Posts Tagged ‘test prep’

The 5 Best “Secret” Ways to Study While in High School or College

Saturday, April 21st, 2012

Whether you are in high school or have already made the leap to college, one thing is for sure; you need time to study… and lots of it!  There is no doubt that some majors require more study time than others, but no matter what major you select in college or what classes you take, you will need to study.

Unfortunately, finding the time to study isn’t always as easy as it sounds.  There are many different factors that can work to effectively suck up your time and leave you scrambling to find the time to focus.  This is a stressful feeling and one that you should avoid if you are planning on getting good grades in college of high school.  After all, you can’t focus on SAT practice test online, or figure out how to find scholarships, if you don’t have any free time.

So what are the best “secret” ways to make sure that you get the time you need?  It is important to identify what is keeping you from studying.  Quite often it is having an active social life and hanging out with your friends.  There may come a time that you are left with no choice but to make some sort of excuse so that you can have the study time you need.  Don’t be afraid to state, “I can’t go out this weekend, because…” While it is hard to let your friends go out without you, failing to do so could mean that you end up without enough time to study.  The bottom line is that you may need to take steps to ensure that you keep good grades.

Secret Ways to Study While in College or High School

  1. Tell your friends can’t go out because (insert excuse)…
  2. If necessary, take a short trip to the library do nothing but study!  This one really works if you let it.
  3. Bribery!  Bribe yourself that if you study for a certain amount of time, you will treat yourself to something that you want.
  4. If possible, study with a tablet computer such as an iPad or similar device.  Some studies indicate that tablet computers like the iPad may add in boosting learning comprehension.
  5. Replace the television with studying. Pinpoint your unproductive habits, like watching TV, and study instead.  You can always catch up with your favorite shows during the summertime on DVD or Bluray.

Don’t be afraid to look for different ways to squeeze in more study time.  Learning new habits might be difficult at first.  But, in time, those new habits will become old tricks, and you will see your test scores soar!

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Should You Use Test Preparation Books?

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

When it comes to preparing for college, you want to make sure that you’ve done all that you can.  This means exploring many different avenues when it comes to SAT prep.

You’ve likely spent a good deal of time researching colleges, looking into how to find scholarships and pre college summer programs, and you’ve also likely given a good deal of thought to preparing for the SAT.  At the top of the list of ways to prepare for this test are SAT preparation books.  However, where SAT test preparation books are concerned, it important that you take a few factors into consideration.

The first factor that you should take into consideration is that there are a lot, a whole lot, of SAT test preparation books.  As a result, many people are overwhelmed and just throw in the towel when it comes to SAT prep books.  Others simply find the big names in test preparation and pick one of their books.

When it comes to using preparing for the SAT, you want the best tools possible.  It should be no big surprise that some are better than others.  One fact about SAT prep books that you don’t hear very often is that some of them, including one’s published by big names in the field, are poor or even awful.  There are some books that really won’t help you including an SAT test preparation book that is really boring or doesn’t explain the answers so you can improve.  Worst of all, some SAT prep books even have errors in them!  Obviously, this is the last thing you want!

Finding a good SAT test preparation book is an exercise in first patience and second research.  Look at what SAT test prep books are available online.  You should read reviews from others who have used the book and then taken the test.  Also keep a sharp eye out for books that are full of errors or that people just don’t like.  If one person states that a book is horrible that might not mean much, but if dozens of people are saying that a book is awful, then that is something you should listen to and strongly take into consideration.

How you like to study is another factor where SAT test preparation books are concerned.  Your style of studying and what you feel comfortable with needs to be factored into the equation.  Simply grabbing the book that everyone likes may not work for you, as this book might not mesh with your learning style or it may fail to focus on your weak points sufficiently.

In the end, it makes sense to invest some time and find a book or books that work for you personally.  Don’t be afraid to use many different books until you find ones that help you build your score on practice tests.  (And you should be taking practice tests!)  While it is true that everything is online, this is one time that a trip to your local library might be a good idea, as they may have a few SAT books that you can look at and compare.  This step will save you time, effort and money.

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3 Ways To Improve Your Discipline and Get Great SAT Scores

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

SAT prep is a lot more complicated than simply studying X,Y and Z.  SAT Prep involves having great study habits as well.  If you are going to get a great score, then it is necessary not just to study, but to study the right way and with the right materials and study aids.  In this article, we will look at how you can improve your study habits.  Many of the steps we will cover here are very easy, but you have to stick to them.  In time, however, you will see a big difference in how much you accomplish during your study time.

1. Draw on Discipline From Other Areas

More than likely, you have more discipline at your disposal than you think.  If you play sports, know how to play an instrument or have a hobby that requires focus and determination, then you already have a degree of discipline.  Even playing video games, such as shooters and role-playing games takes focus and patience.  You can tap into that discipline when it comes to your study habits.  Now this isn’t an overnight process and it will take time, but once you’ve given it some effort, you will discover that you are making nice progress in the direction of being more disciplined with your study habits.

2. Set Aside A Designated Time to Study

Knowing that you will study specifically for the SAT at a given time every day will help you find the success you want!  You may also want to consider mapping out what sections of the SAT you wish to focus on for a given day.  Through good organization you will decrease your chances of not properly covering a particular section of the exam well enough.

Just as you set time aside to study for SAT prep, you may want to do the same for other aspects of college success.  How to survive college and get into college may have a lot to do with the process of searching for financial aid for college tuition and financial aid and grants.  Setting aside time for this part of the process is a great idea and could literally make the difference between being able to afford the college or university of your choice and not going to college at all!  Discipline in this regard is really quite important.

3. Ask for Help

Don’t be shy about asking others to assist with your discipline if you are having trouble focusing like you should.  If you have a friend that is far more focused and disciplined than you are, then see if he or she will help you stay on track.  You may want to ask family members or even teachers to stay on top of your progress.  While this might not exactly be pleasant, your main goal should be achieving a great SAT score.  After all, you don’t want to waste all of those hours you spent on test prep tutoring, and finding SAT practice tests online.

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Ten Creature Comforts to Make Your SAT Exam Day Easier

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

All that goes into the transition process from college to high school can be a little overwhelming.  If you are thinking that the process as a whole is pretty complex, well, you’re totally right, as that is definitely the case.  Yet, one important thing you should never lose track of during this process is the importance of holding onto your commonsense and applying it to as many situation as possible.

You’ve spent a great deal of time preparing for this exam and have researched many issues from direct federal student loans to why study aboard and even college student credit cards.  The purpose of most of your studying and research is to be well prepared for college and for the pivotal SAT exam.  The so-called “little things” can make a big difference in life.

Making certain that you are comfortable for your SAT exam is of vital importance.  Let’s take a look at the small steps you can take to make sure you are ready to go for test day!  Here are ten steps you can take that while help you feel better, more relaxed and more confident on your SAT exam day.

1) Wear comfortable clothing.  The day of your SAT exam is absolutely not the day to worry about how you look or flirting with people you think are cute.  This test is a very big deal.  Wearing comfortable clothing will allow you to focus on the task at hand, namely getting a great score.  This test factor is such a big deal.  If you don’t have comfortable clothing, buy some!

2) Wear comfortable shoes.  Having comfortable shoes on is so important that it deserves to be distinguished from wearing comfortable clothing.

3) Another important creature comfort is making sure you give yourself enough time to not just eat a quality meal before the exam but have time to digest it as well.  It is difficult for your brain to work effectively until your food is properly digested.

4) Make sure you have access to healthy food and snacks on exam day.

5) Make sure that you are well hydrated.

6) If you need medication of any sort, make sure you have it on hand.

7) Don’t be afraid to be a little superstitious.  If you feel that you have a lucky charm, a lucky pencil, a lucky baseball cap or a lucky whatever, now is the time!  Anything that gives you confidence and calms you down is a smart move!

8 ) Some creature comforts involving avoiding certain things that cause you stress.  In the period before your exam, avoid stress if at all possible.

9) Just as you should avoid stress before your SAT exam, you should avoid distractions.  This is one time that you might want to leave your smart phone in your bag or backpack.

10) Chauffeur me!  Driving can be stressful.  If you can get a ride to and from your exam that is a great idea too.

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Using Nutrition to Improve Your Test Scores

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Around the nation, tremendous pressure has been placed on schools to boost their standardized test scores. Yet, little, if any, attention is given to nutrition. People who willingly admit and understand that cars perform differently and better when given the proper fuel somehow believe that this phenomenon doesn’t apply to the human brain.

Getting the best nutrition possible, especially when you are a child or a young adult, is amazingly important for what your brain can accomplish.  After all, don’t bodybuilders boost their levels of protein in order to grow larger muscles? You need the right nutrition to achieve optimal educational performance.

You can’t eat tons of processed foods, fast foods, foods loaded with chemicals, sugar, artificial flavors and preservatives and expect to feel your best, look your best, or be as mentally sharp as you could otherwise be. No matter what you may have heard, your diet does impact how you look and how you perform in life!

With all of these facts taken into consideration, it is possible for you to boost your test score through the right nutrition, just like a body builder boosts his or her amount of muscle mass. Here is a key point to remember- your brain is amazing in many ways and, in fact, it is a singularly unique organ in your body. Why? Unlike the rest of your body, your brain, if taken care of and given the right foods, can continue to build new connections throughout life.  Your brain can keep developing even in old age if you adopt the proper lifestyle and food choices early in life.

So what should you be eating? A lot of the foods you should be eating are familiar ones, such as fruits and vegetables. Also you should opt for organic whenever possible. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals and compounds that fight disease. The anti-cancer compounds found in fruits and veggies are no laughing matter and are the subject of serious medical and university studies. These foods will help you feel better, be more alert and have the nutrition you need to improve both your studying habits and your test score.

Essential fatty acids are also important for your brain health. Essential fatty acids are found in foods like walnuts and fish. Particularly good types of fish are wild Alaskan salmon and sardines. If you don’t like fish, there are fish oil tablets that will serve you just as well. The main point is to make sure that your brain is getting the nutrition that it needs for optimal performance.

By eating fruits, vegetables and nuts every single day, you will feel better, look better and likely boost your SAT score. Adopting an improved diet as far out as possible from your test date will be worth the time and effort.

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Three Things You Avoid Leading Up to the SAT

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

The SAT is a big deal.  It will play a major role in determining what colleges and universities ultimately accept your application.  There are many things that you can “blow off” in life (and sometimes doing so not a bad idea in order to maintain your sanity), but blowing off the SAT is a really bad idea from beginning to end.  In this article we will look at some of the things you shouldn’t do before you take the SAT.

You may be able to do any of the things on our list and have everything turn out just find, but doing so means that you are depending upon good old-fashioned luck.  And depending on luck for success is rarely your best bet.  A good score on the SAT, like so much in life, depends greatly upon preparation.  Adopting the right strategies and tools for the job, such as test prep tutoring and college admissions counseling, can make a big difference.

Number One-Don’t Stay Up Late

Staying up late the night before the SAT is to be blunt a little crazy.  This test is long, demanding and it requires you to think clearly.  Don’t study or do anything other than relax the night before the SAT.  Showing up to take the SAT well rested could be one of the smartest moves you make in the entire SAT exam process.

Number Two-Don’t be a Social Butterfly

If a good SAT score is truly important to you, then you might have to trim down your social calendar.  It is a brutal truth, but many of your current friends you won’t see or think about in two years… let alone five years or ten years.  Whatever good times they have for you really can wait until you have studied for the SAT.  You won’t regret the time you spend on test prep tutoring and SAT practice test online exams.  Hanging out with some people you won’t see ever again after high-school instead of studying for the SAT is a different story…

Number Three-Don’t Indulge in Too Much of a Good Thing

Leading up to the SAT, it is important to you avoid eating foods that could make you ill.  Also don’t try anything like working out too vigorously.  Anything that could leave you feeling weak or simply not at your best will impact your score and not in a good way!

We’ve covered three big “don’ts,” and there are definitely more that will fit your own life and your own situation.  The real point here is to focus on your goal and that means sacrificing some of the things that you might want to do in the short run so that you will have success on the SAT.  Missing out on a good time is never easy, but neither is looking at a disappointing test score! When it comes to a test like the SAT that has such a profound impact on future educational options, it is best to play it safe.

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5 Brain Boosters Before Taking the SAT

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

If you are like most students, you are looking for ways to improve your SAT score. This is only natural, as this is one serious test. It can have some pretty serious implications and ramifications for your future. No pressure, right? In this article, we will look at some of the ways you can boost your brain in the weeks leading up to your SAT exam. We will also look at tips that can help you the day of your exam as well!

1. Chocolate! (Yes, Chocolate)

High quality chocolate, not the candy bar stuff, but high quality dark chocolate is loaded with compounds that are good for your brain. Studies have shown that chocolate can help you focus and may even help you improve your test scores. Chocolate also releases endorphins, which can boost your mood. Odds are you will want your mood to be boosted on test day!

2. The Caffeine Boost

People react differently to caffeine, as it is a stimulant. Most people don’t realize that caffeine is a natural insecticide created by plants to protect them against insects. It’s true! With that stated, however, caffeine does have many amazing properties, and one of them is it can boost your attention. This effect can be particularly pronounced when you don’t drink coffee or tea very often.

3. Puzzled by the SAT?

One good way to prepare for the SAT (other than studying, of course) is to do puzzles. Working on complex puzzles is a way to help you learn to focus on a complex task for a long period of time. Now what does that sound like?  The SAT, right?  Doing puzzles also forces you to think logically and exercises your brain in a different way that will help you come test time.  Just don’t depend on puzzles too much, as you do still have to study!

4. Exercise and the SAT

Now you might be wondering how exercise can help you with the SAT.  Some people might tell you that exercise couldn’t possibly help you the SAT, but they are wrong. Exercising reduces stress levels and gets blood flowing to your brain. “Runner’s high” isn’t a myth, but instead has been proven scientifically, as exercise, like chocolate, produces endorphins that make your feel better. Getting some exercise, even as simple as walking, will help you relax and have a more positive outlook. If you are relaxed and feel better, the odds are that you will have a better SAT score as well!

5. Meditation and the SAT

Recent meditation studies have surprised even the experts. Meditation has long been know for having the ability to calm people down, but recently science has learned that meditation can also make your brain grown new connections as well! Staying calm during the SAT is very important because if you panic, you will not achieve your optimal score. Practicing meditation weeks or months in advance, and then meditating the morning of your exam is a great idea. Don’t bother “cramming” half an hour before your exam, meditate and have some chocolate instead!

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4 Ways to Fight the SAT Prep Blues

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Anyone serious about getting into one of his or her top college or university picks is also probably pretty serious and worried about the SAT. Your parents, teachers and other friends may amplify your level of worrying, especially if those friends are also serious about getting into one of their top picks. All of this pressure can become a little too intense sometimes. Let’s take a deep breath and take a closer look at some of the things you can do to reduce the depression, anxiety and stress that comes along with taking the gigantic and serious test called the SAT.

1. Realize a Less Than Perfect Score is Not the End of the World

If you have intense and serious parents, you may have been lead to believe that the difference between living in a “cardboard box” and living in a mansion with a butler is your score on the SAT.  This is not true. Your parents and other adults, such as teachers and guidance counselors, are stressing the importance of this test to you, because, in reality, it is very important. However, it is not life and death, and a less than ideal score is not the end of you, your dreams, your hopes, your career or anything else you may have heard.

Success in life is multifaceted, complex and involves many more factors than your SAT score. For example, many people get great SAT scores but are so burnt out by the time they get into college that they drop out! Of course, you should aim for a great score and study hard to achieve that goal. But don’t believe that your “world will end,” if you don’t get a great score.  In short, life is more complicated than that!

2. Take Time to Relax, Your Mind and Body Will Thank You

Stopping to relax and do something that you enjoy will help you keep the stress of SAT prep at bay. Music, mediation and exercise have all been proven as good ways to relax and clear your mind. Finding a few minutes to relax every day will help you achieve a better score in the long run.

3. Remove the Distractions

It is easy to use communication devices constantly including your phone and computers. One problem is constantly being online also keeps your mind racing as well. Step away from all of your distractions for a few moments a day to help unwind and relax.

4. Get Outside!

Humans only live in caves when necessary. Get out of your modern cave as much as you can and get sunlight and fresh air, both of which are good for you. Indoor air is several times more polluted than outdoor air, and this means that opening up a window or two is a very good idea. Even in the winter, fresh cold air is better than no fresh air at all. Fresh air will also help you calm down and clear your mind before the “big day.”

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The SAT Reasoning Test and You

Friday, April 9th, 2010

You are no stranger to tests – you’ve taken all sorts of tests your whole life: tying your shoes, basic addition, shapes – and then the high school stuff like Geometry, Chemistry, and Biology.  Think of the SAT Reasoning Test as just one more, but for this one?  You’ve got to prepare!  So – what is the SAT?

How are you preparing for the SAT Reasoning Test?

herzogbr/Brian Herzog

We know you have plenty of adjectives to describe it – but here are the facts!  What you know as the SAT Reasoning Test has also been called the Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test and is administered by The College Board.  A rose by any other name, right?  We’re only kidding.

The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test which means that the test you take and the conditions you take it in – the timing, the scoring, etc. – will be the same for you as it is for a student taking the test four states away.

Most students take the test in the Spring of their Junior year of high school and then again in the Fall of their Senior year to (hopefully!) improve on the previous score – honestly, just knowing what to expect can give your score a boost.

There are three sections to the almost four hour test – Writing, Math, and Critical Reading, where you can score 200 — 800 points.  You will also see subscores, like the essay, which ranges from 2-12 points, and multiple choice, which is graded on a 20 – 80 point scale.  These subscores contribute to the writing segment of the test.

Your total score will span from 600 – 2400, after your points are combined.  The higher the score – the better you did!  Anything above a 1500 is considered good, though to get accepted at some of the more selective colleges, like Harvard University or Dartmouth College — you need to shoot higher!

Thanks to Score Choice, you may get to pick out which test date score you want your schools of choice to see – though not every college affords that option.  If your college doesn’t — don’t despair!  Many colleges take your better score into consideration, anyway.

The majority of colleges and universities will, however, want to see your SAT score because it is a factor of admittance — but it isn’t the only factor.  Don’t forget: they also have your high school transcripts, personal statement or essay, your involvement in your school and (hopefully!) the community, and perhaps even a couple strong letters of recommendation.

Break out those Number 2's! It's SAT Reasoning Test time!

Krug6

Some of the more competitive colleges and universities also require the SAT Subject Test, once known as the SAT II.  The SAT Subject Test is an hour long test on a specific subject like literature, Latin, Italian, World History – there’s 20 different subjects total!  Colleges may require you to take one specific subject test (or even three) or they may let you choose your own, which gives you a chance to play to your strengths!

No matter what test you have to take – it’s a good idea to prepare ahead of time!  Consider subscribing to My College Guide via RSS or email so you can be sure to see what test prep providers, like Kaplan, Knewton, and The Princeton Review, have to say about the SAT Reasoning Test in an upcoming post – and their secrets for success!

Have more questions about the SAT?  Check out our Guru!  Browse the archives and if that doesn’t help – ask our Admissions Guru a question yourself!  It’s free and anonymous.

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