Topics and Homework

Using the Converter

If you have an ACT/PreACT score, use the slider to move to your score. For instance, if you slide to an ACT of 23, the equal SAT will be a range of 1130 to 1150 with 1140 being the midpoint. Start sliding and try it now! You can also see the full scale below.

Now do the same for the SAT/PSAT. Try sliding to a 1220 SAT to see that the equivalent ACT is 25.

 

Choosing ACT or SAT

For students who have both a PreACT (not all school administer this) and PSAT, they can know in advance their highly likely test of strength. This is a tremendous time saver.

Here’s how this works with example scores.

  1. Assume the student has a PreACT score of a 22 and a PSAT score of 1210.
  2. Move the slider to ACT/PreACT 22. This shows an equal SAT/PSAT score of 1100 to 1120.
  3. In this case, the student has a PSAT score of a 1210 which indicates the SAT is the stronger test and should be pursued for college admission and scholarships.
  4. If the student’s high school is giving the ACT for the state test, this would mean the student should be sure to take the SAT 1 to 2 times on his or her own.
2/6
In class:
  • 2:45-3:30 Homework review
  • 3:30-4:00 Math-No Calculator section of PT2

Homework:
  • Math-No Calculator section of PT3, timed exactly. Use bubble answer sheet. When time is done, spend a few more minutes on any questions you didn't have time for. Then Answers, explanations, Ivy Global.
  • Same for Reading section of PT3.
  • Option/recommended, Essay from PT3, timed. When finished, type and share with me on Google Drive.
  • Any make-up work, of course.

1/30
In class:
  • 2:45-3:40: Knowledge Notes
  • 3:40-4:00: Homework review

Homework:
  • Learn what's in your Knowledge Notes! You can't use what you don't know.
  • Finish Writing and Language section of PT1. Answers, explanations, Ivy Global.
  • Math-Calculator section of PT1. Answers, explanations, Ivy Global.
  • Any make-up work, of course.

1/23
In class:
  • 2:45-2:50: Registration and Questions
  • 2:50-3:00 Reading homework review
  • 3:00-3:15 Math homework review
  • 3:15-3:25 Essay
  • 3:25-3:35 Break/Questions
  • 3:35-3:50 Making Up Numbers
  • 3:50-4:00 Knowledge Notes

Homework:
  • Finish Knowledge Notes
  • Complete Making Up Numbers questions, carefully following along with answer explanations.
  • Do first 2 Writing and Language passages from SAT PT1. Time them and write down how long they take you. Enter your answers into Ivy Global and read explanations after each passage.
  • Write essay from SAT PT1, untimed, on Google Drive and share with me.

1/16
In class:
  • SAT and ACT registration
  • Practice Test reminders: March 1 and March 29.
  • Homework review:
  • 3:20 Break
  • 3:25 SAT Reading Passage
  • 3:53 SAT Math Intro
  • 3:58 Homework 

Homework:
  • Finish Reading section from SAT PT1. Do the first two passages untimed, then time the last two passages and write down how long they take you. Enter your answers into Ivy Global and read explanations after every passage.
  • Complete the Math - No Calculator section of PT1, untimed. Enter your answers into Ivy Global. Read explanation after ​every question.
  • Update your Knowledge Notes.
  • Read about the SAT Essay in your SAT book, beginning on p. 149. You can skip essays scored below 3/3/3.
  • If you have uncertainty about ANY of the concepts from Algebra Worksheets 1-3, you must take action now! You can use the links I've provided, Khan Academy, your own favorite math resources, teachers, etc. The concepts again are:
    1. Solving proportions by cross-multiplying
    2. Solving systems of equations by elimination and substitution
    3. FOILing/multiplying polynomials
    4. Solving quadratic equations by factoring and using the quadratic formula
    5. Factoring polynomial expressions
    6. The slope formula and using it to find slopes or missing points
    7. Solving inequalities and absolute value equations
    8. Finding distance between two points using the Pythagorean Theorem
    9. Function notation
    10. Memorizing Geometry Relationships


1/9 🗓
In class:
Homework:
  • If you have not completed the Knowledge Notes described in the Winter Break homework – these are required! Finish them this week and share them with me on Google Drive.
  • Review the Writing and Language section of your PSAT. Filter by “Incorrect and Omitted” and try those questions again. Carefully read the explanations and focus on how many of the questions involved topics we have discussed in class.
  • Do the same with the Math - No Calculator section.
  • Deeply review the topics on Algebra Worksheets 1 and 2. Then do Algebra Worksheet 3​, which covers the same topics!


Winter Break
  1. Catch Up: Complete ALL homework assignments listed on this page that you haven't done already. I do not want you to miss out on anything from our class.
  2. Knowledge Notes: Write on paper, or create a Google Doc, everything that you've learned in our class so far. Think of everything you can from memory, then review our homework assignments, handouts, notes, and this page for more topics to include. Be detailed: for example, don't just write "semicolons and colons"; write out all of the rules for their use. Not only will this help you to review and remember everything that we've done, but it will also remind you of how much we've covered already.
  3. Complete Practice Test 3 in your ACT book. Time each section precisely and use the bubble answer sheet. Check your answers and calculate your scores in the book. We will be spending only a small amount of time going over this test in class, so do a great job of reading the answer explanations in the book. Mark any questions you want to go over with me in class. If you type your timed, handwritten essay into Google Drive and share it with me, I will score it and provide comments.

If you have any questions, please email me and I will respond quickly.

11/28
In class:
  • Lots and lots of homework review!
  • ACT Writing (Essay)

Week 1 Homework (finish by 12/5 — no class that day!)
Math section from PT2:
  • Start your timer at 60 minutes.
  • Pause after every couple of pages to check answers and read explanations. Only check questions you've actually done—not ones you skipped!
  • Calculate your score on page
Essay from PT2:
  • Do this untimed on Google Docs. A good length would be 500-600 words. Share it with me (matt@baytutoring.com) when you're done.
  • Afterwards, read my response to this prompt and two good student responses here.

Week 2 Homework (finish by next class on 12/12 — Mr. Cohn's birthday!)
Reading and Science sections from PT2:
  • Start your timer at 35 minutes
  • Pause after every passage to check answers and read explanations.
  • Calculate your score.


11/14 🦃
In class:
  • Homework check and review: Reading, Guess-and-Check, Algebra Worksheet 2
  • Intro to Science and Passage(s)
  • Time Management!

Week 1 Homework: (finish by Thanksgiving)
  • Complete Science section from PT1, untimed. Check answers and read explanations after every passage (or every question!) Mark questions you want to go over next class.
  • Geometry Worksheet; answers are at the back. And make sure you have your Geometry Relationships totally memorized!
  • Do some reading about time management. Here's one post from College Board, and another from Huffington Post.





Week 2 Homework (finish by next class on 11/28)
  • Algebra Worksheet 3, and review topics where you miss questions using the included links.
  • Read the chapter in your book about the ACT Essay. Read the sample essays too, but you can skip the lower-scoring ones.
  • Do the English section from PT2. Time it like this:
    • Start your timer at 45 minutes.
    • When you finish the first passage, pause your timer and write down how much time you have left. Check your answers and read the explanations.
    • You don't have to do the whole section at once! Just make sure that when you start the next passage, set your timer to exactly how much time you had left after the last one.
    • Remember to bubble in answers for EVERY QUESTION before the timer reaches zero
    • Once your timer reaches zero, check your last answers/explanations and calculate your score for the English section.
11/7
In class:
Homework:​​
10/31 🎃
In class:
Homework: ​
10/24
In class:  
Homework: ​

Class Links

The Basics
Dates to Know
  • Friday, March 1: SAT practice test at SHC, 8:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, March 9: SAT, 8:00 a.m.
  • Friday, March 29: ACT practice test at SHC, 8:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, April 13: ACT, 8:00 a.m.

ACT Links:
SAT Links: