SAT Math Prep for the

Average Student
October , 2009
SCCTM Conference

Teresa McDonald, M.Ed., NBCT

Meike McDonald, M.Ed.
www.meikemcdonald.com
SC SAT scores fall 9 points, down in
all sections Associated Press, August 25, 2009
 COLUMBIA — The average SAT scores for South Carolina's
graduating seniors are down — falling this year in all three
test sections for a nine-point drop.
 The College Board reported Tuesday the state's class of
2009 scored a combined average of 1,452. That's 59 points
below the national average, which saw a two-point decline
from last year to 1,509.
 The biggest drop for South Carolina's test-takers came in
writing, which fell six points to 470. Critical reading
decreased by two points to 486. And math scores
dropped by one point to 496. The maximum score on
each section is 800.
 About the presenters
Teresa McDonald- taught HS math at Lake
City High School for 24 years.
 Teacher specialist for 3 years.
 Currently works with Adult Education

Meike McDonald- currently in her 5th year

teaching at Septima Clark Academy.
 A member of CERRA’s Advisory Board and
PSTA. Currently attending Walden
University for Ed.D. in teacher leadership.
Agenda for the Workshop
 General information about the SAT
 General information about the Math portion of the
SAT
 SAT Math Facts to Know
 Practice Using SAT Math Facts
 Special Math Problems
 Practice Special Math Problems with actual old
SAT problems
 SAT Graph and Function Notation Problems
 Practice Math Sections
 Websites for self-directed students
SAT Test General Information
 SAT consists of 10 sections: 3 Reading, 3
Writing, 3 Math, & 1 Experimental(3 hours
and 45 minutes long)- Cost $43/Waiver
 SAT is not an intelligence test
 SAT measures how well you take the SAT!
 Work smarter, not harder!
 You do not have to answer all the
questions to get a good score! (You can
score a 500 on math by answering ½ the
questions – about 25 questions)
Continuation of SAT General Info.
 All questions are arranged Easy to Hard on SAT
except the reading comprehension questions
Example - Math Section with 20 questions
(1-6 Easy, 7-12 Medium, 13-20 Hard)
 +1 point each question answer correctly
 -¼ point each question answer incorrectly
(except on the Math Grid-in questions so answer
all of these)
 O points if you leave it blank
 Your total points will give you a raw score which
they convert to a score ranging from 200-800
 *Guess only if you can eliminate 1 or more
answers
What to take to the Test Center:
1. #2 Pencils
2. Graphing Calculator with new batteries
3. Photo ID (many students get turned
away because of not having proper ID)
4. Admission Ticket
5. Watch
6. Some candy/snack to eat on at break

 Have directions to the testing center

SAT Math General Information
3 SAT math sections
a. 20 multiple choice questions (25 minutes)
b. 18 questions – 8 multiple choice
10 grid-in (25 minutes)
c. 16 multiple choice questions (20 minutes)
Total of 44 multiple choice & 10 grid in
Remember you get just as many points on
the easy questions as you do the hard
questions – So don’t rush, read carefully
and focus on getting the easy ones right!
Continuation SAT Math general info.
About the grid-in:
1. SAT only scores what you bubble in
2. You cannot grid in a mixed number you
must change it to a fraction or decimal
3. No answer will be negative
4. You do not have to reduce fractions
5. It does not count off if you guess on the
grid-in problems
Review of General Knowledge
 How are all questions on SAT arranged except for
reading comprehension?
 Do you get more points for hard questions?
 Should you wild guess?
 How many points do you get for correct answers?
 How many points do you get for incorrect
answers?
 How many math sections, how many questions
and how much time are you allowed?
 What problems don’t count off if you guess and
miss?
 What six things should you take with you to the
test center?
SAT Math Facts to Know
Take out your handout that says SAT Math
Facts to Know:

These are some basic facts you will need to

know as you take the SAT Math test.

We will go over the first page together then

you will practice some of the basic skills
on some of the other pages.
Special Math Problems
 There are 3 types of problems that show
up in SAT math problems that are not
hard, just different.
They are:
a. Manipulating Equations
b. Strange Symbol Problems
c. Share/Ratio Problems
We will go over these types, practice some
and then actually do some actual old SAT
questions involving these special problems
SAT Graph and Function Notation
Problems
Basic things to remember about graphs
y = kx even power
k>0 parabola opens up,
k<0 parabola opens down)
Basic shape parabola
Both ends either go up or down
k>0 k<0
y = kx odd power

k>0 graph goes up left to right

K<0 graph goes down left to right
Websites for self-directed students
Princetonreview.com
Collegeboard.com
Petersons.com
Ivybound.com
Wilsondailyprep.com

Students can also find full-length SAT tests

in prep books or websites
Tips for Parents
 Sign both you and your students for SAT
Question of the Day at collegeboard.com &
Word of the day at princetonreview.com
 Make some flash cards of common
vocabulary words and place them in a
basket in the bathroom
 Make sure your students has everything
laid out the night before and gets a good
night’s sleep
Test dates for this year!
U.S. Registration Deadlines
2009-10 Regular Registration Deadline
Test
Test Dates (postmark/submit by)
October 10, 2009 SAT & Subject Tests September 9, 2009
November 7, 2009 SAT & Subject Tests October 1, 2009
December 5, 2009 SAT & Subject Tests October 30, 2009
January 23, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests December 15, 2009
March 13, 2010 SAT only February 4, 2010
May 1, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests March 25, 2010
June 5, 2010 SAT & Subject Tests April 29, 2010
Breakfast is important
 As for all tests, it is critical for students to
eat breakfast.
 The best suggested breakfast includes:
protein, complex carbohydrates, and a
little bit of fat.
Contact Information
 Teresa McDonald-
 teresa@teresamcdonald.com

 Meike McDonald-
 meikemcdonald@yahoo.com
 www.meikemcdonald.com