SAT Sections, Sample Questions and Strategies

SAT Sections, Sample Questions and Strategies The SAT consists of four required sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math (No Calculator), Math (Calculator). There is also an optional fifth section: the essay. The Reading section and the Writing and Language section are combined to calculate your Evidence-Based Reading/Writing score. The two math sections are combined to calculate your total Math score. Before taking the test, familiarize yourself with the types of questions and time limits of each section of the SAT. This familiarity will help you feel confident and prepared on test day. SAT Reading Test The SAT Reading Test comes first, and all questions are based on passages that youll read. Youll spend over an hour on this section. Number of Questions: 52Question Type: Multiple choice based on passagesTime: 65 minutes The Reading Test measures your ability to read carefully, compare passages, understand how an author constructs an argument, and figure out what words mean from their context. Realize that this is not an English test- passages will come from not just literature, but also U.S. or world history, the social sciences, and the sciences. The Reading Test may also include info-graphics, graphs, and tables, although you will not need to use math skills to analyze these elements of the test. Sample Questions These sample questions refer to a specific passage. 1. As used in line 32, horrid most nearly meansA) shocking.B) unpleasant.C) extremely bad.D) obnoxious. 2. What statement best characterizes the relationship between Dr. McAllister and Jane Lewis?A) Dr. McAllister admires Janes honesty.B) Dr. McAllister pities Jane because of her low social status.C) Dr. McAllister feels self conscious around Jane because she makes him aware of his failures.D) Dr. McAllister is disgusted by Janes lack of education and poor hygiene. In general, the skills required for the Reading Test are those youve been learning at school and not ones you can cram in preparation for the exam. If you are good at reading a text closely and carefully, you should do well on this section. That said, you should definitely take practice tests to figure out how carefully you need to read the passages and what pace you need to set to ensure you finish in time. For many students, the Reading Test is the most challenging section when it comes to time management. SAT Writing and Language Test The Writing and Language Test also consists of questions based on passages, but the types of questions are different from those on the Reading Test. In addition, the passages are generally shorter, and youll have less time to complete the section. Number of Questions: 44Type of Questions: Multiple choice based on passagesTime: 35 minutes Like the Reading Test, some questions in the Writing and Language Test will include graphs, info-graphics, tables, and charts, but you wont need to use your math skills to arrive at an answer. Questions can ask you about the best word choice for a given context, proper grammar and word usage, organizational elements of a passage, and the best methods for presenting evidence and making an argument. In the reading test, youll be provided a passage that has sentences and locations within the text marked by numbers. Sample Questions These sample questions refer to a specific passage. Which choice makes the most effective transition between the first and second paragraph?A) NO CHANGEB) Despite these dangers,C) Because of this evidence,D) Though the action would be unpopular, To make the ideas in the passage flow logically, sentence 4 should be locatedA) where it is now.B) after sentence 1.C) after sentence 4.D) after sentence 6. Familiarize yourself with this section by taking practice tests (like those from Khan Academy and the College Board). Another way to improve your score is to brush up on grammar rules. Be sure to study conjunction, commas, colon, and semi-colon usage as well as the rules for using commonly confused words, like its vs. its and that vs. which. The score from this section is combined with the score from the Reading Test to arrive at the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score for the exam. SAT Math Exam The SAT Math Exam is comprised of two sections: SAT Math Test- No Calculator Number of Questions: 20Type of Questions: 15 multiple choice; 5 grid-inTime: 25 minutes SAT Math Test- Calculator Number of Questions: 38Type of Questions: 30 multiple choice; 8 grid-inTime: 55 minutes The results from the calculator and no calculator sections are combined to arrive at your SAT math score. The SAT Math Exam does not cover calculus. Youll need to know algebra and how to work with linear equations and systems. Youll also need to be able to interpret data represented in graphical forms, work with polynomial expressions, solve quadratic equations, and use function notation. Some questions will draw on geometry and trigonometry. Sample Questions 5x x - 2x 3 10 2x x -4In the equation above, what is the value of x?A) 3/4B) 3C) -2/5D) -3 For the following question, you may use a calculator. Grid your answer into the answer sheet.During rush hour traffic, Janet took 34 minutes to complete her 8 mile drive to work. What was her average speed during her drive. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour. Chances are, youre better in some areas of math than others. Use the free math practice materials at Khan Academy to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Then, rather than taking entire practice math tests, you can focus on the areas you find most difficult. SAT Essay (Optional) Most colleges and universities do not require the SAT Essay, but many schools recommend it. To write the essay, youll need to sign up and pay an additional fee when you register for the SAT. You will write the SAT Essay after all students have completed the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests. You will have 50 minutes to write the essay. For the essay portion of the exam, you will be asked to read a passage, and then write an essay that responds to the following prompt. The passage changes for each exam, but the prompt is always the same: Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience that [author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author’s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience. Your SAT Essay will be read and scored by two different people who will assign scores of 1 to 4 in three areas: reading, analysis, and writing. The two scores from each area are then added together to create three scores ranging from 2 to 8. To prepare for the SAT Essay, be sure to look over the sample essays on the College Board website. Youll also find some good sample essays and essay strategies at Khan Academy.

How to Demonstrate Leadership Experience

How to Demonstrate Leadership Experience If you plan on applying to a graduate-level business program, youre going to need to be able to demonstrate that you have leadership capabilities, or at a minimum, leadership potential. Many business schools, especially schools with top MBA programs, are focused on churning out leaders, so they look for MBA candidates who fit that mold. Being able to demonstrate leadership experience is also important if you want to get a job in the business world after graduation. In this article, well take a look at a few examples of leadership experience and explore self-assessment questions that will help you determine ways in which you have been a leader so that you can demonstrate your leadership experience in an effective way. What Is Leadership Experience? Leadership experience is a general term used to describe your exposure to leading other people in various settings. If you have ever supervised other people as part of your job, you have leadership experience. It is important to note that management and leadership are two different things. You dont have to be a manager to be a leader. You may have led other people on a work project or a team-based endeavor. Leadership can also occur outside of work- maybe you helped to organize a food drive or another community-based project, or perhaps youve served as the captain of a sports team or academic group. These are all examples of valuable leadership experience and are worth mentioning. Leadership Experience and Business School Applications Before accepting you into their program, most business schools will want to know about your leadership experience. This is especially true if you are applying to something like an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program, which is typically filled with mid-career professionals and executives.   So, how do you demonstrate the fact that youre a leader who is ready for the challenges of business school? Well, the concept of leadership experience can come up in different ways during the business school application process. Lets take a look at a few examples. Resume: Many graduate programs ask you to submit a resume with your application. Your resume is a great place to highlight your leadership skills and experience.Essay: Some business schools ask you to write an application essay as part of the admissions process. In some cases, you will be given an essay prompt related to leadership experience. Other times, you are allowed to choose your own essay topic. Discussing your leadership experience in an essay is a good way to show that you have leadership potential and the ability to bring something to class that may benefit your peers.  Interview: Not every business school requires candidates to take part in an admissions interview, but some do. If you are asked to participate in an interview during the application process, you should expect at least one question about your leadership experience or leadership potential.   10 Questions to Ask Yourself About Leadership Experience Before you begin talking about your leadership experience you should ask yourself a few questions to make sure you are telling the best stories. Here are ten questions to get you started: How have I motivated others?Have I ever improved the performance of others?Have I been able to make use of other peoples talents and skills?How have I addressed or helped other people to address their mistakes?Have I ever marshaled resources to overcome a problem I discovered?In what way have I built on an organizations success?Have I ever helped a team to articulate a vision?How have I helped other people adapt to a new situation?What methods have I used to boost morale within an organization?How have I helped others overcome challenges in their personal or professional life? Remember, leadership experience isnt always necessarily about what you have done- its about what you have helped other people do.