Avoid Simple Errors – Take 1.0

One of the most common complaints I hear from students is making “stupid mistakes” on really easy problems. It is a nightmare for students and teachers alike since it is pretty hard to know what’s going on in a student’s head right at that moment. Unless someone is watching you on a one-on-one setting while you make that mistake, it will be hard to solve the problem.

First thing I can think of to avoid this problem is to solve tens of similar type of practice problems, check your answers and review them against a solution manual (hopefully a detailed one that walks you through the solution and common mistakes) or with an experienced tutor.

One other approach that seems to help in multiple choice tests is to streamline the solution process with necessary checks to make sure you avoid all trap doors. Take a look at the following Solution Flow ^TM. It will help you avoid at least one simple mistake per test.

1. Read the question carefully underlining words such as; less than, no greater than, must be true, greatest possible value, etc.

2. Glance at the answer choices before starting your solution. Make a note of the format of the answer choices. Are they numbers or variables? Are they fractions, decimals or integers? Are they in exponent or radical form? This alone could save you some valuable time by putting your answer in the correct format without having to adjust later.

3. Solve the problem (more on that later)

4. Very important step: Go back to the question and say “what is the question asking me?” and read the last statement that contains the question.

5. Answer the correct question!

A large number of so called “stupid mistakes” result from assuming what the question is and answering the wrong one. Especially in SAT, these type of wrong answers are almost always among the answer choices.

Here’s a very simple example:

If 3x + y = 8 and -8x – y = 7, what is the value of x+y?

A. -3

B. 3

C. 14

D. 15

E. 17

You can use elimination for this problem:

3x + y = 8

-8x – y = 7 

-5x=15  à x=-3 … y=17 don’t mark -3 or 17.

Go back to the last sentence in the question:…what is the value of x+y? 

 

So; -3+17=14 the answer is C

 

As you can see, this method is not specific to any particular test and could effectively be applied to any multiple choice math question.

 

5 Reasons to take the PSAT and how it helps

You’re taking AP classes, running on the cross country team, performing in your high school play, and volunteering at the local senior center.  You’re right on track to apply to college, but you’re also burned out! Why take the time to study for a standardized test you don’t even need for college admission?

There are a few reasons to take the PSAT:

1) You can qualify for National Merit and other Scholarships

2) You can qualify for special scholarships provided by corporate sponsors for students who meet their criteria and are high performers in the competition

3) Colleges interested in you will send you information about their programs and services through College Board’s Student Search Service^®

4) You will be able to compare your test performance with students across the country and get comprehensive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses

5) Most importantly, PSAT is great preparation for the SAT!

In a real life test environment, you’ll have the opportunity to try out your test taking skills under pressure- one great way to overcome test anxiety.  You’ll become familiar with the format of the SAT (the PSAT is almost identical to the SAT except for the writing section). You’ll get detailed feedback on test areas you can improve on before you take the SAT, so you can be focused in your preparation and work most on your weakest areas.

ACT vs. SAT?

The college admissions process is filled with stressful decisions— where to apply, whether or not to do early decision, how many AP classes to take—however, perhaps no decision is as important for college juniors as what admissions exam to take.  In this article, I hope to briefly demystify the decision between taking the ACT and SAT.  Both tests theoretically measure your readiness for college and your reasoning ability.  

 

However, the tests use slightly different approaches.  The ACT looks more like the tests you’ve seen in high school—and it’s more likely to test you on knowledge that you’ve learned in your classes.  For students that have a great work ethic, and have approached high school with a “nose to the grindstone,” the ACT could be an excellent choice.  

 

The SAT is structured to test your “reasoning” ability.  If you’re the kind of student that hasn’t fully “applied yourself” to your high school work, but feel like the material comes easy to you, then the SAT might be the better choice.  Students who have an excellent vocabulary and a mastery of grammar will shine on the SAT.  

 

There are another few factors to keep in mind as you make your decision.  The ACT tests several areas that the SAT does not, including science and trigonometry.  The SAT is approximately twenty minutes longer so those who have a hard time sitting still for long periods may want to go with the ACT.  No one is quite sure why, but women tend to do better on the ACT then they do on the SAT.  

 

Ultimately, great test takers will do well on either test.  Lower scorers will also score relatively equally on either test.  For students who perform in the mid-range, the test itself tends to make more of a difference.

 

If you really want to make an informed decision, take a practice exam for both tests.  Either take a full practice ACT or SAT, or do the PLAN and PSAT.   

 

Either way, make sure you bring a few number two pencils.