SAT │ ACT Strategy Session Presenter: Jayson Green, Territory Manager

1. SAT │ ACT Strategy SessionPresenter:Jayson Green, Territory Manager March 5, 2013

2. Topics for today’s session • Overview of College Admissions Tests • Differences Between the SAT and ACT • Sample Problems with Explanations • How The Princeton Review Can Help and Q&A

3. What are the elements of your Admissions Profile? • Standardized Tests! • Your High School Legacy • Transcripts • Grades • GPA • Classes • Class Rank • Work Experience and/or Extracurricular Activities • Your Application • Essay(s) • Recommendation Letters

4. The College Admissions Tests What are the two major standardized tests geared toward College Admission? • SAT • ACT

5. What do the tests have in common? • They are standardized tests • They are multiple choice tests • SAT and PSAT math also have 10 “grid-ins” • They are long AND on the weekend • They have math, reading, and grammar • They are part of the college admissions process They don’t tell you how smart you are!

6. What do the tests say about you? You might think that: If you do well in school… you will do well on the SAT and/or ACT. However, that is NOT necessarily true. Standardized tests do not and cannot tell anything about… • Your intelligence • Your aptitude to succeed in college • How hard you work in school • How well you do in math or reading at school The test makers are trying to trick you. They ask questions in a very different way than you learn in school.

7. If everyone got an A+ in Chem Class? Your teacher would be proud of you for studying hard and proud of herself for teaching well! She would keep using the same labs/lectures/ assignments/test questions.

8. If everyone got a 2400 on the SAT or 36 on the ACT? The test writers would be mad at themselves for writing a test that gave everyone the same score. They would CHANGE the questions so that few score well, few score poorly, and most score in the middle.

9. How are the SAT and ACT different? How do I know which one to take or should I take both?

10. SAT vs. ACT Big picture • SAT is called a “reasoning test” while the ACT is not. What does that mean? • SAT is less content based, but it is trickier. • what you see is not what you get. • ACT tests broadly, but it’s more direct and content based. • While both require good pacing and time management skills, the ACT requires much faster pacing than the SAT does. So isn’t the ACT easier because it’s less tricky? • No—some people excel at one, and others excel at the other. • Time management, type of content, structure of the tests, presentation of questions, and other factors will affect which test is better for you.

11. SAT vs. ACT Overall Breakdown

12. SAT vs. ACT Reading

13. SAT vs. ACT Math

14. SAT vs. ACT Writing, English, and Essay

15. SAT vs. ACT Science

16. How is the SAT scored? • Three reported scores: Math, Reading, and Writing. • Each score is reported on a 200-800 scale. • There are sub scores for Grammar (20-80) and the Essay (2-12), but these are used to create the Writing score. • The scales are based on the number of questions answered correctly, skipped, and answered incorrectly. • Correct answers = 1 raw point. • Skipped answers = 0 raw points. • Incorrect answers = -¼ raw point for multiple choice.

17. How is the ACT scored? • Four reported scores: English, Math, Reading, and Science. • Each score is reported on a 1-36 scale. • The four scores are averaged into a Composite score. • There is a separate “optional” Writing section, scored on a 2-12 scale. • The Writing Test does not affect the Composite score. • The scales are based on the number of questions answered correctly, skipped, and answered incorrectly. • Correct answers = 1 raw point. • Skipped answers = 0 raw points. • Incorrect answers = 0 raw point.

18. SAT vs. ACT: How to decide Think about your strengths and weaknesses!

19. SAT vs. ACT: How to decide • Use FREE tools from The Princeton Review: the PRA (Princeton Review Assessment) or take a Free Practice Test (in-person or online) for each test. • If you take both practice tests, think about which test felt more comfortable, and compare your score reports to figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Ask us! We’ll help you understand your scores!

20. Where will your scores take you? Visit PrincetonReview.com for more score data! Higher End of This List: SAT: 2260 ACT: 34 (CalTech) Lower End of This List: SAT: 1850 ACT: 27 (Elon University) Middle of This List: SAT: 2050 ACT: 31 (Georgetown University)

21. Testing Timeline Start early and plan ahead! • The SAT is offered seven times per year: October, November, December, January, March, May, and June. • SAT Subject tests are offered at the same time (except in March), so you can’t take both tests during one administration – check online to see which tests are offered when. We highly suggest you take the SAT Subject Test in May or June when you have just finished the corresponding class. • The ACT is offered six times per year: September, October, December, February, April, and June. • The SAT and ACT are never offered on the same day. • APs do not conflict with testing days and are offered at the end of each school year. You can take standardized tests when you are ready: no specific test date is better than any other, nor do certain test dates have better curves. If you start early, you might be able to avoid testing in senior year, when you will be visiting colleges and writing applications. *No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.

22. SAT Math Example 1 18. In the figure above, what is the greatest number of non-overlapping regions into which the shaded region can be divided with exactly two straight lines? • 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2 Strategy One: Rephrase the question in your own words.

23. SAT Math Example 1 1 1 2 4 2 4 3 3

24. SAT Math Example 1 18. In the figure above, what is the greatest number of non-overlapping regions into which the shaded region can be divided with exactly two straight lines? • 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2

25. SAT Math Example 1 18. In the figure above, what is the greatest number of non-overlapping regions into which the shaded region can be divided with exactly two straight lines? • 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2 Strategy Two: Use the process of elimination.

26. SAT Math Example 1 18. In the figure above, what is the greatest number of non-overlapping regions into which the shaded region can be divided with exactly two straight lines? • 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2 Strategy Three: Use what you know about order of difficulty.

27. SAT Math Example 1 18. In the figure above, what is the greatest number of non-overlapping regions into which the shaded region can be divided with exactly two straight lines? • 6 • 5 • 4 • 3 • 2 Strategy Four: Guess when the odds are good.

28. SAT Math Example 1 18. In the figure above, what is the greatest number of non-overlapping regions into which the shaded region can be divided with exactly two straight lines? • 6 • 5 –> Correct! • 4 • 3 • 2 Strategy Five: Don’t confuse easy and hard questions!

29. SAT Math Example 1 But, wait, how do you “really” do the question?

30. SAT Math Example 1 1 2 5 3 4 Strategy Seven: Practice and look for patterns so you know when to go with your gut.

31. SAT Math Example 1 • Strategies we Used: • Rephrase the question in your own words. • Use the process of elimination. • Use what you know about order of difficulty. • Guess when the odds are good. • Don’t get tricked into the easy answer on a hard problem. • Don’t “do” the problem at all if you don’t have to. • Practice and look for patterns, so you know when to go with your gut.

32. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π Strategy One: Rephrase the question in your own words.

33. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? Area of a Square = S2 S = 10 S2 = 102 • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π Strategy Two: Write down your formulas and work.

34. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? Area of a Square = S2S = 10 S2 = 102 WAIT A MINUTE! • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π

35. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? Area of a Square = S2S = 10 S2 = 102 • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π Strategy Three: Use the process of elimination.

36. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? Area of a Square = S2S = 10 S2 = 102 • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π Strategy Four: Always guess, but make it your best guess.

37. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? Area of a Square = S2S = 10 S2 = 102 Area of a Circle = πr 2 WAIT A MINUTE! • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π

38. ACT Math 27. A circle is inscribed in a square, as shown in the figure below. If the square measures 10 feet on a side, which of the following expressions gives the area of the shaded region in square feet? Area of a Square = S2S = 10 S2 = 102 Area of a Circle = πr 2 • 102 - 10π • 102 - 52π Correct! • 10 - 5π • 52 - 52π • 52 - 10π Strategy Five: Consider the answer choices and don’t OVERcalculate.

39. ACT Math • Strategies we used: • Rephrase the question in your own words. • Write down your formulas and work. • Use the process of elimination. • Always guess, but make it your best guess. • Consider the answer choices and don’t OVERcalculate.

40. If there is an error in the sentence, it is underlined and numbered. Some sentences contain no error. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. 4. In the year 1492, Columbus discovered the New World A even though he was actually trying to reach India. No error B C D E SAT Writing Question

41. If there is an error in the sentence, it is underlined and numbered. Some sentences contain no error. If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. 4. In the year 1492, Columbus discovered the New World A even though he was actually trying to reach India. No error B C D E SAT Writing Question

42. 8. Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (A) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (B) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat worried her owners with her strange behavior (C) With her darting from room to room and her twitching the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (D) The cat, darting from room to room and twitching, her owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior. (E) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior. SAT Writing Question

43. 8. Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (A) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (B) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat worried her owners with her strange behavior (C) With her darting from room to room and her twitching the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (D) The cat, darting from room to room and twitching, her owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior. (E) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior. SAT Writing Question

44. 8. Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (A) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (B) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat worried her owners with her strange behavior (C) With her darting from room to room and her twitching the cat’s strange behavior worried her owners. (D) The cat, darting from room to room and twitching, her owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior. (E) Darting from room to room and twitching, the cat’s owners were worried by the cat’s strange behavior. SAT Writing Question

45. SAT Writing • Writing Section Order of Difficulty Structure • 1. Improving Sentences (20 questions) – from Easy to Hard • 2. Error IDs (14 questions) – from Easy to Hard • 3. Improving Paragraphs (5 questions) – all Easy or Medium • Writing Section Tips: • Know when the order of difficulty “re-sets.” • Focus on easy and medium ones first.

46. SAT Critical Reading • For Critical Reading, you have to rely on your own personal order of difficulty. • Reading Tips: • Spend your time on the questions that you CAN answer. • Consider omitting questions to save time. • Improve your vocabulary!

47. SAT Critical Reading • Although the beginning of the campaign was __________, later • victories __________ the initial disappointments. • (A) propitious . . nullified • (B) unsuccessful . . complicated • (C) inauspicious . . eclipsed • (D) foreboding . . confirmed • (E) unexpected . . magnified Strategy: Process of elimination (POE) and bite-size pieces

48. -Fill in the blanks with your own words -Use clues in the sentence to help you out. -Can’t come up with a word? Use (+) / (-) SAT Critical Reading 1st Blank ___________ - Why 2nd Blank ___________ - Why 2. Although the beginning of the campaign was __________, later victories __________ the initial disappointments. (A) propitious . . nullified (B) unsuccessful . . complicated (C) inauspicious . . eclipsed (D) foreboding . . confirmed (E) unexpected . . magnified

49. 2. Although the beginning of the campaign was __________, later victories __________ the initial disappointments. (A) propitious . . nullified (B) unsuccessful . . complicated (C) inauspicious . . eclipsed (D) foreboding . . confirmed (E) unexpected . . magnified FINAL ANSWER = (C)

50. How we can help! Over 4 out of 5 Princeton Review Graduates were accepted into at least one of their top-choice schools.* Our job is to raise scores • We are the experts: we know these tests cold • We have developed test-specific strategies—that other companies copy • We’ll teach you the content you need to know • We’ll show you what vocab you need to learn for the SAT • We’ll help you develop an appropriate pacing strategy • We’ll help you manage test anxiety • We have options for every schedule and learning style We are passionate about what we doand we are so confident with our results we actually GUARANTEE them! *Among students responding to our 2009 survey.