SAT Reading section techniques, strategies & approaches: Difference between revisions

building out big ideas section
(building out big ideas section)
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*** = average 13:00 min per reading passage
*** = average 13:00 min per reading passage
*** note: two readings contain 11 questions so may take longer
*** note: two readings contain 11 questions so may take longer
== Big Ideas ==


=== Difficulty level ===  
=== Difficulty level ===  
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** there can be difficult questions on easy passages, but the bulk of "hard" questions will coincide with difficult passages
** there can be difficult questions on easy passages, but the bulk of "hard" questions will coincide with difficult passages


=== Big Ideas ===  
=== Elimination & evidence-based test ===  
* SAT Reading is "evidence-based" = the answer is in the text
* SAT Reading is "evidence-based" = the answer is in the text
** = also that the WRONG answers are also in or not in the text
** = also that the WRONG answers are also in or not in the text
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** don't select for correct answer  
** don't select for correct answer  
** unless you see the evidence directly in the text, then select the correct answer
** unless you see the evidence directly in the text, then select the correct answer
* all SAT sections are timed
** keep time awareness ''per passage''
** practice for accuracy first (regardless of time), then build efficiency (accuracy + speed)


=== perspective shift ===
=== Perspective shift ===
* = ability to identify multiple perspectives within a text
* = ability to identify multiple perspectives within a text
* = a primary skill set the SAT Reading measures  
* = a primary skill set the SAT Reading measures  
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*** how the text relates to a table or chart
*** how the text relates to a table or chart
*** how table 1 compares to table 2
*** how table 1 compares to table 2
=== Timed test ===
* all SAT sections are timed
** keep time awareness ''per passage''
** practice for accuracy first (regardless of time), then build efficiency (accuracy + speed)
[[File:SAT-what-effective-practice-looks-like.JPG|thumb|right|400px||What effective SAT prep practice looks like]]
=== Practice ===
* practice = mimicking test-day situation
* practice v enrichment
** enrichment = getting better at something
*** enrichment may include, online Khan Academy-type exercises, "question of the day" exercises, grammar study and outside reading
* actual practice = recreating for performance in an actual situation, which includes:
** paper test in booklet form
*** best to use practice tests provide by the actual test-maker, College Board
** pencil and bubble sheet
** full-length practice (for to build endurance & focus and overcome boredom and tiredness)
*** it is unreasonable to practice full SAT tests, so per-section is fine (Reading, Writing, Math w/o calc & Math w/ calc)
** analog clock (can use an app on a device)
** distractions avoided or minimized
*** cell phone & computer off (unless displaying analog clock but that only)
*** no music
** sitting at desk with upright chair
** juice or snack for energy in between sections as you would on test-day


== Strategies & techniques for Reading passages ==
== Strategies & techniques for Reading passages ==