Pattern library
The test recycles structures. Once you can name the structure, you stop rereading the story and start executing the move.
28 patterns · R&W and Math
Intersection = solution
Math- Tell
- Two equations, or ‘how many solutions,’ or a slider letter that changes a graph.
- Move
- Graph both. Count crossings. One / none / same line.
- Trap
- Calling a near-miss ‘no solution’ because you didn’t zoom.
Line meets a parabola
Math- Tell
- A line and a quadratic together, or ‘exactly one real solution.’
- Move
- Graph both. Count crossings. Tangent = one solution = discriminant zero.
- Trap
- Solving only the quadratic and ignoring the line.
Both sides as y =
Math- Tell
- Solve for x, especially with fractions or extras.
- Move
- y = left, y = right, click x.
- Trap
- Pasting the raw equation and fighting the zoom.
Slope is the rate, b is the start
Math- Tell
- A story with a starting amount and a constant rate.
- Move
- y = (rate)x + start. Then plug the given number.
- Trap
- Using the total as the slope, or swapping x and y.
Shade, then test a point
Math- Tell
- Inequality, ‘which region,’ or a constraint like at least / no more than.
- Move
- Graph the border. Test (0,0) if it’s allowed. The answer lives on the allowed side.
- Trap
- Flipping the inequality when you didn’t actually multiply by a negative.
f(a) means plug in a
Math- Tell
- f(3), g(x+1), or a graph of f.
- Move
- Replace every x with the inside. On a graph, go to that x and read y.
- Trap
- Multiplying by the inside instead of substituting, or reading x when they asked for f(x).
Same graph, same expression
Math- Tell
- ‘Which is equivalent to.’
- Move
- Overlay. Matching curve wins.
- Trap
- FOILing under time pressure and dropping a sign.
Pick a number for the extra letter
Math- Tell
- ‘In terms of k’ / a / b / p.
- Move
- Set k = 2, solve, test choices.
- Trap
- Dividing only one term by the coefficient.
Table + regression
Math- Tell
- Two or three points, or ‘the function passes through.’
- Move
- Type table, Add regression, read m, a, b.
- Trap
- Writing point-slope and arithmetic errors.
Slope is the predicted change
Math- Tell
- A scatterplot, ‘best fit,’ or ‘predicted increase.’
- Move
- Two points on the line → table → regression. m is the change in y per 1 x.
- Trap
- Reading a single plotted point as the slope, or swapping the axes.
Vertex is the midpoint of the roots
Math- Tell
- Vertex, axis of symmetry, maximum / minimum of a parabola.
- Move
- h = −b/2a, or average the roots, or click the gray point.
- Trap
- Reporting r² as the radius’s cousin — mixing vertex with intercept.
Multiply, don’t add
Math- Tell
- Grows by a factor, doubles, or ‘each year the amount is multiplied by.’
- Move
- y = a(r)^t. Percent growth is r = 1 + p/100.
- Trap
- Treating 20% growth as +20 each step, or using 1−p when it increased.
Percent of vs percent less than
Math- Tell
- Increase/decrease by p%, or ‘p% of.’
- Move
- Of = multiply by p/100. Increase = multiply by 1+p/100.
- Trap
- Taking 20% off and also subtracting 20.
Missing value from a mean
Math- Tell
- Mean of a list that includes x.
- Move
- Sum = mean × count. Or mean([…, x]) ~ target.
- Trap
- Averaging without counting x in the count.
r² is not r
Math- Tell
- (x−h)²+(y−k)² = n.
- Move
- Center (h,k) with flipped signs. Radius √n.
- Trap
- Using n as the radius, or flipping the signs twice.
Similar figures share a ratio
Math- Tell
- Nested triangles, a midsegment, or ‘the figure is not drawn to scale.’
- Move
- Mark equal angles. Same letters in the same order. Scale factor from a known pair of sides.
- Trap
- Treating a shared side as corresponding when the vertices aren’t aligned.
SOH-CAH-TOA, degrees
Math- Tell
- Right triangle, opposite / adjacent / hypotenuse.
- Move
- Label the three sides. Write the ratio. Degree mode if you evaluate.
- Trap
- Using radians, or swapping opposite and adjacent.
Whole text, no extras
R&W- Tell
- Main idea / primary purpose.
- Move
- First + last sentence. The choice that covers both without a new claim.
- Trap
- A true detail that is too small, or an extreme word (only, never, always).
The line has to say it
R&W- Tell
- According to the text / which detail supports.
- Move
- Find the sentence. If the choice needs outside knowledge, dump it.
- Trap
- A reasonable world-fact that the passage never mentioned.
The table has to say it
R&W- Tell
- A graph or table plus a claim / ‘which choice most effectively uses the data.’
- Move
- Read the claim first. Then read only the bars or cells that claim needs. Ignore the rest of the figure.
- Trap
- A true table fact that doesn’t address the claim, or a comparison the axes never make.
Must be true, not might
R&W- Tell
- Most logically / the author would agree.
- Move
- Restate the last turn in plainer words. Do not improve it.
- Trap
- A leap that feels smart: advice, always, everyone.
Plug the choice back in
R&W- Tell
- Most nearly means.
- Move
- Replace the word with each choice. Dictionary meaning #1 is often the decoy.
- Trap
- The physical/common sense of a metaphor (land, floor, thin).
Why is this sentence here?
R&W- Tell
- Function / primarily to / overall structure.
- Move
- Label setup, turn, because. The answer is the job, not the topic.
- Trap
- A choice that repeats content instead of naming the function.
Two texts, one relationship
R&W- Tell
- Text 1 and Text 2. How would Text 2’s author respond? / Based on the texts…
- Move
- One sentence for each text. Same direction, reverse, or qualify? The choice names the relationship.
- Trap
- A true statement about only one text, or a bigger fight than Text 2 actually picks.
Read both sides of the blank
R&W- Tell
- Most logical transition.
- Move
- Cover the blank. Contrast, result, example, or add? Then pick the word.
- Trap
- Picking the fanciest adverb. However is wrong when the sentences agree.
Obey the student’s goal
R&W- Tell
- Notes + ‘a student wants to…’
- Move
- Underline the goal. The shortest choice that does that job wins. True extras lose.
- Trap
- The longest, most complete-looking sentence.
Two sentences need a real join
R&W- Tell
- Comma vs period vs semicolon vs colon.
- Move
- Find subject-verb on each side. Two S-Vs: period, semicolon, or comma+FANBOYS. Colon needs a full sentence on the left.
- Trap
- Comma splice. Semicolon before a list. However used as if it were but.
Cross out the decoy phrase
R&W- Tell
- Each of / along with / neither nor / parallel list / -ing opener.
- Move
- Cross out of-phrases. Match the leftover subject. Copy the shape of a list. After an -ing opener, the next noun must be the one doing it.
- Trap
- Agreeing with the nearer noun, not the subject.