1 Introduction to the SSAT and ISEE Exams 1
Doing It Right! 1
Overview of General High School Entrance Exams 2
The ISEE Versus the SSAT:An Overview 2
The Independent School Entrance Examination 3
The Secondary School Admissions Test 6
Countdown 10
Reality Check 14
Conclusion 15
2 Mathematics Review 17
Introduction 17
Integers 17
Natural and Whole Numbers 17
Comparing Integers 19
Exponents 20
Order of Operations 22
Rounding off Integers 23
Prime Numbers 24
Factors and Multiples 25
Fractions 26
Comparing and Ordering Fractions 27
Reducing Fractions 28
Changing Improper Fractions to Whole or Mixed Numbers 29
Changing Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions 30
Equivalent Fractions 31
Operations with Fractions 32
Decimals 35
Reading Decimals 36
Comparing Decimals and Fractions 36
Rounding off Decimals 38
Operations with Decimals 38
Scientific Notation 41
Percents 41
Changing Fractions and Whole Numbers to Percents 42
Changing Percents to Fractions 42
Changing Decimals to Percents 43
Changing Percents to Decimals 43
Finding a Percent ofa Number 44
Applications 45
Algebra 45
Arithmetic Operations with Signed Numbers 46
Formulas 49
Equations 50
Simplifying Exponential Expressions 51
Roots and Radicals 52
Simplifying Radicals 53
Operations with Radicals 54
Inequalities 54
Operations with Monomials and Polynomials 56
Absolute Value 58
Ratios and Proportions 59
Consecutive Integers 60
Plane Geometry 62
Points 62
Lines 62
Planes 63
Angles 64
Perpendicular Lines 69
Coordinate Geometry 69
Polygons 71
Angles in Polygons 71
Types of Triangles,Classified by Angles 74
Types of Triangles,Classified by Sides 74
Perimeters 74
Areas of Polygons 76
Pythagorean Theorem 78
Circles 79
Radius and Diameter 79
Circumference 79
Area 80
Central Angles 81
Sectors 82
Volumes 82
Rectangular Solids 83
Cubes 83
Right Circular Cylinders 84
Cones 85
Spheres 86
Measurements 87
U.S. Weight Measures 87
U.S. Length Measures 87
U.S. Liquid Measures 88
Metric Length Measures 89
Metric Weight Measures 89
Changing Metric Measures and U.S. Measures 89
Graphs and Tables 90
Line Graphs 90
Circle Graphs 91
Bar Graphs 92
Tables 93
Word Problems 94
Wage Problems 94
Investment Problems 96
Age Problems 97
Discounts and Price Increases 98
Percentage Problems 98
Distance Problems 100
Statistics 101
The Mean or Average 101
The Median 102
The Mode 103
Probability 104
Answers to Mathematics Review Exercises 105
Answers Explained to Selected Mathematics Review Exercises 107
SSAT/ISEE Math Review Questions 119
SSAT/ISEE Math Review Answers 123
3 Verbal Skills Review 132
Introduction 132
Vocabulary 132
Vocabulary Memory Aids 133
Computers 134
Crossword Puzzles 134
Word Histories 135
Word List 142
Synonyms—SSAT and ISEE 144
Analogies—SSAT 147
More Analogies 150
Even More Analogies! 154
Sentence Completion—ISEE 156
More Sentence Completion 158
Review Questions 161
Synonyms—ISEE and SSAT 161
Sentence Completion—ISEE 162
Analogies—SSAT 163
Answers 163
4 Reading Comprehension Review 165
Introduction 165
Types of Questions 168
Main Idea Questions:Finding the Main Point of a Passage 168
Word-in-Context Questions:Determining Hidden Meanings Through Detective Work 169
Supporting Idea Questions:Deceptively Simple 170
Inference Questions:Drawing Logical Conclusions from Written Statements 171
Organization and Logic Questions:Determining the Proper Order of a Passage 172
Tone Questions:Identifying the Mood of the Writer 173
Review Questions 174
Main Idea Questions 174
Word-in-Context Questions 175
Supporting Idea/Fact Questions 176
Inference Questions 177
Organizational Questions 179
Tone Questions 180
A Mixed Bag 181
Answers 193
Explanation of Answers 198
5 Essay Writing—SSAT and ISEE 205
Introduction 205
Advice 205
Grammar 205
Usage 206
Tricks of the Trade 210
Bonus 211
Sentence Variation 211
The Essay—SSAT 212
Prewriting 212
Planning 213
Writing 214
Introduction 214
Body Paragraphs 215
More Writing(Keep Going!) 216
Conclusion 216
Example 216
More Practice 217
The Essay—ISEE 218
Prewriting 218
Planning 220
Writing 220
Introduction 220
Body Paragraphs 221
More Writing(Keep Going!) 222
Conclusion 222
Example 223
More Practice 223
6 Practice Tests 225
SSAT Practice Test One 229
SSAT Practice Test Two 281
ISEE Practice Exam One 329
ISEE Practice Exam Two 381
7 Scoring Your Practice Tests 434
Index 453