Sat Q&a

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hey, all. I'm really grateful to the CC community for pushing me to reach my very best on the SAT. So I want to give back. I'm opening this thread as a Q&A for the SAT. Any general questions about topics (especially math+writing), specific problems (math+writing especially), or other things about the test, just ask them here and I'll try to help. </p>

<p>If you want my creds, I got a 2340 on the SAT (780M, 760CR, 800W) back in December, so I think I'm reasonably qualified to help :) </p>

<p>Ask away! </p>

<p>Oh, and feel free to PM me or email me.</p>

2

<p>How important are examples in the essay?</p>

<p>My essay prompt was the one regarding diversity- I took a pro-diversity stance. </p>

<p>I'm a very proficient writer, but my problem is this- I didn't know CB wanted examples.......so my essay was very example-deficient.</p>

<p>I used a lot of sexy vocab, such as preclude, conducive, amalgamation, stymie, tantamount, facilitate, malleable, deleterious, monobehavioral, advantageous- all very appropriately. </p>

<p>I only had one example! It was a historical one, I refered to HItler and the Third Reich, how he sought to eliminate diversity because a uniform society was superficially attractive in the sense that it was more malleable. </p>

<p>Summary: I had a good thesis, strong reasoning in my first P, a weak second P, a good third P with a historical example, and a good conclusion.</p>

<p>Can I still manage an 11?</p>

3

<p>How important are examples in the essay?</p>

<p>It depends. Examples are important only because they help carry and support a point. If you did this through other means (they escape me, but it's pretty late) then you should be okay. </p>

<p>My essay prompt was the one regarding diversity- I took a pro-diversity stance. </p>

<p>That's fine. As long as you thoroughly develop your reasoning and thought process behind why you chose a particular perspective, the actual perspective is irrelevant to the essay writers. There are no "right" answers -- just well developed ones. </p>

<p>I'm a very proficient writer, but my problem is this- I didn't know CB wanted examples.......so my essay was very example-deficient.</p>

<p>Part of the critera is quality of writing, so your ability to wield the pen in an eloquent fashion will not go unnoticed :) </p>

<p>*I used a lot of sexy vocab, such as preclude, conducive, amalgamation, stymie, tantamount, facilitate, malleable, deleterious, monobehavioral, advantageous- all very appropriately. *</p>

<p>Good, good! Another part of the scoring rubric is how well one uses proper and "good" vocabulary. This will help your score. </p>

<p>*I only had one example! It was a historical one, I refered to HItler and the Third Reich, how he sought to eliminate diversity because a uniform society was superficially attractive in the sense that it was more malleable. *</p>

<p>Quality not quantity! If you developed this example well and used it skillfully to prove your point (you say you're a good writer, so I am assuming you did), then you will be okay. </p>

<p>*Summary: I had a good thesis, strong reasoning in my first P, a weak second P, a good third P with a historical example, and a good conclusion.</p>

<p>Can I still manage an 11? *</p>

<p>While I can't pretend to know what you wrote, I can say that from what you've described, you wrote a very competent and fairly skillful essay. Your "lack" of examples don't seem so bad in light of reading what you actually did. You used good reasoning, you used an example (I assume well), and I'm sure your writing was of good quality. </p>

<p>I'd say there's hope for an 11.</p>

4

<p>Muchas gracias! I only I wasn't a sub-par mathematician...I could break 2300 on this damn test :(</p>

5

<p>De nada. </p>

<p>Now, about your math problems...what do you find most difficult about SAT math?</p>

6

<p>The curveball questions I guess</p>