CHAPTER 1 Attacking the New SAT: Twelve FAQs 1 What’s new in the redesigned SAT? / 2 What are the primary skills assessed by the redesigned SAT? / 3 What is the format of the redesigned SAT? / 3 What kinds of scores are reported by the SAT? / 4 What will colleges do with my SAT scores? / 4 What control do I have over my SAT scores? / 4 Should I take the ACT as well? / 5 What is the best way to prepare for the redesigned SAT? / 5 How can I get the most out of my study sessions? / 6 When and how often should I take my SATs and Subject Tests? / 7 What should I do the week before my SAT? / 7 What should I do on test day? / 8 CHAPTER 2 Diagnostic SAT 9 Reading Test / 17 Writing and Language Test / 35 Math Test – No Calculator / 48 Math Test – Calculator / 54 Essay (optional) / 65 CHAPTER 3 The Language of Ideas: Vocabulary for SAT Evidence-Based Reading 88 The Language of Ideas and Learning / 92 The Language of Argument, Reasoning, and Persuasion / 94 The Language of Dissent, Criticism, and Rebellion / 104 The Language of Power and Submission / 108 The Language of Language and Literature / 115 The Language of Judgment / 118 The Language of Extremism and Exaggeration / 121 The Language of Care and Restraint / 122 The Language of Freedom / 125 The Language of Change and Force / 126 The Language of Dullness and Stasis / 128 The Language of Truth, Truthfulness, and Beauty / 129 The Language of Deceit, Error, and Confusion / 130 The Language of Creativity and Productivity / 133 The Language of Mystery, Surprise, Adventure, and Discovery / 135 The Language of Harm, Deficit, and Decline / 137 The Language of Kindness, Favor, and Benefit / 139 The Language of Wisdom, Strength, and Skill / 143 The Language of Capital and Wealth / 145 The Language of Passion, Emotion, and Sensation / 147 The Power Roots and Affixes for the SAT / 150 CHAPTER 4 The SAT Writing and Language Test: The Ten Essential Rules 157 Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff / 159 Strengthen the Core / 161 Organize the Ideas in Your Paragraphs / 166 Use Parallel Structure / 172 Use Modifiers Effectively / 176 Make Your Comparisons Clear and Precise / 182 Make Sure Your Pronouns Are Clear and Precise / 185 Make Your Verbs Clear and Precise / 192 Make the Rest of Your Sentence Clear and Precise / 196 Know How to Punctuate / 207 CHAPTER 5 The SAT Reading Test 214 The Core Analytical Reading Skills / 216 The Three Key Questions / 218 The Three Secondary Questions / 227 Advanced SAT Reading Techniques / 237 CHAPTER 6 The SAT Essay: Analyzing Arguments 251 Understand the Analytical Task / 253 Use the “Three-Pass Approach” / 258 Organize Your Thoughts / 267 Write the Essay / 270 Sample Essay / 277 CHAPTER 7 The SAT Math Test: The Heart of Algebra 279 Working with Expressions / 281 Working with Linear Equations / 296 Working with Inequalities and Absolute Values / 307 Working with Linear Systems / 314 CHAPTER 8 The SAT Math Test: Problem Solving and Data Analysis 322 Working with Data / 324 Working with Rates, Ratios, Percentages, and Proportions / 334 Working with Tables of Data / 349 Working with Graphs of Data / 356 CHAPTER 9 The SAT Math: Advanced Mathematics 364 Understanding Functions / 366 Working with Quadratics and Other Polynomials / 376 Working with Exponentials and Radicals / 392 Working with Rational Expressions / 400 CHAPTER 10 The SAT Math: Additional Topics 409 Understanding Geometric Relationships / 411 Understanding Basic Trigonometry / 437 Understanding Complex Numbers / 443 CHAPTER 11 Practice Test 1 448 Reading Test / 456 Writing and Language Test / 476 Math Test — No Calculator / 489 Math Test — Calculator / 495 Essay (optional) / 505 Practice Test 2 528 Reading Test / 536 Writing and Language Test / 554 Math Test — No Calculator / 567 Math Test — Calculator / 573 Essay (optional) / 583 Practice Test 3 606 Reading Test / 614 Writing and Language Test / 632 Math Test — No Calculator / 645 Math Test — Calculator / 651 Essay (optional) / 662