Critical SAT and ACT Advice: Don't take your school brain to the test!

Critical SAT and ACT Advice:
Don't take your school brain to the test!

What in earth does that mean?

Basically, if you are in a typical western schooling environment (e.g. TAS, TES, KC, etc), you are taught to draw conclusions in a big way. Teachers like to push you to use your imagination and infer all kinds of things that are not in reading passages. In fact, for many school teachers, especially literature teachers, the more you infer the happier they are.

So, what's the problem?

SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GMAT are standardized tests, which means that there can be only one correct answer. The kind of inferring that is common in school leads to multiple possible answers, so it's unsuitable for standardized tests.

The basic rule is this: only make one tiny inference - the smaller the better. Let me illustrate what I mean.

If your friend looks like he's in pain, and he's massaging his leg, what can you reasonably infer?

Only one thing: his leg hurts.

What can't you reasonably infer?
He got injured playing basketball.
He had an accident.
He woke up with a sore leg.
His sister kicked him.
A dog bit him.
He's malnourished.
He's got a rash.
Etc.

Even though this is boring as an inference, it's the only thing you can REASONABLY infer. Anything else is evidence of an overactive imagination and will give you a LOWER SCORE!

Remember: in a standardized test like the SAT and ACT, make the smallest inference possible. In fact, if you see direct evidence of an answer choice, that's even better than a choice you have to draw an inference about.

Always use what I term "the point test" - if you can't point directly to the evidence for an answer choice, it's probably wrong.

Thinking about it mathematically:
No inference > small inference > large inference

Remember: there is no place for imagination in a standardized test - always find evidence in the passage.

SAT/ACT vocabulary in the news #1

SAT/ACT vocabulary in the news #1

Just ran across this article.

Can you figure out what the word "scores" means in this context? Leave your answer in the comments.

This type of usage is fairly typical on the SAT - they love to test second or third meanings of words. The SAT almost never tests the first definition.

Remember: to do well on SAT vocab questions, it's not enough to simply know the basic definition of a word. You MUST grasp the meaning from the context.

SAT/ACT grammar mistakes in our daily lives #1

SAT/ACT grammar mistakes in our daily lives #1

Can you spot both of the grammar mistakes?

These are common mistakes that native speakers are generally unaware of. Still, they're just the kind of errors that are frequently tested on the SAT, ACT, and GMAT.

Remember: it's never enough to just be an excellent speaker of English to get a top score on the SAT or ACT. Knowledge of rules of grammar is essential to give you the competitive edge over other equally competent users of English.

If you can see the mistakes, write a corrected version in the comments.

Answer: 

The first mistake is at the beginning of the sentence: “As an artist,” SHOULD be describing Tom, but, grammatically, it’s describing the noun after the comma (the greatest thing). It could be rewritten as, “The greatest thing Nike has given me as an artist is…”

The second mistake is separating two sentences with a comma: “these are not constraints, these are other ways of thinking.” This could be rewritten with a dash or a colon: “these are not constraints - they are other ways of thinking.”

Finally, nobody (apart from grammar fans like me and Neal) will care about this, but the first mistake is called a “dangling modifier” and the second a “comma splice” or a “run-on sentence.” Knowing the names is useful if you want to google these mistakes to learn more about them.

我的SAT模考班介紹 ((SAT考前衝刺班))

The Lindsay SAT Mock Test Class has been tailored to suit the needs of students with native or near-native proficiency in English. Classes will be taught in a completely English environment, and will take an interactive approach, not the traditional but outdated spoon-fed approach.

By an interactive approach, we mean that after the test, you are permitted to ask questions on all of the areas you miss or are unsure about. Through the explanations, you are able to have flaws in your critical thinking (the essence of the new SAT test) pointed out as well as have your gaps in crucial knowledge filled. For example, commonly tested grammar points require repetition for you to internalize them.

1. Our mock tests are by appointment only, so please notify us in advance which dates you would like to attend.
2. Tests begin at 9am sharp, so do ensure that you arrive on time.
3. The test will be run in the same way as the official tests, including the optional essay section.
4. After a break for lunch, discussions follow.
5. The nature of these discussions varies depending on the relative strengths and weaknesses of the students on any particular day. 
6. Commonly tested concepts are reiterated throughout the explanations. Questions are not only welcome but expected of you.

These mock classes are essential for you to push yourself and keep your test-taking skills honed. While the SAT is a standardized test, each test is unique inasmuch as it tests concepts in slightly different ways thus throwing a spotlight on your blind spots. With Brett's personal guidance, you will understand how to overcome these deficiencies and improve not only your SAT score but also your ability to think critically, thus paving the way for university studies.

You are NOT your last SAT score! SAT Words of Advice.

You are NOT your last SAT score!
SAT Words of Advice.

I’ve noticed a destructive mindset that many students seem to share: they strongly feel that they are defined by their last test scores.

Often, a new student will tell me that they took a test like the SAT or ACT (sometimes without preparation) and that they received a certain score. Then they say, “I guess that’s just my level.” They allow a test score to limit their potential. This is a serious mistake. There is no such thing as a “1200-student,” a “1300-student,” or even a “1450-student.” With more practice, and especially more thought and analysis of past mistakes, students can always improve their scores.

What’s worse is the kind of student who has done well on a previous test but would like to do even better on a future test. Sometimes, these students care so deeply about the upcoming score that they often sabotage their own success. For instance, if they do poorly on a practice exam, they seem to believe that they’re getting worse. That negative feeling can cause them to perform even worse on their next mock exam, which creates a self-perpetuating cycle. As a teacher, it is easy for me to see their true potential, but potential is not enough. The “inner game” is even more important that true ability.

We use the term “inner game” in sport. I’m sure everybody who has played sports (or chess or any other game) has had the following experience: there is a rival team or player that always beats you. Then, one day, you forget yourself and before you realize it, you’re winning. Then you notice, and your conscious mind says, “Wait! I NEVER win against this opponent!” As soon as you have this inner dialog, you start to fumble and miss easy shots. The end result is that you lose.

Now, did you really lose because the other player or team was better than you? No. Your brain gave your subconscious mind a direct command: “I never beat them!” Naturally, your subconscious mind complies and causes you to lose.

The same is true for test takers. If you deeply believe that you are limited or that you’re getting worse, you won’t be able to tap your true potential. Remember: it’s physically impossible to get worse from doing practice tests. You can only get better. So, make sure you don’t brainwash yourself into believing that you’re getting worse.

Remain positive - it’s one of the keys to high performance. If you have been diligent in your practice, you CAN do better.

I hope everybody does well on the upcoming SAT test.