SAT Math Prep for the Average

StudentOctober , 2009

SCCTM Conference

Teresa McDonald, M.Ed., NBCTMeike McDonald, M.Ed.

www.meikemcdonald.com

SC SAT scores fall 9 points, down in all sections Associated Press, August 25, 2009

COLUMBIA — The average SAT scores for South Carolina's graduating seniors are down — falling this year in all three test sections for a nine-point drop.

The College Board reported Tuesday the state's class of 2009 scored a combined average of 1,452. That's 59 points below the national average, which saw a two-point decline from last year to 1,509.

The biggest drop for South Carolina's test-takers came in writing, which fell six points to 470. Critical reading decreased by two points to 486. And math scores dropped by one point to 496. The maximum score on each section is 800.

About the presentersTeresa McDonald- taught HS math at Lake

City High School for 24 years. Teacher specialist for 3 years. Currently works with Adult EducationMeike McDonald- currently in her 5th year

teaching at Septima Clark Academy. A member of CERRA’s Advisory Board and

PSTA. Currently attending Walden University for Ed.D. in teacher leadership.

Agenda for the Workshop General information about the SAT General information about the Math portion of the

SAT SAT Math Facts to Know Practice Using SAT Math Facts Special Math Problems Practice Special Math Problems with actual old

SAT problems SAT Graph and Function Notation Problems Practice Math Sections Websites for self-directed students

SAT Test General Information SAT consists of 10 sections: 3 Reading, 3

Writing, 3 Math, & 1 Experimental(3 hours and 45 minutes long)- Cost $43/Waiver

SAT is not an intelligence test SAT measures how well you take the SAT! Work smarter, not harder! You do not have to answer all the

questions to get a good score! (You can score a 500 on math by answering ½ the questions – about 25 questions)

Continuation of SAT General Info. All questions are arranged Easy to Hard on SAT

except the reading comprehension questionsExample - Math Section with 20 questions

(1-6 Easy, 7-12 Medium, 13-20 Hard) +1 point each question answer correctly -¼ point each question answer incorrectly (except

on the Math Grid-in questions so answer all of these)

O points if you leave it blank Your total points will give you a raw score which

they convert to a score ranging from 200-800 *Guess only if you can eliminate 1 or more

answers

What to take to the Test Center:1. #2 Pencils2. Graphing Calculator with new batteries3. Photo ID (many students get turned away

because of not having proper ID)4. Admission Ticket5. Watch 6. Some candy/snack to eat on at break

Have directions to the testing center

SAT Math General Information

3 SAT math sectionsa. 20 multiple choice questions (25 minutes)b. 18 questions – 8 multiple choice

10 grid-in (25 minutes)c. 16 multiple choice questions (20 minutes)Total of 44 multiple choice & 10 grid inRemember you get just as many points on

the easy questions as you do the hard questions – So don’t rush, read carefully and focus on getting the easy ones right!

Continuation SAT Math general info.

About the grid-in:1. SAT only scores what you bubble in2. You cannot grid in a mixed number you

must change it to a fraction or decimal3. No answer will be negative 4. You do not have to reduce fractions5. It does not count off if you guess on the

grid-in problems

Review of General Knowledge How are all questions on SAT arranged except for

reading comprehension? Do you get more points for hard questions? Should you wild guess? How many points do you get for correct answers? How many points do you get for incorrect

answers? How many math sections, how many questions

and how much time are you allowed? What problems don’t count off if you guess and

miss? What six things should you take with you to the

test center?

SAT Math Facts to KnowTake out your handout that says SAT Math

Facts to Know:

These are some basic facts you will need to know as you take the SAT Math test.

We will go over the first page together then you will practice some of the basic skills on some of the other pages.

Special Math Problems There are 3 types of problems that show

up in SAT math problems that are not hard, just different.

They are:a. Manipulating Equationsb. Strange Symbol Problemsc. Share/Ratio Problems

We will go over these types, practice some and then actually do some actual old SAT questions involving these special problems

SAT Graph and Function Notation Problems Basic things to remember about graphs y = kx even power

k>0 parabola opens up,k<0 parabola opens down)Basic shape parabolaBoth ends either go up or down

k>0 k<0

y = kx odd power

k>0 graph goes up left to rightK<0 graph goes down left to right

Websites for self-directed studentsPrincetonreview.comCollegeboard.comPetersons.comIvybound.comWilsondailyprep.com

Students can also find full-length SAT tests in prep books or websites

Tips for Parents Sign both you and your students for SAT

Question of the Day at collegeboard.com & Word of the day at princetonreview.com

Make some flash cards of common vocabulary words and place them in a basket in the bathroom

Make sure your students has everything laid out the night before and gets a good night’s sleep

U.S. Registration Deadlines

2009-10Test Dates

TestRegular Registration Deadline

(postmark/submit by)

October 10, 2009 SAT & Subject Tests September 9, 2009

November 7, 2009 SAT & Subject Tests October 1, 2009

December 5, 2009 SAT & Subject Tests October 30, 2009

January 23, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests December 15, 2009

March 13, 2010 SAT only February 4, 2010

May 1, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests March 25, 2010

June 5, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests April 29, 2010

Test dates for this year!

Breakfast is important As for all tests, it is critical for students to

eat breakfast. The best suggested breakfast includes:

protein, complex carbohydrates, and a little bit of fat.

Contact Information Teresa McDonald- teresa@teresamcdonald.com

Meike McDonald- meikemcdonald@yahoo.com www.meikemcdonald.com