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| Elimination Strategy |
| SATpreparation.net |
| If you can eliminate two answer choices with certainty, you should answer the question. However, if you cannot eliminate any answer choices (or only one of the answer choices) with certainty, you may choose to leave it blank. (Examples of the "self-talk" involved in using the elimination strategy are on the sentence completion and reading comprehension pages.) Limits to the number of blanks: Aiming for a score of 500 -- leave 5 or 6 blank Aiming for a score of 600 -- leave 3 or 4 blank Aiming for a score of 700 -- leave 1 or 2 blank There are limits to the number you can leave blank and still achieve a certain score! For example, if you are realistically aiming for a score of 500 on the writing, reading, and math for a total score of 1500, you may choose to leave as many as five or six questions blank on each 25 minute section. If you are aiming for a 600 on the writing, reading, and math for a total score of 1800, you may choose to leave two or three questions blank on each 25 minute section. However, if you are aiming for a score of 700 on the writing, reading, and math for a total score of 2100, you will probably choose to leave no more than one or two blank on each 25 minute section. SAT TIP: Decide on a certain number of questions to leave unanswered based on the score you can realistically aim to achieve. Click here to return to Web Book Access. |
| Using test-taking strategies can help students raise their SAT scores. Our strategies are based on understanding how the SAT is scored. |
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| SAT TIP: Use the elimination strategy to decide whether to answer a question or leave it blank. |
| Questions? Write the SATtutor@SATpreparation.net |
| VerbalStrategies |