SAT Question of the Day
2012-05-21 09:00:15
On an x-y coordinate plane, if point a is at the point (3,-3) and point b is at the point (4,5), what is the distance between points a and b?
(A) 3
(B) 9
(C) √17
(D) √65
(E) 64
The correct answer is D
Explanation: To find the distance between a and b, use the distance formula:
Use the a points for x1 and y1 and the b points for x2 and y2. Plug them in to the formula:
d = √((4 - 3)² + (5 - -3)²) = √((1)² + (8)²) = √(1 + 64) = √65
This means choice D is correct.
SAT Question of the Day
2012-05-23 09:00:03
Because the hurricane brought dirty ocean water into the city's water supply, the city's mayor urged residents not to drink the ______ water, as it was no longer ______.
(A) polluted...succulent
(B) deleterious...innocuous
(C) contaminated...potable
(D) tainted...palatable
(E) refined...revolting
The correct answer is C
Explanation: To predict the missing words, look for keywords in the sentence. Here, the keywords are given in the first clause of the sentence, where it states that "the hurricane brought dirty ocean water into the city's water supply." The prompt hinges on a cause-and-effect relationship, and the two missing words come in the effect half of the sentence, meaning that both missing words describe the result of the hurricane mixing ocean water with the city's water. The result would logically be a corruption or pollution of the water supply. The first missing word describes what the "water" now is, so it must mean something like "corrupted" or "unclean," and the second missing word describes what the water no longer was, which is to say "safe to drink." Because "contaminated" means "impure due to a pollutant being added" and "potable" means "safe to drink," choice C is correct.
None of the other answer choices work, either:
(A) polluted: contaminated or made impure by a hazardous substance & succulent: tender, juicy, or tasty (this choice does not work because being succulent is not synonymous with being safe to drink, as something can be safe to drink without being tasty)
(B) deleterious: harmful & innocuous: harmless (this almost works, except the prompt does not imply that the water supply was necessarily harmful, as it only indicates that the water supply was mixed with ocean water)
(D) tainted: contaminated or polluted & palatable: pleasant to taste (this choice does not work because being palatable is not synonymous with being safe to drink, as something can be safe to drink without being tasty)
(E) refined: without impurities & revolting: disgusting (these words could work int he sentence but only if their order were reversed)
SAT Question of the Day
2012-05-30 09:00:02
Though Aaron Burr is infamous for his role in the duel that ended the life of Alexander Hamilton, he was also one of the most influential patriots in the early republic, even serving as Thomas Jefferson's vice president.
(A) Though Aaron Burr is infamous for his role in the duel that ended the life of Alexander Hamilton,
(B) Because Aaron Burr is infamous for his role in the duel that ended the life of Alexander Hamilton,
(C) Though Aaron Burr is famous for dueling and ending Alexander Hamilton's life,
(D) Aaron Burr is infamous for his role in the duel that ended the life of Alexander Hamilton,
(E) Because Aaron Burr is famous for for dueling and ending Alexander Hamilton's life,
The correct answer is A
Explanation: There is no mistake in the sentence. Each of the answer choices, however, does contain a mistake:
(B) is incorrect because it uses an improper introductory word. "Because" is used to introduce cause-and-effect relationships, but the clauses in this sentence provide contradictory information (Burr was not a great patriot BECAUSE he killed Hamilton).
(C) is incorrect because it implies that Burr was famous for dueling and famous for ending Hamilton's life rather than famous for participating in a duel that ended Hamilton's life.
(D) is incorrect because it would create a run-on, as it would link two independent clauses ("Aaron Burr... Hamilton" and "he was... president") using a comma alone.
(E) is incorrect because it uses an improper introductory word. "Because" is used to introduce cause-and-effect relationships, but the clauses in this sentence provide contradictory information (Burr was not a great patriot BECAUSE he killed Hamilton).
SAT Question of the Day
2012-05-25 09:00:42
A right circular cylinder has a volume of 192π inches. If its height is 12 inches, what is the diameter of its base in inches?
The correct answer is 8
Explanation: The formula for the volume of a right cylinder is πr²h (where r is the radius of the base and h is the height of the cylinder). Use this formula with the volume given in the question and the given height of 12 inches:
192π = πr²12
Divide both sides of the equation by 12π to get 16 = r²
Square root both sides of the equation to get r = 4. Diameter is 2r, so the diameter of this cylinder is 2(4), or 8 inches.
Stories of success shirk fears of failure!
2012-05-21 17:53:42
Last week, Yahoo! News and The New York Times gave us the stories of Chris Navas and Gac Filipaj—two individuals who sprung from humble circumstances to attain Ivy League degrees.
In Chris Navas’ narrative, a cascade of coincidences leads an academically apathetic young man to earn a spot at Dartmouth University’s medical school. The story begins when Navas, a high school dropout who holds a day job building boilers, signs up for a 200-level “behavioral neuroscience” class—simply because it works for his schedule. Normally a “do just what it takes to pass” kind of student, Navas didn’t expect to be good at neuroscience. Nevertheless, he found himself captivated by the teacher’s descriptions of breakthrough neuroscientific research and began reading unassigned chapters in the text. Before long, Navas had secured a spot in the honors neuroscience program and was working at a lab that studies learning and memory. He will begin medical school at Dartmouth this fall.
Navas explains his fortune as a force of luck. “The mentors made the difference,” he said, according to The New York Times. “I was just some kid working in a boiler company. I had no vision of becoming a doctor. I got lucky, over and over.”
Navas’ story certainly suggests fate played a hand in his scholastic path. After all, Navas signed up for “behavioral neuroscience” on a whim, without plans to become a doctor or a neuroscience major… without even particular interest in the topic! But, since there’s no lesson in luck, I’d prefer to highlight aspects of agency in Navas’ tale.
Chris Navas strikes me as a person who not only is tremendously brave, but also delves heart and soul into the activities he enjoys. As The New York Times explains, post-high-school, Navas had no plan. He picked up work as a secretary at a refrigeration company. One day all the mechanics were out, so Navas’ boss sent him to fix a broken refrigerator. Navas rose to the occasion, undaunted by his lack of training in refrigeration mechanics. He took school lightly because it wasn’t his thing, and didn’t worry too much about the future. Instead, he worked fervently at bodybuilding, his passion. When he became aware of his fascination with neuroscience, he pursued it relentlessly. He didn’t tell himself it was too late, dwell upon past mistakes, or focus on competition that lay ahead. He just did it because he loved it.
Similar bravery, passion, and perseverance can be seen in Gac Filipaj. Middle-aged and nearly done with law school, Filipaj was forced to start his life over when he fled Montenegro (then a Yugoslavian republic facing civil war) in 1992. Once in America, Filipaj lived with his uncle in the Bronx, worked as a restaurant busboy, and began to ask after the best schools in NYC. When he learned of Columbia University, he applied for a job.
Filipaj’s native language is Albanian, so his first hurdle as a degree-seeking American was to learn English. Once fluent, he took on the challenge of balancing Ivy-League-level coursework with a fulltime job as a janitor at Columbia. Yahoo! News reports Filipaj regularly pulled all-nighters during exam time or to finish a paper. Then he would go to class, and then to his 2:30–11:00pm shift at work.
Twelve years later, Filipaj donned a cap and gown to receive his bachelor’s degree—with honors—in Roman and Greek classics. In graduating, Filipaj reveals himself as someone who is able to take life as it comes and who won’t be discouraged, no matter the work required nor the magnitude of setback. Ultimately Filipaj would like to attain a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in Roman and Greek classics, so he can teach. For now, he is trying to get a “better job,” perhaps as a supervisor of other custodians.
Filipaj and Navas’ experiences demonstrate the power of hard work, passion, and faith in one’s abilities to trump even the most disheartening circumstances. When you love something and are determined to succeed at it, no task is too hard and no amount of work is too much. In turn, no goal is beyond your reach.
Glossary:
These Key SAT Words are Expertly Identified by Sentia Tutors
Apathetic: marked by lack of interest or concern
Fervent: having or showing great intensity of spirit
Disheartening: very discouraging
Should I go to a large university or a small college?
2012-05-24 12:00:01
As the 2011-2012 academic year draws to an end, many high school juniors are beginning the process of narrowing down their college application lists. Deciding which colleges to apply to can feel like a daunting task. Not only must you think about such mundane factors as price and admissions criteria, but you also need to think carefully about why you wish to pursue higher education, how you learn, and what you want out of life.
Asking yourself a relatively benign question--"Should I go to a large university or a small college?"--might help you begin thinking about these larger issues. Last May I graduated from a diminutive liberal arts college. I loved some aspects, and hated others. Below, I discuss four features of small colleges that stand out to me based on my experiences as a student.
Whether you see these features as pros or cons really depends on your goals and who you are as a student/social animal. I hope that considering the differences between small colleges and large universities will help you begin to examine yourself and find a school that is a perfect fit!
Four Features of Small Colleges:
1.) Small, seminar style classes – In my experience, seminar style classes were the best part about attending a small college. Usually with 20 or fewer students, these classes made for a tremendously enriching learning experience—replete with discussion, debate, and personal attention from professors.
However, small classes also mean one must maintain good attendance and work habits throughout the semester. Participation is crucial, and professors will notice if you’re chronically absent or unprepared. By contrast, because large universities offer mostly lecture classes, in which final grades are based mostly on exams and papers, consistent attendance and preparation is less important. Know yourself, your work habits, and your style of learning to decide what class environment is best for you.
2.) Strong sense of community – Small classes really allowed me to get to know my classmates and professors. In addition, campus-wide events and traditions bring all students together and help everyone feel like they belong. The community’s closeness can also be a con. It can be hard to meet new people at a small college, as most people meet friends during freshman year and rarely branch out after that. However, if you’re outgoing or plan to join many clubs and activities, this shouldn’t be a problem.
3.) More opportunities to write papers – This is related to small colleges’ small class sizes. Grading papers can be very time consuming, so professors with large classes often opt to assess students via exams instead. Small class sizes mean teachers assign more written work. Writing papers not only helps students improve their writing skills, but it also facilitates deeper, more nuanced, thinking about a topic. Furthermore, small colleges allow more students to write theses—yearlong research and writing projects done under the close supervision of a professor.
4.) Lack of vocational majors – Many small colleges specialize in the liberal arts, so they don’t offer vocational majors like business, journalism, nursing, or engineering. If you’re considering a vocational major, make sure this major is offered before applying to a small school.
Although there are many more differences between large universities and small colleges, I hope the above-listed features help you begin to think about which type of school is right for you. Good luck forming your college list!
Glossary
These Key SAT Words are Expertly Identified by Sentia Tutors
mundane: common; ordinary; banal
benign: kind; gentle; harmless
diminutive: very small
replete: well-filled
How to Study One Week Before the SAT!
2012-05-27 15:26:10
Eep! The June 2nd SAT is just about a week away! If you’ve stumbled across this blog post, you probably want to know: What is the best way to study a week before the SAT?
With only a week to study before the test, it’s unrealistic to aim for major score gains. Cramming is a terrible idea. Without making much progress, crammers will end up exhausted, frustrated, and discouraged just before the test. Less an image of success than of distress…
Instead of cramming, you should use this week to calm your nerves, get comfortable with the duration and cadence of the SAT, and review material learned early in your studies. If a few vocab words or a new math concept trickles in… great! If not, that’s OK too.
Here are some tips on what to do a week before the SAT. I hope you find them helpful!
1) Take a full-length practice exam, under timed conditions
--- I know it’s grueling, but a full practice test a week before the SAT is as important as the dress rehearsal before opening night of a play. Use this test to finalize your timing strategy for each section, and get used to how it feels to sit for a four-hour exam.
2) Review this full-length practice test, making sure you understand every question answered incorrectly
--- After a couple of days, return to your most recent full-length practice test and review every question answered incorrectly.
--- Let your mistakes point you to the last concepts in need of review. Take some time to re-learn these concepts, and then re-solve incorrect questions to solidify your knowledge.
--- Tip: If you’re stumped for the correct way to solve a question, let Google help you out! You can usually find detailed explanations to most questions in the College Board Official Guide to the SAT somewhere in cyber-space—just Google a few words from the question you need help with!
--- Write down and look up any new vocab encountered on this test. Your final practice test is a great place to find the last vocab words you’ll want to study.
3) Continue to review and study vocabulary
--- Review the vocab you’ve been studying throughout test-preparation. This should be easy, as long as you’ve abided by a study plan that has you continually review & reinforce previously learned words.
--- Keep learning new words, but don’t fry your brain trying to memorize every word in your vocabulary workbook. It’s simply too late to memorize 300+ new vocab words.
4) In preparation for the essay, read some newspaper articles and/or review notes on historical & literary sources
--- The SAT essay requires you to come up with examples fast. In addition, most SAT essay questions are fluid enough that you can manipulate just about any example to support your point. It’s generally a good idea to have a few examples from history, literature, or current events prepared in advance.
--- Two days before the SAT: Review the plot of your favorite classic novel or an event from history. You can also read some newspaper articles if you plan to discuss the prompt in context of current events.
5) Review your notes on major grammar and math concepts
--- You’ve already studied these concepts and understand when to use them. Now is the time to review formulas and remind yourself of concepts learned early on, so your memory is fresh for the SAT.
6) Take it easy, and try not to stress!
--- Go to bed early every night during the week leading up to the SAT.
--- Do something fun—but not wild—the night before the test. Maybe watch a movie or go out to dinner with a few friends.
--- Gather your photo ID, admission ticket, pencils, calculator, snacks, and water so you’re prepared to head out on test day
Good luck on Saturday’s test. And remember—if things don’t go as planned, there’s still the October administration!
Glossary:
These Key SAT Words are Expertly Identified by Sentia Tutors
Cadence: rhythm; beat
Abide: to continue in a particular condition, attitude or relationship
Oops, Forgot to Study Again: How to Cram for the SAT (Only if You Have To)
2012-05-30 09:00:56
Did you have that dream again? The one where you wake up and you’re taking the SAT on Saturday? Bad news: it wasn’t a dream. Now, you’re probably realizing that your months and months of putting off studying for the exam “until the spring” was a bad idea and starting to panic. Try to relax a little bit… we’re here to help. What follows is a quick guide for how to cram for the SAT in two days.
As a sidebar, keep in mind that cramming is never a good strategy. We would never advise you to do this (in fact, on Sunday, we advised you not to do this!) outside of these exigent circumstances. All cramming can really help you do is mitigate the damage done by not studying in the first place. Sorry to sound like your mother, but it’s true.
With our “I told ya so” out of the way, let’s start cramming. You’ll need the following tools: a practice SAT test, a timer, a calculator, pencils, and paper.
Two Days Out
When you get home from school, eat something nutritious (your brain needs food/energy for you to be able to cram), and sit down in a quiet study space. Turn off your phone and other distractions.
You don’t have time to take a full-length exam, so do a short one. Do a 25-minute-long section of math, reading, and writing from your practice exam. The order doesn’t matter, so long as you do one of each, with timing. When you’re finished, check your answers. Look back in the sections at all the questions you got wrong, and write down the content area it covered on your piece of paper. For example, if the question involved a mismatched pronoun, you’d write down “pronouns” on your sheet. Do this for all your wrong answers. What you’ve created is a list of topics to look up. Obviously, it’s not a complete list, but it’s a good list of things you’ll need to know for the test (and it shouldn’t include anything you already know!).
Now, look up each of those topics online by searching for “SAT + that topic” (example: “SAT + Averages”). Read over whatever you find, and make sure to do any practice problems you find on your search too.
After you’ve exhausted your search topics, look up a list of the 100 most common SAT words. Print it out, and start committing them to memory (you’ll probably know quite a few of them to begin with, so just focus on the ones you don’t know). To memorize them, make flashcards that include a definition and an example sentence of each word (example: for “deleterious,” you would write the definition (“harmful”) and a sentence such as “Drinking poison can have deleterious effects on your health.”). Once the flashcards are done, put them aside.
Take a break from studying. Eat something, get some water, and stretch out. Now, go back to studying. Look for sample essay topics online. Write a thesis for three of them, and brainstorm a couple pieces of evidence that you can universally apply to as many of the prompts you see as possible (historic events and books are best). Hope that you get a similar topic on Saturday so that you don’t have to think of new evidence!
Go to sleep early, and while laying in bed, cycle through your vocabulary flashcards. Sleep a full night.
One Day Out
All your hard work is behind you. Get home from school, eat a snack, and go back to studying. Start by reviewing your vocabulary flashcards one more time. Then, go back to your practice test, and run through sections 8, 9, and 10. Look over questions you got wrong.
Finally, look up any math formulas you don’t know (and need), and write them down on one study sheet. Finish studying no later than 12 hours before your test. After that twelve-hour window starts, studying is no longer beneficial, and your brain will start deleting information. So, quit while you’re ahead.
Relax the rest of the night. Right before going to sleep, look over your math notes and vocab flash cards one last time. Get plenty of sleep.
On the morning of the test, look over the cards and math notes while eating breakfast. Walk into your test center with more confidence than you otherwise would’ve have had.
Two final notes:
1) Studying can be more fun and more beneficial with others, so look for a friend, teacher, parent, or tutor to help you out.
2) This strategy can apply to the ACT too, but don’t do full sections. Instead, do the last 15 questions of an English section, the last 20 of a math section, the last 20 of a reading section, and the last two passages of a science section. Also, skip the vocabulary. Everything else, though, do.
Good luck!
SAT Question of the Day
2012-06-01 09:00:15
If x&y = x²y and x@y = 2x + y, what is (2&3)@5?
(A) 22
(B) 29
(C) 44
(D) 52
(E) 59
The correct answer is B
Explanation: Symbol questions work the same way as functions. Whatever is in place of x on the left side of the equation takes the place of x in the actual equation (and the same goes for y). Order of operations applies here too, as the function that is in parentheses must be solved first. The solution to that expression will become the x-input in the second expression. Thus, plug 2 in for x and 3 in for y in the x&y function:
2&3 = (2²)(3), or 4(3), which is 12.
Now, use 12 in place of x in the x@y equation: 12@5 = 2(12) + (5), which is 29, making choice B the correct answer.
SAT Question of the Day
2012-06-04 09:00:10
Most agree that JD Salinger’s best and most important work is the landmark Catcher in the Rye, but there are some critics who argue his ______ was Franny and Zooey or even Nine Stories.
(A) pedestal
(B) plateau
(C) apex
(D) nadir
(E) literature
The correct choice is C
Explanation: To predict the missing word, look for clues in the sentence. Here, the main clue is the conjunction “but,” which sets up a contrasting relationship between the clauses of the sentence. Thus, while one clause argues that Salinger’s best work is Catcher in the Rye, the other clause argues that there is a different best work. The missing word must, therefore, mean best. Because an apex is the highest point, peak, or tip of something, all of which would suggest the best, choice C is correct.
None of the other answer choices work, either:
Pedestal: a position in which someone is critically admired (this does not work because a position of admiration is not the same as someone's personal peak)
Plateau: an area of relatively high ground (this is not correct because relatively high ground is not synonymous with the peak)
Nadir: the lowest point of something (this is the opposite of a correct answer)
Literature: a written work of lasting merit, quality, or import (this is not correct because being a good book and being Salinger's best are not the same)