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Grid-In Strategies
Grid-Ins are the only questions on the SAT that aren't multiple choice. You have to come up with an answer yourself and fill it into a special grid on your answer sheet.
- Since you aren't given any answers, you can't work backwards from the choices or plug in numbers to get to the right answer. You also can't eliminate answer choices you know are wrong and guess among the rest.
- The grid itself is confusing. It is easy to misgrid, that is, enter the wrong number in the wrong column, and get the question wrong, even if you know the right answer.
How to Grid:
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Step 1: Choose the easiest answer to grid (e.g., a whole number instead of an improper fraction)
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Step 2: Write the answer in the boxes above the columns before you fill in the ovals.
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Step 3: Don't round up decimals.
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Step 4: Watch out for ungriddable answers. You can't grid in negative numbers or numbers greater than 9999. So if you think the answer is negative or greater than 9999, you know you've made a mistake.
Gridding Tips:
- If the answer is a fraction, convert it to a decimal. Decimals are almost always easier to grid than fractions, and it is quick and easy to convert fractions to decimals with a calculator.
- Start at the left to make certain that you always have enough room.
- When gridding in a decimal, always drop any zero before the decimal point, then enter as many digits that will fit.
- You CANNOT grid in mixed fractions!
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