Welcome to the PRACTICE TESTS MODULE of the HAYDEN SCORE IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE SAT, one of six modules designed to help you raise your SAT scores. The Practice Tests Module is an effective tool to begin your pre- paration for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The system is easy to operate so that you can concentrate on its content. All of the inormation you need to answer questions appears on the screen, as do instructions for moving from one part of the program to another. More detailed information follows in the User's guide. :RA This PRACTICE TESTS MODULE includes three parts in addition to the User's Guide: ^ Analysis of the SAT ^ Pre-Test ^ Practice Tests :RA The ANALYSIS OF THE SAT gives you insight into the workings of the actual exam -- its organization and scoring, plus test-taking strategies and tips for raising your scores. :RA The PRE-TEST is a diagnostic/prescriptive tool for determining your strengths and weaknesses in the Mathematical and Verbal topic areas normally covered on the SAT. It is a two-hour test consisting of the same mix of Math and Verbal questions as an actual SAT. Afteryou complete the test your computer willprovide scores in each of sixteen subjects which contribute to your Math and Verbal scores. This profile of your performance indicates which additional modules in the Hayden System will be useful in your preparation. :RA The PRACTICE TESTS are two-hour simulateexams with Mathematical and Verbal sections timed and formatted to be representative of the latest SATs and scored on the '800' scale. After reviewing your weak areas, take these Practice Tests and see how your performance would measure up on the actual exam. :RA This module consists of two disks: a Program Disk and another disk containing a Test 1 side and a Test 2 side. Always load the Program Disk first. Instructions on the screen will prompt you to insert the other disk at the appropriate time. :RA MENUS The MAIN MENU lets you move easily from one section of the program to another. Simply press the key corresponding to the letter next to the section you wish to see. :RA The SECTION MENUS list the subject areascovered in each part of the program. After you select an area, the system responds in one of three ways. It starts retrieving data from the disk already loaded, asks for the other disk to be loaded into the drive, or displays a DETAIL MENU. :RA When you select either the Pre-Test or one of the Practice Tests, a DETAIL MENUlike the one below, appears on the screen. You can take a complete test or start with any test section. Test DETAIL MENU A. Complete Test B. Start With Section 1 - Verbal C. Start With Section 2 - Mathematical D. Start With Section 3 - Verbal E. Start With Section 4 - Mathematical After you make a selection, the system will start the test or prompt you to load the other disk. :RA FUNCTION KEYS A function key is a key which has a specific effect on the program's operation each time it is pressed. Whenever a menu is on your screen the following function keys are operational: M (Main Menu) P (Prior Menu) Q (Quit) :RA Pressing "M" always brings you back to the MAIN MENU. Pressing "P" causes the prior menu to be displayed. Pressing "Q" causes the computer to ask if you really want to quit. If you answer "Y", you end the program. If you answer "N", you continue where you left off. :RA While text is on the screen- either instructions or test material - pressing "R" restarts the section (erasing any previous answers that you may have entered), pressing "M" takes you to the last menu displayed and pressing "Q" enables you to quit. :RA The left-arrow key lets you page backwards through the text one screen at a time until the first screen of the section is reached. When a question appears on the screen, your previous answer, if any, is shown. You can replace that answer by entering another one, or you can leave your answer undisturbed by pressing the left-arrow again. :RA Pressing the letter "O" leaves the current question temporarily unanswered and displays the next question. At the end of the test section you have a chance to review all the unanswered questions. :RA While answering reading comprehension questions, you can review the reading paragraph without losing your place in the questions by pressing "P". :RA TAKING A TEST Each test is divided into four 30-minute sections. If you do not have time to take an entire test in one sitting, you may take the test one or more sections at a time. After you choose to take a Pre-Test or a Practice Test, the test DETAIL MENU is displayed.You have the option to take the complete test or to start at the beginning of one of the four sections. :RA At the end of each section you may stop the test by pressing "S". If you are taking the Pre-Test and choose to stop, the Pre-Test SECTION MENU will appear. To see a subject-by-subject analysis of your test results for that section, select "C", "Evaluating Pre-Test Performance". :RA If you decide to stop after a section of one of the Practice Tests, the computer will score the number of Verbal and Mathematical questions answered correctly and incorrectly. Write these numbers down. You will need them to compute your raw scores and SAT equivalent scores after you have completed all four sections. If you take a complete Practice Test, the computer will calculate your raw scores and SAT equivalent scores. :RA If you complete all the questions in a section of the Pre-Test or a Practice Tebefore 30 minutes have elapsed, you may review the entire section, review only the unanswered questions, start the next section or stop the test. :RA When you choose to review the entire section, each question will be displayed with your previous answer. To keep that answer, press that letter again. To change your answer, press the letter that corresponds to your new answer. To "erase" an answer press the letter "O". If you elect to review only the unanswered questions, only those questions which were left unanswered by pressing "O" will be presented. As you review, you have the opportunity to answer them. :RA When all the appropriate questions have been reviewed, you will again have the option to review the entire section, review the unanswered questions, start the next section or stop the test. This cycle repeats until time runs out or you choose to start the next section. :RA USING PRE-TEST SCORES The profile of your Pre-Test performance is the key to planning your review for the actual SATs. Refer to "Organization of the System" to determine which Score Improvement System modules you need to study. For most efficient preparation, concentrate review on your weaker areas. :RA You will want to take advantage of two features of the Hayden System: Examples With Tutormode and Examples Without Tutormode. When you answer a sample question in Examples With Tutormode, the system provides a step-by-step explanation of why your answer is correct or how to arrive at the correct answer. In Examples Without Tutormode you are shown which answer is correct, but no detailed explanation is provided. :RA If you answered at least 80% of the questions in a subject correctly, you may elect to skip the review for that subject, and spend the time saved in an area which needs more work. For subjects in which you answered between half and 80% of the questions correctly, at a minimum you will want to practice the Examples Without Tutormode section of the appropriate module. Working through Examples With Tutormode will further increase your understanding of the subject. :RA For subjects in which you answered less than half of the questions correctly you will benefit from working on Examples With Tutormode and then practicing Examples Without Tutormode. Your teacher may recommend additional practice material. If time permits, review all the subject material in the HAYDEN SCORE IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM a second time. Use the PRE-TEST results to guide you through the HAYDEN SCORE IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM. Concentrate on your weaker areas for maximum results. :RA COMPUTING PRACTICE TEST RESULTS After you have completed all four sections of a Practice Test, choose selection "D", "Practice Test Scores" from the Practice Tests SECTION MENU. You will be prompted to enter the scores you wrote down after each section. Enter the combined totals for all the test sections (except the one you have just completed, which is in the computer's memory). When you have entered all the numbers, your Verbal and Mathematical raw scores and SAT equivalent scores will be computed. The time remaining figures will only be accurate if you took the complete test in one sitting. :ET :ET
