PSAT PRACTICE

PSAT Test-taking Tips

By Ms. Bartels

Multiple Choice

Never leave an answer on the PSAT blank.

Even if you are not 100% certain it is correct.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Never make sure you are bubbling in the correct answer on it's corresponding number.

• True

• False

CRITICAL READING Section --- SENTENCE COMPLETION:

1.

Before looking at the answers, try to complete the sentence with words that make

sense to you.

Multiple Choice

Replace the following with more clear, concise language:

The ancient Sumerians are credited with the invention of beer and cuneiform, and organized government.

• the invention of beer and cuneiform, and organized government.

• The inventions of beer, cuneiform, and also organized government.

• invention of beer, cuneiform, and organized government.

• inventions of beer, cuneiform, and organized government too.

• invention of the beer, the cuneiform, and the organized government.

CRITICAL READING (continued)

2. Don't rush your selection.

Consider all the answers to make the best choice.

CRITICAL READING (continued)

4. Don't overlook the reversing effect of negative words (like not)

or prefixes (like un-).

CRITICAL READING (continued)

3. Use the context of nearby words to figure out unknown words.

CRITICAL READING (continued)

5. If you're really stuck for the

meaning of a word, try to think of

other words that have similar

prefixes, roots, or suffixes.

CRITICAL READING (continued)

6. Eliminate choices in double-blank questions if the first word

alone doesn't make sense in the sentence.

Critical Reading (continued)

7. Let transition words (like, furthermore, although and likewise)

help suggest the best answer.

CRITICAL READING Section --- READING

COMPREHENSION (Short and Long):

1. You should base your answers to the questions

solely on what is stated or implied in the passages.

2. Read the italicized introductory text.

3. Skip questions you don't know.

Return to them after

answering other easier questions.

4. The first and last sentences of each paragraph are critical.

Read them carefully.

5. Find the right spot in a passage by using any line reference

numbers that appear in the questions.

6. Answer questions on familiar topics before unfamiliar topics.

Multiple Choice

Answer questions you have the answer to right away. Return to those you don't know, later.

• True

• False

• It doesn't matter

7. Read the passages before reading the questions.

Multiple Choice

Reading the ENTIRE passage is important before answering the quesitons.

• True

• False

8. Don't waste time memorizing details.

9. PSAT passage content comes from the Humanities,

Social Science, Science, and Literary Fiction.

10. Some passages are presented in pairs.

Read the brief introduction first to see how they relate.

11. Spend more time on answering the questions

than on reading the text.

Force yourself to engage with the material

Treat this as a learning experience, not a chore,

and you’ll find it much easier to remember what happened in the passage.

If your brain is in “wow, interesting” mode

rather than “blah, blah, just have to get to the questions” mode,

you’ll have a more pleasant experience on the test

and a better time answering the questions overall.

WRITING SECTION -- MULTIPLE CHOICE:

Usage, Sentence Correction, and Paragraph Correction

1.

Think about the question before you answer it.

2. Move around within a Section.

A. Answer the easy questions, and mark the hard

questions, so you can return to them.

(Asegúrate unos puntos!)

B. Double check the easy questions and then solve the hard
questions.

3. Usage & Sentence Correction questions are based on individual sentences.
They test basic grammar, sentence structure, and word choice.

Avoid slang.

There are four basic types of sentences.

1.

Simple sentences:

Roxie is a dog.

2. Compound Sentences:

Roxie is a dog, and Rufus is her friend.

3. Complex Sentences:

Rufus loves Roxie because she is adorable

4. Compound-Complex Sentences:

Rufus loves Roxie because she is adorable, and she defers to him.

4. Paragraph Correction questions are based on
2 brief passages, with several questions per passage.

5. Read the questions carefully.