How ETS (the testmakers) think.

Test Preparation
1

<p>For example,</p>

<p>do u always notice test taking “things” that just stick out?</p>

<p>a. 1/3x^2
b. 1/3x^3
c. 1/3x^0.5
d. 3x^3
e. 3x^0.5</p>

<p>immediately, i go to a, b, c , and think about those first. if the answer’s not in there, i do D and E.</p>

<p>OR, if i dont have any idea. , i just cross out d and e. then, i take an educated guess.</p>

<p>right?</p>

<p>USUALLY, 80% of the time, it is, i realized…that is how ETS (sat, ap) thinks.</p>

<p>then,</p>

<p>I nullfied…
II supported…
III criticized…
IV states that…</p>

<p>a. I, II, III only
b. I, III, IV only
c. I, III only
d. II, IV only
e. II, III IV only.</p>

<p>if you had this, what would u pick?</p>

<p>i would immediatley eliminate d. (well, after looking at it).
then, i’d eliminate e.
then, go from there.</p>

<p>“usually…”
but i have seen VERY VERY Few exceptions where D could be the right answer…
what are the trends that u’ve seen?</p>

2

<p>

</p>

<p>How do you justify your theory? Have you compared many tests?</p>

3

<p>I’m inclined to disagree with hte statement that the answer is rarely D. I just did the Barron’s diagnostic test and quite a few answers were choice D.</p>

4

<p>Barrons is different than CB.
Although over time, all of the answers are used about the same amount of times throughout all the sections.</p>

5

<p>no, u dont get what i mean.</p>

<p>it’s not “D”</p>

<p>look at the 2nd questoin.</p>

<p>D is the only one without a III.</p>

<p>tat is why i cross out D.</p>

<p>Mead13:
How do you justify your theory? Have you compared many tests?“”</p>

<p>well, thats what i’m asking u lol.<br>
For eg., in the 1st question.
D and E are UNLIKE A B C, and it is a “minority”.
therefore, it has LESS likely chance of being the correct ansewr.
IS this what you usually observe?</p>

6

<p>I actually used to go by your approach, but over time, I realize that it doesn’t really work out. The ETS is smart, they try to make everything random and unpredictable. I agree, when I guess, I try to go for a middle of the road answer, but its not always the case. For example, when they ask for the largest possible, or smallest possible, the correct answer usually isn’t the smallest or largest choice given(probably because they assume the dumb kids will just pick that answer), but it isn’t always the case.</p>