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ISBN9781101920534
Ebook ISBN9781101920688
SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with The Princeton Review.
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Acknowledgments
This book could not have been built without the hard work and dedication of Christina Bonvicino, Chris Chimera, Amy Minster, and Jonathan Chiu.
Additionally, The Princeton Review would like to thank Gabriel Berlin for diligently deciphering our notes and translating them into the clean copy seen within this book, and Liz Rutzel for scouring the interiors for errors.
Special thanks to Adam Robinson, who conceived of and perfected the Joe Bloggs approach to standardized tests and many of the other successful techniques used by the Princeton Review.
Contents
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Introduction
IN THE BEGINNING
Even though the SAT is designed for juniors and seniors, most of the math on the test bears little resemblance to the type of math found in the high school classroom. Many students find it hard to believenot to mention a little humiliatingthat a test that seems so difficult actually tests little more than basic algebra, arithmetic, and geometry. Even students who are very good at math in school often have trouble on the SAT. Why?
The fact is that while the SAT uses basic mathematical concepts, its unlike any math test you will ever see in school. The SAT uses basic math problems in very particular ways. This is why preparing for the SAT requires a new set of skills. The SAT does not test how smart you are, how well you will do in school, or what kind of person you are. It only tests how well you do on the SAT. And doing well on the SAT is a skill that can be learned.
How can you improve your score on the SAT? First, you need to learn the structure of the test. This will help you develop an overall test-taking strategy. Then you need to learn some powerful test-taking skills, which will help you think your way through SAT-type problems.
Some of our advice may sound a little strange. In fact, if you try some of our techniques in math class, your teacher will probably be unhappy. But remember, this isnt math class. This is the SAT, and its your job to get as good at SAT math as you can.
Structure of the Math Sections
Of the four scored multiple-choice sections on the SAT, two of them will be math. The questions will be presented in two different formats: regular multiple choice and grid-ins. We will discuss how to deal with each of these question formats.
How to Use this Book
This book is designed for students who want concentrated math preparation. It can be used alone or as a supplement to our Cracking the SAT. While we will briefly review the essential Princeton Review test-taking strategies and problem-solving skills, if you want an in-depth guide to these techniques, youll want to also read Cracking the SAT.
Where Does the SAT Come From?
The SAT is published by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) under the sponsorship of the College Entrance Examination Board (the College Board). ETS and the College Board are both private companies.
WHAT IS THE PRINCETON REVIEW?