Category Archives: test prep

test prep

What’s a Good SAT Score for Colleges?

good sat score

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I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of change. Even if it’s good change. Maybe it’s my age, or maybe it’s that I know with change comes confusion. Such was true when the new SAT was rolled out. Then came the ACT and the confusion about scoring. Such is the life of a student who has plans to apply to college in the fall.

Magoosh certainly recognizes your confusion. In an effort to help, they provided students and parents a breakdown of the new scoring process and how colleges view them. In their post about this, they commensurate with your pain over the new SAT:

Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it: the new SAT scoring system is extremely confusing. There are subscores, cross-test scores, a science score and much more. And don’t even get me started on the new concordance tables (though started I’ll get, but later in the post!)

Because I don’t want you to be uncertain about something as important as your SAT scores, I’m here to dispel any confusion and answer your questions.

I’ll talk about all of the different scores: what they mean, SAT score ranges, what SAT scores you need for top colleges, and how everything ties together.

I’ll also let you in on a little secret: the SAT scoring tables comparing the old SAT and new SAT are a little wonky (but more on that later).

We’ve also put together this table of SAT score ranges for the top 100 universities in the United States.

Read through the article using the link below and see the comparisons. It will help your student set score goals and it will help you understand why change might not be welcome, but might just be better for your student.

SAT Score Range: What’s a Good SAT Score for College

Guest Posts, test prep, tutoring

The Advantages of One-on-One Test Prep Tutoring

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test prep tutoring

Standardized testing can be stressful at best, terrifying at worst. An experienced private tutor offers students a huge advantage with their preparation. By devising a blueprint to prepare for these exams, students can reduce anxiety and drastically improve their scores. Here are some advantages of one-on-one test prep tutoring:

Stress Reduction

As I mentioned previously, the amount of stress during college application time can be overwhelming. Your child not only has to deal with school, maybe a job, and also think about being accepted to college. A tutor will reduce the stress of having to figure out testing dates, scheduling, and will customize a study plan that is specific to your child’s needs. Your child will also feel more at ease knowing the material they will test on, which will ultimately increase their chances at a higher score.

Target Strengths & Weaknesses

No student learns the same. One one one tutoring is the most customizable way of learning. A tutor will assess the student’s strengths and weaknesses, and customize a study plan. Applying a customized plan, will help your child focus on areas that are challenging that they might have otherwise overlooked. Not all students gain the same knowledge in school.

Strategies That Work

A tutor will instill test taking tactics that will alleviate wasted time. Tutors not only teach vocabulary and math formulas but can also suggest new approaches and strategies for questions. This will in turn help with time management and better decisions during test time.

Quality in Teaching

You get to pick a tutor to best match your child’s learning style, schedule, and your budget. While your child might be in the ten percentile of their class, they are also competing with the rest of the students trying to get into the same college. Not all students get the same background knowledge needed to excel at standardized testing. A one on one tutor will focus on managing your child’s unique learning style.

Motivational Boost

The tutor – tutee relationship can give your child that motivational push by encouraging a higher level of thinking. A good tutor not only provides your child with test taking information and different approaches, but can also help as motivation in this sometimes overwhelming undertaking. Tutors have been in their shoes, and they know what it is to feel overwhelmed during this time.

College Scholarships

Let’s face it, college is expensive! However, some colleges and universities offer awards based on test scores. It is no secret that the higher a student scores the higher the chances of receiving scholarship awards. It is important to note that some colleges give automatic scholarships for SAT/ACT scores. Good test preparation will return more than its cost in scholarship awards.

Ultimately, a good one on one tutor will help your child target strengths and weaknesses, alleviate stress, promote motivation and provide test taking and study abilities they can utilize later in life. A good tutor will strengthen the pathway to your child’s college career.

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Today’s guest post is from Idalia Gastelum, a private SAT tutor for Parliament Tutors. She offers tutoring in Miami, FL.

scholarships, test prep

Your SAT Score Can Help Win Scholarships

 

sat score

Working hard in school can help you land great scholarships that will help you with the cost of going to school. Scholarships are a much better alternative to student loans because you don’t have to pay them back. How well you do in school can have an impact on the amount of scholarship money you will receive. Scoring high on your SAT exam is one way to ensure you have a good chance at receiving a scholarship.

Preparing for your SAT Exam

Since most colleges in the United States require students to take the SAT exam, it’s important to be prepared on testing day to get a good score. The current 2016 SAT exam takes approximately three hours to complete, with an additional 50 minutes given for the essay portion. Scores can range anywhere from 400 to 1600 and is usually taken by high school juniors or seniors. Being prepared for the exam is the best way to ensure you’ll receive a good score. Read Kranse SAT reviews to learn about a great course that will ensure you’re prepared and confident on testing day.

Merit-Based Scholarships

If you’ve done exceptionally well in school and if you received a good score on your SAT exam, you may be eligible to receive a merit-based scholarship. Merit-based scholarships are granted to individuals who have great academic records, high GPAs, good standardized test scores and other types of achievements. Many merit-based scholarships are sponsored by colleges and universities, so if you think you may qualify for one, be sure to find out more about them.

Outside Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships aren’t the only scholarships available. Many also require a high SAT score to apply. There are hundreds of different types of scholarships available. The first place you should look for scholarships is local. Browse the websites of the high school in your area because they might have scholarship information on them. Social media and scholarship search engines are also great resources. If you’re really good at something, such as art, you can use that to find specific scholarships based that interest and expertise.

College is stressful enough for most people, but with scholarships you will worry less about the cost of going to school and focus more on your studies. Do well in school now and prepare for standardized tests so you can ensure you have a better chance at receiving some great scholarships to help you out. 

 

test prep

Are Standardized Tests Flawed?

 

standardized tests

Colleges use these standardized tests to predict a student’s ability to perform well academically in college. But are the tests are flawed?

Test prep tutors across the board are recommending students avoid the new SAT test. Their reasons: the test is untested and its impossible to predict a student’s success. One test prep tutor, Lauren Gaggioli of Higher Scores Test Prep, is steering all her students toward the ACT:

This new test is a bad bet for this year’s juniors. Frankly, our students shouldn’t be guinea pigs and there is a very easy solution to the problem – take the ACT. Might sound too good to be true, but the solution really is that simple.

In a recent podcast, Lauren gives four reasons why students should avoid the SAT and focus on the ACT.

But wait…

Now the ACT is having its own issues. The essay scores are inexplicably low causing concern for students and test prep tutors. The Washington Post interviewed students and ACT officials:

Controversy erupted soon after the ACT introduced a revised essay-writing task in September that is being graded for the first time on the same 36-point scale as the rest of the test. Counselors across the country are complaining that many of their top students, who routinely earn marks higher than 30 on other parts of the ACT, are getting writing scores in the low-to-mid 20s.

One tutor I spoke with said after looking at her student’s essays from the test, it was impossible to see why they were scored low and difficult to understand the reasoning behind the scoring.

Now what?

ACT assures students that once they become more familiar with the writing prompts their scores will improve. But what about those students who have already taken the test? You can pay $50 to have the essay re-graded (hand scored). In most instances the score will improve. One student went from a 19 to a 31 after regrading.

Here’s the question: will colleges put less weight on both the SAT and the ACT knowing the new tests are controversial? Will students begin viewing “test optional” schools as a viable alternative to avoid these flawed standardized tests? Only time will tell.

Need help understanding the ACT essay problem? This is a great article that explains what happened and how to take action if you feel your score is wrong: Think Your New ACT Writing Score Is Wrong? Recent Issues, Explained

test prep

7 Must-Have Tips for the New SAT

 

Many tutors are recommending students avoid the new SAT and focus on the ACT. But if your student wants to take the SAT, for whatever reason, here are some tips that should help. This article was originally published by The Tutoring Company and is used with permission. 

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new sat

March, the College Board will officially administer the updated 2016 SAT. Whether you’re taking the SAT as a beginner or a veteran, these seven tips can get you on the path to a perfect 1600! Here are seven things you can do (starting now!) to prepare for this new and improved standardized test.

1. Master mental math: The SAT now include two types of math sections: calculator and non-calculator. Conquer the new, non-calculator section by making sure you have multiplication tables and basic arithmetic memorized. Technology has made this almost painless; apps like XtraMath can be used to practice your math facts anywhere, anytime on your cellphone. If you’ve got your basic facts down and want to learn some mental math tricks to speed up your test taking time, check out these Mathemagical Apps.

2 . Take time to review U.S. founding documents and other important works:  While the specific passages are unknown until test day, you will encounter one passage from U.S. founding documents or the global conversation they inspired. While it is not necessary to be familiar with the document ahead of time, it couldn’t hurt to brush up on the themes of major works, such as the examples given by College Board:

Along with these works, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with historically influential figures, such as:

  • Edmund Burke
  • Mary Wollstonecraft
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Mohandas Gandhi

3. Study for the ACT: Seriously. If you’ve been busting your butt studying for the ACT, you should be in great shape for this version of the SAT, which is now more similar than ever. Check out the specificdifferences to see how the two tests now compare.

4. Take advantage of the free, online personalized prep offered in partnership with the creators of the test: College Board and Khan Academy have worked together to create the Official SAT Practice site. This is free, easy to use, and includes diagnostics, personalized practice recommendations and can link to your College Board account. Looking for a quicker, more convenient way to practice? Check out theSAT Daily Practice App.

5. Learn how to make an educated guess: The new SAT features some significant scoring changes including one reason to celebrate: no more penalty for guessing. This means you should strive to answer every question on the test–even if you are guessing. Also, there will only be four answer choices instead of five for each question. You should guess on every question (no matter what!), but if time allows, you should try to eliminate at least one answer choice and guess the same letter pair each time.

6. Practice using context clues to figure out the meaning of a word: This year, according to College Board, there will be no need to cram vocabulary words by studying flashcards of arcane words. Instead, the SAT will test your ability to figure out a word based on a given passage. Be sure to practice using context clues to determine the meaning of a word.

7. Study from your PSAT/NMSQT results: If you are a ninth or tenth grader currently who is trying to prepare early, you can use the results of the new PSAT/NMSQT test (given in 2015 or later) to pinpoint exactly what you need to work on. Not only does your score report provide guidance for what skills you need extra help with, it also can personalize the free, official online SAT prep from Khan Academy. Watch this video to learn how to interpret your score report and link your report to your online practice account.

Using these tips and finding a skilled test prep tutor can help you reach your dream SAT score!

test prep

Test Prep Week: The Best Test Prep Tips

 

test prep tips

We’re going to close out Test Prep Week with some test prep tips. I’m certainly not a test prep expert, but I do know where to find the best test prep tips. The key to any standardized test is preparation. Add to that knowledge of how the test works and the formulas you should know, your student should be prepared to take the test with confidence when the time comes.

Here are some excellent tips that should help your student prepare for standardized tests, both SAT and ACT.

21 SAT Tips and Tricks You Must Use

Samantha Lindsay of SAT Strategies provides a comprehensive, step-by-step list of tips broken down by section. From basic rules, to math tips, to reading tips, to writing tips, she gives students a game plan to follow during the test. This is the ultimate test prep.

Read the complete article

5 Tips for Higher SAT Scores

In Higher Scores Test Prep podcast episode, you will learn five test strategy tips for the SAT.

Listen to the podcast

5 Tips for Higher ACT Scores

In Higher Scores Test Prep podcast episode, you will learn five test strategy tips for the ACT.

Listen to the podcast

6 Tips for ACT Success

These six tips will help your student understand the inner workings of the ACT. The article breaks down each section, giving tips on how to better prepare and tackle each one.

Read the complete article

Last Minute SAT Tips

Alexis Avila of Prepped and Polished gives his best tips for SAT test takers. These tips will not only help you prepare for the test by giving tips on its content, but help you prepare for test-taking day.

Read the entire article

As with any test, preparation is key. You can’t expect to do well if you don’t prepare. Encourage your student to create a study plan and stick to it. Going into a test prepared will make a huge difference on the test results.

For more test prep tips read:

Should you hire a test prep tutor?

Where do I find free test prep?

Can test prep help you win scholarships?

Questions about the new SAT

test prep

Test Prep Week: Where Do I Find Free Test Prep?

 

free test prep

In the last few days we’ve talked about the importance of test prep: should you hire a test prep tutor, can test prep help you win scholarships, and questions about the new SAT. But what  do you do if you’re strapped for cash and can’t afford do pay for a tutor? The good news is there is free test prep available and if your student is committed to studying and evaluating, they can still count on positive test score results.

Below are just a few free test prep resources available for students. But remember that the success of these self study programs depends on your student’s willingness to take it seriously.

Lauren Gaggilio

Lauren of Higher Scores Test Prep was a recent guest on #CampusChat and remixed parents that she offers a free mini course for the PSAT and a free one hour (no obligation) consultation to ask questions and pick her brain. For more tips from Lauren, click here to get the transcript of the chat.

eKnowledge

I have patterned with eKnowledge to offer a free SAT/ACT test prep program. The only catch is you have to pay minimal shipping costs. The prep is extensive and we’ll worth the cost. The SAT or ACT PowerPrep™ Program comes in a single DVD, and includes more than 11 hours of video instruction and 3000 files of supplemental test prep material, thousands of interactive diagnostic tools, sample questions, practice tests and graphic teaching illustrations.  Students select the training they need and can study at their own pace

Khan Academy

With Khan Academy you can download a real, full-length SAT practice test, watch videos that work through real SAT problems with step by step solutions, and get even more practice using their interactive questions.

ACT Student

Since most experts are recommending students take the ACT until the new technology is ironed out, you can get free test prep on their site. They provide real ACT retired tests, sample test questions, test tips and test descriptions.

Chegg

Chegg offers a free interactive ACT test prep program. You can watch videos, read lessons or do practice problems and learn at your own pace. You get instant scores and detailed explanations on every test problem. This is free while the beta lasts, so act now.

Bottom line: self test prep is effective only if your student is committed to a study plan, reviewing the strengths and weaknesses, and evaluates each question he answered incorrectly.

scholarships, test prep

Test Prep Week: Can Test Prep Help You Win Scholarships?

 

win scholarships

Why is test prep important? We all know that colleges use these test scores to evaluate a student’s ability to do well in a college environment. But is there more to taking time to prepare for standardized tests? Yes. In addition to good scores enabling you to apply to your dream college, good scores can also help you win scholarships.

You can win a scholarship if you are a National Merit finalist

The #1 way test prep can affect your scholarship chances is with the PSAT. This test, if scored well, can put you on the National Merit finalist list. You don’t have to be the winner to earn a scholarship. Many colleges award full-ride scholarships to National Merit finalists. Students often look at this test as a “practice” test for the SAT, neglecting to prepare. But it is so much more. Few students prepare for the PSAT so your odds of scoring higher than most students in your state are high if you take the time to study and prepare.

For more information on the PSAT, read my article for TeenLife Magazine: 10 Reasons the PSAT Is Not Just a Practice Test and a guest post from Anthony-James Green of Test Prep Authority: The Ultimate Guide to the PSAT

Colleges use these scores to award merit scholarships

It stands to reason that colleges will use these scores to determine who receives merit aid. Students with higher scores not only get bumped up in the acceptance line, but also receive priority consideration when it comes to scholarships.

Private organizations often ask for standardized test scores

According to Lauren Gaggioli of Higher Scores Test Prep, “Some scholarship advisors estimate over 60% of scholarship applications require test scores these days.” And, she’s seeing even higher percentages up to 75% recently.

The scholarship application process is becoming more and more competitive each year. If you want your student to have an edge, plan and prepare for these standardized test.

 

test prep

Test Prep Week: Questions About the New SAT

 

questions about the new sat

If you have a college-bound teen, test prep is at the front of you mind. And with it, comes the new (and improved—according to the College Board) SAT. Most test prep experts are hesitant about the new test, taking a “wait and see” attitude. Others are recommending students take the ACT instead, reducing the stress level and avoiding the unknown.

In an effort to ease your mind (and your student’s), I thought I would gather some expert advice from the test prep gurus to help you answer some questions about the new SAT.

Lauren Gaggioli of Higher Scores Test Prep wrote an article for TeenLife Magazine about the new SAT. In it, she points out that the only information we have about the new test is the information provided by the College Board. No one has been able to take the test yet, therefore its content is still sketchy at best. But she does address some of the false information circulating about the test.

Read her article: Five Myths About the New SAT

Akil Bello, a noted test prep tutor and founder of Bell Curves, addresses the new SAT in his blog, Bellowings. He asks the question: how hard is it? In his post he concentrates on the math portion of the test and compares the two tests resulting in a conclusion about the new test’s ability to indicate “college readiness”.

Read Akil’s article: New SAT—How Hard is It?

Lynn O’Shaughnessy, author of The College Solution blog and several books about college prep, believes that the new SAT is going to cause great challenges for students. Her guest blogger, Jed Applerouth of Applerouth Tutoring Services, points out the increased difficulty in the reading and writing section, the so-called “optional” essay, and the calculator free math section. According to Jed Applerouth, this will be the “hardest SAT we have ever seen.”

Read the entire post: Why You Should Worry About the New SAT Test

The bottom line: Nobody likes change. Although the College Board is telling us that the new test is going to be easier for students, the new test is also going to give college’s a better picture of a student’s college readiness. What does that mean for students? Only time will tell. In the meantime, follow the experts’ advice—stick to the ACT.

If you want to see a comparison of the new SAT vs the ACT, click here to see an infographic from Alexis Avila of Prepped and Polished.

And on that note, read yesterday’s post: Should You Hire a Test Prep Tutor

test prep

Test Prep Week: Should You Hire a Test Prep Tutor?

 

test prep tutorIn February and March, your college bound teen could be taking the ACT or the SAT. This week, I’m going to discuss test prep. First on the list–should you hire a test prep tutor? Is it worth the investment? Will it improve your student’s score? Is a tutor really necessary with all the free help you can find online?

Here are five reasons you might
want to hire a tutor:

Motivation

For any student to do well on the test, they need motivation. A tutor could help your student find that motivation.

Accountability

If your student isn’t accountable for their study and progress, it’s easier to slack off and not keep to the plan. A tutor will keep them accountable.

Evaluation

Part of the study process is recognizing mistakes and coming up with a plan to improve. Tutors can help with formulas, test tips, and recognizing the cause of the errors.

Study plan

With standardized tests, “if you don’t have a plan, you plan to fail”. A tutor can provide a regimented study plan to help your student stay on track.

Measure progress

A tutor will have a view of the “bigger picture” and help your student measure progress. Progress spurs motivation and improves accountability.

Spending hundreds of dollars on an effective, well-chosen tutor will certainly improve your student’s standardized test scores. Improved scores will not only improve your student’s chances of acceptance, but it will also improve your student’s chances of becoming a National Merit finalist and/or merit scholarship awards from the colleges offering admission.

Before you hire a tutor, evaluate the benefits and the expected outcome. A small investment could reap huge financial rewards.

Need help finding a tutor, click here for my list of recommended test prep tutors.

For a list of upcoming standardized test prep registration and testings date, click here.