Posts Tagged ‘SAT’

Easy to Understand SAT Prep Books

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

A key part to a good SAT score is knowing how to study.  Often this means finding books that make your job of studying as painless as possible.  Frequently, this is easier said than done, as there are many inferior books on the market that are littered with problems.  Taking the time out to make sure that you are actually using a quality test prep book is a smart move no matter whether you are taking the SAT or another similar test later in your academic career.  Here are two books that do a fine job of getting to the point and helping readers understand the basics of what the SAT is and how they can improve their scores.

SAT For Dummies by Geraldine Woods

SAT test prep books come in many different styles and take a variety of approaches. On one hand, there are the ones that are very specialized that look to help you boost your math score, for example.  Then there are the all-in-one books like SAT For Dummies.  These all-in-one books vary in quality to a surprisingly degree.  Fortunately, SAT For Dummies by Geraldine Woods stands as one of the good ones.  Each section is loaded with good tips, lots of practice questions and even some insights.

This is not the only test prep book you will need if you are looking to get a great score, but it is a strong book.  There are even tips of how to handle the SAT exam itself.  One of the major problems with test preparation books in general is that they are often too light on the number of exams that they provide; however, this book does a good job in this category.

SAT For Dummies has five full tests and that is a very good thing.  You should plan on taking numerous tests in the prep process, and this big book has plenty of test questions.  If you can only buy one book for SAT prep, you could do far worse than this SAT For Dummies.

Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed by Ned Johnson and Emily Warner Eskelsen

Want a great book on the SAT for both parents and students?  Then look no further, as Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed by Ned Johnson and Emily Warner Eskelsen is a top notch pick.  This book is about how to handle the test and covers topics and aspects of the testing that are virtually never explored or touched, such as nutrition.

Conquering the SAT also scores major points in that it should help parents realize the importance of the SAT without loading down their young students with so much pressure that they completely crack.  The book is heavy on strategy.  Often people think that this means that the advice isn’t practical, but this is not the situation with Conquering the SA,T as its strategies are both helpful and easy to understand and implement.

How to Improve Your Vocabulary for the SAT

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Boosting your vocabulary score on the SAT is a smart move no matter how you look at it.  A larger vocabulary isn’t just something that will serve you well on the SAT exam.  A more impressive and diverse vocabulary will also help you in college as well.  When it comes time to write papers, a diverse vocabulary certainly won’t serve to harm your grades!  Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can build your vocabulary today so that you will be able to increase your SAT scores.

You may have taken a few SAT practice test online or taken the prep test offered by any number of books.  No doubt this is an excellent step towards boosting your SAT score.  Simply familiarizing yourself with the kinds of words that might appear on the SAT is a smart move and one that is worth your time.

Another step you will want to consider is buying SAT prep books that are specifically focused on building your vocabulary.  It is important to point out that there are many different kinds of vocabulary books, and you can learn something from all of them.  However, for the purposes of studying for the SAT, your best choices are books specifically designed for increasing your knowledge of the kind of words that are likely to appear on the SAT exam.

Let’s take a look at one good option.

Gruber’s SAT Word Master: The Most Effective Way to Learn the Most Important SAT Vocabulary Words by Dr. Gary Gruber

The strategies contained in the book are helpful, as there is a focus on not just hundreds and hundreds of commonly used SAT words, but a look at prefixes and suffixes as well. Gruber’s SAT Word Master also contains many practice tests.  The end result is a woven together book that accomplishes what it sets out to do.

While there are more comprehensive SAT prep books on the market, if you are a student, or the parent of a student that is prepping for the SAT, then this is a smart pick that you should definitely consider.

So you’re armed with a couple of good overall SAT prep books and you have Gruber’s SAT Word Master: The Most Effective Way to Learn the Most Important SAT Vocabulary Words, now what?  That depends on how much time you have.  The more time you have, clearly the more you can do to prepare for the SAT.  Here are some additional ideas that could help you boost your SAT vocabulary.

  • Create a special study group designed specifically for boosting your SAT vocabulary knowledge.
  • Study old SAT exams and practice exams so you know the kind of words that are on the exam.
  • Gruber’s book has a section that focuses on learning common prefixes and suffixes.  Knowing these could give you a serious leg up come test time.
  • Ask friends and family to quiz you on potential test words.
  • Try incorporating your new vocabulary words into papers you are currently writing, as you will likely remember a word that you recently used to write a paper.

It seems like it is a good idea to know the most commonly used SAT words going into the actual test itself.  The people that make the SAT are, of course, aware of this fact as well.  But there is no way around it, knowing these words isn’t likely to hurt your SAT score.  The only thing it can really do is help you!

SAT Preparation-Should You Take a Class?

Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

The SAT test is plays an important role in the lives of students across the nation, and taking the time to prepare for this test is a no-brainer.  You may know someone that claims to have not studied for this test and still “aced” it, but such an approach and attitude is really not the best way to go.  Given the importance of this test, studying for it well in advance is your smartest move.  If you want to get into one of your top college or university picks, then you most definitely want to study for the SAT.  Often students struggle with the questions, “Do I study for the SAT on my own or do I opt for a class?”

The fact that so many students take the SAT every year means that there are many different options as well.  When it comes to deciding whether or not you should take a class to study for the SAT, it is important that you take time management into consideration.  Let’s face it; being in high-school can be time consuming.  This is especially true if you are aiming for great grades and have extracurricular activities.  This means that you need flexibility when it comes to studying for the SAT.

Taking online courses is one way that you can get the flexibility that you need.  By choosing online courses, you can study when you like and at your own pace.  Plus, you will find that online courses tend to be a lot less expensive.  There are additional benefits to studying online as well.  For example, other students will not be able to distract you when you study online.  (Plus, there will be no meeting people from other schools you might want to date!)

Another key benefit of studying for the SAT online is that you save valuable travel time.  Travel time adds up, especially over the course of many weeks.  By choosing an online SAT class instead of one that you need to attend in person, you can save a great deal of time.

An online SAT class also means that you can study on your computer whenever you like.  This will make “cramming” for the SAT feel a little more organic and a little less forced.  Being able to study when you like and wherever you like is a major plus in favor of studying online.

This is not to say that there are not benefits to studying in a traditional classroom setting.  Most of the benefits of studying in a traditional classroom setting will largely depend on your own personality and whether or not you need the direct guidance.  If you feel that you can’t get motivated to study on your own, then perhaps a traditional classroom setting is better suited for you.

There is no denying the benefits of online SAT preparation.  Being able to study whenever you like and how you like is a significant plus.  In addition, there are considerable cost savings as well.  The bottom line is whether you opt for a traditional classroom setting for you SAT prep or choose the greater flexibility of studying online, you need to study for this important test far before the month of your test date.

An Overview of the Importance of SAT Preparation

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Every year millions of people take the SAT exam for admissions to colleges and universities nationwide. This exam has become a key mechanism in determining who goes to what colleges and universities. Regardless of whether or not you like the idea of a standardized test determining what educational opportunities you will have after high school, the fact of the matter is that if you want to go to college the SAT is impossible to ignore. Further, if you want to get into the school of your choice or a top tier university or college, you will also need a good score on the SAT.

By now you probably realize that if you want to pass almost any test you need to study, and there are tools to help you with this, starting with test preparation courses. In this regard, the SAT is simply no different. There is no magic involved in getting a great score on the SAT. While many people have cheated on the SAT or even paid someone else to take this all-important test for them, this is not the route that you want to take. Cheating is, of course, unethical but it is also extremely dangerous, as there is a very serious and substantial risk of being caught. Your best option by far is to prepare for this pivotal test far before the test date.

SAT preparation has two major parts. The first part is to begin your preparation work as early as possible. The longer you wait to prepare, the more stress and pressure you will feel. This issue will likely impact the effectiveness of your study time and perhaps even your study habits.

Secondly, you must, of course, study. Knowing how to study is a major part of the equation. Finding the right study tools and using them can make the difference between a decent score and a fantastic score! Proper SAT preparation means finding the best SAT preparation tools. You should look for tools that have been specifically designed to greatly increase your test scores and help you maximize your final test score. Studying hard and working hard is obviously an important part of the process, but so is working smart. That means employing the best tools that you can possibly find. A variety of tools are available including flashcards, games, test preparation books, SAT courses, and practice exams.

The SAT exam plays a tremendous role, perhaps the greatest role, in determining what institutions will ultimately accept you for enrollment. Investing the time to find the tools that will help you the most is a savvy and worthwhile investment in your future.

Should You Take The SAT or ACT Again? Things To Consider.

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Student taking SAT

Should you take the SAT again?

If you took the SAT or ACT last spring in preparation for applying to college, you should have your scores back by now. How did you do? Are you wondering if you should take the tests again?

If you’re unhappy with your score and think you could do better, the answer is probably yes. But if you did well, it might not be necessary. Here are some things to think about as you decide whether or not to take the SAT or ACT again.

Are you willing and able to put in the time and effort to study for the SAT and ACT?

Before you make the commitment to take the SAT or ACT again, think about how much time you’re willing to put into studying for  them. After all, if you’re going to do it again, you should do everything in your power to ensure you get a better result!

Fortunately, practicing for the SAT is easier than ever. The College Board offers practice testsdaily emails and even an online course. You can also practice for the ACT using an eBookpractice questions or an online test prep course. How you study is up to you.

How do the colleges you’re applying to treat the SAT and ACT?

Although the majority of colleges and universities require the SAT or ACT, some rely on the scores more heavily than others. It pays to see what the average scores are for students who have already been admitted to your first and second choice colleges. If your SAT scores are safely in range, you might be better off concentrating on other areas to round out your college applications.

Is taking the SAT or ACT again the best use of your time?

Let’s face it. Not everyone is a great test taker. Colleges and universities realize this. So if you know that test taking just isn’t your thing, you might want to let your first scores stand. Focus on things you do well instead—whether that’s taking AP courses, participating in extracurricular activities, or even working at a part-time job.

There’s more than one route to acceptance at your first choice college. So before you hit register on the SAT or ACT site, take the time to think about the best way for you to get there.

Want a steady stream of  tips on applying for college and the college admissions process? Then don’t forget to subscribe to our blog!

Photo courtesy of Beautiful Faces of Palestine.

When Should I Visit a College?

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Good for you! You’ve figured out that seeing a college in person is a really good idea. Now the only question that may be on your mind might be when you should actually start physically looking at colleges? This depends a lot on your future plans but, as always, My College Guide has a few tips for you to keep in mind as you think about making the college campus visit!

When is the right time to make the college campus visit?

linkway88

Up and At ‘Em! – Do you have a lot of colleges on your list? Don’t wait! Even Sophomores can benefit from visiting colleges. If a school doesn’t feel like the right college fit for you, you can cross it off of your list.

On the other hand, if a school is a maybe, you can always revisit later when you know whether you are a good academic match and if it still feels “right” as your high school career draws to a close. Starting to make visits during your Sophomore year can help you get through more schools if you aren’t really sure what you want or if you want too much!

SAT or ACT Scores – After you receive your standardized test scores, you can be a lot more proactive about the college visit process. You will know what colleges and universities generally take students that have an academic background that is comparable to your own. That doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a spot, but at least you have some way of figuring out your reach and safety schools and can adjust the schools you were considering visiting to fit this new knowledge!

Money Matters – It’s not cheap to visit a college. Your parents may need to take off from work, there may be traveling involved, and depending how far it is, possibly an overnight stay somewhere, too. By getting started early, you can spread out the financial burden of visiting multiple colleges and universities. Not only that, you have more time to fit in those schools that you really want to see—without doing a lot of last-minute cramming!

Don’t visit a school just to visit a school. Do a little background research before you visit a college first to make sure it has the programs and majors you think you might be interested in. You should have some idea as to whether or not you are an academic fit so you don’t waste your time visiting a bunch of reach schools and never check out schools where you have a better chance of becoming admitted!

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

Before You Make The College Campus Visit: 4 Things to Know

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Traveling isn’t exactly cheap so before you sign up for a bunch of different college campus tours, you might want to do a little research first! There are a few things that you should keep in mind when determining whether or not a college is the one for you – and while you should try to keep a variety in there, just in case you have a change of heart, you should make sure that you have a few on your “must visit” list that fit the bill!

Knowing what you want in a college can go a long way in ensuring college success!

Mr. Ducke / Matt

Location – It might seem strange for someone to accept an offer of college admission without knowing the location, but it’s happened on more than one occasion. Just because a college is in New York doesn’t mean it’s in or right next to bustling New York City, and just because a college is located in the Midwest doesn’t mean it’s teeny tiny or small town. Find out more about the area you are thinking about calling “home” to see if it fits in with your style. Don’t base your college decision on your Aunt’s neighbor’s son’s college experience. See for yourself – after you do the research.

Selectivity – If you take a look at your SAT or ACT test scores: how do they compare to incoming students? Does your GPA match up to the admission requirements? Look at the whole picture. See if there’s anything else mentioned (a year of foreign language, etc.) that is required and also lacking in your application. Don’t waste time visiting 10 hyper-selective schools when the numbers don’t match up. It’s okay to apply to one or two (we call those reach schools) but be realistic. Spend your time on college applications and visits that you can actually get into.

Majors and Minors – While you might be absolutely positive right now about your intended major, once you actually dig in and take a few classes, you may realize it isn’t the right fit for you. Instead, think about a few things that interest you – and then check to see if the related majors are even offered. This tiny bit of future planning could save you an un-needed college visit or a college transfer down the line!

Tuition and Financial Aid – How well does your intended college handle financial aid for its students? Is it hard to come by? Of course, you should fill out the FAFSA but it’s important to know how your school specifically handles aid. For example, if you are a low income student, will your college work with you? Do they have no loans packages? If you don’t qualify for need-based aid, are there merit scholarships available? If several colleges on your list aren’t known for assisting students that match your characteristics, you may want to think about replacing them with colleges that do.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

The Best of The Best: My College Guide’s 6 Most Popular Posts of 2010

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

What a year it’s been! My College Guide has gathered up all your favorite posts from the last year for easy bookmarking. But first, My College Guide is going to go all sappy on you for a minute and thank you for liking us on Facebook, for following us on Twitter, and for subscribing to our RSS or email list. It’s been fun! Now, without further ado, take a peek at the past year’s treasures and your favorite college related posts!

These pet friendly colleges let you bring your favorite pet to campus!

Adam Foster | Codefor

You Can Take Them With You: Pet Friendly Colleges and Universities –Go beyond a tiny little fish tank! Cats, dogs, and a few other unusual animals can be found in these pet friendly dorm rooms. Would you like to room with a rooster?

Colleges for Low Income Students: Free Tuition, No Loans, and Full Rides – Are you considered a low-income student? These colleges have your needs in mind. No loans packages or full rides for qualifying students mean you can graduate from college debt-free!

51 Four Year Colleges and Universities with Online Bachelor’s Degrees – Looking for a way to brighten your future but don’t have time to attend at a college campus? Many four year colleges and universities now offer online bachelor’s degrees! Check out our large list to get started.

Super List of College Scholarship Websites – Looking for college scholarships? My College Guide made your search so much easier: we’ve got a great list of college scholarship websites. It’s always a good idea to use more than one scholarship website – it helps boost your chances of finding that hidden gem!

Factors of College Admission or How to Get Into Your Dream School – Your GPA and standardized test scores are important, but they are only a part of the college admission puzzle! Make sure you don’t focus so much on your SAT’s or ACT’s that you neglect these other important factors of college admission!

How to Apply to College without Paying a Fee – If you don’t like the idea of dropping $40 here and $60 here in college admission fees (especially if your chance for admission is a toss-up), you might want to take a look at this article! My College Guide has tips to help you get those hefty application fees waived!

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

Factors of College Admission or How to Get Into Your Dream School

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

As college deadlines loom in the not too distant future, you might be asking yourself, “Can I get into college?” To answer your question, My College Guide will clue you in on the factors of college admissions! While these factors can differ a bit from college to college, having some idea of what colleges are really looking for in your academic background can go a long way to make sure you are prepared so that when you get ready to actually submit a college application: you’ll be ready!

Pull up a chair and get ready for your college interview, an important part of some colleges' admission process.

Stuck in Customs / Trey Ratcliff

SAT or ACT Test Scores – The majority of colleges will be looking at your SAT or ACT test scores, comparing your score to other applicants. If you’ve only taken the test once, know that taking the test a second time can help improve your SAT score – just from knowing what to expect! The College Board SAT test and the ACT test are very important and, if you are homeschooled, it’s also a way for colleges to measure you academically.

College Interview – Do you match up? While not  usually mandatory, the college interview is used by some colleges as a way to make sure that you are the right fit for their institution. On the upside, an interview can put a nice personal spin on what can seem a very impersonal process. You can let college admissions meet your charming, wonderful self and explain any slip-ups in your record. If it’s optional at the college(s) you are interested in, why not request one?

Community Service – Are you a valuable member of your community? Community service can help you stand apart from other college applicants – it’s not like every student volunteers their time and energy, but for the most part, many students do take the SAT, have a decent GPA, and class ranking. Not only is it a great way to get accepted into college and help out your community, but it could even net you a great scholarship!

College Essay – This seemingly innocent little open-ended question can be a hard one to answer. The truth is, college admissions can place a good amount of emphasis on what you have to say – and how you say it! Use this space as a way to explain why your grades fell your Sophomore year or how you successfully handled a difficult situation. If colleges are on the fence about whether or not to let you in, your college essay may give them a nudge in the right direction.

Leadership Roles – Are you a future leader? Did you skim through high school or did you leave a mark?Universities want independent, motivated students. They will be actively seeking students with leadership roles on their college application. Holding positions in high school clubs or as a class officer can show admissions that you are just the type of person they are looking for.

"D" is for Diversity! Colleges want a varied student body from around the country...and the world.

clevercupcakes / Clever Cupcakes

Letters of Recommendation – Colleges like to get a second opinion – and the college letter of recommendation is an easy way for them to learn more about you through the eyes of someone else. Whether your college of choice lets you choose who writes your recommendation or there’s someone specific, colleges will takes these letters under consideration so if the choice is up to you, choose carefully!

Diversity – Your race, the state you live in, your gender, and national origin can play a part in college admission. Colleges like to say that they have students not only from around the country, but from around the world, too. Increasing their student body while diversifying it can help pave the way for you if you happen to possess the traits of the missing pieces.

Challenging Courses – While it’s okay to have a fluff class every now and again to boost your GPA, colleges really want to see something more challenging than a constant run of classes like Film Studies or Fibers on your course schedule. Honors classes and AP classes go a long way to prove to college admissions that you take your education seriously – just don’t take on more than you can handle. These classes dole out more work to start with and receiving poor marks in a few of them because you packed your schedule too full with difficult classes won’t help you get into your dream school, either.

Legacy Status – Did your mom and/or dad attend the same college that you are interested in? Many colleges like to keep the legacy going and put special emphasis on legacy applicants! Applications will usually have a spot to check or write that you had a family member attend their college – which may help you get in! Bonus: many colleges also let you apply for a legacy scholarship!

Grades — It almost goes without saying, but your grades are one of the key factors of college admission! Colleges have a GPA range they accept for a reason: they want students who fit within specific parameters. The more competitive the college, the better your GPA had better be! If you’ve got a few years before you are officially thinking “college” make sure to use this time wisely and try to keep those grades up.

Did you earn awards, certificates, and blue ribbons? Let college admissions know about them!

Miss Millificent / Athena Workman

Awards and Achievements – Do you have a stack of blue ribbons and grand champion ribbons from your time spent in 4-H? Did you win special recognition at your high school for an academic achievement or snag a certificate for club involvement? Not every students wins an award, so don’t just let them sit there and collect dust, write it down! Make sure that college admissions knows about your past successes. After all, if you don’t tell them, who will?

Extracurricular Activities – Colleges are looking for activities where you were meaningfully involved, not a jam-packed, alphabetized list of random clubs and organizations you joined only to impress college admissions! In this case, think “quality” not quantity! So, pick and choose your high school extracurricular activities with care and do more with it than just sign up.

Pre-college Summer Programs – More school? In the summer? Yes and yes! Don’t just think of a pre-college summer program as school, think of it as a way to do a little traveling or community service or to dig into something you are interested in, as well as earning college credit in high school and standing out to college admissions! Anything that you can do to be proactive in your education (and pre-college summer programs certainly count!) is a step in the right college acceptance direction.

SAT Test Prep: You Don’t Have to Prepare Alone

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

The SAT Reasoning Test is an important one.  Your whole high school career is leading to this one test that can really help make you or, if not exactly break, potentially put a cramp on your future plans.  Not every student learns the same way, and for some students, pouring over books and studying alone just isn’t going to cut it.  To you, we say, “SAT test prep.”

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beautyfromashes/Rachael

We decided to ask a few test prep providers, representatives from Kaplan, Knewton, and The Princeton Review for insight about the SAT Reasoning Test – what you can expect and what you should know – hey, these people are experts on all things SAT!

After speaking and emailing back and forth repeatedly, it quickly became obvious: these people are passionate about what they do.  In fact, during a call with Ed Carroll, Executive Director of Research and Development for High School Programs at The Princeton Review, he blurted, “Hey, did anyone see the 3:4:5 triangle question on Jeopardy last night? – That’s an SAT question!”

It’s a common misconception that SAT test prep is only for wealthy or lazy students – which is so not true.  Each of these providers was quick to point out the benefit of having help preparing prior to taking the SAT.  Russell Schaffer, Senior Communications Manager with Kaplan, shared “Taking the SAT without preparation is a bit like running a marathon with no training.” You build up your endurance, create a strategy, and keep working at it.  As with any great skill – you practice (a lot) and you most likely seek the advice of others who know their stuffSame with the SAT!

Ed Carroll of The Princeton Review compared the SAT to a crossword puzzle, a brainteaser.  While he was quick to point out that it isn’t exactly the same thing: we think it holds pretty true.  Sure, you usually aren’t timed on a crossword and that Sudoku puzzle won’t facilitate where you spend the next four years of your life, but, like Mr. Carroll pointed out: “the more you see it, the fewer surprises there are.”  — and he should know, he’s only taken just about every version of the SAT for over a decade (and you thought once or twice was bad enough!)

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mat.teo/Matteo

Marathon or Crossword: they all agree that just knowing what to expect on the SAT Reasoning Test is half the battle.  Josh Anish, the Senior Editor at Knewton, stated, “the course also features individualized practice sessions, in which Knewton tells you how you’re doing on specific test concepts and what to focus on in order to improve.”    Part of the mission for these companies is to teach you how to approach the test and how to go about solving a problem in the shortest amount of time necessary.

The SAT was built to test you on your problem solving skills – you can’t fake your way through not knowing a vocabulary word and working out how to solve that math problem will severely slow you down.  There’s a lot of questions to answer in a short time frame.  Hey, it’s called a “reasoning test” for a reason!

SAT Test Prep providers believe that having the expertise and availability of a teacher, either online, private tutoring, or in an actual classroom type of setting, can help you increase your SAT score results.  Plus – if you do really, really well – you can snag a fat scholarship to your college of choice!