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Youve chosen the SAT guide from Americas leading educational publisher. You
probably know us from many of the textbooks you used in school. Now were ready
to help you take the next stepand get into the college or university of your
choice.
This
book gives you everything you need to succeed on the test. Youll get in-depth
instruction and review of every topic tested, tips and strategies for every
question type, and practice exams to boost your test-taking confidence. To get
started, go to the following pages where youll find:
How to Use This
Book:
Step-by-step instructions to help you get the most out of your test-prep
program.
Your SAT Action
Plan: Learn
how to make the best use of your preparation time.
SAT Format
Table: This
handy chart shows the test structure at a glance: question types, time limits,
and number of questions per section.
The 40 Top
Strategies for Test Day: Use this list to check your knowledge,
or as a last-minute refresher before the exam.
The 5 Top SAT
Calculator Tips: Learn some smart ways that your calculator can help
you.
Getting the Most
from the Free Online Practice Tests: Log on to the
companion website for more test-taking practice.
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CHAPTER 1 Attacking the New SAT: Twelve FAQs 1
Whats 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
Dont 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