The section of Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT about the verbal section of the SAT finished up with a list of words that are synonyms. Next comes the section about the math section of the SAT which begins as so:

“As most people know, the most appropriate place for doing math is in the bathroom. First of all, there are many geometric shapes in the bathroom. Second, there is generally ample time for even the most freakish discoveries – an ancient Greek calculated π to 70 digits while relaxing on a pay toilet in fourth-century Ithaca. Einstein himself concluded that space is bent while trying to catch a slippery bar of soap during an excursion in the tub. And everyone knows that Doc Brown for Back to the Future came up with the flux capacitor when he fell off the can.”

Clearly, this section is going to be dotted by humor.

This section is also quite useful. Included is a list of rules to help you remember how to know if a number is divisible by another number. There is also a long section about fractions. The most important part of the section about fractions is the fact that fractions are really division problems and can be manipulated as such. With how much they talk about fractions, it makes me realize that a lot of students have trouble with fractions. This reminds me of fifth grade when we were reprimanded for our bad scores on the fraction part of math tests. My teacher’s, Mrs. Reader’s, point was that by fifth grade we should have a handle on fractions. This was a very important skill to have mastered as she proceeded to teach us algebra.

Next the book goes through ratios. They say that “a ratio is a comparison (yep – just like the analogy questions). Not to seem repetitive, but they do make a good comparison. As they continue with the tips for the SAT, they note that “the SAT isn’t creative enough to have outlandish answers,” so this helps to eliminate answers such as “the bicyclist was going two hundred miles per hour.” Also, by using humor, they make the point that there are situations in which not enough information will be given to determine an answer.

One point that they then went on to make about being prepared for the test was included in the story below:

                        “And now we break for a commercial…

            Don’t you hate it when rabid elephants attack you and steal your pencils? I do. On the crucial day of my test, I was carrying no fewer than eight number two pencils, and this tremendous elephant, foaming at the mouth, lunged out of the test center and grabbed my writing implements. I was ticked off.

            But then I decided to try new improved Oxford Anti-Elephant soap. It not only cleans and softens my skin but also keeps those pesky pachyderms away. Now I can carry as many pencils as I like, and it’s improved my whole life.

            Well, some of my life. Actually the point of this message is to remind you to have enough number two pencils around when you take your test. Also, we wanted to give you a break from reading about math – after all, math is not the most exciting material available for perusal.

            Now, get back to work!”