FREE SAT Tutoring Thread

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>The purpose of this thread is for students (who can't afford tutors) to post specific SAT questions that will be explained by tutors FOR FREE. You are all invited to post questions and volunteer answers. Please do not use this thread to promote any specific materials. </p>

<p>Please limit your questions to College Board material. We will explain any question from the Blue Book or from any prior PSAT or SAT tests. </p>

<p>Just tell us what test, what section and what question number you need explained and someone familiar with that question will come to your aid so that everyone can benefit.</p>

<p>(Thank you to the student who challenged us tutors to critique your essays "once in a while". I hope we can do more for you than just that.)</p>

<p>Links to unauthorized sites and requests for PMs will be deleted. All conversations must remain public. </p>

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<p>What’s the short cut for question 18, page 773 in the “Blue Book”?</p>

<p>Thankx</p>

3

<p>Kristibaker,</p>

<p>going for the hardest problem in BB, no warm up?</p>

<p>OK, here it is:</p>

<p>h(t) = c – (d - 4t)^2 <------is the vertex form
generically expressed as: Y = (x – h)^2 + k
So if you reorganize it in its generic form you get
h(t) = – (4t - d)^2 + c
d and c are constants. They are the x and y values of the apex.
These values are given as t = 2.5 and 106 . (multiply 2.5 by 4 to get d = 10)
Now put 106 into c and 10 into d, to get:
h(t) = – (4t – 10)^2 + 106
Now just plug 1 into t and solve!
h(t) = – (4 – 10) 2 + 106
= 70</p>

<p>(if CC gave us an editing tool i can do much more for you)</p>

<p>JBL</p>

4

<p>Small correcton: the standard form for a quadratic equation is y = a(x-h)^2 + k. The graph is a parabola with vertex at (h,k). The parabola opens upwards if a > 0 and downwards if a < 0.</p>

<p>I actually prefer the “slightly modified” standard form y - k = a(x - h)^2 since it looks just like the point slope form of the equation of a line (the only difference is the “square”), and you can identify the vetex just as you would identify a point on the line in point-slope form.</p>

<p>Note: The point-slope form of the equation of a line and all theory of quadratic functions is only for advanced students. Anyone currently scoring less then 650 on College Board practice tests shouldn’t worry about such things.</p>

5

<p>JB (Can I call you JB? Because I’m not typing out your name every time :P),</p>

<p>I think this is a great idea. I’ve helped out some students with essays before in PM, but I never got around to starting a thread to solicit questions.</p>

<p>Background:</p>

<p>I was a Berkeley grad who’s been tutoring for over a year now. I know the test in and out and can score a perfect pretty consistently. I’ll try to check this thread on a regular basis to help you guys out.</p>

<p>Chen</p>

6

<p>Great thread JB. I really like your enthusiasm and approach to education, and if I can help out in any way, I will try my best to do so. </p>

<p>The poor struggling kids deserve to be given help, too, although I have to seriously wonder how many of the kids on here are poor or receive a score of less than 2300. It seems as if getting a 2300 to some kids on here is cause for contemplating suicide, which simply astounds me. lol</p>

7

<p>Great thread. DD sat for her first SAT on 12/1. Did so/so on the W/CR but the math was low. So she has been seeing a private tutor. A physics grade student @ Yale. Its been 6 or so weeks of tutoring and self prep here at home. She will sit for it on Wednesday at school. I hope to see a nice jump in all areas.</p>

8

<p>Thank you DR. Steve for that correction.
BlueandGold. No problem, call me JB -so long as i can call you B&G! :)</p>

<p>I am very encouraged by both of your responses. </p>

<p>In fact, i was a bit worried that i would get barraged by hundreds of questions and would have to answer all of them all by myself.</p>

<p>It’s funny how FEW students are actually making use of this thread.</p>

<p>(No offense to the 2300-2400 scorers here but CC seems to be a place more for braggers than for students who actually need help) Bragging about getting 2400 is fine as long as it does not intimidate the average student who NEEDS help and cannot afford it.</p>

<p>In my tutoring business i deal with lots of high scoring students on a daily basis and they are the most HUMBLE kids i have ever met - not the kind to even tell their classmates what they got. Getting a top score is, in and of itself, so gratifying and fulfilling that they do not feel the need to tell anyone other than to thank those who may have helped them. So why post it on a public forum? Highly suspect IMO.</p>

<p>Now back to you kids who are actually struggling…We are here to help…post away!!!</p>

<p>JB (formally known as JBL!)</p>

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<p>…And yes Donnykim i agree with you that it is heartbreaking to see these kids score really well and still be down on themselves. Is it them or is it their parents? Are they really down on themselves or is it just an act (just in case a friend scores higher than they do)? In my day, when the SAT was out of 1600, a 1200 was considered a good score.</p>

<p>I have a student who got a 2330 and wants to take it again! I know things have gotten really competitive recently but being unhappy with anything over 2200 is just plain sad, IMO.</p>

<p>(Students, remember you are being assessed by colleges based on the whole package - a 2200 with an almost perfect GPA and an interesting list of extra-curriculars coupled with a well written original essay on the application should get you into pretty much any great school).</p>

<p>If every one could score 2400 the SAT would cease to be used by colleges and you would all be at the whim of subjective grading by the school system - you all need this test to give everyone a fair shot.</p>

10

<p>I don’t have a specific test problem that I need help on, but I would very much appreciate some tips for writing the essay. </p>

<p>When I took the PSAT in October 2012 (I’m a junior), my scores were</p>

<p>77 CR
65 M
80 W</p>

<p>However, when I took the SAT in January 2013, my scores were</p>

<p>790 CR
770 M
680 W</p>

<p>I missed only one question on each section, but a 6 on the essay brought my writing score down a lot. I always make very high grades on essays in my AP classes, and my teachers often compliment my prose specifically.</p>

<p>The first time I wrote an essay within the constraints of the SAT was on test day, and I feel that the lack of preparedness was the most significant contributor to the low score. I want to prepare for retaking, so in addition to practicing writing with the 25 minute time limit, are there any things you can recommend to increase my essay score?</p>

11

<p>@energia,</p>

<p>If you are considered a good writer already and this is consistently true then you probably had a weak argument, (ie thesis). In a persuasive essay, good writing cannot overcome a weak argument. Remember you are “selling” something. You cannot use an expository format on the SAT.</p>

<p>Look for repetitiveness. It is a clue that your argument is weak.</p>

<p>I would have to see your essay to be more helpful.</p>

<p>JB.</p>

12

<p>In your case energia, your problem is easily solvable. If you missed only one on the MC and you consistently receive high grades on your essays in an AP-level English course, I’m pretty sure you didn’t get a 6 because you’re a horrible writer who makes a slew of grammatical mistakes. On the contrary, you seem to be quite an intelligent and capable writer who is simply not familiar with the structure of the SAT Essay, which is one of the easiest, most formulaic essay formats ever tested. </p>

<p>Of course, you would have to show us your essay for us to ascertain the exact reasons as to why you might have received a 6, but here’s my guess:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Quantity matters more than quality on the SAT Essay. In other words, did you only write 1 page? No matter how well you write the essay, if it is too short, you will almost always receive a poor score, at least from what I’ve seen. </p></li>
<li><p>Did you answer the question/prompt correctly? The biggest mistake that smart kids make on the essay is that they often try to get too fancy and end up veering off-topic. Is that your case? Review the question carefully and see if you answered the prompt correctly and used examples that clearly supported your thesis. </p></li>
<li><p>Was your handwriting on the essay legible? I’ve also seen cases in which students who are otherwise good writers get poor scores simply because their handwriting is a mess. Mind you, the readers used a holistic approach to grade your essay and if they have to squint their eyes to determine what you are trying to say, you can almost be guaranteed that you’re not going to get a 12, no matter how well you think you might have written the essay.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I cannot see any other reason for which a fairly decent writer such as yourself would get a 6. I have tons of real essays from students of mine who raised their scores from 6s and 7s to 10s and 11s within a month simply by using the same two examples that I made them memorize and recycle for the same prompts over and over. I also have several introductory and concluding templates that I have devised that can be pre-slotted into any prompt. This technique works 70%-80% of the time for the bodies, with the exception being those tricky technology/social issue questions. I think there is another thread which is very popular on here that mentions how to get a 12 in 6 days or something. Someone correct if I’m wrong as to the exact title of that thread, but you should definitely check out that thread too.</p>

<p>I cannot post other students’ essays here, as I have been warned by the moderators not to do so, but if you wish, you can go to a thread that I started with 3 real essays of mine on which I received scores of 12, 11, and 10, respectively, utilizing the methods I mentioned beforehand. That will give you a better idea of exactly what I and others are talking about when we mention using the same prememorized examples and introductory/concluding templates.</p>

<p>I will also post other introductory templates that you can test yourself on here if you want. If you end up getting a 12, just make sure you show us later. =)</p>

<p>Good luck and don’t worry too much. If a kid with horrible grammar who misses 20 questions on the MC and averages a 6 on the essay can raise his score to 11 within a month, I am most confident that you can do so too.</p>

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<p>@jbl…I don’t know what day and age you’re from (LOL JK), but in my day, you could get into Johns Hopkins with a 1320 out of 1600. I know because my sister did. I also know a student of mine who got into MIT with a 2160 last year. While these cases may certainly be exceptions, that just goes to show you that SAT SCORES ARE NOT EVERYTHING!</p>

14

<p>Thanks guys. I can assure you that I addressed the prompt correctly, and my handwriting was more legible than the examples of 12 score essays in the blue book. If it is true that length will affect scores that much, then this must be the primary issue, as I only wrote roughly 1.2 pages. I’ll practice getting lots of words on paper, and hopefully I will do better on my next test. Also, the latter part of my essay was rushed and my conclusion was virtually non existent, so I’m sure this hurt me, as well. </p>

<p>One of my problems is that if I’m not sure how I want to phrase something immediately, I will deliberate over a single word for upwards of 45 seconds, and write nothing during this time; I think this hurts me more than it helps me. I haven’t been forced to write very speedily prior to the SAT, as AP essays generally give 40-45 minutes to write a similar volume, and it is not uncommon for me to take 3 hours on an out of class writing assignment.</p>

<p>If you two don’t mind, sometime later this evening, when I get the chance, I will transcribe my essay and PM it to you guys, and you can tell me what else I should do or avoid doing. Thank you for the help!</p>

15

<p>DK</p>

<p>and some exceptions from my side…
Johns Hopkins – 5 years ago accepted one of my students who had 1890 (Class pres)
Brown – 4 years ago accepted one of my European students who had 1850 (soccer team)</p>

16

<p>does anyone wanna grade my essay? I know I post a lot, but I’m just trying to improve before the march sat :(</p>

<p>SHOULD BOOKS PORTRAY THE WORLD AS IT IS OR AS IT SHOULD BE?</p>

<p>Books should portray the world as it is because they allow children to cope with the real world better. Throughout readings, I, as well as other young readers, imagines a world with full of secret passages. But these secret passages disappear after I close the book. Several examples that show the importance of authors to “tell it like it is” can be demonstrated through experiences and film.</p>

<p>All through childhood, I was engulfed in a fantasy stories, which, in the end, did nothing for me as I prepare for the real world. As a child, I read fictional books like Amelia Bedila, or the Arthur Series, or the Geronimo Stilton’s adventure collection. Each of these novels consists of many problems that can be solved in a instance. For me, I read these books to prepare for the daring adventures the protagonists took. However, I have yet escaped into the crime-fighting feats my cohorts have done on numerous occasions. Children are dragged into believing that the world is filled with problems, where YOU, the reader, can solve by just using moral and intellectual skills. However, instead of thinking this world is full of adventures, children are realizing that the real world is actually completely boring and drab.</p>

<p>Another example can be found in another type of reading I did as a “teenager”. To prepare for this supposedly world filled with supposedly drama everyday, cute guys, and love scandals, I read many teenage romantic novels hoping to gain some insights on such foreign topics. Because of reading teenage publishing companies publications, I felt prepared for this scary high school world I was about the enter. However, high school was nothing like how these supposedly main characters experienced it. There were no rumors spreading everyday about everyone. There was no dollop of mystery meat. There was no cute boys with blond hair ready to save me whoever I fall. Books, like these fake, lying teenage novels, have not taught me anything useful, but only made me have unreal expectations of high school life.</p>

<p>As demonstrated in the movie Artificial Intelligence, a young boy is exposed to the true realities after being brainwashed from books. David, the main character and narrator of the film, read many books of these "perfect"life children, fairy tales, and happily ever after books. With these ultimate positive endings, he held high expectations of the world taking and accepting his robotic self. However, like the experiences I had, the real world turned out to be completely different. Reality is unforgiving, omnipotent, and malicious. Life isn’t like a novel. Novels give wrong expectations to naive readers.</p>

<p>After a close analysis of my own and David’s experiences, it can be definitively stated that books must portray life as it is. Not doing so gives wrong expectations to their oblivious, innocent readers. Books are meant to help and aide people; but if they are converting inappropriate and ineffectual materials, then what good are the purpose of books?</p>

17

<p>Ok, just noticed the edit from Trinity, so I guess I will post my essay here.</p>

<p>Is it necessary for people to imitate others before they can become original and creative?</p>

<p>ESSAY:</p>

<pre><code>There is no doubt that original work can only be completed after an individual has mastered the discipline, the art, if you will, of imitation. One can see the truth in this claim in every aspect of life. Every great work of art, every song, every scientific achievement, and indeed, the entirety of modern civilization is made possible by the necessary pillar of imitation. Imitating others is the basis for developing any new skill set, and there is no doubt that development and mastery of a skill set is requisite for any original, meaningful endeavor.

The most readily apparent example of imitation is the process of human communication by means of language. In order for a system of communication to work, all communicative parties must have reached an agreement on the meanings of linguistic cues, be they words, sounds, signs, et cetera. This logically necessitates some aptitude in mimicry in order for language to be passed on, and clearly, it is only after one has mastered this imitation of others’ language that he can use this newly developed skill to be expressive and create original works in the form of literature or poetry.

This same principle which allows for original works in literature also applys to visual and performing arts; only that artist who has already learned to mimic others before him, whether it be in perfecting the brushstroke, the art of sculpting, or hitting notes on a piano, will have the tools for genuine original expression.

Sir Issac Newton described the principle perfectly, saying “if I have seen any further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” There is no doubt that Newton himself depended on the works of those before him in developing calculus and writing on the principles of natural science.

As we see, one can only gain the tools for originality by mimicking others.
</code></pre>

<hr>

<p>Obviously, the rushed last two paragraphs were not prime, and the length leaves something to be desired, but what else did I do incorrectly? Thanks guys.</p>

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<p>@energia</p>

<p>That you got only a 6 on this essay truly amazes me, for I have seen many other essays of substantially lower writing quality receive 10s and 11s. </p>

<p>It is obvious, however, why you received such a lower score. Your introduction starts off strong, but then your bodies are flat. It’s fairly obvious that you can write well, but you merely restate your points without giving any concrete examples, OR MORE IMPORTANTLY, WITHOUT ELABORATING ON THEM. Especially in the 2nd body, it’s almost as if you wrote one long introductory sentence and then that’s it! Wait. You did actually only write 1 sentence! Where’s the rest of the paragraph? You have to, AT THE LEAST, 5-6 sentences more for each body, with specific examples.</p>

<p>I think JBL mentioned this before, but in a persuasive essay, good writing does not replace weak arguments. </p>

<p>And as I mentioned before, you can easily solve this problem by practicing TO WRITE MORE and by givining LONGER, MORE CONCRETE EXAMPLES. </p>

<p>Do not merely try to think only logical reasoning by deduction; USE THE ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE-BASED TEMPLATES THAT HAVE PROVEN TO YIELD HIGH SCORES</p>

19

<p>Wait did you get a 6 (like from 2 graders) or a 6 (from one grader).</p>

<p>Either way, I think you should write more with more, developed examples. </p>

<p>Grade mine?</p>

20

<p>@kimmylouie…</p>

<p>I like your bodies! Think you should work more on clarifying your reasons in the introduction. </p>

<p>Books should portray the world as it is because they allow children to cope with the real world better. Throughout readings, I, as well as other young readers, imagines a world with full of secret passages. But these secret passages disappear after I close the book. Several examples that show the importance of authors to “tell it like it is” can be demonstrated through experiences and film.</p>

<p>Analysis: Thesis is stated clearly, although I believe that you should do a better job clarifying underlying reasons that support your opinion. </p>

<p>Throughout various readings, I, as well as other young readers, imagine a world full of fantasy lands, quixotic islands, and daring sexual escapades. Such twisted and fantasical illusions, however, make it difficult for readers, especially young ones, to distinguish between reality and fantasy and can have a detrimental impact on their perception of the real world. </p>

<p>I don’t know. Something like that. GL</p>

<p>P.S. It’s obvious that energia did not receive a 6 from each grader, which means she would have received 12 or a perfect score, and never posted in this thread.lol</p>