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D. SAT Test Format & Strategies

Reading Section

1. Passage Types & Question Types

• The SAT Reading section consists of five passages:

  • Literary passage: From a novel or short story.

  • Historical document: U.S. or world history-based text.

  • Social sciences passage: Topics like psychology, economics, or sociology.

  • Two science-based passages: Topics from biology, chemistry, or physics (one may include a paired passage).

• Question Types:

  • Main Idea: What is the passage mostly about?

  • Detail Questions: What does a specific line mean?

  • Inference Questions: What can be implied?

  • Words in Context: What does a word mean in this specific sentence?

  • Evidence-based: Which line best supports the previous answer?

  • Data Interpretation: Understanding tables and graphs.

2. Annotation Techniques

• Underline main ideas in each paragraph.

• Circle transition words (however, therefore, thus) to track shifts in arguments.

• Bracket evidence that supports the main idea of a passage.

• Write quick notes in the margins (e.g., "contrast," "example," "author's opinion").

3. Skimming vs. Deep Reading Strategies

• Skimming:

  • Read the introduction, first & last sentence of each paragraph.

  • Look at bolded words, italics, and data charts first.

  • Use this for science and social science passages.

• Deep Reading:

  • For literary and historical passages, read closely.

  • Pay attention to tone and emotions.

Writing & Language Section

1. Grammar Rules to Know

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular vs. plural verbs.

• Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: "Each student took his or her book" (not their).

• Verb Tenses: Keep tenses consistent.

• Punctuation Rules: Comma splices, colons, semicolons.

2. Commonly Tested Concepts

• Wordiness & Redundancy: Choose the most concise answer.

• Modifier Placement: "Running down the street, the dog..." (Is it the dog or a person running?).

• Parallelism: "She likes dancing, singing, and to draw." (should be drawing).

3. Sentence & Paragraph Structure Tips

• Logical flow: Does the sentence make sense in its position?

• Transitions: Choose words that properly connect ideas (e.g., however, therefore, consequently).

• Sentence Combination: Avoid run-ons and fragments.

Math Section

1. Important Formulas (Quadratic, Geometry, Algebra, etc.)

• Algebra:

  • Quadratic Formula: (-b±√(b²-4ac))/(2a)

  • Slope Formula: : m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

• Geometry:

  • Pythagorean Theorem:a² + b² = c²

  • Circle Equation:(x - h)² + (y - k)² = r²

• Statistics & Probability:

  • Mean = Sum of values / Number of values

  • Probability = Favorable outcomes / Total outcomes

2. Calculator vs. Non-Calculator Strategies

• Calculator Section:

  • Use calculator for complicated fractions, square roots, and long multiplication.

  • Double-check answers instead of solving from scratch.

• Non-Calculator Section:

  • Memorize multiplication tables and fraction-to-decimal conversions.

  • Use estimation when necessary.

  • Practice mental math tricks.

3. Shortcut Techniques for Problem-Solving

• Plugging in numbers: If a question has variables, substitute small, easy numbers (2, 3, 5) to simplify.

• Backsolving: Start with the middle answer choice in multiple-choice questions and adjust based on the result.

• Eliminating wrong answers: If two choices mean the same thing, both are wrong.

• Recognizing common traps: Some questions use distractors that look correct but aren't (e.g., including extra steps that aren't needed).

E. Formula & Quick Reference Guide

• Algebra: Quadratic Formula, Slope Formula, Exponent Rules

• Geometry: Area & Volume Formulas, Pythagorean Theorem, Circle Equations

  • Area and Volume Formulas: 

    • Square: Area = s² 

    • Rectangle: Area = lw

    •  Triangle: Area = (1/2)bh 

    • Circle: Area = πr² 

    • Cylinder: Volume = πr²h 

    • Cube: Volume = s³

    •  Pythagorean Theorem: a² + b² = c². 

    • Circle Equation: (x - h)² + (y - k)² = r² 

  • Explanation: Area Formulas: Square: "s" represents the length of a side. Rectangle: "l" is the length and "w" is the width. 

  • Triangle: "b" is the base and "h" is the height. 

  • Circle: "r" is the radius.

  •  Volume Formulas: 

    • Cylinder: "r" is the radius of the base and "h" is the height. Cube: "s" is the length of a side. 

    • Pythagorean Theorem: In a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs (a and b) is equal to the square of the hypotenuse (c). Circle

    • Equation: Represents a circle with center point (h, k) and radius "r

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  • Trigonometry: Sine, Cosine, Tangent Basics

  • Sine (sin): Represents the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse (opposite/hypotenuse). 

  • Cosine (cos): Represents the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the hypotenuse (adjacent/hypotenuse). 

  • Tangent (tan): Represents the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side (opposite/adjacent).

  •  Right triangle: These trigonometric functions are always calculated within a right triangle, where one angle is 90 degrees. 

  • Angle notation: When using these functions, the angle is typically represented by a Greek letter like "θ" (theta)

  •  Key points to remember: Mnemonic "SOH CAH TOA": This phrase helps remember the definitions: 

    • "S"ine is "O"pposite over "H"ypotenuse, 

    • "C"osine is "A"djacent over "H"ypotenuse, 

    • "T"angent is "O"pposite over "A"djacent.

• Data Analysis: Mean, Median, Mode, Probability Basics

  • Mode: the most frequent value.

  •  Median: the middle number in an ordered dataset. 

  • Mean: the sum of all values divided by the total number of values.

F. Practice & Mock Test Tracking

• Practice Test Scores (Official & Unofficial)

• Weak Areas & Improvement Plan

• Test-Taking Time Management

G. Test Day Essentials

• Checklist (ID, Admission Ticket, Calculator, Pencils, Snacks)

• Test Center Location & Travel Plan

• Night Before & Morning Routine

H. Tips & Common Mistakes

• Managing Time Effectively

• Avoiding Traps in Answer Choices

• Guessing Strategy (Eliminate Wrong Choices)

• Handling Test Anxiety & Staying Focused