Methodology For Pcat

Front 1

method for analogies

Back 1

1. build a bridge between the stem words
2. plug the bridge into the answer choices
3. adjust the bridge if necessary

Front 2

method for one-blank sentence completions

Back 2

1. read the sentence, look for clues
2. predict an answer
3. select the choice that most closely matches your prediction
4. see if the sentence makes sense with your choice instead

Front 3

method for two-blank pcat sentence completions

Back 3

1. read the sentence, looking for clues
2. decide which blank is easier to predict, and make a prediction for that blank
3. eliminate choices that don't match your prediction
4. read the remaining choices into your sentence and decide which choice works for both blanks

Front 4

PCAT sentence completions, have two types of clues

Back 4

1. keywords, which are descriptive phrases that clue you into the meaning of the missing word(s)
2. Roadsigns (like "because" or "although") which are connectors that tell you whether the missing word goes in the same or opposite direction from the clues you find elsewhere in the sentence.

Front 5

One blank sentence completions hint

Back 5

predicting an answer before you look at the answer choice, you won't be swayed by tempting wrong answers

Front 6

detour road signs

Back 6

signal a change in direction from the rest of the sentence.

Front 7

detour road sign
example 1

Back 7

although

Front 8

detour road sign
example 2

Back 8

but

Front 9

detour road sign
example 3

Back 9

yet

Front 10

detour road sign
example 4

Back 10

however

Front 11

detour road sign
example 5

Back 11

nevertheless

Front 12

detour road sign
example 6

Back 12

despite

Front 13

detour road sign
example 7

Back 13

whereas

Front 14

detour road sign
example 8

Back 14

on the other hand

Front 15

detour road sign
example 9

Back 15

conversely

Front 16

straight ahead roadsigns

Back 16

indicate a continuation of the direction of the sentence

Front 17

straight ahead roadsigns
example 1

Back 17

because

Front 18

straight ahead roadsigns
example 2

Back 18

since

Front 19

straight ahead roadsigns
example 3

Back 19

and

Front 20

straight ahead roadsigns
example 4

Back 20

as well as

Front 21

straight ahead roadsigns
example 5

Back 21

similarly

Front 22

straight ahead roadsigns
example 6

Back 22

in addition to

Front 23

straight ahead roadsigns
example 7

Back 23

likewise

Front 24

straight ahead roadsigns
example 8

Back 24

also

Front 25

For two blank sentence completions.
if have several choices left after step 3

Back 25

read the sentence again for clues to the other blank

Front 26

For two blank sentence completions.
*hint*

Back 26

always work with the easier blank first

Front 27

For two blank sentence completions.
*hint*

Back 27

learn to "trust your ear" in sentence completions.
if a word sounds "off" or "clunky" when you read it into the sentence, there's probably a good reason

Front 28

method for analogies
- bridge

Back 28

a sentence that describes one word using the other word.
- when you see an analogy, build a bridge between the stem words

Front 29

method for analogies
* hint *

Back 29

only one answer choice correctly completes the second analogy

Front 30

method for analogies
* hint *

Back 30

when the stem words look like they have the same meaning, try to find the distinction between them

Front 31

method for analogies
* strategy *

Back 31

1. think about the relationship between the stem words before looking at the answer choices
2. first build the bridge. then try out your choices.
- a good bridge should allow you to predict the answer

Front 32

remember stem words are...

Back 32

always related and the question is how are they related?

Front 33

hint*
if your not sure of the meaning of the word

Back 33

try to think of a context in which you've heard it before

Front 34

six classic bridges
*always look for a strong bridge*

Back 34

1. characteristics
2. lack
3. function
4. degree
5. type
6. part/whole

Front 35

bridge 1
characteristics

Back 35

a ____ is always _______

Front 36

bridge 2
lack

Back 36

someone ____ lacks _____

Front 37

bridge 3
function

Back 37

a _____ is used to _______

Front 38

bridge 4
degree

Back 38

something ______ is very ________

- in a common variation of the degree bridge, one word is the other word pushed to an excessive degree

Front 39

bridge 5
type

Back 39

a ______ is a type of _____

Front 40

bridge 6
part/whole

Back 40

a ______ is a group of _______