noticing a way to improve sentences. Most of the time, we reserve this strategy for the Q&A of the type that is quick for us. Part of the strategy is checking by going forwards --and then backwards, like RACECAR, which reads the same either way (a palindrome).
For math, the rocketcat strategy is generally forward only. On the SAT test, you do have to consider speed. You want to pace yourself so you will get to just about every problem. Though there are some advisors to tell us that the questions get more difficult, that will depend upon what is difficult for you. Never assume that the higher level mathematical problems will be more difficult for you.
The SAT is designed to measure aptitude. The mathematics on the SAT will require several steps; but the actual numbers will usually be low enough numbers to consider without a calculator. The calculator is useful for two (2) major areas on the SAT: (1) quickly checking arithmetic as you figure out the steps of a problem and--(2) quickly solving an infrequent but more complex style of problem by plugging in each of the possible answers. These two best uses for the calculator on the SAT display the reasons the calculator is allowed at all. Your use of the calculator is not going to make you seem smarter than you are. You really are smart if you can use it in the top strategic ways!: Check your calculations as you move along, and plug in possible answers.
If you do some of the math problems on a daily basis, using other sources to supplement the SAT Question of the Day, you will start to notice a trend in the math problems that will help you to gather in points on this section. The way you may gain more points in the math section is to learn to write a word sentence into an algebraic sentence--in the shortest form possible. Another strategy in math that is not the first thing that comes to mind is to fill in the codes for unknown numbers with a made up number. (Use a low number that is easy to manage!) Often, if you will just plug in a number for 'x' or 'a' or whatever the unknown is called, you will see the relationship among the numbers and symbols better.
Ironically, the hard thing about some of the problems in math for people who read a lot is the variety of questions that 'could' be the question coming up. You see, a strong reader is constantly 'predicting' what is next. You will 'hear' yourself predicting what the question will be. This is a good sign. You ARE reading with attention and comprehension. It is just very important to keep noticing that the question may be different from what you are assuming.
It is not just to trick you that the answer to the question you 'think' they are asking will be on the list as well as the answer to the question actually asked. The reason a test designer does this is that this is an easy way to measure whether you are focusing on the big picture--and, then, the details.
We need some more math strategies to make that portion of the test as easy as checking your language arts questions. Tune in later. We will do some examples.
judiethcarol&rocketcatapril2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
USE ROCKETCAT & JUDIETHCAROL'S RACECAR STRATEGY ON SAT!
Rocketcat&judiethcarol say: Don’t miss these, please!!! RACECAR!!!
Apr 13, 2010 These are the fast ones!
Byjudiethcarol&rocketcat April 2010 http://www.coolrocketcat.org/
Out of 95,849 responses Question of the Day Statistics
Number Answered: Correct: 61,911 Incorrect: 33, 938
Correct 61,911
Many people got this right, but look:
Incorrect 33,938
64% correct 36% is a high percentage to miss a point like this one!
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Rocketcat says: Don’t miss a ‘RACECAR’ point!!!!
Judiethcarol & Rocketcat have a strategy called ‘RACECAR’ to use to get the answer correct on a critical reading, sentence completion question like this one.
We use the word ‘RACECAR’ to remember the strategy because the word is a palindrome. RACECAR is the same word backwards and forwards. Too, RACECAR is sleek, fast, and focused all the way to the finish line.
1) Read the sentence noticing the CLUES of CONNOTATION and fill in your own word, the simplest form you can imagine, reflecting that connotation.
2) Find the combination of words fitting that connotation combination: today: positive-negative.
3) Mark the answer.
4) Eliminate the other answers. MOVE ON!!!
Today’s sentence is a perfect example:
I found that the writer’s ideas were sufficiently ________ to make me bear with his ________ language.
ROCKETCAT says: I found that the writer’s ideas were sufficiently….good enough…..to make me bear with his ….bad….language. Rocket says: I need a positive first word to make me ‘bear with’ a negative word kind of language. (+ -)
A. Positive-negative? Intriguing…skill with ---nope, positive -positive
B. Positive-negative? Interesting…abuses of ---yes, Positive-Negative—fits sentence—MARK ANSWER SHEET AND ELIMINATE OTHER ANSWERS-RACECAR
C. Positive-negative? Humble…mastery of----nope, Neutral-positive
D. Positive-negative? Shallow….errors in—no, Negative-negative
E. Positive-negative? Misguided…style of—no, Negative-neutral
If you did not have confidence in the one chosen at this point, after elimination of all the others by the positive, negative, neutral connotation factors, you could reassure yourself by trying another contender in the sentence before rejecting it.
Don’t spend more time on this after you do the first part if you are confident that you understand the procedure of realizing the connotation of the words and the correct answer. Do check your answer, BUT DO KEEP MOVING. Pacing is important. Use your speed on these faster questions and answers, but use your strategies for accuracy, as well!!!judiethcarol&rocketcatApril132010c
Apr 13, 2010 These are the fast ones!
Byjudiethcarol&rocketcat April 2010 http://www.coolrocketcat.org/
Out of 95,849 responses Question of the Day Statistics
Number Answered: Correct: 61,911 Incorrect: 33, 938
Correct 61,911
Many people got this right, but look:
Incorrect 33,938
64% correct 36% is a high percentage to miss a point like this one!
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Rocketcat says: Don’t miss a ‘RACECAR’ point!!!!
Judiethcarol & Rocketcat have a strategy called ‘RACECAR’ to use to get the answer correct on a critical reading, sentence completion question like this one.
We use the word ‘RACECAR’ to remember the strategy because the word is a palindrome. RACECAR is the same word backwards and forwards. Too, RACECAR is sleek, fast, and focused all the way to the finish line.
1) Read the sentence noticing the CLUES of CONNOTATION and fill in your own word, the simplest form you can imagine, reflecting that connotation.
2) Find the combination of words fitting that connotation combination: today: positive-negative.
3) Mark the answer.
4) Eliminate the other answers. MOVE ON!!!
Today’s sentence is a perfect example:
I found that the writer’s ideas were sufficiently ________ to make me bear with his ________ language.
ROCKETCAT says: I found that the writer’s ideas were sufficiently….good enough…..to make me bear with his ….bad….language. Rocket says: I need a positive first word to make me ‘bear with’ a negative word kind of language. (+ -)
A. Positive-negative? Intriguing…skill with ---nope, positive -positive
B. Positive-negative? Interesting…abuses of ---yes, Positive-Negative—fits sentence—MARK ANSWER SHEET AND ELIMINATE OTHER ANSWERS-RACECAR
C. Positive-negative? Humble…mastery of----nope, Neutral-positive
D. Positive-negative? Shallow….errors in—no, Negative-negative
E. Positive-negative? Misguided…style of—no, Negative-neutral
If you did not have confidence in the one chosen at this point, after elimination of all the others by the positive, negative, neutral connotation factors, you could reassure yourself by trying another contender in the sentence before rejecting it.
Don’t spend more time on this after you do the first part if you are confident that you understand the procedure of realizing the connotation of the words and the correct answer. Do check your answer, BUT DO KEEP MOVING. Pacing is important. Use your speed on these faster questions and answers, but use your strategies for accuracy, as well!!!judiethcarol&rocketcatApril132010c
Monday, April 12, 2010
Rocketcat's 10 Short Questions: Describe Your Aptitude to Yourself.
Rocketcat’s TEN SHORT QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR APTITUDE AND HOW YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF
By Judiethcarol&RocketcatApril2010c.
Remember that every question you answer correctly gives you another point—and the same one point. When you encounter a Q&A like the April 10 fill in the blank on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), notice what the design of the question is asking from you.
How does this SAT question measure your aptitude for scholarship?
Imagine for a moment: If you were describing your personal ability to succeed in college, what words would you use to describe that ability?
Do you notice clues? Is the connotation of a word a major clue to answer the question?
Do you ‘connect the dots’ across the content areas to see a complete picture?
Do you use what you know to figure out what you do not know?
Do you often notice that you know more than you realized before you were asked a certain question?
Are you aware of an ability to use clues and strategies?
Do you ever feel that you are using an Algebra style way to answer a language arts question—by considering the unknown and the known to figure out the answer?
Can you describe your greatest strengths to yourself?
Do you guess most of the time when you are taking standardized tests, or do you often feel confident that you know the way to find the answer?
Come to www.coolrocketschool.org daily. I am a tutor, and I can show you how to develop your personal abilities to use your strengths and knowledge for your personal benefit.judiethcarol&rocketcatApril2010c.
By Judiethcarol&RocketcatApril2010c.
Remember that every question you answer correctly gives you another point—and the same one point. When you encounter a Q&A like the April 10 fill in the blank on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), notice what the design of the question is asking from you.
How does this SAT question measure your aptitude for scholarship?
Imagine for a moment: If you were describing your personal ability to succeed in college, what words would you use to describe that ability?
Do you notice clues? Is the connotation of a word a major clue to answer the question?
Do you ‘connect the dots’ across the content areas to see a complete picture?
Do you use what you know to figure out what you do not know?
Do you often notice that you know more than you realized before you were asked a certain question?
Are you aware of an ability to use clues and strategies?
Do you ever feel that you are using an Algebra style way to answer a language arts question—by considering the unknown and the known to figure out the answer?
Can you describe your greatest strengths to yourself?
Do you guess most of the time when you are taking standardized tests, or do you often feel confident that you know the way to find the answer?
Come to www.coolrocketschool.org daily. I am a tutor, and I can show you how to develop your personal abilities to use your strengths and knowledge for your personal benefit.judiethcarol&rocketcatApril2010c.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)