We get it! Studying vocab can be boring! Crossword puzzles are a great break in memorizing the dictionary or using the age-old flashcard method. Across Vocab Words 4. (vb) to misrepresent 5. (vb) to state confidently 7. (vb) to praise 11. (adj) enthusiastic 14. (adj) ill-tempered and unwilling to cooperate 16. (adj) clear and logical […]
ACT and SAT Test Tips: “I Have” vs. “I Want”
I may be long past my college admissions days, but I still have hurdles to leap and hoops to jump through (yep, sorry to break it to you, but life doesn’t get any easier after high school. Well, after college anyway. Those four years post-high school were pretty great). I was watching a motivational video […]
How to Reread Line References on the ACT & SAT
While a few ACT and SAT Reading questions will ask you about the passage as a whole, many of the questions will send you back to the passage with a specific line reference. Do you know how much of the passage to reread for these questions? The answer varies depending on what the question asks. […]
How to Assess Your SAT Strengths and Weaknesses
I’m not perfect. Don’t tell my mom or my kids that, but it’s true. I have flaws, I make mistakes. I even make mistakes at work (let’s keep my boss out of this conversation, too). One work mistake I have made in the past is in assuming that my students understand how to evaluate themselves. […]
Sophomore Study Tips for the ACT and SAT
It’s never too early to start studying for the SAT and ACT! Sophomores (and even freshman) who are looking to get a jump on test prep can certainly get started as underclassmen. It’s wise to leave The Official SAT Study Guide and The Official ACT Prep Guide on the shelf until your junior year, but there […]
4 Ways to Prepare for the ACT and SAT as a Sophomore
I used to think that it was never too early to start studying for the SAT and ACT, but then the SAT went and got rid of Sentence Correction questions and all of that vocabulary study with my five year olds became pointless. I’m not sure what they will do with words like obsequious and […]
Is Your GPA or SAT Score More Important?
In the battle between SAT scores and GPA, many students wonder which matters most to your college application. Though many college admissions departments say your GPA delivers the biggest punch, these same admissions officers are secretly showing scorecards that declare the SAT the winner of the match. So why the secrecy and denial surrounding the […]
Grammar is Awesome!
We think grammar is fun. There, we said it. It’s not a popular opinion. Most people put grammar in the same category as shuffleboard, strong perfume, and musty floral patterns. It’s something you associate as deeply unpleasant and with primarily old people. But grammar is fun! And we think you should like it. too. Why […]
A Growth Mindset can Boost your SAT and ACT Scores
There are two ways to see a test. This test is a chance for you to demonstrate how smart you are. This test is an opportunity to develop new skills. No matter how hard it is at first, you’ll be able to improve over time through hard work and practice. Your scores will reflect the […]
How to Tackle SAT Vocabulary
There’s no way around it. To do well on the SAT Reading section, you need to have a fairly large vocabulary. Vocabulary is crucial for the Sentence Completion questions and for understanding the long and short passages. Reading is Essential Like it or not, the best way to build a big vocabulary is to read […]