How to Ace The PSAT (Even if you haven't studied yet)

For lists of three or more items, use a comma after each item except the last one, followed by 'and'. Colons are used to expand on a thought previously stated in the sentence, introducing explanations or examples. Dashes, when used in pairs, set apart unnecessary information within a sentence, similar to parentheses, but often for emphasis.

PSAT grammar questions frequently test verb usage. Verbs must agree in number (singular or plural) with their subjects. Main verbs exclude those ending in '-ing', starting with 'to', or starting with 'that'. Verb tense (present, past, future) must also be consistent within a sentence and correctly reflect the timing of the action. The video notes that for verb questions, often identifying the 'odd one out' in the choices can lead to the correct answer. Examples illustrate how to pick the correct verb based on these rules.

To do well on the PSAT, mastering grammar is essential, especially understanding independent and dependent clauses. An independent clause functions as a complete sentence with a subject, a main verb (not ending in -ing, starting with 'to' or 'that'), and no 'weird beginning'. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and violate at least one of these rules. Independent clauses can be separated by a semicolon, a comma followed by a FANBOY (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), or a period. Dependent clauses are typically separated from independent clauses by a comma or no punctuation at all. The video provides examples demonstrating how to identify and correctly separate these clauses.

For questions involving student notes, the key strategy is to primarily read the question first, not the notes themselves. The goal is to find the choice that most effectively supports what the question is asking to emphasize. This involves carefully analyzing each answer option to see which one most precisely and completely fulfills the objective given in the question, often looking for specific details like differences or similarities. Strict elimination of choices that do not fully align or introduce outside information is crucial.

Transition questions require selecting the best word or phrase to connect two sentences or ideas. The recommended approach is to read the surrounding text, predict a suitable transition word before looking at the options, and then choose the option that most closely matches the prediction. It's important to focus on the logical relationship between the clauses and understand the nuances of various transition words to select the most accurate fit since multiple choices might seem plausible.

For passage-based questions, begin by reading the question to understand what inference or completion is required. Then, read the passage carefully. Formulate your own prediction for the answer based solely on the provided text, avoiding external information or assumptions. Evaluate the answer choices, eliminating those that introduce unstated information or contradict the passage. The correct answer will be logically supported by the text, even if it requires a slight, direct inference.

The Desmos calculator is allowed on the SAT/PSAT and can significantly simplify math problems. For single-variable equations, simply typing the equation into Desmos will graphically show the solution(s). For systems of equations, plotting both equations will reveal their intersection point(s), which represent the solution(s). Desmos can also find statistical measures like the median of a data set and perform linear regressions by creating tables from data points. For functions, typing the equation allows easy identification of features like the vertex by directly clicking on the graph.

Right triangles are a frequent topic in the SAT geometry section. Three main tools are essential: the Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²) for finding side lengths when two are known, SOH CAH TOA (Sine = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent) for solving with angles and sides, and special right triangles like the 30-60-90 triangle. For 30-60-90 triangles, sides are in the ratio x, x√3, and 2x. All these concepts can often be aided or directly solved using Desmos.