Reading
What should you read first in a reading passage question set: the passage or the questions?
A) The answer choices
B) The passage
C) The questions
D) The last sentence
The questions—so you know what to look for
In a sentence correction question, what’s the first thing to do?
A) Guess quickly
B) Read the sentence aloud in your head
C) Look at the answer choices
D) Skip it
Read the entire sentence out loud in your head
What’s the first thing to do when a word problem looks confusing?
A) Skip it
B) Underline key info
C) Circle the answer choices
D) Memorize it
Underline key info and rephrase it
In pattern questions, what should you do first?
A) Colors
B) Random shapes
C) Repeating changes in size, shape, direction
D) Guess randomly
Look for shape, size, and direction changes
What should you do first when the test starts?
A) Start reading immediately
B) Look around
C) Take a deep breath
D) Flip to the last page
Take a deep breath
What’s the best way to find the main idea of a passage?
A) Read the middle paragraph
B) Look at the title only
C) Read the first and last paragraphs
D) Read the longest sentence
Read the first and last paragraphs, then summarize in your own words
What’s a common trick used in grammar questions to confuse you?
A) Too many commas
B) Misspelled words
C) Wordy or awkward phrasing
D) Hard vocabulary
Wordy or awkward phrasing that sounds formal
What’s a helpful trick for multiple-choice math if you don’t know the formula?
A) Draw a picture
B) Make up numbers
C) Plug in answer choices (backsolve)
D) Skip the question
Plug in the answer choices (backsolve)
What’s the fastest way to solve analogies?
A) Alphabetical order
B) Turn it into a sentence
C) Look for rhymes
D) Find the longest word
Make a sentence connecting the first pair
If you finish early, what’s the best use of your time?
A) Celebrate
B) Review marked questions
C) Take a nap
D) Skip ahead
Review your answers, especially ones you marked
What type of answer is often a trap in inference questions?
A) Soft and vague
B) Funny or sarcastic
C) Simple and clear
D) Extreme like “always” or “never”
Answers that use extreme words (always, never, must)
If two answers sound correct, how can you choose?
A) The longer one
B) The shorter, clearer one
C) The one with fancy words
D) The first one
Pick the simpler, clearer version
What math operation should you try if you see the word “of”?
A) Add
B) Subtract
C) Divide
D) Multiply
Multiply
How do you spot a number pattern?
A) Circle every number
B) Try different operations
C) Pick your favorite number
D) Look for even numbers only
Try different operations
Should you guess or skip if you’re totally unsure?
A) Skip it
B) Panic
C) Guess
D) Ask a friend
Always guess—no penalty for wrong answers
How can you save time while reading long passages?
A) Read every word slowly
B) Skim and look for key words
C) Only read the title
D) Start from the last paragraph
Skim—read topic sentences and scan for keywords
What’s one red flag for an incorrect verb tense?
A) One subject
B) Switching tenses for no reason
C) Using a period
D) Adding an adjective
Switching tenses for no reason
Why is estimating a good strategy before calculating?
A) It’s easier
B) It helps you eliminate wrong answers
C) It's required
D) It looks smart
It helps you eliminate wrong choices quickly
How do you avoid traps in word puzzles?
A) Pick the longest word
B) Pick the first one
C) Read all the options before choosing
D) Don’t even try
Read all options before choosing
What’s one thing to do during the test to stay calm?
A) Eat candy
B) Look at your phone
C) Take a slow breath
D) Hum a song
Take one deep breath between sections or questions
If you're stuck between two reading answers, what’s one way to decide?
A) Pick the longer one
B) Choose the one that sounds smarter
C) Rephrase the question in your own words
D) Choose “C”—it’s always right!
Rephrase the question and eliminate emotional or irrelevant answers
What’s a fast way to check pronoun agreement?
A) Count the words
B) Check for capital letters
C) Match the pronoun to the noun it replaces
D) See if it sounds cool
Match the pronoun to the noun it replaces in number and gender
How can you double-check a geometry answer?
A) Use your calculator
B) Draw and label a diagram
C) Ask a friend
D) Guess “90 degrees”
Sketch a diagram and label everything given
If time is almost up in the Ability section, what should you do?
A) Leave it blank
B) Slow down
C) Make educated guesses
D) Go back to reading
Make educated guesses and move quickly—don’t leave blanks
How can you avoid “overthinking” a question?
A) Go with your gut
B) Re-read 5 times
C) Eliminate nothing
D) Ask the teacher
Go with your first strong instinct—don't second guess without reason