SCORING HIGH ON THE MAT
ABOUT THIS BOOK and TESTware®
This book and the accompanying software provide a complete and accurate representation of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Our comprehensive review details specific strategies for attacking analogy questions, and glossary-style subject reviews provide the information you will need to achieve a high score on this unique and challenging exam. REA's tests contain every type of question you can expect to see on the actual exam, and following each practice test are detailed explanations of every analogy to help you better understand the test material.
In addition to the printed tests in this book, Practice Tests 1 through 4 are also included on CD-ROM as part of our special interactive MAT TESTware®. We strongly recommend that you begin your preparation with the TESTware® practice exams. The software provides the added benefits of instantaneous, accurate scoring and enforced time conditions.
ABOUT THE TEST
Who takes the test and what is it used for?
The Miller Analogies Test is a graduate admissions and scholarship exam accepted by hundreds of schools in both the United States and Canada. In addition, some corporations use the test to place their executives.
Who administers the test?
Pearson Education, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, administers the Miller Analogies Test.
When should the MAT be taken?
The MAT is usually taken shortly after a candidate graduates from college. You may be applying to a number of graduate schools that require the MAT, or a prospective employer may ask that you take the test. You should determine whether or not the exam will be required of you so that you have enough time to prepare. You may also wish to allow yourself time to take the MAT again, in case you are not pleased with your initial score. Give yourself enough time to carefully study our review material, and familiarize yourself with the format of the exam. This will spare you the anxiety of having to learn about the MAT during the actual exam.
When and where is the test given?
The MAT is administered through a network of Controlled Testing Centers. These testing centers comply with Pearson's rigorous standards for test administration; however, they are free to set their own fees and schedules. To apply for the test, you must apply directly to the testing center.
For more information regarding Controlled Testing Centers, their fees, and schedules, you may contact:
Pearson
PSE Customer Relations--MAT
19500 Bulverde Road
San Antonio, Texas 78259
Phone: (800) 622-3231
Website: www.milleranalogies.com
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, you must pay a fee to take the MAT. As stated above, fees are set by individual testing centers. A complete list of Controlled Testing Centers is available in the Miller Analogies Test registration bulletin, which is available from Pearson.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students needing extra time, large-print or audio editions, or other special accommodations for taking the MAT will be given a non-standard administration of the test and must notify their chosen Controlled Testing Center several weeks before their test date. Submission of an Accommodations Request Form is required. See the Miller Analogies website or call Pearson for further information.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
What should I study first?
Your first step to a high score on the MAT is a comprehensive understanding of the analogy format and the challenges it presents. For this reason, a careful reading of our main analogies review is essential. When you have completed this section, take the first practice test. This will help you get a clear idea of those areas that are most challenging to you. From there, you will be able to devise the plan of study that will be most beneficial to you.
When should I start studying?
It is never too early to begin studying for the MAT. Do not procrastinate! Last-minute studying and cramming are not effective ways to learn. The more time you allow yourself to study for the MAT, the better your chances of achieving a high score. Give yourself enough time to become familiar with the format of the test and the material it covers. This will allow you to arrive at the testing center with confidence.
FORMAT OF THE MILLER ANALOGIES TEST
The format of the MAT is very straightforward. You are given 60 minutes to complete 120 analogies. Twenty of the analogies are for experimental purposes and will not be scored. The practice tests in this book contain 100 questions to be completed in 50 minutes, maintaining the correct time available per question.
The test is given in a single session; there are no breaks and no divisions between different types of analogies. You'll be presented with three of the four elements of an analogy; you must complete the analogy by choosing the best answer from the four multiple-choice options provided.
The MAT is available in either the traditional paper-and-pencil version or a computer-based version. In either format, the content is the same. The only difference is that with the computer-based test you receive a preliminary score report as soon as you finish.
ABOUT THE REVIEW SECTIONS
There are two main sections to our MAT review material. The first section covers the nature of an analogy itself and specific strategies for answering problems posed in the analogy format. This section is very important because unless you have a very clear understanding of the analogy format, you may mistakenly choose answers that seem correct, but are actually only meant to confuse you. Verisimilitude, in fact, will be your greatest challenge when taking the MAT.
The second section of the MAT review material contains numerous glossary-type skills reviews, designed to provide as much information as possible to prepare you for the wide variety of subject matter that you are likely to encounter on the Miller Analogies Test. The MAT is unlike most other standardized tests in that it not only tests your ability to critically analyze the relationships between given items, but also how you apply knowledge of the world around you. Thus, nothing will be more helpful to you in preparing for the MAT than a well-rounded education.
SCORING AND SCORE REPORTS
Approximately 10 to 15 working days after you take the MAT, you will receive your personal score report. This report will list your name, address, and social security number as you entered them on your answer document, your scaled score, your percentile scores, and your score recipient codes. When you take our practice tests, you will only be able to determine your raw score, because your percentile scores are based on your performance compared to other MAT candidates. One percentile score will be based on the current normative data of the general population of MAT candidates. The other percentile score is based on current normative data of MAT candidates with whom you share an intended major.
There is one important difference between your personal score report and the official score report submitted to those institutions that you specify when you take the MAT. The official score report will list your MAT scores for any administration taken in the last five years. Scores for tests taken longer than five years ago will not be reported.
If, while you are taking the MAT, you decide that you are truly unhappy with your performance, you may exercise the no-score option. How to exercise this option will be explained to you at the Controlled Testing Center. If you choose not to have your exam scored, no score reports will be sent to your specified recipients, and there will be no reportable record of you ever having taken the MAT. However, before you exercise this option, consider the ramifications carefully. No refunds are available to candidates who choose the no-score option, and once this decision is made, it is irrevocable. You will be sent a personal score report; however, it will not show any score. Any future requests to have your test scored and your scores reported will be denied.
STUDYING FOR THE MAT
It is very important that you choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some candidates set aside a few hours in the morning to study, while others retain more information by studying just before going to sleep. Some students require absolute silence while studying, and some others are undisturbed by what many candidates would consider intolerable distractions. Only you can determine when and where your study time will be most effective, but you must be consistent and use your time wisely. Work out a routine and stick to it.
You may study our review material under any circumstances you like; however, when you are taking our practice tests, you should try to duplicate the actual testing conditions as closely as possible. Turn off the stereo or television, and sit at a clean table free from distractions. Be sure to time yourself accurately so you can establish a set pace.
As you complete each practice test, score your test and thoroughly review each explanation. You may even want to review the explanations for the analogies you answer correctly because, whenever possible, each analogy imparts up to eight pieces of information. An answer choice that is incorrect for one analogy may turn out to be correct for another, so no bit of knowledge should be wasted.
TEST-TAKING TIPS
While the subject matter of the MAT may be unlike any other standardized test that you have encountered in the past, there are several ways to acclimate yourself to this type of exam that will help alleviate any test-taking anxiety that you may feel. Following are some of the most effective tried-and-true methods to help you master the MAT.
Become comfortable with the format of the MAT. When you take our practice tests, simulate actual testing conditions as closely as possible. Stay calm and focused. You'll have half a minute for each analogy, so pace yourself accordingly. You will probably notice that pacing becomes much easier after only a few practice tests. This will boost your confidence and greatly increase your chances of doing well on the actual exam.
Read all of the possible answers. This is more important on the MAT than on virtually any other standardized test, because relationships between MAT analogy items can be very subtle. If you ignore even minor nuances in word meanings, you are more likely to choose an answer that is only partially correct. Be sure to choose the best answer, rather than one that looks correct on its face.
Use the process of elimination. If you are having difficulty with a particular analogy, go through all the possible answer choices and eliminate as many as possible. Even if you can only eliminate one answer choice, you have increased your chance of picking a correct answer by 25 percent.
Work on the easiest analogies first. Remember, time spent on one analogy is time not spent on another. Go through the entire test answering questions in those subject areas that come easiest to you, then return to the more difficult ones. If you spend too much time working on difficult analogies, time may run out before you've had the opportunity to answer easier ones.
Guess. Your score on the MAT will based on the number of questions answered correctly. Therefore, you should never leave a question blank. Even if you have absolutely no idea what the correct answer to a given analogy might be, guessing still gives you a 25 percent chance of getting it right. If you leave a question blank, that chance is reduced to zero.
Be sure that the oval you are marking on your answer sheet corresponds to the number of the analogy in the test booklet. The graders of the MAT, whether your answer sheets are hand scored or machine scored, have no sympathy for clerical errors. One incorrectly placed answer could disrupt your entire answer sheet, and even if you are fortunate enough to discover the problem early, you will waste valuable time correcting your answer sheet. Be extremely careful when filling in your answer choices.
If you're taking the computerized MAT, be sure to mouse-click your intended choice. And when making your choice, check the screen to ensure your command has been accepted. This is a good habit to keep yourself from having the computer lull you into inattentiveness.
THE DAY OF THE TEST
Before the Test
On the day of the test, you should wake up early after a good night's rest and have a good breakfast. Dress comfortably, and in layers that can be added or removed as conditions in the testing center require. You should make sure that you will not be distracted by hunger, or by being too hot or too cold. Plan to arrive at the testing center early. No one will be permitted into the testing center after the test has begun, and arriving early will allow you to become acclimated to the surroundings of the testing center. This will minimize the chance of distraction during the test.
To facilitate your early arrival, you may want to prepare everything you will need the night before the test. Be sure that you have your admission ticket, two forms of identification (at least one with a recent photograph), and several sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers, as none will be provided at the testing center. See the MAT website for acceptable forms of ID.
If you wish, you may wear a watch to the testing center; just be sure to disable any alarms or signals that may be present. These might distract you and the other candidates. No electronic devices, dictionaries, calculators, notebooks, briefcases, or packages may be taken into the testing center. Drinking, smoking, and eating are also prohibited.
During the Test
Once you have entered the testing center, follow all directions of the test supervisor carefully. If you do not, you risk being dismissed from the testing center, forfeiting your testing fees, and having your scores canceled.
When all of the testing materials have been distributed, the test supervisor will give you instructions for filling out the answer sheet. You must fill out this sheet carefully, because any errors may affect your score reports.
Once the test is under way, be sure to fill in your answer choices carefully, completely, and neatly. If you change your answer, be sure to completely erase your previous choice. Any stray marks or incompletely erased answer choices may be misinterpreted by the scoring machine, thus depriving you of valuable points.
After the Test
Once you have finished the test, turn in your testing materials and proceed to the exit in an orderly fashion. Your score report will arrive in approximately 10 to 15 working days.
