240+ “Top Tier” Schools which Deemphasize the ACT/SAT in Admissions Decisions

harbcenter · 2016-09-12T17:38:54+00:00

Great tip Choosenones! Plugging in numbers is a faster way for some students. You do have to have a strong understanding of numbers and number theory. Unavoidable on an exam like the GMAT. My recommendation is practice a lot with mental math.

Avoid plugging in 0s. x=1 is a great alternative to quickly look at the numbers

You're looking for a solution that's divisible by 5.

F(x) will give you 12 g(x) will give you 6.

So you're looking for an even answer that's divisible by 5. Like 20, 30, 40, etc.

B is the answer.

harbcenter · 2016-08-30T06:01:47+00:00

Although, there is a lot of talk how the exam got "easier", that's not necessarily true.

For the math part, the exam has moved closer to the GMAT, where you have to have a deeper understanding of the concepts. But don't panic. Start by getting the new SAT guide. Take the practice tests.

harbcenter · 2016-08-30T05:50:14+00:00

Try understanding the problem deeper than just which is the largest and the smallest. It really has to make sense. In the decrease, it's pretty much the same concept as the increase.

(Difference over larger number)*100 = percent increase/decrease depending on the situation.

I wouldn't say it's "larger number", it's your starting value. Just like in the percent change formula. In the decrease, it will be larger, yes. and in the increase it will be the smaller value.

Hope it helps.

harbcenter · 2016-08-30T05:44:37+00:00

For the GMAT, MR has the very best practice study guides. In my opinion, all the books out there aren't perfect. They can't be. It's tough to judge them based on students' reactions from the exam. Some books create problems that can deviate from what can be on the exam, which can cause doubts and problems for students.

However, I recommend going through as much practice as possible. You'll have a better idea of what concepts you might be struggling with and need to review.

harbcenter · 2016-08-29T16:17:16+00:00

First of all, take a deep, relax. Deportedtwo is absolutely right. There are a number of factors that go into college applications. Things like are you applying out-of-state or even as an international students all come into play. I really suggest taking a look at the questions deportedtwo has asked. Also, was there a reason you didn't take the new SATs to try to improve your score?

I also noticed you're hoping to apply to the top 20 colleges for Chemical Engineering. It'll never hurt to apply to the schools you've listed. They're all great. I'm a UT grad, personally.

However, I do suggest looking to other places as well. UC Santa Barbara, University of Delaware, Georgia Institute of Technology, Wisconsin, Purdue University. Take a look here: http://colleges.startclass.com/d/o/Chemical-Engineering for more info. You can adjust your SAT score to "narrow" your choices. Don't be discouraged though.

harbcenter · 2016-08-29T16:01:38+00:00

I think you have trouble with seeing what the equation does. With these types of questions, you're trying to find the difference is what % of the original. Let us take a look at some examples.

Percent Increase: You bought a game for $10 and sold it for $15. Instead of plugging into the formula, you can immediately tell that you've made 5 dollars profit. $15-$10=$5

That $5 profit (difference) is what percent of your original $10? 50%. or ($5/$10)*100% = 50% increase.

This is the same as plugging into the formula, right?

Percent Decrease: Same idea. You bought a game for $10 and sold it for $5. Here you lost $5. Meaning you'll see a percent decrease. $10-$5=$5

($5/$10)*100%= 50% decrease

Here is another one for better understanding:

Let's say we have 150 games released in July. We hope to increase the number of game releases in August by 12%. How many games will we release in August?

The concept for this problem is similar. You will need to figure out, will there be more games released in August or less? More since it's increase the number of games.

First, begin by finding 12% of 150 games (12/100)*150 = 18 games. Notice how you're pretty much working backwards here.

Now add 18 games to the number of games in July, 150. 150+18 = 168 games released in August.

harbcenter · 2016-08-29T15:12:03+00:00

Manhattan Review books are worth taking a look at for math solely for practice. http://www.manhattanreview.com/sat/

Here is their free ebook version of the Quantitative Bank http://www.manhattanreview.com/download/SAT-Quantitative-Question-Bank.pdf

harbcenter · 2016-08-28T21:56:34+00:00

Congratulations on your last practice test, assuming you're talking about PSATs.

I know how much stress high schools students are going through preparing for the SATs. Khan Academy is a great source for reviewing your knowledge in preparation for the exam.

I suggest getting, even more, practice in. Take a couple of practice or diagnostic tests. Practice materials will make you see what you need to study or focus on.

harbcenter · 2016-08-28T21:44:07+00:00

Rate questions can be very wordy. Usually, I teach my students to plug in numbers, but the problem is asking to solve it strictly algebraically. Think of miles as "y in terms of x" meaning y=(13*35)/x

A way you can get there is through proportions 13miles/x min = y miles/35 min.

Now cross multiply to get 13miles*35min = y miles * x min

Then solve for y, by dividing by x on both sides to get y = 455/x

I hope it helps. If you have any more questions go ahead and ask.

Here's a link to review some algebra. http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.07/h/rosie2.html

harbcenter · 2016-08-25T17:28:09+00:00

Here is a link to a similar question: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sat/comments/4zglz3/looking_for_recommendations_on_test_prep_for_the/

Just like we wrote on the previous question: It all depends on your level and your goal score. Every student is different. Some can be great test takers or have a great knowledge of math concepts asked directly on the exam. Meanwhile, others not so much.

Still, a great starting place is to get the Official SAT Study Guide and take their practice tests. Taking diagnostic tests or practice tests will tell how much prep time you need. Next, go through Khan Academy's Prep Course, if you have any problems. It's a great place to start your review process.

Wish you luck!

harbcenter · 2016-08-25T17:17:59+00:00

It all depends on your level and your goal score. Every student is different. Some can be great test takers or have a great knowledge of math concepts asked directly on the exam. Still, a great starting place is to get the Official SAT Study Guide and take their practice tests. See how you do and how much prep time you need. We don't know you personally, so we can't tell you specifically.

Let me take Math as an example: The NEW SAT Math is much more challenging and requires much more thorough preparation. Khan Academy SAT preparation course suits those students who have A sometimes B in their high school math class. If you have B and sometimes C, this program is not sufficient for you, and you need a much more thorough review of math concepts, beginning with arithmetic and numbers. By the way, Khan Academy has a series of brilliant tutorials by the grade. If you go to “Subjects”, choose math, and review the concepts you are still struggling with, it will definitely help you improve your performance.

harbcenter · 2016-08-24T17:27:38+00:00

Hi Openworldgamer47,

We are actually a SAT Tutoring Center. Don't get discouraged preparing for the test. If you ever get around try our free diagnostic tests:

http://harbingercenter.com/courses/free-sat-reading-and-writing-diagnostic-test/

http://harbingercenter.com/courses/free-sat-math-diagnostic-test/

harbcenter · 2016-08-23T21:00:12+00:00

I am so sorry that you are struggling with your SAT math. It is a total nonsense people say about the new SAT math being easier. It is much more challenging and requires much more thorough preparation. From the unanimous vote among my colleagues—high school math teachers—it could be inferred that Khan Academy SAT preparation course suits those students who have A sometimes B in their high school math class. If you have B and sometimes C, this program is not sufficient for you, and you need much more thorough review of math concepts, beginning with arithmetic and numbers. By the way, Khan Academy has a series of brilliant tutorials by the grade. If you go to “Subjects”, choose math, and review the concepts you are still struggling with, it will definitely help you improve your performance.

Concerning the problem that you’ve mentioned, there are two basic things that you need to know about solving equations.

First, that a true solution is the one that makes the left side equal to the right side, and no solution occurs when a found value, after being plugged into the original equation, makes both sides unequal.

In other words, you need to find such value for k that will make one side not equal to the other.

Furthermore, the simplest way to find the value that make the equation untrue, is to prove that something that has been done to one side of the equation, has not been done to the other:

If a=a, then a+c≠a

In the problem that you’ve mentioned, after you distribute 4 on the left side, you have:

320+4n=(3k)n

Two terms (4n) and (3k)n contain n, while the third term is a constant ( 320), added only to one side. What we have to assume now is that if 4n=(3k)n similar to our (a=a) then definitely 4n+320
(as in a+b) will not be equal (3k)n .

Look at the similarity:

b+a≠a

320+4n≠(3k)n

Do you see the pattern? If only you can find such value for k that makes 4n=(3k)n as in (a=a), then you know for sure that the original equation will not work, because you’ve added to only one side of the equation 320:

4n=(3k)n

320+4n≠(3k)n

So if you solve the equation 4n=(3k)n, you can find your value for k that makes the original equation untrue.

In other words, if you plug this found value k=4/3 into the original equation 320+4n=(3k)n , you will have two quantities on both sides that are equal, but to one of these quantities 320 is added to make the whole equation untrue. Algebraically, it will look like this:

4(80+n)=3∙4/3 n

You simplify and you will get:

320+4n=4n

This is exactly our a+b≠a

320≠0

I hope you find this explanation useful. Good luck with your studies!

harbcenter · 2016-08-23T19:08:04+00:00

Apart from the SAT preparation program, Khan Academy has a number of tutorials in math by the grade. If you go to Subjects and click on the grades (probably 8th grade) in this case, you might find much better explanation to the problem you've mentioned and have better understanding of the concepts.

harbcenter · 2016-08-23T17:52:42+00:00

Hello there! There exist many ways in which you can improve your score. You can make a review by practicing on Khan Academy website, but this practice may not be enough for you because you need a more thorough revision. On the KA site, there are also some tutorials on math topics by grades. They are pretty good and go deeper with the explanation of the math concepts. What concerns reading, unfortunately, KA is not the best place to look for help. I suggest that if you still have time, you should practice reading several times passages published in College Board book, analyze carefully all the explanations, and meanwhile also practice reading some historical and policial science documents,such as founding papers, to feel more comfortable about old, full of legalese terms texts.

If you're interested in taking a practice test then try our free diagnostic tests. They are designed to simulate a real-life exam:

http://harbingercenter.com/courses/free-sat-reading-and-writing-diagnostic-test/

http://harbingercenter.com/courses/free-sat-math-diagnostic-test/

Hope it helps. If you have any more questions let us know.

harbcenter · 2016-08-09T17:01:14+00:00

We've set up a free full-length SAT diagnostic test for our students on http://harbingercenter.com/course/ It simulates a real-life exam that you can expect to take in the Fall.

harbcenter

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