Full Description

Gruber’s Complete SAT Guide 2009

More Than 7 Million Gruber Books Sold!

"The best book on the SAT" -CBS Radio
"Gary Gruber is the leading expert on the SAT" -Houston Chronicle
"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

Get the Skills That Unlock the Answers

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 best, and can be used consistently on every SAT test.

The Fastest, Easiest Way to Improve Your Score

• Features the Exclusive Gruber System That has Raised Actual SAT Scores by More than 600 Points!
• Unique Diagnostic Test Shows You Why You Got Questions Wrong-And How to Correct It
• Tips of Writing a High-Scoring Essay
• Inside Info on How SAT Questions Are Created
• Student-Praised Writing, Vocab, Math and Reading Sections
• 5 Full-Length SAT Practice Tests with complete explanatory answers keyed to the Gruber strategies and basic skills

Effective Study Tools That Are Actually Fun

• 101 Most Important Math Questions You Need to Know
• The World's Shortest SAT Test (16 Questions)
• The 291 Most Important SAT Words
• Proven Strategies for Solving Questions Quickly
• Tons of Practice SAT Questions, with Every Answer Keyed to the Gruber Strategies and Basic Skills
• The Gruber Prefixes and Roots that can give you the meaning of more than 150,000 words
  

Use the Most Trusted Methods

• More schools use Dr. Gruber's books for SAT courses than any other SAT books.
• PBS chose Dr. Gruber to train teachers nationally to improve the nation's SAT scores.
• National learning centers, state agencies and state education departments have contracted with Dr. Gruber to improve SAT scores and critical thinking ability.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
I. Important Facts About the SAT
II. The Inside Track on How SAT Questions Are Developed and How They Vary from Test to Test
III. What Are Critical Thinking Skills?
IV. Strategies for Women
V. Multi- Level Approaches to Solution of Problems
VI. A Four- Hour Study Program for the SAT
VII. Longer-Range Study Program and Helpful Steps for Using This Book
VIII. Format of the SAT

PART 1
STRATEGY DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE SAT
Directions for Taking the Diagnostic Test
Strategy Diagnostic Test Answer Sheet
Section 1: Verbal Ability
Section 2: Math Ability
Strategy Diagnostic Test Answer and Diagnostic Table (Keyed to Strategies in book)

PART 2
THE SHORTEST SAT TEST—16 QUESTIONS TO APPROXIMATE YOUR SAT SCORE
Verbal (Critical Reading)
Math
Writing
Answers
Shortest SAT Test: What You Did Wrong, Explanatory Answers and Scoring, Strategies and Basic Skills
Needed to Improve

PART 3
THE 101 MOST IMPORTANT MATH QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE 29
101 Math Questions Answer Sheet
101 Math Questions Test
101 Math Questions: Answers
Basic Skills Math Diagnosis
Solutions, Generalizations, Rules

PART 4
STRATEGY SECTION
5 General Strategies
35 Easy- to- Learn Strategies
How to Learn the Strategies
Important Note on the Allowed Use of Calculators on the SAT
Important Note on Math Questions on the SAT
The Grid- Type Math Question
Use of a Calculator in the Grid- Type Question
19 Math Strategies
16 Verbal (Critical Reading) Strategies
4 Sentence Completion Strategies
Critical Reading Strategies
What Reading Comprehension Questions Ask
Getting Involved with the Passage
Introductory Passage 1
Breakdown and Underlining of Passage
How to Answer Reading Comprehension Questions Most Effectively
Introductory Passage 2
Introductory Passage 3
Summary
About the Double-Reading Passages
9 Reading Comprehension Strategies
3 Vocabulary Strategies

PART 5
MINI- MATH REFRESHER

PART 6
COMPLETE SAT MATH REFRESHER
Session #1—Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, etc.
Fractions, Decimals, Percentages
Deviations
Ratios and Proportions
Variations
Comparison of Fractions
Practice Test 1
Answer Key for Practice Test 1
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 1
Session #2—Rate Problems
Word Problem Setup
Distance and Time
Work
Mixture
Cost
Practice Test 2
Answer Key for Practice Test 2
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 2
Session #3— Area, Perimeter, and Volume Problems
Area, Perimeter, and Volume Problems
Practice Test 3
Answer Key for Practice Test 3
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 3
Session #4—Algebra Problems
Algebraic Properties
Equations
Algebra of Graphs
Inequalities
Exponents and Roots
Practice Test 4
Answer Key for Practice Test 4
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 4
Session #5— Geometry Problems
Basic Definitions
Triangles
Properties of Triangles
Four- Sided Figures
Many- Sided Figures
Circles
Practice Test 5
Answer Key for Practice Test 5
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 5
Session #6— Miscellaneous Problems
Averages, Medians, and Modes
Series
Properties of Integers
Approximations
Combinations
Probability
The Absolute Value Sign
Functions
Practice Test 6
Answer Key for Practice Test 6
Answers and Solutions for Practice Test 6
Session #7—Tables, Charts, and Graphs
Charts and Graphs
Tables and Charts
Graphs
Bar Graphs
Circle Graphs
Line Graphs
Practice Test 7
Session #8—Modern Math
Sets
Relations
Solution Sets
Axioms
Closed Sets
Mathematical Symbols
Practice Test 8 and Solutions

PART 7
VOCABULARY BUILDING THAT IS GUARANTEED TO RAISE YOUR SAT SCORE
Knowing Word Meanings Is Essential for a Higher SAT Score
8 Steps to Word Power
The Gruber Prefix-Root-Suffix List That Gives You the Meanings of Over 150,000 Words
Roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
A List of SAT Words Appearing More Than Once on Actual SAT Exams
The 291 Most Important/Frequently Used SAT Words and Their Opposites
The Gruber SAT 3,400 Word List
100 Tests to Strengthen Your Vocabulary
Answers to Vocabulary Tests

PART 8
GRAMMAR AND USAGE REFRESHER
The Parts of Speech
Clauses and Phrases
The Sentence and Its Parts
Verbs
Nouns and Pronouns
Subject- Verb Relationship
Tense
Verbals
Mood and Voice
Modifiers—Adjectives, Adjective Phrases and Clauses
Modifiers (continued)—Adverbs, Adverbial Phrases and Clauses
Connectives
Correct Usage: Choosing the Right Word
Grammar and Usage Index

PART 9
THE SAT WRITING TEST
The SAT Writing Section
Content of the Writing Test
The Essay on the SAT Writing Test
The SAT Essay Scoring Guide
The Writing Sample
Sample Essays
Important Tips on How to Write the Best Essay
Other Types of Questions on the SAT Writing Test
Identifying Errors
Sample Questions with Answers
Improving Sentences
Sample Questions with Answers
Improving Paragraphs
Sample Test with Answers

PART 10
FIVE SAT PRACTICE TESTS
Five Important Reasons for Taking These Practice Tests
10 Tips for Taking the Practice Tests
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 1
SAT Practice Test 1
How Did You Do on This Test?
Answer Key for Practice Test 1
Raw- Score/Scaled Score Conversion Tables
Chart for Self- Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 1
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 2
SAT Practice Test 2
How Did You Do on This Test?
Answer Key for Practice Test 2
Raw-Score/Scaled Score Conversion Tables
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 2
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 3
SAT Practice Test 3
How Did You Do on This Test?
Answer Key for Practice Test 3
Raw-Score/Scaled Score Conversion Tables
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 3
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 4
SAT Practice Test 4
How Did You Do on This Test?
Answer Key for Practice Test 4
Raw-Score/Scaled Score Conversion Tables
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 4
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 5
SAT Practice Test 5
How Did You Do on This Test?
Answer Key for Practice Test 5
Raw-Score/Scaled Score Conversion Tables
Chart for Self-Appraisal Based on the Practice Test You Have Just Taken
Explanatory Answers for Practice Test 5
What You Must Do Now to Raise Your SAT Score

Appendices
Appendix A: Hot Prefixes and Roots
Appendix B: Words Commonly Mistaken for Each Other

Excerpt

Excerpt

Excerpt from the Introduction
I. Important Facts About the SAT

What Is On the SAT?
It will include a student- written essay and a multiple-choice writing section testing student’s ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, and improve paragraphs. Although grammar and usage will be tested, students will not be asked to define or use grammatical terms, and spelling and capitalization will not be tested. This essay section will be the first part of the test. The Math section will include arithmetic, geometry, algebra I, and some advanced math covering topics in Algebra II, statistics, probability, and data analysis. The test will measure reasoning ability and problem- solving skills. The other parts of the test will contain some long and shorter reading passages, a long paired passage, a short paired passage, and sentence completion questions.

How Will the Test Be Scored?
There will be a range of three scores each from 200–800 for the Writing, Math, and Critical Reading.

How Long Will the Test Be?
The total time of the test will be 3 hours and 45 minutes.

What Verbal Background Must I Have?
The reading and vocabulary level is at the 10th- to 12th-grade level, but strategies presented in this book will help you even if you are at a lower grade level.

What Math Background Must I Have?
The Math part will test first- and second-year algebra (Algebra I and II) and geometry. However, if you use common sense and rely on just a handful of geometrical formulas and learn the strategies and thinking skills presented in this book, you don’t need to take a full course in geometry or memorize all the theorems. If you have not taken algebra, you should still be able to answer many of the math questions using the strategies presented in this book.

Is Guessing Still Advisable?
Although there is a small penalty for wrong answers (1/4 point for 5- choice questions), in the long run, you break even if you guess or leave the answer blank. For a full explanation of why, see p. 61, Strategy 3. So it really will not affect your score in the long run if you guess or leave answers out. And, if you can eliminate an incorrect choice, it is imperative that you do not leave the answer blank.

Can I Use a Calculator on the Math Portion of the Test?
Students can use a four- function, scientific, or graphing calculator. While it is possible to solve every question without the use of a calculator, it is recommended that you use a calculator if you don’t immediately see a faster way to solve the problem without a calculator.

Should I Take an Administered Actual SAT for Practice?
Yes, but only if you will learn from your mistakes by seeing what strategies you should have used on your exam. Taking the SAT merely for its own sake is a waste of time and may in fact reinforce bad methods and habits. Note that the SAT is released to students on their Question and Answer Ser vice three times a year, usually in the January, May, and October administrations. It is wise to take exams on these dates if you wish to see your mistakes and correct them.

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