Approaching SAT Subject Test Questions
Apart from knowing the setup of the SAT subject tests that you’ll be taking, you’ve got to have a
system for attacking the questions. You wouldn’t travel around an unfamiliar city without a map,
and you shouldn’t approach any SAT subject test without a plan. What follows is the best method
for approaching the questions systematically.
THINK FIRST
Think about the questions before you look at the answers. The test makers love to put distracters
among the answer choices. Distracters are answers that look like they’re correct, but aren’t. If you
jump right into the answer choices without thinking first about what you’re looking for, you’re much
more likely to fall for one of these traps.
THINK FIRST
Always try to think of the answer to a question before you shop among the answer choices. If
you’ve got some idea of what you’re looking for, you’ll be less likely to be fooled by “trap”
choices.
BE A GOOD GUESSER
You already know that the “guessing penalty” can work in your favor. Don’t simply skip questions
that you can’t answer. Spend some time with them in order to see whether you can eliminate any of
the answer choices. If you can, it pays for you to guess.