<p>Without pointing the finger at anyone, I am always a bit perplexed by stories of students who are surprised by the type of questions that show up on the SAT test. Most everyone I know is supposed to get a good look at standardized tests throughout middle and high school. Unless someone takes the SAT before the PSAT, I believe that most everyone has a good idea about the type of questions. </p>
<p>I never understood what motivates anyone who aspires to attend a competitive collge to take the SAT without a modicum of dedicated preparation. In high schoo students try to identify the idiosyncracies of teachers and speculate on the type of tests he or she may give. Teachers who give multiple choice and take-home tests are quite different from the teachers who prefer to give essays. The SAT, being different from most daily HS fodder, needs to be understood and … respected. After all why would students spend the last four years doing their darnest to avoid Bs and Cs, torture themselves with school activities, will take a slew of AP or college courses only to approach a simple four hours test with the most cavalier attitude?</p>
<p>FWIW, the SAT is not a test of pure math or pure english, it is a test of time restricted reasoning and mental agility. People who spent time working on various types of puzzles will find most problems easier, especially after seeing the proposed solutions. I always like to make the analogy to crosswords puzzles: the first two or three times one attempts a new type, it is very difficult. Despite the puzzles being different, after a few weeks it gets easier and easier. The person does not get “smarter” but more tuned in to the tricks and definition of the authors. The SAT works in similar and diabolic ways. :)</p>