As an ACT instructor, I have heard negative comments in every ACT class I have ever taught:“I am terrible at taking tests.” “I am bad at math.” “I am going to fail miserably.” These words are toxic and quite often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you are bad at math, how can you ever […]
How do I Cancel my SAT Score?
So you took the SAT, and you have a sinking feeling that you didn’t do as well as you wanted to. In fact, you’re so sure you didn’t well that you want to make sure no one ever sees your score–not even you. You can’t travel back in time and tell your past self not […]
Fun Ways to Prepare for your ACT or SAT This Summer
When schools across the country start to let out for summer break, the last think you want to talk about is your upcoming test, right? We understand! Vacation is an important and well-deserved break. It’s okay if you need a couple of weeks to unwind, but we need to come to a compromise. Going forward […]
Positive Thinking and the SAT
As an SAT instructor, I have heard negative comments in every SAT class I have ever taught: “I am terrible at taking tests.” “I am bad at math.” “I am going to fail miserably.” These words are toxic and quite often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you are bad at math, how can […]
The Hunger Games: An Appetite for the SAT, Part II
Who said learning has to be relegated to the classroom? There are many valuable academic lessons in books and movies, and The Hunger Games is no exception. Consider the following vocabulary words from Chapter 1 of the novel by Suzanne Collins:
The Hunger Games: An Appetite for the SAT, Part I
One of the best ways to remember vocabulary words is to apply them to situations that are meaningful to you. Given the near-hysteria surrounding The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, it’s certain that you could benefit from putting popular SAT vocabulary words into the context of Katniss, Gale, and Peeta, three teens on a quest for survival […]
The SAT Hunger Games
The Reaping It was inevitable. You knew that your name would be called on Reaping Day, given all of the tessera you had taken to raise your grades and improve your transcript, but you are surprised at how nervous you feel on your way to the Training Center. The fact that you are about to […]
The Don’ts of SAT and ACT Prep: Part 2
In part 1, I cover important tips for the months and days leading up to the SAT or ACT. Today let’s tackle the Don’ts of test day. Don’t Forget to Sleep Several years ago I taught an SAT class in which one student explained to me why he was there. “I can’t submit my ACT […]
SAT Reading Tips and Tricks: Opposite Answers
The makers of the SAT are constantly testing your confidence. They like to take advantage of your uncertainty on all of the areas of the SAT, but in the Reading section, this is never more apparent than in their most common trap, the Opposite Answer. This evil strategy occurs in all question types, but is […]
5 Steps You Need to Take Before Senior Year Starts
That last summer before senior year is a great one! It’s full of excitement, expectation, and possibility. It’s the summer before your last year of high school, and your last “real” summer before college. Even though it’s a magical time, you still need to be planning ahead, particularly if the college admissions process is on […]