![\"GamePlan2016\"](\"http:\/\/advancedmathyoungstudents.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/GamePlan2016.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n…is now available\u00a0on Amazon!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/New-Math-SAT-Game-Plan\/dp\/1530012287<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Alternative Solutions to the Official SAT Practice Tests!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n Preparing for the\u00a0SAT is less complicated than you think. Just take care of these check-list items and you will be all set:<\/p>\n 1. Learn how to manage your time.\u00a0 Know the layout of the test and what you need to accomplish to reach your personal best.<\/p>\n 2. Learn the classic SAT methods: Trial and Error<\/strong> (where you play with each answer choice until you find the one that works) and the Back Door Play <\/strong>(where you replace their variables with numbers that you choose).<\/p>\n 3. Review the math content that is actually tested.<\/p>\n You can take care of those first three items by carefully reading:<\/p>\n The New Math SAT Game Plan.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n But as you read the book, you still have one more item on\u00a0your check-list:<\/p>\n 4. Take practice tests USING ONLY THE MOST AUTHENTIC MATERIAL AVAILABLE!\u00a0 Then, review each question until you understand it so well that you can explain it to someone else.<\/p>\n For now, the best tests available are the four tests released by the College Board.\u00a0 You can find them here:<\/p>\n http:\/\/collegereadiness.collegeboard.org\/sat\/practice\/full-length-practice-tests<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n You will also see that they have posted solutions.\u00a0 But you should know something about those solutions. As I wrote in my book:<\/p>\n The College Board\u2019s provided solutions are always the \u201cproper\u201d kind.\u00a0 They use the algebraic methods that you use in math class. And that\u2019s fine!\u00a0 You can certainly learn a lot by reading their solutions carefully.\u00a0 But you should also know the alternatives. \u00a0Often, there are <\/span>other<\/span><\/span> ways to go about solving these problems — ways that the College Board never mentions!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>What follows here is my list of alternative solutions and shortcuts to the questions on each of those four released tests.\u00a0 As you go through the list, you will see some questions marked with the code DITW.\u00a0 That\u2019s short for \u201cDo it their way.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 For that question, the \u201cofficial\u201d way was best.\u00a0 Sometimes, you just have to play by their rules.\u00a0 Still, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how many times we can find another path to the answer.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>PLEASE NOTE:<\/span><\/p>\n As more tests get released, I will post their alternative solutions as well.\u00a0 Also, if you see a question marked DITW, but you have found a shortcut, absolutely feel free to post a comment.\u00a0 If you are right, I will add your solution here.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The solution methods posted here are not intended to be complete, step-by-step guides.\u00a0 I am just trying to give you a big push in the alternative direction. (It\u2019s the kind of thing I do when I post on forums like the one at College Confidential.)\u00a0 But if you feel you need further explanation, please feel free to post questions, either\u00a0here or at College Confidential.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>But which method is faster?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Only YOU can answer that!\u00a0 It depends on your comfort level with algebra and whether you \u201csee\u201d the school method or not.\u00a0 So while I welcome your comments, you do not have to email me about a problem just tell me that \u201calgebra is faster.\u201d\u00a0 It may have been faster for YOU <\/span>this<\/span><\/i> time on <\/span>this<\/span><\/i> question, but maybe not for someone else \u2013 and maybe not for you either on the next question. My goal here is just to show you that for many of these problems, another path exists.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0THE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS<\/span><\/p>\n Practice Test #1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Practice Test #2<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Practice Test #3<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Practice Test #4<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Practice Test #5<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Practice Test #6<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Practice Test #7<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Practice Test #8<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n If you are looking for the actual tests, you can get them here:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/test-prep\/sat\/new-sat-tips-planning\/new-sat-how-to-prep\/a\/full-length-sats-to-take-on-paper<\/a><\/p>\n I strongly recommend that you print them out and take them with paper and pencil.\u00a0 That is a much more realistic and effective way of practicing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For 2016 and Beyond! …is now available\u00a0on Amazon!\u00a0 http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/New-Math-SAT-Game-Plan\/dp\/1530012287 Alternative Solutions to the Official SAT Practice Tests!!! Preparing for the\u00a0SAT is less complicated than you think. Just take care of these check-list items and you will be all set: 1. … Continue reading