Approaching the "killer" questions-Help anyone?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>I'm a fairly experienced SAT test taker-I've been through the entire blue book, half the Barrons 2006-2007 SAT and additional prep courses...but my scores aren't so wonderful. ~(650-690 CR) ~(670-710M) ~(700-740W) I've looked at practice test over practice test and I see no clear pattern in my scores in terms of question type, but...</p>

<p>I have noticed that the questions thrown on the SAT as "killers" - for instance, that seemingly impossible final math grid in, the sentence completion with ridiculous vocabulary, the spot the error where you know something is wrong but can't find it...I can go on and on. The point is I ALWAYS miss questions like these. I will usually get the answer down to 2 possible choices on an MC question (worst, 3) but from then on my chances of getting it right from there are just a coin flip-and plus, I waste so much time trying to narrow it down from there. This applies especially in CR. I feel that there must be a way to differentiate between the right and wrong answers; if there is a good enough approach you should be getting maybe 2/3rds or 3/4ths instead of 1/2 of these right.</p>

<p>I really don't want to skip these kind of questions, as it is much better statistically to guess if you can just eliminate 1. Combined with random stupid mistakes I make, I have hard time shooting into the 750 range. However, those can be taken care of by practice and focus-but these questions, the ones that you would "agonize" over are just killing me.</p>

<p>Anyway, my rant is a bit long but if someone could give me a strategy for dealing with the curveballs of the SAT or express a similar opinion it would be greatly appreiciated. Good luck with your scores everyone!</p>

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<p>For math, I would consider doing all, if not most of the problems in Gruber's, they are the hardest I have seen. The author also includes strategies for making these seemingly hard questions, simple arithmetic. </p>

<p>In general, mark the questions you got wrong and study why the right answer is right, just keep practicing until you have gotten across most of CBs arsenal of questions. They can only ask so many kinds.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the thoughtful post-I forget that collegeboard has only so many types of questions that could be asked. I hope the fact that 2006-07 scores were lower will make the curves a bit nicer, heh.</p>

<p>Math is really just practice and mastery for an 800. I'll look into Gruber's, I'm working through Barrons SAT book and the math section I feel is pretty good.</p>

<p>Any tips for CR or writing?</p>

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<p>Read as much literature as possible</p>

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<p>Writing is simple: study the grammar, practice alot of questions until they are second nature, take the test, leave with an 800.
Seriously, study grammar, and answer the Q's, study proper sentence structure and paragraph organization. Essay is another story.</p>

<p>What I did for CR, I made my own approach, unique to me and my needs. In fact you could say the approach defines who I am as a reader. Find what works for you and stick with it. And I am not talking about generic approaches like reading the questions first or last, I mean the procedure you use to attack the questions. The answer is going to be on that page in front of you, staring you in the face. All you have to do is recognize it, that's all, recognize it. Everyone can read (almost), but not everyone can read actively. Reading actively, to quote another CCer, is like the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is just accepting sound, but listening is internalizing. Similarly, reading can just be saying words to yourself in your head. Reading actively is like getting inside the author's mind, asking yourself why he or she did this or that, constantly gleaning meaning from the sentences, squeezing every last drop of information and inference from those passages! Be the author, just be the author.</p>

<p>OK, if that doesn't appeal to you, just make your own approach, that's time efficient with your reading skills, and that can get you to the answer quicker.
Also, approach the answer choices with an eliminating attitude. You are the judge, you just read what the author has to say, now you are there to cross out any answer choices that do not reflect the author's point, are irrelevant, are distorted, are false, or that are not completely right. You will be left with a few answer choices and pick the one that best describes (in context) what the author is trying to tell you, what his purpose was for writing that piece, what he wants you to take away from his literature or prose.</p>

<p>Good luck!
BTW, this is just what I do, I accept all criticism</p>

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<p>Well said akahmed!!! Very helpful advice (especially CR) - I'm curious to know what your average CR score is. Don't feel obligated to tell me though.</p>

<p>One question though - HOW do you read actively? I've always wondered what people meant by "reading actively".</p>

<p>Writing just takes a lot of practice - eventually you'll have explored most if not all grammatical rules used for the SAT. Just make sure you don't overlook anything stupid.</p>

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<p>I try not to say this often, for of course, I don't know how I will do in October but so far I have gone from a 530 - 750ish. </p>

<p>About reading actively, other than what I said, I have attached the basic idea from another website</p>

<ol>
<li> Ask Questions</li>
</ol>

<p>Active readers ask many questions such as, “What does this mean? Why is the writer talking about this?</p>

<ol>
<li>Clarify</li>
</ol>

<p>Try to answer the questions that you are asking. Clarify main ideas and details.</p>

<ol>
<li>React and Connect</li>
</ol>

<p>Listen to your own thoughts, feelings and reactions as you read. Think about how the writing makes you feel.</p>

<ol>
<li>Visualize</li>
</ol>

<p>See the people and actions that the author is describing. Use your sensory details. </p>

<ol>
<li>Predict</li>
</ol>

<p>Active readers are always thinking about what will happen next. </p>

<p>(Note, the above, be careful to not over analyze and waste too much time reading, just glean, and with practice, these skills will come naturally)</p>

<p>So, make connections, comprehend what is going on by being inquisitive and finding the answers. Basically, be active about it, get out there on the field, find out what is going on, get that ball, and score that goal!!! Juggle thoughts, glean meaning, participate in the passage as if it was a discussion and not just a one way reading ritual. Become the author, ask why, just become part of it all...</p>

<p>True, I think Writing is easiest to improve on, just know your basic grammar and usage.</p>