Week 5, Day 1 (Chapter 18: Integrated Reasoning Basics)

 

Review Midterm Exam

Progress Reports: What are your plans for the next session?

 

Chapter 18 “Integrated Reasoning: Basics”

-        30 minutes, 12 questions each with multiple parts, usually ~28 responses total

-        Scaled score from 1-8

-        NOT adaptive, linear instead – goes from easy to difficult

-        Do easiest parts first; if short on time, guess and move on

-        Scoring is all or nothing – there is no partial credit

-        Usually 2-3 experimental questions not counted toward your score, but you won’t be able to identify these – so do every question like it counts

-        There IS a calculator for this section ONLY (see picture on p. 338) – review the buttons

-        Question types:

o   table analysis

o   graphics interpretation

o   two-part analysis

o   multi-source reasoning

-        Business & career-related content

-        Focused on the ability to solve complex problems using data from many sources in many formats

-        Use quantitative AND critical reasoning skills

 

Table analysis:

·       Looks like a spreadsheet, try sorting one column at a time; comes with text

·       ALWAYS read text, headings, menus, etc.

·       Answer types:

o   Multiple choice (select a, b, c, d, or e)

o   Dichotomous choice

§  True/False

§  Yes/No

§  Agree/Disagree

·       Learn the directions (p. 340 #2 & 3)

·       You may have to calculate percent, percent change, median, and other statistical information

 

Graphics interpretation:

·       Chart, graph, scatterplot, etc. + 2 statements to complete with a drop-down box

·       DO NOT try to absorb everything; get the gist:

o   Read text and paraphrase to yourself

o   Look at graph, axis names, scales, units of measure, etc.

o   Look for patterns

o   Look at answer choices

·       See picture p. 342

·       3-5 answer choices for each statement; may involve calculation

 

Two-part analysis:

·       Most similar to the quantitative section, backsolving or PITA (Plugging in the Answers) is a useful strategy here (try plugging in the answer choices)

·       Review the text, instructions, and choices

·       Get the gist: read, generate an equation, and simplify

·       Double-check your answers

·       5-6 choices, one answer per column – it may be the same answer for both columns

·       May be a strengthen/weaken style question, so use critical reasoning methods

·       See p. 343

 

Multi-source reasoning:

·       Information in 2-3 tabs with text, charts, and/or tables

·       Multiple choice or dichotomous choice

·       Get the gist: read, take notes, look at all tabs

·       Answers may require estimation

·       See instructions p. 345

·       Come in sets with many parts

 

Hints:

-        Paraphrase the information

-        Find key words

-        Look for evidence

-        Estimate as much as possible, calculate as little as possible