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What the Media is saying :
"Gary Gruber is the most prominent guru of SAT preparation."-Chicago Tribune
"His methods make the questions seem amazingly simple to solve."-Library Journal
"Dr. Gruber knows the ins and outs of the SAT."-Los Angeles Times
What Students, Parents, and Educators Are Saying:
"The work that Gary Gruber does should be given to every student and every teacher."-Dr. Shirley Thornton, former deputy superintendent, California State Department of Education
"I've gone through almost all the SAT books I can get ahold of, and so far the best is the Gruber's SAT book. I wish I could have found it earlier."-Online review
"With the aid of your books, my scores improved so dramatically that I am now anticipating acceptance into schools that I was reluctant to even apply to."-Lauren Frasciello, Princeton, New Jersey
"In regards to the breadth and quality of material offered, the difference between Gruber's and other publications is quite astonishing. Indeed, only Gruber's deserves the highest recommendation in SAT preparation."-Online review
With the explanation to a question, you can answer that one question. With the Gruber strategies, you can answer thousands of questions! These strategies show you how to think about problems instead of trying to solve each one individually and can be used consistently on every SAT test.
What Are Critical Thinking Skills?
First of all, I believe that intelligence can be taught. Intelligence, simply defined, is the aptitude or ability to reason things out. I am convinced that you can learn to think logically and figure things out better and faster, particularly in regard to SAT Math and Verbal problems. But someone must give you the tools. Let us call these tools strategies. And that's what Critical Thinking Skills are all about-strategies.
Learn the Strategies to Get More Points
The Critical Thinking Skills (beginning on page 57) will sharpen your reasoning ability so that you can increase your score up to 300 points on each part of the SAT.
These Critical Thinking Skills-5 General Strategies, 19 Math Strategies, and 16 Verbal Strategies-course right through this book. The Explanatory Answers for the 5 Practice Tests in the book direct you to those strategies that may be used to answer specific types of SAT questions. We can readily prove that the strategies in Part 4 of this book are usable for more than 90 percent of the questions that will appear on your SAT. Each additional correct answer gives you approximately 10 points. It is obvious, then, that your learning and using the 40 easy-to-understand strategies in this book will very likely raise your SAT score substantially.
Are the Practice Tests in This Book Like an Actual SAT?
If you compare any one of the 5 Practice Tests in this book with an actual SAT, you will find the book test very much like the actual test in regard to format, question types, and level of difficulty. Compare our book tests with one of the official tests, published by the College Board!
Building Your Vocabulary Can Make a Big Difference on Your Test
Although Antonyms no longer appear on the SAT, Vocabulary will still be tested, especially on Sentence Completions, and Reading Comprehension. This book includes five vital sections to build your vocabulary:
1. 3,400 Word List
2. 100 Vocabulary Tests
3. Latin and Greek Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
4. The Most Important/Frequently Used SAT Words
5. The Hot Prefixes and Roots
If you have time, it is important for you to study this word-building instructional material. You will find that many, many words in the 3,400 Word List will actually show up in the Sentence Completion and Reading Comprehension sections of the Verbal part of your SAT. We repeat that each additional correct answer adds approximately 10 points to your score. Knowing the meanings of the words in the 3,400 Word List will, therefore, help you considerably to "rake in" those precious points.
Study the Latin and Greek Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
We have developed a list of roots, prefixes, and suffixes that contains the 50 prefixes and roots that give you the meaning of more than 150,000 words. Learning all 366 will increase your vocabulary immensely. You may also wish to study the Hot Prefixes and Roots in Appendix A.
Study the Most Important/Frequently Used SAT Words
We have developed a list of the most frequently used words and their opposites related to specific categories for easy memorization. Study these words.
Study the Mini-Math Refresher
If you believe you are weak in the basic math skills area, study the Mini-Math Refresher. The material in the section is keyed to the Complete Math Refresher section for more complete instruction.
Take the 101 Most Important Math Questions Test
To see what are your weak basic math skills areas, take the 101 Most Important Math Questions Test and look at the solutions to the questions. The questions are keyed to the Complete Math Refresher so you can further brush up on your weak areas by referring to those pages in the Complete Math Refresher part for those questions you missed.
The Explanatory Answers to Questions Are Keyed to Specific Strategies and Basic Skills
The Explanatory Answers in this book are far from skimpy-so unlike those of other SAT books. Our detailed answers will direct you to the strategy that will help you to arrive at a correct answer quickly. In addition, the Math solutions in the book refer directly to the Math Refresher section, particularly useful in case your Math skills are "rusty."
Lift That SAT Score
By using the material in this book, that is, by taking the tests, learning the specific strategies, refreshing your basic skills, etc., as described above, you should increase your SAT score substantially.
INTRODUCTION xiii
I. Important Facts About the SAT / xiii II. The Inside Track on How SAT Questions Are Developed and How They Vary from Test to Test / xx III. What Are Critical Thinking Skills? / xxi IV. Strategies for Women / xxiii V. Multi-Level Approaches to the Solution of Problems / xxiv VI. A Four-Hour Study Program for the SAT / xxvii VII. Longer-Range Study Program and Helpful Steps for Using This Book / xxviii VIII. Format of the SAT / xxix
PART 1
STRATEGY DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE SAT 1
Directions for Taking the Diagnostic Test / 2
Strategy Diagnostic Test Answer Sheet / 3
Section 1:Verbal Ability / 4
Section 2:Math Ability / 12
Strategy Diagnostic Test Answer and Diagnostic Table (Keyed to Strategies in Book) / 18
PART 2
THE shortest sat test-18 QUESTIONS to approximate your sat score 23
Verbal (Critical Reading) / 24
Math / 25
Writing / 26
Answers / 27
Shortest SAT Test: What You Did Wrong, Explanatory Answers, and Scoring, Strategies, and Basic Skills Needed to Improve / 28
PART 3
THE 101 MOST IMPORTANT MATH QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE 29
101 Math Questions Answer Sheet / 30
101 Math Questions Test / 32
101 Math Questions: Answers, Diagnosis, Solutions, Generalizations, Rules / 43
101 Math Questions: Answers / 44
Basic Skills Math Diagnosis / 46
Solutions, Generalizations, Rules / 47
PART 4
STRATEGY SECTION 57
5 General Strategies / 58
35 Easy-to-Learn Strategies / 60
How to Learn the Strategies / 60
Important Note on the Allowed Use of Calculators on the SAT / 60
Important Note on Math Questions on the SAT / 61
The Grid-Type Math Question / 61
Use of a Calculator in the Grid-Type Question / 65
19 Math Strategies / 67
16 Verbal (Critical Reading) Strategies / 115
4 Sentence Completion Strategies / 116
Critical Reading Strategies / 123
What Reading Comprehension Questions Ask / 123
Getting Involved with the Passage / 123
Introductory Passage 1 / 124
Breakdown and Underlining of Passage / 124
How to Answer Reading Comprehension Questions Most Effectively / 125
Introductory Passage 2 / 126
Introductory Passage 3 / 128
Summary / 130
About the Double-Reading Passages / 130
9 Reading Comprehension Strategies / 131
3 Vocabulary Strategies / 146
PART 5
MINI-MATH REFRESHER 153
Algebra and Arithmetic / 154
Geometry / 157
PART 6
COMPLETE SAT MATH REFRESHER 163
Algebra and Arithmetic / 154
Geometry / 157
Session #1-Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, etc. / 166
Fractions, Decimals, Percentages / 166
Deviations / 169
Ratios and Proportions / 170
Variations / 171
Comparison of Fractions / 172
Practice Test 1 / 174
Answer Key for Practice Test 1 / 183
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 1 / 183
Session #2-Rate Problems / 188
Word Problem Setup / 188
Distance and Time / 190
Work / 191
Mixture / 192
Cost / 192
Practice Test 2 / 194
Answer Key for Practice Test 2 / 203
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 2 / 203
Session #3-Area, Perimeter, and Volume Problems / 214
Area, Perimeter, and Volume / 214
Practice Test 3 / 222
Answer Key for Practice Test 3 / 231
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 3 / 231
Session #4-Algebra Problems / 238
Algebraic Properties / 238
Fundamental Laws of Our Number System / 238
Algebraic Expressions / 239
Equations / 239
Algebra of Graphs / 241
Inequalities / 248
Exponents and Roots / 253
Practice Test 4 / 254
Answer Key for Practice Test 4 / 262
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 4 / 262
Session #5-Geometry Problems / 268
Basic Definitions / 268
Triangles / 270
Properties of Triangles / 271
Four-Sided Figures / 274
Many-Sided Figures / 275
Circles / 275
Practice Test 5 / 278
Answer Key for Practice Test 5 / 287
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 5 / 287
Session #6-Miscellaneous Problems / 298
Averages, Medians, and Modes / 298
Series / 299
Properties of Integers / 300
Approximations / 302
Combinations / 303
Probability / 304
The Absolute Value Sign / 305
Functions / 305
Practice Test 6 / 306
Answer Key for Practice Test 6 / 314
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 6 / 314
Session #7-Tables, Charts, and Graphs / 320
Charts and Graphs / 320
Tables and Charts / 320
Graphs / 321
Bar Graphs / 322
Circle Graphs / 323
Line Graphs / 324
Practice Test 7 and Solutions / 325
Session #8-Modern Math / 332
Sets / 332
Relations / 333
Solution Sets / 333
Axioms / 334
Closed Sets / 334
Mathematical Symbols / 334
Practice Test 8 and Solutions / 335
PART 7
VOCABULARY BUILDING THAT IS GUARANTEED TO RAISE YOUR SAT SCORE 343
Knowing Word Meanings Is Essential for a Higher SAT Score / 344
8 Steps to Word Power / 345
The Gruber Prefix-Root-Suffix List That Gives You the Meanings of Over 150,000 Words / 348
Roots / 349
Prefixes / 351
Suffixes / 352
A List of SAT Words Appearing More Than Once on Actual SAT Exams / 353
The Most Important/Frequently Used SAT Words and Their Opposites / 355
The Gruber SAT 3,400 Word List / 359
100 Tests to Strengthen Your Vocabulary / 408
Answers to Vocabulary Tests / 451
PART 8
GRAMMAR AND USAGE REFRESHER 455
The Parts of Speech / 457
Clauses and Phrases / 460
The Sentence and Its Parts / 463
Verbs / 469
Nouns and Pronouns / 473
Subject-Verb Relationship / 480
Tense / 483
Verbals / 487
Mood and Voice / 491
Modifiers-Adjectives, Adjective Phrases, and Clauses / 494
Modifiers (continued)-Adverbs, Adverbial Phrases, and Clauses / 500
Connectives / 504
Correct Usage-Choosing the Right Word / 509
Grammar and Usage Index / 513
PART 9
THE SAT WRITING TEST 517
The SAT Writing Section / 518
Content of the Writing Test / 518
The Essay on the SAT Writing Test / 519
The SAT Essay Scoring Guide / 522
The Writing Sample / 523
Sample Essays / 523
Important Tips on How to Write the Best Essay / 525
Other Types of Questions on the SAT Writing Test / 533
Identifying Errors / 533
Sample Questions with Answers / 533
Improving Sentences / 536
Sample Questions with Answers / 536
Improving Paragraphs / 540
Sample Test with Answers / 542
PART 10
FIVE SAT PRACTICE TESTS 545
Five Important Reasons for Taking These Practice Tests / 546
10 Tips for Taking the Practice Tests / 547
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 1 / 549
SAT Practice Test 1 / 555
How Did You Do on This Test? / 601
Answer Key for Practice Test 1 / 602
SAT Score Conversion Table / 607
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken / 610
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 1 / 613
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score / 645
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 2 / 647
SAT Practice Test 2 / 653
How Did You Do on This Test? / 701
Answer Key for Practice Test 2 / 702
SAT Score Conversion Table / 707
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken / 710
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 2 / 713
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score / 744
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 3 / 746
SAT Practice Test 3 / 752
How Did You Do on This Test? / 799
Answer Key for Practice Test 3 / 800
SAT Score Conversion Table / 805
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken / 808
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 3 / 811
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score / 844
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 4 / 846
SAT Practice Test 4 / 852
How Did You Do on This Test? / 899
Answer Key for Practice Test 4 / 900
SAT Score Conversion Table / 905
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken / 908
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 4 / 911
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score / 940
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 5 / 942
SAT Practice Test 5 / 948
How Did You Do on This Test? / 995
Answer Key for Practice Test 5 / 996
SAT Score Conversion Table / 1001
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken / 1004
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 5 / 1007
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score / 1039
Appendixes
Appendix A: Hot Prefixes and Roots / 1041
Appendix B: Words Commonly Mistaken for Each Other / 1046
paulgm
Posted August 23, 2010
I had purchased this book for my son and he's gotten more out of this book than what he's gotten in all his schooling. He learned strategies that I wasn't even aware of and I am in my 50s with a MS in Education. The great thing about this book is that the practice question answers are not only fully explained but are also keyed to very very useful strategies and skills all represented in the book. I actually look forward to his working with the book because he relates to me some very great ways of solving problems and using real strategies in reading,math and writing.
Paul M
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lee271
Posted August 6, 2011
If you are just starting to study for the SATs then this is an okay book. The practice are nothing like real SATs. There are many typos and other mistakes. When it comes to teaching concepts, I'd say it's alright.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
What the Media is saying :
"Gary Gruber is the most prominent guru of SAT preparation."-Chicago Tribune
"His methods make the questions seem amazingly simple to solve."-Library Journal
"Dr. Gruber knows the ins and outs of the SAT."-Los Angeles Times
What Students, ...