PSAT on Wednesday

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I just wanna know; will it be like other tests I've taken?

The SAT is the hardest test I've ever taken. If you want to know what the questions are like, go here. You have no more than 96 seconds to answer each question, all this is calculated by the total time and questions, on the actual test, it's divided into sections.

Not really sure , we have the GED in Canada but I can tell you that it probably has for math up to Precalculus I think:

There's mostly geometry, algebra I and a little algebra II and rarely trig.

I'm not sure if it goes up to Algebra 3 though which includes:


Sets
Real numbers
Complex numbers
Solving inequalities and equations
Properties of functions
Composite functions
Polynomial functions
Rational functions
Trigonometry
Trigonometric functions and their inverses
Trigonometric identities
Conic sections
Exponential functions
Logarithmic functions
Sequences and series
Binomial theorem
Vectors
Parametric equations
Polar coordinates
Matrices
Mathematical induction
Limits


As for the GED , it was like a walk in the park but alone lol - you'll probably even get a pretty decent score without studying for it , if that is you do your homework.

As long as you know your algebra 2 you'll be fine.

OH DEAR GOD. I totally forgot about that! Thank you for reminding me

Anyway, vocabulary is a big thing you have got to know. Also, take time to review your algebra a LOT. Most of it's just plug and chug, but you need to know when certain formulas are needed. It's timed really weird too.

Actually, I need to be studying for this.

Well then, all you need to know is this:

(x+y)^2 = (x+y) (x+y) = x^2 + xy + yx + y^2 = x^2 + 2xy + y^2

Whenever you have crap in parenthesis squared, you need to multiply each term to each of term, you can't just square each and leave it at that. So basically, you multiply the first and the first together, then the first and the second together, then the second and first together, and then the second and the second, and then simplify.


To do the inverse of this operation (this is called factoring), you find two numbers that multiply to give the number on the far right (if put in order of powers from greatest to least, as shown), that also add up to become the number in the middle term, as shown below.

x^2 + 10x + 16 = (x+?) (x+?) = (x+8) (x+2)


Oh, and the graph of y = x^2 is called a parabola. By default, the vertex is at (0,0), and both sides go up in a curve. modifying this equation, by doing things such as y = -x^2 + 4, change the graph. In this case, the vertex would be at (0,4) and would have arrows going downward. On the topic of graphs, another important concept you need to know is that if an equation has a fraction, whatever is on the bottom cannot equal zero. So, in the instance of y = (x+4) / (x-2), x cannot equal positive two, as that would make the denominator zero. On the graph, at the line x = 2, there would be what's called an asymptote (or vertical asymptote), meaning that, well, I don't know how to explain it in words. Just graph the function and you'll see what it does. You'll know what I'm talking about. It's basically the whole concept of infinity, both positive and negative infinity, at infinitesimally close points to that line in the X direction. I'm sorry if I'm confusing you with this, just disregard that last sentence if you don't understand, because that's actually going into one of the basic concepts of calculus, which is not going to be on the SAT.


And then there's the imaginary number, i. Basically, i is the square root of -1. It doesn't really exist, but it kinda does. If you have i^2, then you really have -1. i^3 is -i, and i^4 is positive 1. Since anything times 1 is itself, the cycle repeats itself past i^4. If you run into questions with i in them, either skip over it, or see if you can manipulate i to get rid of it. If it's too intimidating, just treat it just as you would with any variable, such as x.


Lastly, there's logarithms. Just use your calculator for that. But, for an explanation as to what a logarithm is, it's really just a fancy way of rewriting exponents. If log(x) = y, then 10^y = x. In the same way, ln and e are opposites of each other, and cancel each other out. If ln(x) = y, then e^y = x.


There's also matrices, but I hate those. There's a bunch of rules for them that you have to remember, and I don't remember them. Even with that being said, I still made a 97% on my final exam for that class. They're not that important.


That's algebra 2 in a nutshell. I don't know why they draw it out for a whole year, it really isn't necessary. There's only a few new concepts, the rest is just remembering crap from algebra 1.

*facepalm* I must be procrastinating. Thank you for that info.

Don't worry about it. Nobody cares about the PSAT. It's just practice for the real SAT.

On a related note, I just realized I can skip second period tomorrow because of this testing. There's nothing quite like not having to go to school until 11:30AM, and then leaving at 1:00PM.

This is fricking awesome. My whole week is going to be 10x better now.

Well I don’t know what tests you’ve taken so far but the PSAT is generally like the other exams. It has three branches similar to the SAT which are critical reading, math and writing. The whole test will take about an hour and a half. It’s not something you really put that much effort into because it’s a way to prepare for the stress of test taking and making you calmer when you actually take the SAT. There are some really have-to visit website for the PSAT though that will give you all the practice and clarity you need. All the best!

The PSAT is not just preparation for the SAT but it can also get you scholarships. If you still have time, then you should learn the vocabulary, go through the formulae and other math concepts and read over sample tests. You can use Shmoop to do all of this; it explains concepts, helps you learn vocabulary and has tons of practice exercises.