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    • Historical document: U.S. or world history-based text.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


    • 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