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mandy_pal

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  1. Yes, He would have to meet the 820 minimum SAT score. If he's very good at maths and can guarantee a 700+, then it would pay to guess instead of leaving it unanswered. Since the minimum Verbal score he can get is 200, then why not just guess...who knows, he might end up with a quite large net gain. However, it would still be to his advantage to prepare for the Verbal, no matter how bad he is at it. A 200 in Verbal (that's equivalent to a 0 on a test) can look very damaging on his resume. Also, he might like to try the TOEFL, since that test is targeted at non native English speakers, it will definitely be easier than the Verbal section on the SAT. A decent TOEFL score can offset a bad SAT Verbal score. Hope this helps. Mandy
  2. mandy_pal

    SAT JUNE

    thanx! :) As to awbuch's question...no, that was my first time taking the SATs. I'm not yet sure of where to study...but I'm thinking of majoring in a Humanities or Social Sciences program.
  3. Definitely...40+C (in Melbourne) versus 24C (in Auckland)...no competition. NZ wins hands down. :p
  4. I'm currently preparing for my SAT II Writing test. Here's an essay I just wrote. Can anyone read this and tell me what are some of the areas that I need to work on? Thanks in advance. Topic: Failure can be a learning experience. I learned most from the time I failed at ________________. My essay: Failure can be a learning experience. I learned most from the time I failed at winning the debate final in Grade 10. This failure, although heart-breaking, taught me the importance of team work and gave me much valuable experiences that have helped me to become both a better debater and a better person. People have always remarked that I am a debate fanatic, and perhaps, they're right. My biggest passion in life has always been debating - correction: winning debates. I am a natural competitor, someone who wants to do everything and do it well. This is evident in the amount of time and effort I put into my debates. Every time a debate comes along, I would hold countless meetings with my team members, single-handedly organise our arguments, and assign appropriate tasks to every member. I would then research the topic thoroughly and send the information to each member with specific instructions on how to use the information. Although this method had won us a few debates, my bossiness and stubborness also discouraged others from voicing their opinions. This became the cardinal factor in our losing the final as it had a topic that I was not very familiar with. Instead of asking for my team member's suggestions, I plunged ahead with my own ideas. In the end, my selfishness costed us the trophy as our argument had lacked coherence and cogence. Through this terrible loss, however, I managed to gain invaluable insight into both myself and my team. I realised that without co-operation and team-work, without everyone's participation and involvement, we could never become a great team worthy of first place. Through failing to win the debate final last year, I learned the importance of team work. This crucial lesson has helped me to become a better debater and was the chief reason why we won the trophy this year.
  5. I recommend Princeton Review. It has the most effective strategies and doesn't try to bog you down with materials that you won't need for the test. For practice however, I'd suggest Barron's. It has a lot of exercises and practice tests that are very helpful. Good luck!
  6. mandy_pal

    SAT JUNE

    I'm glad you're happy right now...don't let the SATs dictate and ruin your lives! As for me, I took my first SAT in May (just got back my results back last week). I got a 1510: 800 Maths, 710 Verbal.
  7. Wow...looks like i'm the youngest member here. Well, my name is Mandy and I'm from New Zealand (and no...I did not star in the LOTR...though I wish I did). I'm currently preparing for my SAT IIs (am taking Writing and Maths 2c in June). Hoping to study in the US in the near future. I love to play netball and soccer (am the biggest soccer freak on this planet...supporting Argentina btw), surf the net, listen to music (especially foreign songs where I can't understand a single word...don't ask me, I'm just weird), debate (have been debating for 4 years now...represented school in various competitions), and finally, just to relax. (reading what I have just wrote, I think i've violated some serious grammar rules...arrrggghhhh...stupid Writing test...can't write a single sentence now without worrying about grammar). Anyways...am loving this forum...hope to see everyone around soon... Cheers! P.S: where do I post some SATII essays that i've wrote for proof-reading, editing, etc.??? There's only the TOEFL forums>>>
  8. How the heck did Australia manage to beat NZ in becoming the best country to live in??? Sorry, nothing against you aussies, but really, what's the world coming to?
  9. Actually, my first impression was that "Eureka" means accidental discovery whereas "That's funny" pertains to improvement of an already existing idea. Since a lot of scientific discoveries aren't the product of momentary genius but rather gradual improvements made upon already existing models, I think what Asimov meant was that we must always question current models and ideas to find ways to improve upon it. By questioning and by thinking "Geez, that's funny...shouldn't it be..." we will continue to make progress. Whereas if we lay back and rely on "Eureka" we'll never get very far. That's just my 2c...hope it helps.
  10. Here are some of my thoughts after reading this essay: 1) You need to work on your grammar. I guess (please correct me if I'm wrong) that English is not your first language. Some of your sentences are very awkward. I suggest that you read some well-known literary essays for a gist of the structure, form, etc required in a formal essay. 2) You did not adequately support your opinion. From just reading your essay, I cannot see an obvious link between Vietnamese workers and the pursuit of happiness. None of your other examples support your thesis either. Sure, if one person found happiness, others might be encouraged to go looking for it also, but how/why should happiness be included as an inalienable right? Remember, every point you make must somehow support your thesis. Hope this helps. Mandy
  11. I have a question. On the first test on http://www.grammar-monster.com/tone.htm, one of the questions asked was: Craig joined Barnstoneworth United (and / , and) Darren joined Brighouse FC. Now, I've always thought that when you are talking about two things, you do not use a comma before the "and". However, on the site, it says that you need a comma: Craig joined Barnstoneworth United, and Darren joined Brighouse FC. Is it just me, or does that look awkward?
  12. I took the May test...the analogies section was actually easier than I had expected...not so many tough vocabularies.
  13. mandy_pal

    SAT JUNE

    i'd love to help...what would you like to know? On the Maths section of the SAT, you just have to be careful, because most of the maths on there are pretty straighforward (basic algebra, geometry, number property, etc)...though there are some tricks that you have to watch out for. As for the Verbal, if you read a lot, then it should be no problem. However, if not, then I suggest you start with improving your vocabulary. Many of the questions on there are vocabulary questions (especially the analogies). Sentence completion requires logical thinking, analogies require you to connect two words with a relationship and critical reading requires you to read and understand a passage. My best advice would be to practise...a lot. The most valuable book would be "10 REAL SATS" by the ETS (the people who actually make the SATs). This book gives you a lot of practice...much more effective than any Stanley Kaplan tricks. Finally, good luck! I hope you do well. :)
  14. which one is the more prestigious? I'm an international student so am not ver familiar with US universities. I'm currently thinking of applying to Johns Hopkins, Duke, Washington University in St Louis and University of Chicago.Anyone has any comments on these unis? good or bad...thanks a lot
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