CHAPTER 1 Attacking the New SAT: Twelve FAQs 1
What’s new in the redesigned SAT? / 2
What are the primary skills assessed by the redesigned SAT? / 3
What is the format of the redesigned SAT? / 3
What kinds of scores are reported by the SAT? / 4
What will colleges do with my SAT scores? / 4
What control do I have over my SAT scores? / 4
Should I take the ACT as well? / 5
What is the best way to prepare for the redesigned SAT? / 5
How can I get the most out of my study sessions? / 6
When and how often should I take my SATs and Subject Tests? / 7
What should I do the week before my SAT? / 7
What should I do on test day? / 8
CHAPTER 2 Diagnostic SAT 9
Reading Test / 17
Writing and Language Test / 35
Math Test – No Calculator / 48
Math Test – Calculator / 54
Essay (optional) / 65
CHAPTER 3 The Language of Ideas: Vocabulary for
SAT Evidence-Based Reading 88
The Language of Ideas and Learning / 92
The Language of Argument, Reasoning, and Persuasion / 94
The Language of Dissent, Criticism, and Rebellion / 104
The Language of Power and Submission / 108
The Language of Language and Literature / 115
The Language of Judgment / 118
The Language of Extremism and Exaggeration / 121
The Language of Care and Restraint / 122
The Language of Freedom / 125
The Language of Change and Force / 126
The Language of Dullness and Stasis / 128
The Language of Truth, Truthfulness, and Beauty / 129
The Language of Deceit, Error, and Confusion / 130
The Language of Creativity and Productivity / 133
The Language of Mystery, Surprise, Adventure, and Discovery / 135
The Language of Harm, Deficit, and Decline / 137
The Language of Kindness, Favor, and Benefit / 139
The Language of Wisdom, Strength, and Skill / 143
The Language of Capital and Wealth / 145
The Language of Passion, Emotion, and Sensation / 147
The Power Roots and Affixes for the SAT / 150
CHAPTER 4 The SAT Writing and Language Test: The
Ten Essential Rules 157
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff / 159
Strengthen the Core / 161
Organize the Ideas in Your Paragraphs / 166
Use Parallel Structure / 172
Use Modifiers Effectively / 176
Make Your Comparisons Clear and Precise / 182
Make Sure Your Pronouns Are Clear and Precise / 185
Make Your Verbs Clear and Precise / 192
Make the Rest of Your Sentence Clear and Precise / 196
Know How to Punctuate / 207
CHAPTER 5 The SAT Reading Test 214
The Core Analytical Reading Skills / 216
The Three Key Questions / 218
The Three Secondary Questions / 227
Advanced SAT Reading Techniques / 237
CHAPTER 6 The SAT Essay: Analyzing Arguments 251
Understand the Analytical Task / 253
Use the “Three-Pass Approach” / 258
Organize Your Thoughts / 267
Write the Essay / 270
Sample Essay / 277
CHAPTER 7 The SAT Math Test: The Heart of Algebra 279
Working with Expressions / 281
Working with Linear Equations / 296
Working with Inequalities and Absolute Values / 307
Working with Linear Systems / 314
CHAPTER 8 The SAT Math Test: Problem Solving and
Data Analysis 322
Working with Data / 324
Working with Rates, Ratios, Percentages, and Proportions / 334
Working with Tables of Data / 349
Working with Graphs of Data / 356
CHAPTER 9 The SAT Math: Advanced Mathematics 364
Understanding Functions / 366
Working with Quadratics and Other Polynomials / 376
Working with Exponentials and Radicals / 392
Working with Rational Expressions / 400
CHAPTER 10 The SAT Math: Additional Topics 409
Understanding Geometric Relationships / 411
Understanding Basic Trigonometry / 437
Understanding Complex Numbers / 443
CHAPTER 11 Practice Test 1 448
Reading Test / 456
Writing and Language Test / 476
Math Test — No Calculator / 489
Math Test — Calculator / 495
Essay (optional) / 505
Practice Test 2 528
Reading Test / 536
Writing and Language Test / 554
Math Test — No Calculator / 567
Math Test — Calculator / 573
Essay (optional) / 583
Practice Test 3 606
Reading Test / 614
Writing and Language Test / 632
Math Test — No Calculator / 645
Math Test — Calculator / 651
Essay (optional) / 662