Strategy #1 -

· The questions within each type (i.e., sentence completions, analogies, quantitative comparisons) generally get harder as you go along (exception is the critical reading section)

· All correct answers, whether on easier items or harder ones, get the same amount of credit (1 point)

AHA! That says: I should concentrate on the easier first portion, moving as quickly as possible, and then somewhere along the way I will become aware that the items are getting more difficult.

Strategy #2 –

· When you come to harder items you have a choice.

· In the multiple-choice sections, you lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer.

AHA! That says: If I know nothing about the item, I omit it. If I can eliminate one or more of the answer choices, I should guess.

Strategy #3

· You are not supposed to know everything.

· You can mark in your test book . . . everyone works the math but how about taking a pencil to the reading selections.

· You have two 30-minute verbal sections and two 30-minute math selections.

AHA! That says: I need to keep a steady pace. I should not get hung up on harder items. I know I will leave the impossible ones blank, others I can come back to later. I’ll make a mark in my book as a reminder and move on, remembering to skip on my answer sheet.

Strategy #4 –

· There is a different section called quantitative comparison (CQ). It is paired with the student-produced responses (grid-ins).

· It helps to learn directions.

· There are only four answer choices in CQ.

AHA! That says: I really need to learn what those answer choices are.

A. Column A is greater than Column B

B. Column B is greater than Column A

C. Both columns are equal

D. Relationship cannot be determined from information given

Strategy #5 –

· There is a math section called student-produced responses. Students work out the problems and enter the answer in a grid.

· Directions look difficult, but there are some tips that will help me.

AHA! I better review these tips for the grids.

A. You can start your answers from the left or the right. . .it does not matter.

B. If your answer is a mixed number it has to be converted to an improper fraction or decimal.

C. For repeating decimals (i.e. 1/9, 2/3 expressed as a decimal): fill the grid. Fractions would also be fine.

D. You lose no points for incorrect answers in this section, so FILL IN THE GRID.