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12 practice tests for the SAT 2015 2016
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12
Practice Tests
for the SAT
2015-2016
By
the Staff of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions
�APLA!:!)
PUBLISHING
New York
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Table of Contents
Practice Makes Perfect
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vii
SAT Study Group Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Parents' Guide to Surviving the SAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
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Bonus: Kaplan's Guide to the SAT Change and Practice Questions . . . . . . . .
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Practice Tests and Explanations
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45
Practice Test One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1
Practice Test One Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 1
Practice Test Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4 1
Practice Test Two Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 95
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Practice Test Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Practice Test Three Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 1
Practice Test Fou r .
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Practice Test Four Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
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Practice Test Five . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Practice Test Five Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
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50 1
Practice Test Six Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553
Practice Test Six
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Practice Test Seven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593
Practice Test Seven Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639
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Practice Test Eight
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671
Practice Test Eight Answers and Explanations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 723
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Practice Test Nine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 759
Practice Test Nine Answers and Explanations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809
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Practice Test Ten
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Practice Test Ten Answers and Explanations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895
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Practice Test Eleven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929
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Practice Test Eleven Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 977
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Practice Test Twelve
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Practice Test Twelve Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 065
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12
Practice Tests for the SAT
I
vii
Practice Makes Perfect
Do not be scared of the SAT. Why? Because we know what's on the exam, and we know exactly how
you should prepare for it. Kaplan has been teaching kids how to succeed on the SAT for nearly 70
years-longer than anyone else, period.
This book contains 1 2 practice exams that mirror the SAT you will face on Test Day-more SAT practice
than can be found between the covers of any other book. Practice is one of the keys to mastery, and
these 12 exams give you plenty of practice to assess your strengths and weaknesses before you take
the actua l exam.
Just as important as taking practice tests is understanding why you got a question right or wrong when
you're done. The detailed answers and explanations that follow each practice test tell you not only
the correct answers but why they are correct and why the wrong answers are not the best choices. In
addition, every answer explanation lets you know the difficulty level of each question. If you're missing
a lot of "Low" difficulty questions, you might need to do some extra review. If you are acing many of
the "High" difficulty questions, you're on the right track. And finally, every math answer explanation
includes "Strategic Advice," so you will start to learn some of the ways you can attack similar questions
on Test Day.
Every practice question and answer explanation in this book is geared toward one thing-getting you
more points on the SAT. So don't stress out over the SAT-Kaplan's got you covered.
H OW TO US E TH I S BOO K
This book is filled with over 2,000 practice questions to help you master the SAT. Follow these steps to
get the most out of these 1 2 practice tests:
1 . Read about the SAT structure in the next section. This way, you'll know what to expect-not only as
you work through the book but, more importantly, on Test Day.
2. Begin your practice! Buying this book has given you an advantage-after you've worked your way
through the exams, the format and timing of the SAT will be second nature to you. All you will have
to concentrate on is improving your skills in the areas that need work.
3. Keep track. Turn to the Score Tracker on page xvi, where you can track your score as you take each
exam. Keep a record of your scores and watch how much you improve from test to test.
viii
J
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
4. Assess your strengths and weaknesses. After you finish each test, carefully read the detailed
explanations-pay attention to the questions you got wrong, but don't forget to read about the
ones you got right. It's important to note your areas of strength as well as weakness. Take you r own
personal inventory of the skills you've mastered and the skills you need to work on.
5. Watch your scores improve! After you've made your way halfway through the book, compare
your scores on Test 1 and Test 6. You've made progress, haven't you? See if your strengths and
weaknesses have changed. Then work your way through the remaining tests, building skills and
SAT competency along the way.
After making your way through these steps, we guarantee that you will have the test expertise and
improved skills to tackle the SAT with confidence.
H OW TH E SAT I S STR UCTURED
The SAT is 3 hours and 45 minutes long. It's primarily a multiple-choice exam, with a written essay and
some grid-in math questions as the exceptions. It's divided into ten sections: three Math, three Critical
Reading, and two multiple-choice Writing sections, in addition to the essay and the experimenta l
section. The essay a lways comes first; the other sections can appear in a n y order on Test Day. There
are two 1 0-minute breaks.
Here is a breakdown of the test:
Section
Length
Content
1 . Writing
2. Critical Reading
3 . Math
4. Writing
25
25
25
25
5. Math
25 minutes
Essay
Multiple-choice Sentence Completion and multiple-choice Reading Comprehension
Multiple-choice Math
Multiple-choice Identifying Sentence Errors, Improving Sentences, and Improving
Paragraphs
Multiple-choice Math and grid-ins (student-produced responses)
6. Critical Reading
25 minutes
25 minutes
7. Experimental Section*
8. Math
9. Critical Reading
1 0. Writing
minutes
minutes
minutes
minutes
20 minutes
20 minutes
1 0 minutes
Multiple-choice Sentence Completion and multiple-choice Reading Comprehension
Math, Writing, or Critical Reading
Multiple-choice
Multiple-choice Sentence Completion and multiple-choice Reading Comprehension
Multiple-choice Improving Sentences
*Note: The experimental section can come at any time after the essay.
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
I
Section
Total Time
N umber of Questions per Type
Total Questions per Section
Critical Reading
70 minutes
48 Reading Comprehension questions
67 questions
1 9 Sentence Completion questions
Math
70 minutes
44 multiple-choice Math questions
Writing
60 minutes
25 Improving Sentences questions
54 questions
1 0 grid-ins
49 questions, 1 essay
1 8 Identifying Sentence Errors questions
6 Improving Paragraphs questions
1 Essay
The Writing Section
The Writing test has two parts: a multiple-choice section and a written essay. The multiple-choice
questions test your ability to identify sentence errors and to make improvements in sentences and
paragraphs. The essay section tests your writing ability and reasoning skills as you agree or disagree
with a statement, marshalling evidence from your reading, studies, and/or experience to make
you r case.
The Critical Reading Section
The Critical Reading section has Sentence Completion questions and Reading Comprehension
questions. For Reading Comprehension, you will find short reading passages followed by sets of two to
four multiple-choice questions, as well as longer passages and question sets.
Sentence Completion Questions
Sentence Completion questions are multiple-choice questions that test your ability to see how the
parts of a sentence relate. About half of the Sentence Completion questions on the SAT have one
word missing from a sentence; the other half have two words missing. Both types test vocabulary and
reasoning skills. Sentence Completion questions are arranged by order of difficulty on the SAT. The first
few questions in a set are meant to be fairly easy. The middle few questions will be a little harder, and
the last few are the most difficult. Keep this in mind as you work.
Reading Comprehension Questions
These questions test your ability to understand a piece of writing. The passages are short (about
1 00- 1 50 words) and long (about 400-850 words), and at least one item will contain a set of paired
passages on related topics. Most Reading Comprehension questions test how well you understand
the passage, some ask you to draw conclusions, and some test your vocabulary. After a short passage,
you can expect about two to four questions, depending on the length of the passage; after a short
pai red passage, you can expect about four questions; after a long passage, you can expect about
1 2 questions; and after a long paired passage, you can expect about 1 3 questions.
ix
x
J
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
Reading Comprehension questions are not arranged by difficulty. Whenever you find yourself spending
too m uch time on a Reading Comprehension question, you should skip it and return to it later.
The Math Section
The questions in the SAT Math section cover the math usually taught in high school Algebra I I classes.
Most are straightforward multiple-choice math questions, with five answer choices. The Math section
also features grid-ins. Grid-ins are not multiple-choice questions. Instead of picking an answer choice,
you write your response in a little grid. Both question types cover the same math concepts. Either one
can ask you an arithmetic operations, geometry, algebra, or statistics question. The only difference is
that one asks you to write your answer, while the other asks you to fill in a bubble.
Some of the concepts likely to be tested on the SAT include the following:
Basic Math
Advanced Math
Remainders
Sequences
Averages
Sets
Quadratic functions-equations
and graphs
Ratios
Absolute value
Geometric notation
Rates
Percents
Rational equations and
i nequalities
Combinations
Radical equations
Problems in which
trigonometry can be used as an
alternative method of solution
Simultaneous equations
Integers and rational exponents
Symbols
Direct and inverse variation
Special triangles
Function notation and
evaluation
Multiple and strange figures
Domain and range
Functions as models
Linear functions-equations
and graphs
Properties of tangent lines
Coordinate geometry
Qualitative behavior of graphs
and functions
Transformations and their effect
on graphs and functions
Data interpretation, scatter
plots, and matrices
Geometric probability
The Experimental Section
Every SAT has an experimental section. The experimental section is used by the testmakers to try new
questions before they use them in upcoming SATs. The experimental section does not count toward your
score. It can show up anywhere on the exam and will look just like a normal section. Do not try to figure
out which SAT section is experimental. Treat all the sections as if they count.
H OW TH E SAT I S SCO R ED
The Writing multiple-choice section is scored on a scale of 200-800, as are the Math and Critical
Reading sections. So the composite scores on the test are 600-2400. The essay is scored on a
scale of 1 -6, with 6 being the highest score. Your total Writing section score is a combination of
l 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
your multiple-choice raw score and your score on the essay converted into a standard score by the
testmaker. The totals for the Writing, Critical Reading, and Math sections are added up to produce three
raw scores. These raw scores are then converted into scaled scores, with 200 as the lowest score and
800 the highest.
You gain one point for each correct answer on the SAT and lose one-quarter of a point for each wrong
answer. You do not gain or lose any points for questions you leave blank. The only exception is with
grid-ins, where you lose nothing for a wrong answer. That's why you must always fill in an answer on
the grid-ins-you have nothing to lose and a potential point to gain.
Remember . . .
The SAT is divided into ten sections:
•
Three Critical Reading sections
•
Three Math sections
•
Two Writing sections
•
One experimental section
•
One essay
Some sections (but not all) arrange their questions from easiest to hardest.
You gain one point for every question you get right; you lose no points for leaving a blank.
You lose one-quarter of a point for every question you get wrong (except for grid-ins).
Scoring information and conversion charts are found on pages xiii-xv.
SAT TEST DATES
As a general rule, it's important to get one SAT score under your belt by the end of your junior year.
This way, you know where you stand as you plan your college choices. Plus, it's likely that you'll
improve your score by taking the exam again, because it will be familiar to you.
The SAT is administered on select Saturdays during the school year. Sunday testing is available for
students who cannot take the Saturday test because of religious observances. The SAT exam is offered
in January, March, May, June, October, November, and December of each year. Check the official
College Board website at www. collegeboard.com for the most up-to-date test dates.
I
xi
xii
I
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
SAT R EG I STRAT I O N
Check the College Board website a t www. collegeboard.com for complete information about registering
for the SAT. Here are some important highlights:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To register for the SAT by mail, you'll need to get a n SAT Paper Registration Guide from your
high school guidance counselor.
You can register online at I mportant: Not all students are
eligible to register online, so read the instructions and requirements carefully.
Register early to secure the time you want at the test center of your choice and to avoid late
registration fees.
Students with disabilities can go to />disabilities to read about how to apply for accommodations or call (609) 77 1 -7 1 37 (TTY:
(609) 882-4 1 1 8) for more information.
At press time, the basic fee is $52.50 in the U nited States. This price includes reports for you,
your high school, and up to four colleges and scholarship programs.
You will receive an admission ticket at least a week before the test. The ticket confirms your
registration on a specified date, at a specified test center. Make sure to bring this, along with
proper identification, to the test center. Some acceptable forms of identification i nclude photo
I Ds such as a driver's license, a school identification card, or a valid passport. (Unacceptable
forms of identification indude a Social Security card, credit card, or birth certificate.)
You r SAT scores will be available online approximately three weeks after the test.
Remember to check with the College Board for all the latest information on the SAT. Every
effort has been made to keep the information in this book as up-to-date as possible, but
changes may occur after the book is published.
Finally, bookmark the College Board's website: www.collegeboard.com.
Start your practice!
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
E S SAY SCO R I N G CHART
Score
Competence
Organization
Language
6
Is well organized and fully
Clear and consistent
competence, though it may developed, with supporting
examples
have errors
5
Reasonable competence,
with occasional errors or
lapses in quality
Is generally organized
and well developed, with
appropriate examples
4
Adequate competence,
with occasional errors and
lapses in quality
Is organized and adequately Displays adequate but
developed, with examples
inconsistent language facility
3
Developing competence,
with weaknesses
Inadequate organization or
development
2
Some incompetence, with
one or more weaknesses
1
Poor organization, thin
development
Incompetence, with serious No organization, no
flaws
development
Displays consistent language
facility, varied sentence
structure, and a range of
vocabulary
Displays language facility, with
syntactic variety and a range
of vocabulary
Many errors in grammar or
diction, little variety
Frequent errors in grammar
and diction, no variety
Severe grammar and diction
errors obscure meaning
I
xiii
xiv
/
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
CO N V E RT YO U R RAW SCO R E TO A SCALED SCO R E
For each subject area i n the practice test, convert you r raw score t o a scaled score using the table
below.
SCALED*
Raw
Critical
Reading
67
800
65
790
66
64
61
730
59
58
57
56
55
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 3)
700
720
740
670
760
650
670
690
720
670
700
740
650
680
710
630
660
640
49
620
47
610
680
600
660
630
650
590
640
600
630
570
620
590
630
620
600
44
590
42
580
41
40
570
720
710
670
700
660
680
670
640
660
650
630
650
620
600
730
750
740
610
630
670
700
730
540
570
590
620
580
570
520
550
510
690
750
590
31
29
730
760
560
560
510
610
700
670
740
600
520
30
640
750
770
770
740
610
33
520
620
730
690
750
720
580
32
660
750
690
540
530
640
740
650
550
34
780
710
790
620
590
540
680
760
600
550
35
770
780
730
580
37
550
700
620
560
36
750
740
39
38
800
790
51
43
790
680
650
45
780
690
690
52
46
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 6)
720
800
48
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 5)
700
660
50
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 4)
740
54
53
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 2)
770
750
60
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 1)
800
63
62
Math
Writing
(with
essay
score
of O)
550
550
540
570
590
610
580
600
540
560
580
520
540
560
500
530
550
530
510
490
490
550
540
520
510
640
680
630
660
690
610
640
680
650
570
600
560
580
620
570
600
540
530
710
590
580
560
640
720
680
710
670
700
630
660
610
640
590
740
650
630
630
710
690
680
670
660
650
*These are not official College Board scores. They are rough estimates to help you get an idea of your performance.
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
SCALED*
Raw
Critical
Reading
28
500
Math
540
27
490
530
25
470
510
26
24
23
22
21
480
460
Writing
(with
essay
score
of O)
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 1)
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 2)
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 3)
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 4)
470
490
510
540
580
500
520
560
480
500
580
470
500
530
570
500
440
470
490
430
460
450
490
430
450
490
430
450
640
550
500
500
610
620
510
490
480
590
600
460
450
550
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 6)
570
520
460
450
520
Writing
(with
essay
score
of 5)
480
470
530
510
500
540
530
590
590
420
440
460
490
520
560
18
420
460
400
420
440
470
510
540
450
380
410
430
490
520
17
16
410
400
460
8
300
360
6
270
340
4
260
300
2
230
5
3
1
0
neg 1
neg 2
neg 3
neg 4
neg 5
neg 6
neg 7
neg 8
neg 9
neg 10
290
370
350
360
340
390
370
330
350
310
290
320
300
320
340
370
300
320
330
310
270
290
210
240
250
270
200
380
250
260
300
330
360
230
240
310
340
220
230
270
300
330
270
300
220
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
360
210
200
200
320
220
200
200
220
200
200
220
210
210
210
450
290
210
200
420
470
270
240
200
200
460
340
230
200
430
320
260
240
440
480
290
300
250
220
410
400
490
450
380
230
200
460
510
500
340
260
260
430
510
310
250
240
480
530
390
220
200
520
360
260
200
380
500
550
330
260
200
200
280
350
570
540
470
420
390
570
510
490
390
360
580
560
450
360
350
590
530
500
340
280
200
420
550
470
440
240
200
390
440
480
400
290
280
410
450
500
370
330
270
450
380
380
7
410
360
320
310
460
340
400
9
430
390
330
340
10
450
400
11
12
420
380
430
520
460
360
360
480
430
420
13
380
420
450
400
440
14
390
430
370
390
15
410
610
570
480
470
620
600
440
430
630
570
20
19
640
280
220
220
350
330
310
270
390
400
340
370
310
290
240
280
230
230
410
370
250
230
430
280
270
270
380
340
320
310
300
300
450
440
430
410
400
370
350
340
330
330
330
*These are not official College Board scores. They are rough estimates to help you get an idea of your performance.
I
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.
SCO R E TRAC K E R
After you take each test, refer to the scoring conversion chart on the page directly following each
Answer Key. Then translate your raw score into a scaled score of 200-800 for each section on page
xiv. Write your results in the chart below. As you take more practice tests, watch as your scores in each
section begin to go up!
Math
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4
Test 5
Test 6
Test 7
Test 8
Test 9
Test 1 0
Test 1 1
Test 1 2
Critical Reading
Writing
Total
12
Practice Tests for the SAT
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xvii
SAT Study Group Guide
We've all heard the expression, "Two heads are better than one'.' Well, that can also be true when
you're studying for the SAT!
You might feel that SAT prep should be done solo because when Test Day comes around, it'll just be
you, your calculator, and your No. 2 pencils. If this is the case, that's okay-your test prep should be
based on how you learn best.
However, if you feel as if you'd benefit from preparing for the SAT with the help of a study group, then
keep reading. The following section is designed to show you the benefits of group study, how to get
the most out of you r study buddy or study group, and what pitfalls to avoid when studying in groups.
STUDY G RO UPS CAN BE G REAT FO R SAT P R E P
O n e o f the best reasons to get together with other people to prep for the SAT i s that
you'll have the opportunity to work with others who complement your strengths and
weaknesses. Also, having someone available who can explain a difficult concept directly
to you can help you sort out the areas that are causing you the most confusion. This
strategy works well with a buddy as well as in a larger study group.
WHY STUDY WITH A BUDDY?
•
Study buddies can be helpful in lots of ways:
•
•
•
•
Working with a study buddy or group will help keep you on track and force
you to stick to your study plan. Good study buddies don't want to waste time
watching you goof off or send emails, so if you have a study buddy-or better
yet, a whole study group-you can keep procrastination to a minimum.
Study buddies are there to support you when you're struggling and can share in
your success when you make progress and reach your score goal.
Study buddies can help you vent your frustrations-because they are frustrated,
too! Get together, listen to each other talk about your SAT challenges, and
celebrate when you all reach your score goals.
•
If you're quite proficient
with vocabulary but you're
wary of geometry, you can
find a study buddy who can
teach you the Pythagorean
theorem after you drill him
on vocabulary flashcards.
If you're a math whiz but
couldn't finish a crossword
puzzle if it came with a
million-dollar prize, prepare
for the Critical Reading and
Writing sections with a word
nerd and let her benefit from
your Math section genius.
Study groups are great for simulating real test conditions. Get together with your group and
take practice sections or full-length tests under timed, testlike conditions. Not only can the tick
of the clock simulate the pressure of Test Day, but so can having to concentrate in the same
room as other test takers.
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STUDY B UDDIES: TH E DAR K SID E AND WHAT TO DO ABO UT IT
KAPLAN STUDY GROUP
STRATEGY
Try having each member
prepare a brief lesson on one
of his strengths, and take turns
sharing your lessons with the
rest of the group. Make time for
questions and answers during
each mini tutorial. This way, not
only do you reinforce something
you're already feeling confident
about, but you can a lso learn
from experts in the areas where
you can improve.
Now that you're ready to call up every SAT taker in your area code and form your study
group, let's talk about potential pitfalls so that you'll know how to avoid them. If you've
ever had to do a group project before, the dangers often found in group study situations
are probably no secret to you. Beware of the following:
More Chatty
=
Less Worky
The biggest potential danger in a study group is, well, not studying. If you get a group of
your friends together, your first reaction might be to rehash all of the newsworthy events
that happened during the day. Doing this completely invalidates the whole study portion
of study group.
What can you do to avoid it?
The best way may be the most shocking piece of advice in this whole chapter. Are you
sitting down? Ready? Don't pick your friends as study buddies.
Consider looking for study buddies with whom you won't run the risk of excessive socializing. Choose
those who share a common goal : succeeding on the SAT. Sure, you r friends want you to do well on
the SAT, too, but if you don't stick closely to your study schedule, they'll more than likely cut you some
slack, which doesn't help you much. If you have some friends who will keep you on task, then by all
means make them your study buddies, but save your favorite procrastinators for blowing off steam
after you've taken a practice test.
No Time to Meet
Does this sound familiar? You have soccer at 7 :00 AM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; school u ntil
3 :30 PM every day; and cello lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, but it takes 30 minutes
to get there, plus you have to eat dinner. On Saturdays, you go to visit your grandmother, who lives an
hour away, and every other Sunday in months ending in y you volunteer for the local free-range hamster
rescue. And now you have to work around someone else's schedule. With everything else going on in
your life, how can you and your study buddies make time to meet?
What can you do about it?
First, look for people who share a schedule similar to your own:
•
•
Who else on your soccer team is taking the SAT this year?
Maybe someone at the hamster rescue can meet with you on every other Sunday to take
practice tests?
Often, students form study groups and then think about when everyone can get together, but Kaplan
recommends choosing study groups based on schedules, particularly if your schedule is extremely full.
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
Treat your SAT study schedule as seriously as your soccer team or those cello lessons. Remember, one
of the best reasons to study with others is that it keeps you from procrastinating or, even worse, failing
to study altogether. You would never just skip a practice the day before your big soccer game because
you know your team is counting on you. Your SAT team is counting on you just as much.
Know-It-Alls and Slackers
The purpose of the study group is for everyone to benefit from each other. Two personality types that
violate this covenant are know-it-alls and slackers:
•
•
The know-it-all often dominates the teaching portion of the study session. He has to be
right and will often fight about it. If proven wrong, know-it-alls often sulk or become passive
aggressive, wasting everyone's time and ruining your mood.
Slackers, if they even show up, often have nothing to contribute. They'll probably just coast
along and let everyone else talk through tough problems without adding any insights. Slackers
might be really fun to hang out with on the weekend, but if you have one in your study group,
you'll probably just end up feeling resentful that she is doing all taking and no giving.
Although slackers and know-it-alls represent opposite ends of the spectrum, both can ruin a study
partnership or group.
What can you do about it?
This is your study group. Don't invite people who might end up being know-it-alls or slackers. Just
because someone has a lot to contribute does not necessarily make him a know-it-all, so be willing to
listen to others talk about their areas of expertise. Still, if all this expertise is getting in the way of you
actually preparing for the SAT, you might be in the presence of a know-it-all.
We all might be prone to a little "slackerism," but your SAT group is there to keep you honest and
working hard. At your first group meeting, have everyone agree to hold each other accountable for
doing what they say they will do. One of the most unproductive types of groups is the one in which
no one holds anyone else accountable because everyone knows that they didn't do what they were
supposed to do either! Be on the lookout for signs of slackerism and be ready to stomp it out!
STUDY G RO U P B E ST P RACTI CES
Now that you know some of the things to avoid when forming your study group, we thought we'd
offer some of the best things TO DO.
Pick Smart
Choose those who will complement your strengths and weaknesses, best match your schedule, and
keep you on track for SAT success. Remember, you can always test-drive a study buddy. If you think
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J
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
you want to work with someone, but you think she might be a know-it-all, set up one study session. If
things go well, you can continue working with her. If she turns out to be a know-it-all, then you can be
glad you didn't commit to working with her until Test Day!
Assign Roles
If you want to have a study group rather than a study partner, assigning roles to group members is a
good practice:
•
•
•
One person can be the Scheduler and keep track of meeting times and locations.
Another person can be the Break Maker, making sure that there's some food to enjoy after a
particularly challenging set of Critical Reading paired passages.
Another person can be the Lesson Planner, assigning who will present which section or which
practice sections the group should do for timed, testlike practice.
Many different roles are available, but making sure each group member has a stake in the overall
success of the group is the important thing.
Share Goals
Aligning around each other's successes is the best way to have a strong study partnership or team. If
you don't feel comfortable at first sharing the fact that your Math score is a 380, you can a lways share
that you want to raise your Math score 70 points. You should always have measureable goals, and you
should encourage your study buddies to have clear goals, too. Checking in with your study partners
along the way is a great way to support the group's success. After taking a practice test, compare group
members' results to their scores on the last one. Celebrate each other's successes.
STUDY G RO U PS-K E E P TH EM I N P E RS P ECTIVE
Sure, you can succeed on the SAT without forming study partnerships, but for some students, study
groups can be a great asset in preparation for Test Day. In addition, the experience you get building
and working with a team right now has far-reaching benefits for the future. Now more than ever, the
world functions in groups and teams. As you go on to college and eventually embark upon you r career,
the opportunities to work in teams will abound, and quite often, teamwork will not be optional. The
ability to create and work in successful teams will serve you long after you've taken the SAT. Plus, in the
short term, it can be a highly effective tool for achieving your goal score.
Whether you study on your own, with a buddy, or in a study group, best of luck on Test Day!
l 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
I
xxi
Parents' Guide to Surviving the SAT
For many parents, the SAT was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. In particular, it was a galaxy
where you took the SAT once, got your score, and went to college. Prepping for the SAT probably
involved sharpening your pencils the night before and brushing your teeth before leaving in the
morning.
Today, the SAT is a bit more complicated, and the competition to get into a top college and get
financial aid to cover the steep costs is tougher than ever! The test now includes an essay. The score
is out of 2400. And what about all those other exams you may have heard about? Your child can now
take the SAT, the PSAT, and SAT Subject Tests. Are they the same? Different? Does your son or daughter
need to take all of them? What about the ACT? What does your child need to do to get into a good
college?
These questions, as well as many others, probably fill your mind, your child's mind, and possibly your
dinner table conversations and Internet searches as well. Fear not-Kaplan is here to help your family
get through this important exam successfully.
Use the following guide to learn everything you need to know about the SAT, discover ways you can
help you r child prepare for this important exam, and manage your family's SAT stress.
After reviewing this section, we recommend that you and your child visit the official College Board
website at www. collegeboard.com for additional SAT details and information. It's a great way to get
involved and stay informed.
F R EQ U E NTLY AS KED QUESTI O N S
Kaplan gets a lot of questions from parents about the SAT exam. The following FAQs should help you
get up to speed on SAT basics :
Q: What is the SAT, and why should my child take it?
A: The SAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and taken by millions of high
school students annually. It measures students' critical thinking, math, and writing skills and is used by
college admissions officers to determine students' ability to do college-level work. Many colleges look
xxii
/ 1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
at SAT scores in conjunction with grade point average (GPA) and extracurricular activities when making
admissions decisions.
Q: What is the SAT exam like?
A: The SAT is a 3-hour and 45-minute test broken into three sections: Critical Reading, Math, and
Writing. Most of the exam is composed of multiple-choice questions, a lthough one-third of the Writing
section score is based on the 25-minute essay students write in the first section of the exam.
Q: When should my child take the SAT exam?
A: Most students take the SAT as juniors or seniors, and many take the exam more than once.
Q: How is the SAT exam scored?
A: The highest score possible on the SAT is a 2400, computed from 800 in each section : Critical
Reading, Math, and Writing.
Q: How can my child register for the SATI
A: Your child can register online or by mail. Visit the official College Board website at
www
. collegeboard.com for complete registration rules and requirements.
Q: How much does it cost to take the SAT exam?
A: At press time, the basic test fee is $52.50. Families who cannot afford this fee can request a fee
waiver from their school counselor.
Q: How is the SAT different from other college admissions exams?
A: The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/N MSQT®) is also
administered by the College Board in conjunction with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
The PSAT can help your child prepare for the SAT and enter the competition for a National Merit
Scholarship-but taking the PSAT is not a requirement for taking the SAT.
SAT Subject Tests are different from the SAT because they are subject-specific (literature, U.S. history,
French, etc.), whereas the SAT is a general-knowledge exam. Some colleges may require these exams,
but they are not required for all schools. Before registering for these exams, check the admissions
requirements of the schools your child is applying to.
The ACT is a general-knowledge exam similar in scope to the SAT. It includes an essay component;
English, Reading, and Math sections; and a Science section as well. Many schools throughout the
country accept either the SAT or the ACT. Because the tests are different, some students feel more
comfortable taking one exam versus the other. It really is a matter of personal preference and college
admissions requirements.
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
Common
SAT Misconceptions
--
There's a lot of inaccurate information floating around about the SAT. Let's clear up some common
sources of confusion :
1. The SAT is not curved.
Theoretically, every student who takes the SAT on Test Day could get a 2400. Your child is not
"competing" against his classmates and friends to get his score. The tests are scaled prior to Test Day.
The scaled score is what colleges use to compare scores.
2. There is a penalty for wrong answers.
For each question a student answers correctly, the student gains one point. For each question a
student misses on the test, the student loses one-quarter of a point. If a student skips a question, no
points are gained or lost.
.
3. Students who receive accommodations for a disability are not penalized.
Parents sometimes fear that applying for accommodations for disabilities will cause their child to be
penalized-that their child's score reports will indicate the accommodation received, be it additional
time, computer assistance, extended breaks, etc. Rest assured, your child will not be penalized for
having a documented disability. If your child has a documented disability, contact your school's
guidance counselor or visit www.collegeboard.com for more information.
4. When it comes to college admissions, the SAT isn't everything!
Yes, college admissions are becoming more and more competitive each year, but the SAT is just
one component of your child's full application. Help your child-and yourself-by keeping the SAT in
perspective. Your child's SAT score goals should align with her college choices. Know the target score
range of the schools your child is applying to and set reasonable goals. Having a defined goal will
help your child see what she's working toward, measure success along the way, and feel a strong
sense of accomplishment when she reaches that goal. Remember: A 2400 is a great score, but NO
school requires a 2400 for admission !
H E L P I N G YO U R CH I LD S UCCE ED O N TH E SAT
There are lots of SAT test-prep options available, from courses to self-study guides like this one. Your
study choices should align with your child's needs and your resources. Buying this book is a great option !
By giving your child access to Kaplan's expert resources, you are helping your child build an excellent
foundation for SAT success. You can also assist your child by keeping the following things in mind:
Help Reduce Test Anxiety by Empathizing
Whether your child is the nonchalant "Mom, don't worry about it'' type or the up-until-midnight crammer,
he or she is probably nervous about the SAT. It's an important exam, and if your child has already taken
the PSAT, he could be worried about whether his SAT score will be better. Or maybe he's worried he
won't be able to do as well as he did on the PSAT and won't get into his dream school. Perhaps you've
bought this book because your child has already taken the SAT and wants to do better than the first time
around. Maybe your child has never taken the PSAT or the SAT before, and the fear of the unknown is
causing anxiety. Whatever the case, for most people, just saying "SAT' will send shivers down their spines,
and for your child, the pressure is on. One of the biggest ways you can help is by empathizing.
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1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
If you didn't take the SAT yourself, you can remember some time when you had to prepare for an
important event-a test, a presentation at work, or a job interview. All of these events are daunting
because, to some degree, they shape the course of our lives. You might not remember what you got
on the SAT, but saying, "Oh, in 1 5 years, no one will care what you got on the SAT," WI LL NOT H ELP.
This test matters to your child right now-a lot. Recognize that, and make sure your child knows that
you know how important this test is and that her anxiety isn't abnormal or strange.
Most of all, talk to your child about this anxiety-gently. Know when it's the right time to approach your
child and start a casual discussion. Try sharing over dinner a time when you were worried about a big life
event. Then let your child open up on his terms and share his thoughts and feelings. Let him know you
believe in succeeding at this together and, no matter what happens, life will continue after the SAT.
Set Measurable Goals and Increase Your Child's Confidence
A good first step is to determine some target schools. Offer to help your child with this, serving as a
sounding board for her thoughts and offering helpful advice. Keep in mind that your goals and hers
might be completely different. Even if you don't have a sense of where you r child's SAT scores are right
now, consider things such as school size, location, academic competitiveness, and academic majors.
Having a realistic list of schools will help the unmotivated student see the point of studying for the
SATs and will help the super-motivated student keep things in perspective.
By setting goals, you can reward steps along the way. If your daughter learned 25 new vocabulary words
this week, reward her-an iTunes download perhaps-even if she hasn't shown a 20-point increase on
her practice test yet. If your child continually sees how proud of her you are, she'll be more likely to be
proud and confident herself on Test Day. Successes along the way will make Test Day feel much less
like a "make or break" event and more like an "I'm going to conquer this test'' opportunity.
Lead by Example and Manage Your Own Stress
If you want your child to stick to his study schedule, lead the way. Share some tricks that you use to
help with time management and, most importantly, use them. If you say you're going to be home at
5 :00 to drive him to hockey practice, be home at 5 :00, not 5 :30. If you say you're going to exercise
three times per week, then exercise. We've all had that boss who tells you to respond to his emails
within 24 hours but who only responds to yours after three follow-up emails. You know what you think
when he says, "Please respond within 24 hours to all emails'.' You think, If you don't do i� then why
should!? Your child thinks this, too.
Also, manage your own stress about the SAT by keeping these things in mind:
•
•
With commitment and dedication, it will all work out. Your child's confidence may waver, and
she may feel as if studying is a losing battle at times, but stay positive and believe that, in the
future, it all works out.
Your child gets to focus on his SAT score; you get to focus on praising your child for effort and
encouraging him to succeed in a healthy and positive way.
•
Stay calm and supportive, and your child will come to you for help.
•
By choosing Kaplan, you have a lot of resources to guide you through this process.
1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
Listen to Kaplan-the SAT Experts
You may not have all the answers for the SAT, but keep in mind that you and your child have a larger
support network than you might realize. By choosing Kaplan, you get the benefit of nearly 70 years
of experience and the wisdom of Kaplan's SAT experts. We asked a veteran Kaplan Premier Tutor for
some SAT advice for parents. Here's what she had to say:
1 . Keep everything in perspedive. The SAT gets a lot of press nowadays, but you have
to keep in mind that the SAT is simply a piece of your child's college application-not the
whole story. Keeping the SAT in perspective will help you and your child keep your cool while
preparing for Test Day.
2.
Don't get caught up on the "SAT treadmill:' I always encourage my students to set a
realistic score goal that they will be satisfied with on Test Day. Sure, if they score higher than
that, great! However, you don't want them to be caught on the treadmill of "Oh, I only got a
630 in Math; why didn't I get a 650 or a 670?" I always tell my students, "Know what your goal
is and work toward it, and most of all, be happy when you reach it and proud that you tried !"
3. utilize the accommodations the College Board provides. If your child has
a documented disability, he or she will not be stigmatized for it because the use of
accommodations is not indicated on SAT score reports. Just make sure to start arranging for
accommodations several months before your child will actually take the SAT.
4. Don't expert a miracle on Test Day. I sometimes have students who will take a practice
test a week before Test Day and be 80 or 1 00 points shy of their score goal. You can just
imagine how disheartening this can be. Unless this is your child's last possible opportunity to
take the test, review the option of taking a later test with your child. That way, your child can
study more and wait until his practice test scores are solidly in score goal range. Remember,
even with the SAT's "Score Choice" option, you still send the scores from an ENTI RE test. I n
other words, you can't pick a n d choose the Math score from the October test, the Writing
score from the December test, and the Critical Reading score from the March test. Know your
options and make the most of them!
5. Keep an optimistic eye on your child's future. Remember, college is great. Your child
just has to get through the SAT to get there. No matter what your child's SAT score is, stay
positive and know that she will get into college and have a positive experience. Everyone I
know loved college, but virtually no one I know loved the SAT. Just help your child choose a
range of colleges, set a target score, and make a study plan-and be that positive motivating
force until Test Day. Freshman move-in day will be here before you know it!
Best of luck and success!
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