The Best SAT Flashcards How to Make and Use Them

The Best SAT Flashcards How to Make and Use Them SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Studying for the new 2016 SAT and struggling to remember specific concepts? Flashcards might be a great study resource for you! Flashcards can help you memorize the information you need to know. In this guide, I’ll explain how to make SAT flashcards for vocabulary and math formulas and how to study with the flashcards you make. An important disclaimer before we start: I don’t suggest using flashcardsas your only method ofpreparation for the SAT; they should only really be used for memorizing SAT vocabulary and math formulas. Keep in mind that on the new SAT,vocabulary only accounts for 20% of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section questions,and it's all tested in the context of the passages. While flashcards are useful for preparing for those questions as well as memorizing Math formulas, theywon’t help you learn the SAT strategies. To really improve your score, you'll need to focus on learning test strategies and taking practice tests. Feature image credit: Deb Stgo/Flickr Why You Should Make Your Own SAT Flashcards I suggest creating your SAT flashcards by hand instead of buying pre-made SAT flashcards or creating online flashcards (using a website like Quizlet). By making your own flashcards by hand, you'll start to learn the information before you even start using the flashcards.I recommend writing them out by hand because rather than creating online flashcards because when you create the flashcards online, you’ll likely end up just copying and pasting information onto the flashcards without taking the time to read the information.Making physical flashcards will require that you read and transcribe all of the material, which means you'll start to learn the material as you go. If you don’t have a lot of time to prepare, you can download our 200 free printable SAT flashcards.But, again, if you have the time, I strongly recommend making your own physical flashcards. Creating SAT Vocabulary Flashcards When creating your vocabulary flashcards for the new 2016 SAT,since the SAT is becoming more like the ACT (testing vocabulary in context instead of using sentence completion questions), I suggest using ACT vocabulary words to study instead of using old SAT vocabulary lists.Use our PrepScholar ACT list, which teaches 150 medium-difficulty words, many with multiple meanings. If you’re still struggling with vocabulary after making those flashcards and want supplementary material, check out this 100-word list from Scholastic, which pulled SAT/ACT words from one of their student magazines. Again, it focuses on less-obscure words that often have multiple meanings. When creating the flashcards, write the word itself on one side of the card and the definition on the back.In addition to the definition, you must write an example of how to use the word in context, and if there are multiple definitions for the word, write an example of how to use the word in context for each definition. I’ll use the first word from our PrepScholar ACT list, "adhere," as an example. On the front of your flashcard, write: adhere On the back of your flashcard write: Definition: 1. stick completely to a surface or substance 2. believe in and follow the practices of Example: 1. I used the glue to adhere the picture to the poster. 2. The monkadhered to all of the principles of Buddhism. Why do you need to write an example using the word in context? As I said before, on the new 2016 SAT, you’ll no longer be tested on vocabulary through fill-in-the-blank type questions.Instead, the new SAT asks you to identify the meaning of vocabulary in context. Knowing the definition of the word is vital to understanding and answering the question asked, but typically the exact meaning of the word isn’t asked about directly. In other words, it's less about the vocabulary itself and more about how the vocabulary fits with the words around them.For example, on the new SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, you could be asked the following: In line 84, â€Å"adhere† most nearly means to stick to a surface to dive into to follow the practices of to acknowledge as correct Both A and C are definitions of adhere, so simply memorizing the definition will not help you answer the question.Line 38 read, â€Å"the priest adhered to Catholicism.†Knowing the definitions of adhere AND picking up on the context clues, you’d realize the correct answer is C. The answer can’t be A because the priest did not physically stick himself to a surface. The answer is C because the priest follows the practices of Catholicism. This question shows why it’s criticalto not only include definitions on your flashcards but also to include an example sentence using the word in context.If you’re struggling to come up with examples yourself (or are afraid of using the word improperly in context), I suggest conducting a Google Search for â€Å"[Word] definition.†Usually, that’ll bring up the definitions along with examples of the word used in context. For example, I searched for â€Å"adhere definition† and found this result with examples for both definitions of the word used in a sentence. Once you finish creating your SAT vocabulary flashcards, make flashcards for the SAT Math formulas. Creating SAT Math Flashcards On the SAT Math section, you're given nine mathformulas and two geometry laws. However, there are many more math formulas you need to knowbecause there are many questions you won’t be able to answer without knowing these additional formulas. When creating your SAT Math flashcards, I recommend using our list of 21 Critical SAT Math Formulas You Must Know. This list also tells you the formulas you DON’T need to memorize(since some are given to you on the SAT test). When making your flashcards, write the name of the formula on the front and the actual formula on the back.Also on the back, write what each variable in the formula stands for and the definition of the formula/concept.I’ll use the first formula (not provided on the SAT) from our list of 21 Critical SAT Math Formulas you must know as an example. On the frontside of my card, I'd write: midpoint formula On the back, I’d write: Given two points A $(x_1, y_1)$ and B $(x_2, y_2)$, use the midpoint formula to find the exact middle point of a line that connects point A and B (the point will be equidistant from points A and B and will be in between the two). Formula: midpoint = $((x_1 + x_2)/2) , ((y_1 + y_2)/2)$ Also, include what the variables stand for in order to remember the significance of the formula and how to use it.If you only memorize $x_1$, $y_1$, $x_2$, and $y_2$, on the day of the test, you may totally forget what $y$ and $x$ mean in the formula. Don’t memorize formulas as a bunch of random variables. Memorize the formula, formula definition, and what each part of the formula stands for, so you’ll be prepared to use the formula to answer questions. How to Study With Your SAT Flashcards Now that you have your SAT flashcards, how should you use them? At PrepScholar, we recommend the waterfall method to study flashcards.This technique requires you to focus on the words/formulas you don't know, while not wasting your time on the concepts you do know.The waterfall method was developed from a proven memorization method called Spaced Repetition.I’ll give a brief overview of the method, but check out our other article for a more in-depth explanation of the waterfall method. Start with 20-50 flashcards.I recommend studying the math formulas and Vocabulary separately, so you don’t get confused jumping between different subjects. Create a math formula pile with 21 cards. Then, create three piles of 50 vocabulary cards each (using the 150-wordPrepScholar ACT list). If you decide to use an additional vocabulary list, create additional Vocabulary piles. Go through onepile, looking at the word or formula name. If you know the definition or formula immediatelyput it in a â€Å"Know It† pile. If you couldn’t remember it immediately(or at all), put it in a â€Å"Struggled† pile.After going through all of the flashcards in the original, you'll have twopiles: a "Know It" pile a "Struggled" pile Pick up the â€Å"Struggled† pile and test yourself again. This time, create a new â€Å"Know It† pile and â€Å"Struggled† pile for these flashcards. You should now have three piles: the original â€Å"Know It† pile the new â€Å"Know It† pile the new â€Å"Struggled" pile Keep repeating this exercise (using the â€Å"Struggled† pile and separating into new â€Å"Know It† and â€Å"Struggled† piles) until you have five or fewerwords or formulas left in the â€Å"Struggled† pile. Now, combine the remaining â€Å"Struggled† pile with the most recent â€Å"Know It† pile. Test yourself on all of the words/formulas until you don’t get a single one wrong. If you get one wrong, restart the pile until you get zero wrong. Once you’ve mastered all of those concepts, add in the next highest â€Å"Know It† pile, and test yourself on all of those concepts until you don't get a single one wrong. Keep repeating until you have all of your original 20-50 cards in one stack, and once you go through that stack without making a single mistake, you’ll officially know every concept in that stack!Move on to the next stack, repeating the same method. How Much Time Should You Spend Studying Flashcards? While flashcards are helpful for the SAT, you shouldn’t spend all of your time studying these flashcards. I'd recommend spending at most 5% of your total SAT study time (two hours if you're following ourrecommendation of studying about40 hours for the SAT). Knowing vocabulary definitions and math formulas isn't enough to help you reach a high score on the SAT. As I said before, the new 2016 SAT only tests vocabwords in the context of sentences, and although knowing formulas is important for the math, you can answer the majority of the questions with only the ones provided to you. Flashcards should be just one small part of your SAT study plan.You need to be learning other new SAT strategies, learning the content of each section on the new SAT, and taking SAT practice tests to practice applying these strategies. What’s Next? Concerned about the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section on the new SAT? Learn more about the section changes and strategies. Looking for more general new SAT prep help? Check out these guides on how to study for the new 2016 SAT and on how to figure out what’s a good new 2016 SAT score for your target school. Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points?We have the industry's leading SAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today:

Mexicos Geographic Potential

Mexicos Geographic Potential Geography can have a profound influence on a countrys economy. States that are landlocked are nautically disadvantaged in global trade compared to coastal states. Countries located in the mid-latitudes will have greater agricultural potential than those in the high latitudes, and lowland areas encourage industrial development more so than highland areas. It is widely believed that Western Europes financial success is a fundamental result of the continents superior geography. However, despite its influence, there remain cases in which a country with good geography could still experience economic distress. Mexico is an example of such a case. The Geography of Mexico The country is also rich in natural resources. Gold mines are scattered throughout its southern regions, and silver, copper, iron, lead, and zinc ores can be found virtually anywhere within its interior. There is an abundance of petroleum along Mexicos Atlantic coast, and gas and coal fields are dispersed throughout the region near the Texas border. In 2010, Mexico was the third largest oil exporter to the United States (7.5%), behind only Canada and Saudi Arabia. With approximately half of the country located south of the Tropic of Cancer, Mexico has the ability to grow tropical fruits and vegetables nearly year-round. Much of its soil is fertile and the consistent tropical rainfall help provide natural irrigation. The countrys rainforest is also home to some of the worlds most diverse species of fauna and flora. This biodiversity has great potential for biomedical research and supply. Mexicos geography also provides great tourism possibilities. The crystal blue waters of the Gulf illuminate its white sand beaches, while ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins present visitors with an enriching historical experience. The volcanic mountains and forested jungle terrain provide an avenue for hikers and adventure seekers. Enclosed resorts in Tijuana and Cancun are perfect places for couples, honeymooners, and families on vacation. Of course, Mexico City, with its beautiful Spanish and Mestizo architecture and cultural life, attracts visitors of all demographics. Mexico's Economic Struggles In the last three decades, Mexicos economic geography has progressed somewhat. Thanks to NAFTA, northern states such as Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, and Baja California have seen great industrial development and income expansion. However, the country southern states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero continue to struggle. Mexicos infrastructure, already inadequate, serves the south far less well than the north. The south also lags in education, public utilities, and transportation. This contrast is leading to a great deal of social and political strife. In 1994, a radical group of Amerindian peasants formed a group called the Zapatista National Liberation Army (ZNLA), who consistently rages guerrilla warfare on the country. Another major obstacle to Mexicos economic advancement is the drug cartels. Over the past decade, drug cartels from Colombia established new bases in northern Mexico. These drug barons have been murdering law enforcement officers, civilians, and competitors by the thousands. They are well armed, organized, and they have begun to undermine the government. In 2010, the Zetas drug cartel siphoned more than $1 billion dollars worth of oil from Mexicos pipelines, and their influence continues to grow. The future of the country depends on the governments effort to close the gap between rich and poor in order to reduce regional inequalities. Mexico needs to invest in infrastructure development and education, all while pursuing strong trade policies with neighboring states. They need to find a way to abolish the drug cartels and create an environment that is secure for citizens and tourists. Most importantly, Mexico needs  to expand industrial avenues that can benefit from their good geography, such as the development of a dry canal across the narrowest part of the country to compete with the Panama Canal. With some proper reforms, Mexico has the great potential for economic prosperity. Sources: De Blij, Harm. The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography 5th Edition. Carlisle, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley Sons Publishing, 2011