Category Archives: test prep

test prep, Uncategorized, Wednesdays parent

Wednesday’s Parent: Surviving Standardized Tests

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Wednesday’s child may be full of woe but Wednesday’s Parent can substitute action for anxiety. Each Wednesday Wendy and I will provide parent tips to get and keep your student on the college track. It’s never too late or too early to start!

Wednesday’s Parent will give twice the info and double the blog posts on critical parenting issues by clicking on the link at the end of the article from pocsmom.com to parentingforcollege and vice versa.

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sat stressStandardized tests. Those two words or their acronyms are yelled, and screeched and treated with disdain in every college-bound household. Those two words cause fights, stressful days and nights, frustration over the teen’s lack of commitment, and absolute terror in the hearts of most college-bound teens. Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes taking tests.

Unfortunately for all of us, colleges use those tests to not only measure a student’s academic achievements, but to determine whether or not the student will be able to handle the rigorous academics of college. Whether your teen is taking the SAT, ACT, AP tests, or SAT subject tests it’s a given that fights will erupt. To quote a line from one of my favorite movies (The Devil Wears Prada), GIRD YOUR LOINS!

Parent Expectations

Parents expect their student to study hard, take practice tests, bone up on their vocabulary and prepare for the tests. They pay for tutors, use flash cards to drill them, and do just about anything to motivate them to do their best. Why? Because we know that the standardized tests will affect their college offers of admission.

But does any of this work? Not if your student isn’t invested in the game. I’ve talked to SAT tutors who tell stories of students barely paying attention, not trying and having a lackadaisical attitude about the test prep. All the test prep in the world won’t help if your student doesn’t see the value of preparation. You know  your student and you know what motivates them. Test preparation is just like any other activity–if they see the value of excelling, they will do their best.

Nancy Berk, author of College Bound and Gagged, sums up parent anxiety over standardized tests:

 

Student Expectations

If you don’t think your student is stressed about these tests, think again. Even the best students worry and fret about their scores. They have heard all throughout high school that the standardized test scores will make a difference on their college applications. Good scores = safety schools. Great scores = dream colleges. They know without you telling them the value of these tests.

Odds are, your student puts more pressure on themselves than you do. They may not show it and you may not see it but it’s there. Because they are stressed already, your stress level can make it even worse. They don’t want to disappoint you; they want you to be proud. If they sense you are anxious and interpret that as lack of faith in their ability, it makes it difficult for them to focus on the test.

What can you do to help? Remain calm and encourage them when you see them trying. Let them know that you expect them to do well but there’s no pressure on your part; test day will be much easier for them (and you).

College Expectations

Colleges, even if they say they don’t, use the standardized tests as a factor when considering students for admission. However, it’s not the only factor they use. Students with less than stellar test scores but stellar applications, often gain admission to their first choice college. Standardized tests are important, but they are not the most important component of the application. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students, not just brainiacs.

Putting too much pressure on the student to score high on these tests clouds the application process. In order to focus on the entire process, it’s best if parents and students look at the big picture. That means the essay, their academic record and their accomplishments play an integral roll in the application, just as the standardized test scores.

Stressing over tests just adds more stress in an already stressful process.

For more advice on surviving standardized tests, check out Wendy’s blog.

test prep

Christmas in July-A FREE Direct Hits Vocabulary eBook

 

direct hits vocabulary bookFREE? What’s the catch? There is none. All you have to do is follow the link below and download the book. Summer is a great time to study for standardized tests and with vocabulary a key component, every student should take advance of this FREE offer.

From Tuesday, July 9, at 12:01 a.m. PST through Wednesday, July 10, 11:59 p.m. PST the Direct Hits Core Vocabulary of the SAT eBook will be available for FREE!

Click here for the free download http://amzn.to/ZazhwT

Students who already have the very popular paperback version can now add the eBook to their mobile devices at no charge. Especially if they plan to take a standardized test such as the SAT, PSAT, SSAT, and even the GRE, it can be even easier to build vocabulary skills.

This is also a great way to share the Direct Hits Core Vocabulary of the SAT eBook with friends. We all need to increase our word capital!

 

test prep

10 Summer SAT Study Tips

 

sat prepJuniors and seniors in high school are looking toward the fall and standardized testing. For seniors, it’s the last chance to get their best score before the college applications are submitted. For juniors the fall test can be a good indicator of areas that need improvement and require more preparation. Taking advantage of the summer to prepare for these tests is just smart academic sense.

Following are ten summer SAT study tips to help your student prepare for standardized tests in the fall.

  1. Read-All SAT test experts will tell you that reading is one of the best and easiest ways to prepare for the SAT. Reading for entertainment is helpful, but reading for content and purpose will help with the reading part of the SAT.
  2. Utilize self-paced study-Use the Official SAT Study Guide produced by the College Board and study at your own pace. Use the free online prep as well. Set a schedule to study, however, and stick with it.
  3. Take a practice test-Practice tests help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Set aside time to complete them just like you would on test day. It helps to familiarize you with time constraints and focus on the test itself without distractions.
  4. Sign up for an SAT course-There are a variety of courses available throughout the summer, both in person and online. Online SAT courses offer students flexible accessibility to test prep solutions that cater to each individual. Barrons Test Prep offers a diagnostic test, lesson videos, practice materials and reports that help your student track their progress. The price is affordable and they offer a free trial to test out their service.
  5. Hire a private tutor-Many students need the one-on-one instruction that a private tutor can give. Tutors can help your student evaluate their academic strengths and give them personalized academic tutoring which will help with the standardized tests. Before you hire them, however, do the research.
  6. Sign up for the SAT question of the day-This is just another way to familiarize yourself with the test and practice one question each day. Sometimes smaller dozes of studying help break it up and can be easier to remember.
  7. Boost your vocabulary-Use flash cards, sign up to receive an SAT word of the day in your email, post words on the refrigerator, and talk about them with the family at dinner. Crossword puzzles also help increase your vocabulary.
  8. Write-Practice writing essays by journaling or blogging. Since most of communication today is done by texting or IM speak, it’s good to write using correct grammar, syntax and complete sentences.
  9. Study with a friend-The buddy system helps your student stay accountable.
  10. Review math skills-The math part of the SAT requires knowledge of basic math concepts and formulas. SAT books provide an index of the math skills required and the practice tests give your student and idea of the type of math questions they will need to become familiar with.

SAT prep doesn’t need to be torturous. In small doses your student will retain what they learn and won’t be cramming the last few weeks before the test. Summer is the perfect time to spread the study out.

college guidance, college planning, organization, parenting, social networks, technology, test prep, tutoring

Tech resources for the college-bound

 

tech resourcesTonight’s #CollegeCash Chat was centered around available tech resources for the college-bound and their parents. Following is a short transcript of the questions and answers with all the links I provided. As a parent myself and a parent advocate I understand the frustration with the college admissions process. It’s my hope that you will find some tools here that will make the process easier.

Q. Is there a lot of technology out there that benefits students and parents when it comes to college? 

  • We now have online sites for just about every part of the college admissions process and stay organized
  • Multiple apps are also available to help parents and students while they are on the go
  • Smartphones and portable devices like the iPad have made the college prep process easier

Q. Are SmartPhones necessary for our kids leaving for college? 

  • Every college student needs a smartphone–here are some features you should look for: http://bit.ly/151BUJj
  • Smartphones help them communicate, socially interact, store and process information, and enable social networking in class
  • An added bonus to the smartphone is the ability to stay in touch with parents via facetime, texts, and location apps

Continue reading Tech resources for the college-bound →

admissions, college apps, college costs, college guidance, college housing, college majors, college planning, college visits, dorm life, financial aid, parenting, scholarships, student loans, test prep, tutoring, Uncategorized, websites

Comprehensive List of College Info Websites

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college planning

Here’s a current comprehensive list of my picks for college info websites. Do you have any additional suggestions?

COLLEGE BLOGS

ParentingforCollege.com–You will find the MOST information ere olege news. Come here first to find the latest and bhest tools to hn our blog: college guidance, college planning, college coaching, and colelp you navigate the college maze.

TheCollegeSolutionBlog.com–An excellent resource for college-bound teens and their parents: admissions, testing, and financial aid.

UniversityLanguage.com/blog–Great blog articles about everything related to college admissions geared toward students.

GreatCollegeAdvice.com/blog–An excellent resource about the college admissions process providing expert advice helping students map their college journey.

USNews.com/Education–The education channel of U.S. News and World Reports providing the latest news and information related to college.

CollegeBasics.com–An excellent resource for information about college essays, college applications and high school resumes.

InsideHigherEd.com/blogs–Several different blogs related to higher education.

CollegeAdmissionsPartners.com/blog–An expert blog dedicated to helping students find the right college.

CollegeFocus.com/colleges–A virtual clearinghouse of blogs related to college life, parenting, college searches, etc.

Road2College.com–You can find just about any topic related to college prep at this site: financial aid, college planning, student loans, test prep, and more.

PARENT SITES

UniversityParent.com–A site where parents can ask questions, gather information, and download and view college guides and campus newsletters.

CollegeParentCentral.com–A blog created to give parents useful information about college and the college admissions process.

YourCollegeKid.com–A site with parent forums and other college prep tools.

CollegiateParent.com-A site dedicated to providing parents with information for their college students.

FINANCIAL AID

Fafsa.ed.gov–The official government website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

SallieMae.com/plan–A FREE education investment planner that will help determine college costs, compare college costs, and provides information about student loan repayments.

SavingForCollege.com–Everything you need to know about financing a college education.

FinAid.org–An excellent resource for the answers to all your questions regarding college financial aid.

CollegeFinancialAidAdvisors.com–Help with the college financial aid process.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fastweb.com–An extensive scholarship search website with a massive database of scholarships, along with articles and helps designed specifically for parents.

Chegg.com–A free service for students and parents where students can showcase themselves, connect with colleges, and search for scholarships.

Cappex.com–The place to go to find merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.

Scholarships.com–An extensive scholarship search engine that helps you search and schedule alerts for deadlines.

How2winscholarships.com–A guide for parents and students on how to effectively apply to and win scholarships.

COLLEGE VISITS

SmartCollegeVisit.com–Created to provide information about college visits, help parents and students plan, and view personal accounts from both parents and students.

CollegeWeekLive.com–A virtual college fair that sponsors free LIVE events with archived presentations, student chats, and college booths.

Youniversitytv.com–Learn about colleges by watching video tours, chat with students on campus forums, post questions and get answers.
CustomCollegeVisits.com–Offer custom tailored to your family’s needs, whether you’re visiting college & university campuses close to home, across the country or from overseas.

COLLEGE PLANNING

Cappex.com–A site created for students to help them simplify their college search, create a profile and search for scholarships.

CommonApp.org–The common application site used by 400 colleges and universities across the country.

PrincetonReview.com–The best value colleges list for public and private institutions across the country.

UPromise.com–UPromise partners return a portion of eligible purchase money back to you. Those earnings accumulate in your Upromise account until you decide to use it to invest in a 529 plan, help pay down eligible student loans or assist with college expenses—all tax-free!

CollegeBoard.com–It’s here you’ll find the CSS Profile application (required by many private colleges), register for the SAT, and read articles about planning for college.

CollegeXpress.com–A search site that groups colleges in categories and provides college “hot” lists (i.e. top college for late bloomers, colleges for students needing a second chance)

VolunteerMatch.org–Find local volunteer opportunities for your college-bound teen and teach them about the importance of giving back to their community with the added bonus of adding that service to their high school resume.

KnowHow2Go.com–A college planning site for college-bound students providing helps and aids from middle school to senior year: interactive and fun!

 BigFuture.collegeboard.org–A planning tool to help parents and students get ready for college.

TEST PREP / TUTORING

TutorsForTestPrep.com–An SAT expert and coach offering tips to help your college-bound teen improve their SAT/ACT scores.

FairTest.org–The site for the National Center for fair and open testing providing information about colleges who do not use the SAT/ACT for admissions decisions.

QuincyTutoring.com–A resource to find a tutor and schedule a tutoring session.

LaunchpadEducation.com–Tutoring to help students with learning disabilities and ADHD.

TEXTBOOKS

ECampus.com—Find textbooks, sell textbooks, search for college supplies and college apparel all on this one site.

Chegg.com–A hub for students to compare textbook prices, study for exams, and choose the right courses.

RECRUITING

NCSASports.org–The college recruiting site for athletes.

BeRecruited.com–If you have a teen that’s a student athlete, they can create an online profile here and help colleges and coaches find them and be recruited.

admissions, test prep

FindTheBest offers test prep comparison

 

For seniors, the end of the college application process has come to an end.  Acceptance letters should be rolling in and they should now start gathering information and comparing different schools to see which one they want to spend the next four years.

But for juniors, the process has just begun (if it hasn’t already).  Spring is not just the season of flowers and birds; it is also the season of standardized testing.  And since it is generally advised to take the SAT or ACT two to three times in order to get your best composite score, students should start taking the tests now.

For those who have already taken their first SAT, taking it a second time is almost statistically guaranteed to improve your score.  But what can improve your score even more is doing test prep.  Compare test prep courses based on exam, class size, category, total cost, and total hours.  

Of course, there’s also always the option of buying one of those giant blue practice exam books and teaching yourself through discovery.  But it is usually worth it to just attend even a few hours of class, even if it is just to learn a few basic tips that will allow you to squeeze every point that you can out of the SATs and ACTs. Remember, however, that not all test prep companies are alike. Do the research, ask around and talk to some experts on Twitter before you drop some serious cash on test prep.

 

[findthebest container_style=”width:500px;margin:0 auto;” width=”500″ height=”300″ style=”vertical-align:top;” src=”http://test-prep.findthebest.com/w/srp?new=2&w=500&h=300&filter_by=class_size,cost” after_style=”text-align:center;” link_href=”http://test-prep.findthebest.com” link_style=”font:10px/14px arial;color:#3d3d3d;” link_text=”Compare Test Prep Courses”]
college apps, test prep, websites

An app for parents and students from Edupath

 

edupathEdupath is like three apps in one. College Explorer lets you browse 1300 colleges to find the right fit. SAT Training is optimized for short sessions so you can use it anytime, anywhere. And Dashboard, an Edupath exclusive, allows parents to follow along in real-time.

Effective SAT prep starts with finding the right school. That’s why Edupath’s College Explorer helps students find the schools that fit them best, then train for the target SAT score of those schools. You can read what actual students say about their schools, and follow the schools that your Facebook friends are looking at.

Edupath offers SAT training designed for today’s students’ busy schedules. Students can develop their skills in short sessions that maximize information retention—and their time. The app has thousands of questions, written by PhDs from top universities, and tips and solutions for every question. Real-time analytics let you monitor your progress as you go.

The industry-first Dashboard for parents and counselors is the only solution for real-time tracking of students’ progress in the app and with any SAT class or tutor. You can track a student’s predicted SAT score, score improvement by section, time spent studying, and college choices.

Following are some screenshots of the app:

edupath-shots

Download Edupath at edupath.com/download

 

book reviews, test prep, Uncategorized

Direct Hits: SAT Vocabulary resource

 

direct hits booksEvery SAT coach and college professional will tell you that vocabulary is the key to every aspect of the college application process–from the SAT/ACT tests to writing the essay vocabulary plays an integral part. The Direct Hits SAT Vocabulary books address this issue by helping your student enrich their vocabulary. According to Direct Hits, “A rich and varied vocabulary enables us to speak more eloquently, describe more vividly, argue more compellingly, articulate more precisely, and write more convincingly.”

A powerful and extensive vocabulary has a correlation with success in school, business and of course, standardized tests. However, increasing  your vocabulary can be exhausting unless your have the right tools. Direct Hits have addressed the vocabulary study issue by providing a list of core vocabulary (1-225 words) and tough vocabulary (226-440). What’s unique about these books is that a) it’s a manageable list, b) word definitions, c) use in a sentence, and d) the Greek origins of suffixes and prefixes. At the end of the books, there is a simple list of all the words with quick definitions, along with a test to check out how much you have learned.

What I like about these books? They don’t overwhelm you. Your junior high school student can take both of them and in one summer, easily master these 440 vocabulary words. Or if your student is just beginning high school, they can take one word a day and master each one successfully before moving on to the next.

Direct Hits explains their approach: “We study the SAT, research trends of the test, and publish Direct Hits books … that have proven to increase student success.” Their group of educators works hard to improve the books (currently in the 5th Edition) as the SAT changes. To help you see how effective these books can be, they offer free downloads in PDF format to check the books out.

If you are looking for a good summer reading/study course of action for SAT vocabulary, these books will fit the bill.

Here’s a PDF excerpt from the SAT Vocabulary book about “Words with Multiple Meanings“.

Direct Hits vocabulary books are also available as e-books. They can be read on a computer or on mobile devices through the free Kindle app?

Direct Hits Core Vocabulary

Direct Hits Toughest Vocabulary

Free Kindle Reading apps for MAC, PC, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android Smartphone

You can also make contact with Direct Hits online:

DirectHits website

DirectHits Twitter

DirectHits Facebook

 

test prep, tutoring

Tutoring and Test Prep Resources

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tutoring test prepThe next SAT dates are approaching–May 4 and June 1. For high school juniors, this is a great time to take the first tests, plan for future fall tests, and study over the summer to improve their score.

There are numerous schools of thought regarding test prep, the number of times to take the SAT/ACT, and whether or not tutoring and test prep helps. My goal–share the available resources and let you and your student decide what works best for you. I’ll even give you a resource for comparing test prep offerings, along with links for articles they have written.

SATHabit

http://www.testive.com/sathabit/

Here’s a post that Tom Rose, the co-founder, wrote about improving your SAT scores.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2013/02/19/3-truths-of-raising-your-sat-score/

Bell Curves

http://sat.bellcurves.com/?hp=mp_feat_tests

Here’s a post Akil Bello, the founder of Bell Curves, wrote about evaluating test prep.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2011/01/17/evaluating-test-prep/

Elizabeth King

http://elizabethonline.com/

Here’s a post Elizabeth King, author of Outsmarting the SAT, wrote about her technique.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2010/01/11/outsmarting-the-sat/

WordNerd

http://word-nerd.com

Here’s a post written by Jenn Cohen, creator of word-nerd.com, about creating an SAT study plan.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2010/03/19/creating-an-sat-study-plan/

VeritasPrep

www.veritasprep.com/sat.

Here’s a post by Veritas Prep about the things students can do to boost their SAT scores.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2012/10/22/sat-prep-crunch-time-veritas-prep-outlines-5-things-students-can-do-now-to-boost-their-sat-score/

InstaEDU

http://instaedu.com

Here’s a post about their anywhere/anytime SAT tutoring service.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2013/03/08/instaedu-online-tutors-anytime-anywhere/

Jenn Cohen Tutoring

http://www.satprepforadhd.com/

Here’s a post Jenn wrote about finding the best test for ADHD students.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2012/03/07/adhd-and-the-act-why-the-act-may-be-a-smarter-choice-for-adhd-students/

Quincy Tutoring

http://quincytutoring.com/

Here’s a post written by Eric Clark, founder of Quincy Tutoring, about how to determine whether or not your student needs a tutor.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2011/06/01/tutoring/

Varsity Tutors

http://www.varsitytutors.com/practice-tests

Here’s a post by the founder Chuck Cohen for Galtime about comparing the ACT and SAT.

http://galtime.com/article/parenting/21097/53630/act-vs-sat-everything-you-need-know#axzz2M48qSGgN

Prepped and Polished

http://www.varsitytutors.com/practice-tests

Here’s a video blog post by Alexis Avila, the founder, about test prep the night and morning before the SAT.

http://preppedandpolished.com/24-hrs-until-the-sat/

FindTheBest

http://test-prep.findthebest.com

This site allows you to compare the various offerings of some of the major test prep courses (cost, duration, online/offline).

Shop wisely because not all test prep programs deliver results. However, I can personally recommend all of the tutors I have listed above. Check them out first.

Parliament Tutors

http://www.parliamenttutors.com

Parliament Tutors offers private tutoring and test prep for all academic subjects and standardized tests from New York to Los Angeles and everywhere in-between: K-12, Math Tutors, SAT prep, ACT, LSAT, GMAT prep, GRE tutoring & more.

test prep

Top 5 standardized test tips for college-bound students

images-4Standardized tests are no walk in the park – they are designed to ascertain not only your knowledge base, but also your ability to read and comprehend, your capacity to formulate your own thoughts, and your overall preparedness to enter the college arena. Every parent wants their kids to go to college, but those that aren’t willing to take standardized testing seriously are bound to have trouble with these tricky exams.

However, those teens that are set on attending college in order to better themselves will find that the scores they get on the SATs, PSATs, and/or ACTs can greatly influence their college choices. So being prepared is imperative. And here are just a few standardized test tips that will help.

  1. Check your required items. Registering for an exam date and paying your fees are only the beginning of the process when it comes to being prepared. You also need to show up on test day with all the things you’ll need to successfully ace the exam. For example, you’ll need to provide your ID and an admission ticket to gain entrance to the testing facility. And once you’re inside you’d better have the proper supplies on hand, including number 2 pencils and in some cases a calculator (SATs) – don’t forget the batteries. You might also want snacks, since these tests can be rather long, a watch to track your time (no cell phones allowed), and layered clothes in case you get warm or cold.
  2. Get your zzzzs. The absolute worst thing you can do is burn the midnight oil cramming for your upcoming test. Students that take exams on a sleep deficit are likely to have trouble with focus, memory, and comprehension, which means you might read the same sentence three times before you figure out what it says, and even then you won’t be able to remember the answer that you swear you knew a couple of hours ago. So do yourself a favor and go to bed so you can wake up refreshed, rested, and ready to ace the test.
  3. Be thorough and budget time. The biggest mistakes that most students make during standardized tests have to do with timing. If you’re in too much of a hurry, you are likely to misread questions, so take the time to read through each question once slowly to ensure that you catch the meaning the first time around. However, don’t waste time reading through the same question over and over if you don’t get it; move on to complete the questions you know and then come back if you have time left over when you’re done.
  4. Use study guides and sample tests. Studying is an important part of test-taking because it helps you to retain pertinent information. But sample tests go the extra mile by letting you time yourself and helping you to gain an understanding of how the actually test might progress.
  5. Hire a tutor. Once standardized tests have become old hat you may not need a tutor (say for GMAT or LSAT test preparation). But since the SATs (and other entrance exams) are your first rodeo, so to speak, it couldn’t hurt to get a little extra help from the pros, especially since your score on the test will go a long way towards determining which colleges will grant you admission.