SAT Geometry Practice Problem

SAT Prep Plan practice SAT geometry problem of the week: 

1)

In the figure above, the shaded region is a cube with a side of x length. What is the volume of the unshaded region?

A) x2 – 72
(b) 24 – x2
(c) 72 – x3
(d) 60 – 3×2
(e) 72 – x2

SAT Math Problem

This is an SAT problem from SAT Prep Plan (www.satprepplan.com). Does it make sense?

3) The probability of picking a red marble out of a bag without looking is 1 in 5. The probability of picking out a blue marble is 11 in 25. The bag contains only red, white, and blue marbles. Which value could be the number of white marbles?

(a) 7
(b) 9
(c) 11
(d) 12
(e) 15

Critical Reading Strategy for the SAT

Here is our strategy article from SAT Prep Plan for the critical reading section of the SAT. Feedback is welcome.

Critical Reading Section Strategy Overview
Description:
The critical reading section of the SAT comprises 67 questions in total, broken into two categories:

sentence completion: 19 multiple-choice questions focusing on vocabulary and complex sentences
passage-based reading: 48 questions based on passages that may be fairly short (100 words) to moderately long (850 words), or two short passages that you must compare. Subject matter is drawn from all disciplines, ranging from humanities to the natural sciences
All the questions in this section test your ability for critical thinking – the ability to read a sentence or passage and demonstrate an understanding of what you have read.

Often the sentence completion questions rely on your understanding of the vocabulary used in the question, as well as your ability to determine the meaning of words you do not know by the context in which they are used. Regardless of how strong or weak you think your vocabulary skills are, it will be important to continuously improve your vocabulary skills, by reading (and looking up the definitions of words you do not know) and taking the time to study vocabulary lists.

Basic Strategies for the Critical Reading Section

Work on sentence completion questions first. These questions tend to be easier than the passage-based questions, and they are self-contained. After you complete all the sentence completion questions, you will know exactly how much time you have left for the passage-based questions.
As with all sections in the SAT, the sentence completion questions in the critical reading section become progressively difficult as you proceed through the section. Try to spend less time on the early questions, but be sure to read all questions carefully.
Sentence completion questions frequently test your vocabulary skills; when you see questions that use words you know, scan these quickly to see if you can save time with a fast, correct answer.
When reading a passage, make annotations in your test book to flag key words and main points.
Learning Resources
Review the CollegeBoard’s overview of the critical reading section

SAT Reading Practice

I’m looking for feedback on the reading passage we developed as group of SAT practice questions for my SAT website SAT Prep Plan:

One reason why mathematics enjoys special esteem, above all other sciences, is that its laws are absolutely certain and indisputable, while those of all other sciences are to some extent debatable and in constant danger of being overthrown by newly discovered facts. In spite of this, the investigator in another department of science would not need to envy the mathematician if the laws of mathematics referred to objects of our mere imagination, and not to objects of reality. For it cannot occasion surprise that different persons should arrive at the same logical conclusions when they have already agreed upon the fundamental laws (axioms), as well as the methods by which other laws are to be deduced therefrom. But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics, in that it is mathematics which affords the exact natural sciences a certain measure of security, to which without mathematics they could not attain.

1) The main idea of the passage is that the author

(a) learned that the natural sciences are more reputable than mathematics
(b) believes mathematics is based on theory just as most branches of science are based on theory
(c) argues mathematics is constantly changing and thus causes constant change in the natural sciences
(d) believes mathematics provides an incontestable foundation lends supports all of natural science
(e) values mathematics even though there is no scientific basis for doing so

2) The author’s overall purpose is this passage is to

(a) refute a specfic theory
(b) acknowledge the importance of a field of study
(c) give examples to support a theory
(d) confirm a mistaken understanding about a field of study
(e) dismiss a field of study as trivial

3) The author of the passage uses the phrase “apostle of a clique” primarily to emphasize that prior to 1830 Wordsworth was
(a) unknown because he had not published his writing
(b) not taken seriously because he was a priest
(c) too conventional a writer to capture the attention of critics
(d) too friendly with the wrong people
(e) exalted but only among a small group

 
Reading Answers :
1)
Correct Answer: d
Explanation: The author states that mathematics is based on indisputable laws (sentence 1), and also states the “security” mathematics provides the other natural sciences (last sentence).

2)
Correct Answer: b
Explanation:

3)
Correct Answer: e
Explanation: An apostle is a “leader or a pioneer of a movement.” A clique is “a small, exclusive group of friends or followers.” Wordsworth is thus depicted as an esteemed leader of a specific group of admirers.

SAT Essay Strategy

This is our strategy article for the Essay section on the SAT for my site, www.satprepplan.com. We’re looking for feedback so we can improve it, comments welcome.
Description:
The essay section of the SAT provides you with a specific topic, or prompt, and allows you 25 minutes to write an original essay.

The essay is scored on a scale of 2 to 12. Two evaluators read every essay, and each assigns a score from 1 to 6; the two scores are then combined for your final essay score.

This section is intended to test your ability to develop and express ideas clearly and effectively. You will not be required to have special knowledge about the topic; you are expected to draw upon your experiences from courses you have taken, reading you have done, and experiences you have had both inside and outside of school. The essay is scored as a “first draft,” but you will need to have a sound strategy before starting.

Top scores are given to essays that:

• demonstrate critical thinking and a clear point of view on the assigned topic
• well organized and focused, with a logical progression of ideas
• demonstrate skillful use of language and structure, including varied and sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structure
• are free of grammar and mechanical errors

There are a variety of ways to achieve an essay that merits a score of 12. Fundamentally, the most important aspect is building your essay on an explicit viewpoint, or thesis. A thesis statement should clearly establish the main point or goal of your essay; everything you write should ultimately support your thesis.

Fundamentals for the essay:

• Only write an essay that directly addresses the topic provided. Essays that are on a different topic receive a score of 0.
• Plan on spending the first five minutes of your time to create a thesis and outline for your essay. This will be time well spent, as you will not have to organize on-the-fly as you write.
• As you write the essay, think of ways you can vary your sentence structure. Remember that while the correct use of a semi-colon can impress the scorer, too many complex sentences in a row can sound awkward.
• Use clear and appropriate vocabulary. Don’t use “big” words just for the sake of using them; instead, use more sophisticated vocabulary choices when they seem appropriate.
• Plan on leaving a few minutes at the end to review your essay. The scorers will not penalize you if you have to cross out words or sentences and re-write them; in fact, it is better to show that you identified an error and corrected it. At the same time, make sure your essay is legible; don’t cross out so much that the scorer won’t be able to read the essay easily.

The full article can be found here, SAT Strategy Guide

SAT Prep Plan launched

Finally! After months of tinkering I’ve release www.satprepplan.com into the wild. SAT Prep Plan contains a huge number of SAT practice problems and SAT strategy articles. The most interesting bit about the site is the custom study plan creator. A student can come to the site, take a quick practice test and a custom study plan is created based on the students strengths and weaknesses. I’m currently trying to improve the practice test, if you have any feedback about the site please let me know.