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How
Taking
the SAT is Like Shopping
for a Prom Dress (...and Other Helpful Hints)
by
Gina LaGuardia
Answering
an SAT question is a lot like shopping for a prom dress --
you have to examine each choice very carefully before you
pick one. Often, you won't always be sure which
answer is correct, and with a strictly-timed test, you have
to make a decision quickly (the same goes if you wait 'til
the last minute to go dress-hunting!).
Ya'
see, we haven't lost our senses... when it comes to successful
studying, successful shopping -- whatever -- it's all
in how you prepare (got your list?) and your mindset (away
we go!)... Hence, the
SAT - Prom Dress metaphor!
Here
are some gotta'-have techniques to add to your test
success (shopping) list.
For Verbal Questions:
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How
much time can I afford to waste on this question?
If it's less than a minute, skip it, and go back later.
Think of a tough question as a hard-to-decide-on buy.
If you have to debate it for longer than a 60 seconds,
it's not worth it. |
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Are
there any clues in the answer choices? For example,
if an analogy question is missing a noun, you can eliminate
the choices with other parts of speech. Just like you
can forget about an off-the-shoulder tank and cutoffs
if you have really terrible tan lines! |
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Which one is a definite no-no? There's at least
one bonehead choice -- something that totally doesn't
match -- to every question. Get rid of it (like two different
navy blues) and narrow down your guess. |
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Can I break down this multisyllabic monster
word? Separate words into prefixes, suffixes, and
root words, and see if you can figure out the meaning.
It's just like deciding on an outfit by breaking it down
by "best color combo," "coolest materials,"
"date warddrobe," "hang-out gear,"
etc. |
For
Math Questions:
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Would it help if I could visualize the problem? Probably,
yes, so start drawing those diagrams. Liken it to picturing
yourself in a nice sundress with just the right sandals! |
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Where is the shortcut? SAT big-wigs don't expect
you to do lengthy calculations -- there's always a trick
to solving a tough problem. (That's what the tailor --
or grandma -- is for when something needs a hem... OR,
in SAT-speak, you need a calculator for those toughie
trig' questions!) |
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What can the answers tell me? Dressing room dilemma...
one is way too large, one too small, and one is ridiculous
-- just like some like math equation answers. If you can
narrow it down to two choices (outfits or equations),
you're much better off. Test each out and see which works!
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