Understanding a reading passage’s purpose, or main idea, means you must understand the overarching topic a reading passage is trying to convey. Not all purpose questions on the ACT will simply ask, “What’s the purpose of this passage?” Still, the following tips and strategies will work will all ACT reading comprehension questions. There you can take […]
Even the strongest Math student can be troubled by the occasional tough word problem. It’s important not to rush when you read these types of questions. Make sure to read methodically and be confident you understand each part of the problem before you move on. Many students find themselves setting up equations and solving algebraically […]
The ACT Reading section will ask you to draw conclusions after reading a passage. The questions range, from asking for inferences to you interpreting the meaning of a word or phrase. There are 3 HUGE strategies for doing well on this question type: What’s the purpose of this passage? It’s to show how […]
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that describes equations and arithmetic “symbolically.” Whereas in normal arithmetic an expression like “2+2” has a definite answer, in algebra unidentified numbers can be symbolically represented by variables; “a,b,c,x,y, or z”. A simple addition in algebra could look like this “a+b=c”. With these concepts, we can look at an […]
One of the most challenging concepts on the SAT Math test is average rate, also called average speed. Often found in complex word problems, this type of question is one many students are less familiar with, so don’t get nervous if you don’t know how to approach it. Review these important equations and look at […]
In the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) of the DAT, Top-Front-End or view recognition questions are some of the most challenging. You are presented with two projections of an object and are expected to determine the third. However, Top-Front-End projections are not mere outlines but also contain lines that represent where the visible and hidden edges of each figure […]
For each Angle Ranking question in the PAT section of the DAT, you are given four angles labeled 1–4 that you must rank in increasing order from smallest to largest interior angle. Some angles may be so close in size (such as a difference of only two degrees) that assigning the order of them unambiguously is almost […]
In this Cube Counting section of the PAT on the DAT, you will be presented with several stacks of cubes. Each stack is constructed by cementing together identical cubes. You are asked to imagine that the stack as a whole is painted on all sides except for the bottom (on which the stack rests). You are then […]
For each Keyhole question in the PAT of the DAT, you are presented with a 3D object and must determine which of the five openings in the answer choices would allow the object to pass through with a perfect fit. The object can pass through the opening in any orientation, but it cannot be rotated while it […]
Pattern Folding questions in the PAT section of the DAT present you with a flat pattern and ask to select the 3D figure it would become when folded. Some questions require you to identify the structure only, as in the first example below, while others also present shading and patterns that you must identify, as in the […]