Time-Savers.docx - Time Savers on the ACT / SAT Mastery of...

Time Savers on the ACT / SAT
Mastery of content is the strategy that leads to success on the college entrance tests. Yet, another strategy – using shorter
methods when approaching some questions – assists as well.
MATH
 Memorize the formulas! (ACT)
 The questions become more difficult, so pacing is important.
 Use your calculator sparingly, only when necessary.
 Don’t spend too much time on any one problem; skip it and come back if time permits.
 Use meaningful variables
o A publishing company ships hard-cover textbooks in boxes that weigh 56 pounds each, and
soft-cover workbooks in boxes that weigh 35 pounds each. A shipment going to several
schools weighs 2604 pounds total and contains 60 boxes. How many boxes of soft-cover
workbooks are in the shipment?
(ACT Form 70G #25)
h = hard-cover
s = soft-cover
o Susan makes holiday wreaths for 4 hours every Saturday. It takes her 20 minutes to make a small
wreath and 30 minutes to make a large wreath. This Saturday, Susan will make twice as many
large wreaths as small wreaths . How many of the large wreaths will she make this Saturday?
(ACT
Form 73G #8)
s = # small wreaths
2s = # large wreaths
 Don’t distribute when solving for a variable if the variable already has a coefficient of 1.
o If 12(x – 11) = -15, then x = ?
(ACT Form 66F #9)
12 12
x – 11 =
 When asked to solve for one variable, given two equations, add or subtract – even sometimes
multiply or divide – to eliminate the other variable. Substitution works but could take longer. Save
yourself steps by thinking ahead.
o What is the value of y in the solution of the system of equations below?
(ACT Form 70G #49)
x + y = - a
x – y = b
o Which ordered pair (x, y) satisfies the system of equations shown below?
(PSAT Oct. 14, 2015 #5)
2x – y = 6
x + 2y = -2
 See if a figure is labeled before reading the entire question. (ACT only)
o Melanie is standing 80 feet from the launch site of a hot-air balloon when the balloon lifts off
from the ground and rises vertically. Melanie’s horizontal line of sight is 5 feet above the ground.
-15
12
Solving for y, so get rid
of x
– ( )
2y = -a – b
5x = 10
4x – 2y = 12
( )
2
2( )
+ x + 2y =-
2

When the bottom of the balloon is 50 feet above the ground, as shown below, which of the
following expressions gives the angle that Melanie’s horizontal line of sight makes with her line
of sight to the bottom of the balloon?