Princeton review notes for sat

What is the basic approach

1. Read the Question.

2. Identify the Question Type.

3. Read the Text(s).

4. Highlight What Can Help (and Annotate if Needed).

5. Use POE.

Two independent clauses can be joined with...

• A semicolon, anytime ;

• A comma plus an appropriate coordinating conjunction
  (FANBOYS)

• A colon, if the second part of the sentence explains the first in some way :

Two independent clauses can NEVER be joined with...

• A comma without a coordinating conjunction

• A coordinating conjunction without a comma

• No punctuation to separate the independent clauses

An independent clause and a dependent clause (in either order) can be joined with...

• A comma,

• No punctuation at all

• Generally, a comma is used when the dependent clause comes first and when there is a contrast. If the dependent clause comes second and doesn't contrast (such as clauses that begin with because or if), there usually isn't a comma.

An independent clause and a dependent clause (in either order) can NEVER be joined with...

• A period.

• A semicolon ;

• A colon :

• A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

Where can a colon be replaced?

A colon can only come after an independent clause.

Extra Information Rules

1. Extra Information can come before or after the noun or pronoun it's describing.

2. Extra Information can be removed to leave behind a sentence with the same meaning, just a little less detail.
   It's not needed for specifying which person or thing you're talking about.

3. Extra Information must always have commas, dashes, or parentheses both before and after the phrase.

4. If you're not sure whether the information is Extra or Specifying, try removing it from the sentence. If it is Extra, its removal will not affect your understanding of who or what the sentence is about.

"No Punctuation" Rules

1. Don't put punctuation where there is Specifying
   Information.

2. Never put a single punctuation mark between a subject and a verb.

3. Don't put punctuation after a preposition.

Above all else, don't use punctuation unless you have a reason to do so.

When a quadratic is in the form ax² +bx+ c=0

The sum of the solutions equals - b/a

The product of the solutions equals c/a

EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OR DECAY FORMULAS

When the growth is a percent of the total population, use

final amount = original amount (1 + rate)^number of changes

When the growth is a multiple of the total population, use

final amount = original amount (multiplier)^number of changes

Argument words

Argument words

Agreements and Support

Agreements and Support

Rejections and Restrictions

Rejections and Restrictions

Conclusions and Judgments

Conclusions and Judgments

Writing Styles

Writing Styles

Influence and Effort

Influence and Effort

Inconsistency and Uncertainty

Inconsistency and Uncertainty

Praise and Positivity

Praise and Positivity

Descriptions and Degrees

Descriptions and Degrees

Descriptions and Degrees

Presence and Occurrence

Presence and Occurrence