Category: Course Help

Studying and preparing for any test is difficult and stressful, especially one where the results so directly impact on your future. The ASVAB is a unique test so knowing how to study for the ASVAB is critical. You need some pretty specific ASVAB study tips to help you ace this exam!

This article will clarify what exactly the ASVAB is and how you can achieve success without stress or pressure, even with minimal preparation time.

As you know, the ASVAB, or Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery Test, is required by anyone wishing to enlist in the United States military service or Coast Guard. It is a multiple choice test that is divided into several categories.

Each military field has a minimum score that you must achieve to gain acceptance. However, in many cases it is safe to say that entrance will be granted with a score of 50. For this reason, you will want to figure out how to pass the ASVAB with a 50 (minimum) to give yourself the greatest chance of a positive result.

This article offers some simple, yet effective, tips and strategies to help you reach your desired score. In order to be successful, it is important to know how to study for the ASVAB, so keep reading.

ASVAB Test Areas

Each of the ASVAB test areas are designed to measure your aptitude and capabilities in certain fields deemed essential by the military. All the content has been covered during high school, so you already have the knowledge required to pass. It’s just a matter of applying the knowledge and understanding the format of the test. The results from the tests help decide which Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), or Army Jobs, the applicant is most suited for. The ASVAB Test areas are;

• General Science
• Arithmetic Reasoning
• Word Knowledge
• Paragraph Comprehension
• Mathematics Knowledge
• Electronics Information
• Auto and Shop Information
• Mechanical Comprehension
• Assembling Objects

Some military branches will also use an area called Verbal Expression in their requirements. Verbal Expression is the combined score of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension.

How Many Questions are on the ASVAB?

The answer isn’t exactly straightforward. There is a difference between to computer-based test and the pen and paper version. The former has 145 questions, whilst the pen and paper applicants have to attempt 225 questions. In both versions, the questions are fairly evenly distributed amongst the test areas so it is important to spread your study time equally.

Six Sensational ASVAB Study Tips

Don’t let the slightly unusual structure and complicated scoring system deter you from sitting for the ASVAB. You’d be surprised at how simple and straightforward your preparation can be.

If you are nervous about taking the ASVAB, follow these points and you will be on your way to success – you might even learn how to pass the ASVAB with a lot higher than a 50!

1. Plan a realistic study schedule – like many other tests, your results often reflect the time and effort you have put into preparing for them. The most effective way to ensure you have enough time to thoroughly review and prepare is to create a study schedule, and stick to it! The only way you will actually follow your study schedule is to make sure it is a realistic one. Start by making note of all your necessary commitments and then fill in the blanks with study blocks of around two hours at a time, a sufficient study period. You should also make note of what exactly you will be studying during each session to ensure you have everything covered
2. Practice, practice, practice – this is another familiar test preparation recommendation. The best way to study for the ASVAB is to take as many practice tests as you can. Not only will this help you understand the format and style of the questions, it will help highlight any areas of weakness. If you notice some weak spots, adjust your study schedule accordingly to help you improve. You can find plenty of practice tests online and a great review book is this one!
3. Perform weekly reviews – allocate a session once a week to test yourself. You can take a practice test in timed conditions or assess your weak areas using other means. By doing this, your learning process will be ongoing and there won’t be any gaps in your preparation.
4. Understand the format – this is more crucial than learning the content. Make yourself aware that there are points lost for incorrect answers and therefore guessing isn’t always a viable option. In the paper version of the test, blank answers are considered incorrect, whereas blank answers in the computer tests will incur a penalty. Know which format of the test you are taking and focus on its structure and key elements.
5. Get a tutor – a tutor can help with the content, but more importantly they will help you become familiar with the test format. Using a tutor from Private Tutoring at Home will alleviate the pressure and stress that often comes with both test preparation and test day.
6. Enroll in an ASVAB prep course – whether you attend one in person or participate in an online version. These courses will guide you through the style of questions asked on the ASVAB and have the added bonus of ensuring your study schedule stays on track.

You Might Also Enjoy: What is the ASVAB Test? Getting an ASVAB Tutor Can Help

What if I’m Running out of Time?

Like most tests, it is in your best interest to allow yourself plenty of preparation time. However, sometimes things don’t work out exactly how you planned and you find yourself with less than a desirable timeframe to work with. Don’t worry, success is still achievable. You’ll just have to tweak your study timetable a little. These ASVAB study tips are designed to help give yourself the best shot with as little as one month study.

• Sit and take a baseline practice test – if you are short on time, the first thing you should do is sit a practice test in exam conditions (you can get some sample tests HERE). Use the results to help highlight your areas of weakness.
• Create your study schedule based around these weaknesses and ensure each study block is a minimum of 45 minutes and no longer than two hours. Any less than this and you won’t have enough time for the information to sink in, any longer and your brain will find it harder to retain the information.
• Follow an existing ASVAB study guide – save time building a schedule from scratch and find a study guide that already exists. Swap the topics around to make sure you spend sufficient time on your weak areas. Alternatively, find a printable ASVAB study guide template to help create an easy-to-follow, yet personalized study timetable.
• Have breaks – even though time is tight, don’t forget to have a break every few hours to help keep your brain fresh and ensure you retain important information.
• Don’t waste time learning content – all the content in the ASVAB test has already been taught to you during your high school years. Sure, you may have forgotten some of it, but your limited time is better spent familiarizing yourself with the style of questions asked.
• Continue to take practice tests – sit and take a practice test every week (always in exam conditions) and make note of your score. Ideally your weak areas will improve and your score will increase. After each test, adjust and tweak your study schedule based on the results that you are getting.
• Know someone else that is taking the test as well?  Study together and partner  up 1-2 times a week.  That way you can quiz and review and compare how things are going.  It also eliminate feeling like you’re doing all of this solo.  Even a bit of complaining can ease the pressure and the stress of prepping for the ASVAB exam.
• Once the exam is done, celebrate!  Whatever the results –
  you deserve a little celebration for prepping for the exam and seeing it through.

Our ASVAB study tips are the first step in an exciting, new phase of your life!  Planning as much time as possible to prep is your best move to getting the results that you are looking for.  If time is short, then increase the amount of time you are spending to prepare in what time you have.  Move other things to the side (where possible) for now.

Following our ASVAB study tips and suggestions will help you ace the ASVAB the next time you take it!

Asking how łong to study for the LSAT is like asking how long is a piece of string? That depends…. While individual students learn, store and recall information differently, there are some common strategies for the best LSAT prep, regardless of intelligence and learning style. The Law School Admissions Test is arduous and incredibly important for any student wishing to gain admission into law school. While you are able to retake the test if you do not succeed the first time, it is best to only have to face the process once if at all possible.

Let this be your guide to help establish your own personal preparation time frame and what exactly to do with the amount of time you have!

Best LSAT Prep and Study Schedule

When to Take the LSAT – Timing is Crucial

Your LSAT study schedule needs to reflect your own personal needs. This includes working around any other commitments, such as a job, that you may have. Like most tests, last minute cramming shouldn’t be considered an option regardless of how intelligent you are.

However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, preparing too far in advance may cause you to plateau or, even worse, burn out well before test day. Your LSAT score is valid for five years, so make sure you intend to enroll in law school within this time, or you will have to sit it again! This article is the best guide you will find to help you figure out the optimum time to start studying for your LSAT, and how to do so effectively and stress-free!

What is the Recommended Amount of Study Time?

As a general rule of thumb, it is suggested to prepare for the LSAT around three or four months prior to test day. This is based on completing around 10-15 hours, perhaps more, of study each week. It is much easier, and much more effective, to study in smaller, more manageable chunks over a longer period of time than it is to try and squeeze 200 hours of study into a couple of weeks!

Even students with a full time job should be able to spare around two hours on most days of the week. Keeping these recommendations in mind, you will need to alter the guidelines based on both your ability, goals and what you have going on in your world as well.

When should I start studying for LSAT?

While the recommended time frame gives you some idea, only you can figure out the best LSAT study schedule for you. Here are some tips to help you work out just how long you need to prepare in order to achieve the results that you want (and need)!

• Complete a practice exam in timed conditions: by simulating the test you can work out roughly how far away you are from your target score. If you are miles off you will need to put in a significant amount of effort to reach your goal. If you can achieve the score you need already, then you can afford to take it a little easy. Note – this means a little easy, not ignoring LSAT prep altogether! You will need to complete the practice exam well in advance to ensure you have enough time to revise and review accordingly.
• Be aware of your ability to perform on standardized tests: standardized tests are unique and aren’t always a true reflection of how much you know. They often test how you react to information, how well you read and interpret the questions, and how calm you can remain under significant time pressures. If you struggle with standardized tests, allow yourself extra time to learn, understand and practice the specific format.
• Take other responsibilities into account: in an ideal world, you would be able to focus solely on succeeding at acing your LSAT, but the reality for most of us is quite the opposite. Look at your schedule, whether you use your phone to do this or old fashioned pen-and-paper, and take note of all your activities and commitments. There is a fair chance that some of these are not necessary and can be eliminated and replaced with study time. Remember, we’re only looking at a few months here, not a lifetime, so your social life can take a bit of a hit in order to get a great score! Now you should be left with the commitments you can’t change, such as work.
• Make sure you allow a little bit of time for yourself to socialize, exercise, read or relax as these are important too. By this stage of the planning process you should have a solid indication of how much prep time you actually have.
• Use the guidelines of around 150-300 hours prep time to work out how long before test day you need to begin your preparation. Remember to factor in your skill level and target scores as well.

LSAT Study Schedule – How to Spend Your Study Time

Once you have established how much time you have each week and have created a preparation schedule, you need to ensure your time is spent effectively. The following tips are actionable and achievable, and will help significantly with your LSAT prep.

The very best way to prepare for the LSAT is to practice! While this is probably very common knowledge, let’s look at the reasons why completing as many practice exams as possible is beneficial.

• It gives you a thorough understanding of the style of questions that are asked. Many students struggle not with the knowledge required to do well in the LSAT, but with the skills required to interpret and answer the questions asked. The only way to fully understand the test before you take it is to practice, just make sure you are using LSAT study guides and prep books as some of the tools in your LSAT prep tool belt.
• You can simulate test conditions. By regularly completing practice exams under timed conditions you will learn how swiftly you need to move through each question. It will also help you overcome the pressure that is often associated with test day. You will gain a feel for how much time you should spend on each question. While there are no penalties for missed or incorrect answers, obviously you want to minimize any potential hits you might take in your test scores. It would be a shame to spend a large amount of time on a difficult question (that you may get wrong anyway) and not have enough time to answer easier questions that you could have quickly answered. If you are finding a question difficult after a certain amount of time, leave it and move on – you can always come back to it later if you have time. Even if the time you have left is minimal, it’s always worth guessing as it’s better than leaving the question blank!
• Familiarity leads to less stress. Stress has an amazing effect on our bodies. While a little bit can be good for us, too much can hurt us and cause issues when doing these kind of exams. If you have spent time familiarizing yourself with the format and layout of the LSAT the you will know what to expect on test day. This will help you perform at your optimum level and minimize any mistakes due to pressure or stress!

Aside from practice papers, there are several other tips to help you achieve success.

• Use LSAT prep books and prep courses – these are designed specifically with LSAT preparation in mind and offer practice question along with detailed sample answers and explanations. Online courses often include videos, which are like having your own tutor that you can pause and rewind whenever you like! LSAT prep classes are an easy way to ensure you spend your allocated time actually studying – there is minimal time for procrastination when someone is guiding you! Here’s some of our favorite ones that might help you this year – Check Them Out Now!
• Analyze and review your answers – if you get a question wrong when studying make sure you thoroughly understand why. If you just add up your score after each prep review, you are likely to continue making the same mistakes and you will be wasting your time. Review each mistake carefully and analyze it until your fully comprehend why you got the wrong answer and what is the correct one and why!
• Get a tutor – group classes are good, but a professional tutor will tailor-make sessions to suit your individual needs, strengths and weaknesses. They will help you understand where you are going wrong and offer valuable advice on how to understand and answer each question. Allocating some time each week to spend with a tutor also ensures that you actually study, and not skip prep sessions. Plus, having an expert help you study can easily cut hours off of your overall prep time since you’ve got someone that knows exactly what and how to help you do well in any areas that are currently difficult. To find a wonderful tutor in your area, check out Private Tutoring at Home
• Avoid group study sessions – these are different than organized classes with a professional teacher or tutor. What we are talking about here are sessions that involve a group of friends ‘studying’. While these sessions can be useful and may help with motivation sometimes, they can often turn into gossip sessions and minimal study or work is done. Also, individuals have different strengths and weakness so what you need may not be the same areas or issues as others in the group.

Figuring out how long does it take to study for the LSAT and “when should I start studying for the LSAT” are common questions and decisions for those prepping for this test.  Is 2 months enough time to study for the LSAT?  Well, that depends on you and how much you already have done.  The key is to determine where you are now and how far you need to go to get the results that you need.  The do the LSAT prep that is required to actually end up with the results you are aiming for or something even better!

 

 

 

 

 

Want to know what are the new SAT math topics? The math section of the SAT is designed to test your knowledge on problem solving, critical thinking, modeling, algebraic functions and using tools strategically. Seems like pretty broad concepts doesn’t it? Don’t worry, this is your definitive guide on the exact SAT math review topics that are currently being covered. By the end of this article you will know what math is on the new SAT, and how to review for it effectively!

SAT Math Review

The SAT math topics are about getting real. The good news is that the SAT doesn’t test you on every single math topic you have ever had studied. Feel free to breathe a sight of relief. Instead, it selects areas deemed the most relevant in college courses and careers.

The SAT Math test focuses on areas that play a large role in colleges and a variety of careers, therefore applying real world math. These focus areas are:

• Heart of Algebra – create, manipulate and solve algebraic equations. These questions center around linear equations – equations that involve two variables that change as stated by a consistent pattern.
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis – is all about being quantitatively literate. These questions require you to create and use a model, as well as understanding the difference between the model predictions and actual data collected.
• Passport to Advance Math – includes questions that require the manipulation of complex equations and functions that are typically needed in STEM-based careers.

On top of these areas, the test also covers additional key concepts that don’t fall into any of the above categories. These include coordinate geometry, basic trigonometry, area and volume.

5 Ways to Review the SAT Math Topics

1. Know how to complete grid in questions

Students are often given advice to learn the style of questions and the format of the test. But what does this mean when it comes to the SAT?  In the SAT math section there are multiple choice questions and grid-in questions. Answering multiple choice questions are fairly straightforward – simply select the answer you think is correct.

Grid-in questions are different. These are questions where you are going to have to come up with the correct answer on your own.  Don’t ask me why “grid in” is the terms used, I don’t have that answer! 20% of the questions on the SAT math test are grid-in questions so it’s definitely worth your while to understand how they are answered. You are given the instructions for the grid-in answers, but reading them can waste a lot of time. Instead, familiarize yourself with the instructions on practice tests – the instructions are the same. This allows you to spend more time thinking about your answers on test day.

2. Become familiar with the provided formula sheet

Many students breathe a sigh of relief when they hear they don’t have to learn every single formula. But that doesn’t mean you can rest easy. You still need to know when to use each formula. Even knowing where the formulas are located on the sheet will save you valuable time. Have the sheet available during every single revision session and refer to it regularly. Pin it somewhere for you to study on a regular basis – a mirror, the refrigerator, or on the back of the bathroom door!

3. Work backwards

Sometimes it’s easier to start by looking at the multiple choice answers available. You may be lucky enough to rule out a couple of options straight away, but if not, try putting the various options into the equation. This tactic has potential to actually be more time consuming, so may not be ideal for every question, but it’s certainly a good one to have in your bag of tricks.

4. Use the daily practice app

The College Board not only provides official practice tests, but also an app to help track your progress. You will receive a question each day with hints and explanations. It’s a great way to maintain your math skills and to remind you to keep preparing for your math SAT!

5. Make the most of other subjects

It may come as no surprise that you use math skills in a variety of subjects. Because the SAT math section has such a focus on real world math, subjects such as science and social science are incredibly relevant. Apply your math knowledge in these subjects and you are unknowingly preparing yourself for the SAT math test. Any questions that involve data analysis, graphs, percentages, ratios and tables are useful in preparation for the SAT.

Topics Covered in the New Math SAT

As you have already learned, the math SAT covers three main topics, with anything leftover categorized under additional math. This section will give you a SAT math topics breakdown, providing you with a thorough understanding of exactly what math is on the SAT.

Heart of Algebra

In this section, questions are focused around equations based on real-world topics such as distance, speed, mass, volume or everyday financial topics.
Questions may ask you to;

• Solve linear equations and linear inequalities
• Interpret linear functions
• Answer equation word problems
• Graph linear equations
• Solve linear function word problems
• Solve systems of linear equations
• Answering these questions may require you to;
  • Use multiple steps to simplify an expression or equation
  • Select a graph that shows an algebraic equation that you saw in Algebra 1 course or Algebra 2. or choose the equation that describes a graph
  • Indicate how a graph would be affected by a change in its equation

You Might Also Be Interested in: How to Study Math: 35 Math Tips You Should Know

Problem Solving and Data Analysis

In this section, questions revolve around the application of ratios, percentages, and proportional reasoning. We’ve come up with a collection of more topics and what might be asked of you below:

• Ratios, rates, percentages, units, and proportions – solve multi-step problems with a given ratio, rate, percentage or unit. You will also need to know how to calculate ratios, rates, percentages and units using the information provided.
• Table data and data inferences– analyze the data presented on a table and use it to answer questions
• Scatterplots – select the best equation to fit various scatterplots.
• Graphs and tables – understand and identify key features, as well as summarizing and evaluating the data presented in them
• Data collection and conclusions – determine whether data collection methods are accurate and reliable
• Statistics – determine mean, median, mode, range, and/or standard deviation

Passport to Advanced Math

Students who are interested in STEM-based careers will need to pay particular attention to these type of questions. They involve complex equations and functions, and focus on the following areas;

• Solving quadratic equations
• Interpreting nonlinear expressions
• Quadratic and exponential word problems
• Radicals and rational exponents
• Operations with rational expressions and polynomials
• Polynomial factors and graphs
• Nonlinear equation graphs
• Linear and quadratic systems
• Structure in expressions
• Isolating quantities
• Functions

Now that you are familiar with the new SAT math topics you can go ahead and prepare easily and aim to get the results that you need for schools! Always remember that the SAT math exam is only covering information that you’ve already learned.  So prepping and taking some time to review the material will help to refresh your memory and remember how to quickly and accurately complete problems in these areas. Remember to work hard and apply yourself, the rest is easy!

Trying to figure out how to study math this year? Are you struggling with math concepts? Exams stressing you out? Are you finding it difficult to come up with an effective study plan? Do you want to know how to study math easily? What if I told you that success is just around the corner. This list will help you overcome any math course barriers or issues that you might be facing.

Whether you follow all of these tips, or just a few, you are guaranteed to come out in the top of the class. Don’t delay any further – read on to discover how to study math like a pro!

 

1. Study in a distraction free environment. Yes, that means leaving your phone in another room, not studying in the living room and avoiding listening to music.
2. Keep a math dictionary with all the important terms and their definitions. Make sure that you write them out as well on index cards or somewhere so that you have easy access to the info.
3. Practice, practice, practice. There isn’t anything much more effective than completing practice questions. These can be found online or by asking your teacher or tutor.
4. Take some time to study your math online and use tutorials and videos that you can pause and replay until you fully understand topics and concepts.
5. Do your homework, even when the teacher hasn’t assigned any. By doing a bit of math every night you will be cementing your understanding of the topic. This is one of the fastest, best ways to really understand math and ace your tests this year.
6. Befriend your teacher. No need to become besties, but by developing a positive working relationship you will feel more comfortable to seek help. This will also increase your chances that your teacher will check in with you to make sure you have a solid understanding of what they are teaching you (and testing you on).
7. Read ahead. This means you can have questions for your teacher already prepared. It’s the best way to avoid get caught behind or struggling to understand whatever the topic is.  If you know what’s coming you can have your questions and issues ready to go once your teacher has covered the topic.  Why wait a day or three before raising your issues?
8. Time yourself when answering questions to help deal with time pressures that occur during exams.  SAT, ACT and other exams including end of semester exams are frequently timed, don’t get caught not having the time you need to finish!
9. Use the extras that come with your textbook such as CDs and apps as they offer valuable practice questions and explanations.
10. Create a study timetable to ensure that you have enough time to review all topics and leave no stone unturned.
11. Teach a friend. It is often said that you don’t fully understand anything unless you can explain it to someone else.
12. Use flash cards to improve your memory recall. They also help with self-reflection and can boost your confidence.  It’s a fast, easy way to grab a few minutes of review on the go as well.
13. Get help sooner rather than later. Math is a cumulative subject, meaning that knowledge is built on past skills. If you don’t understand part of a topic, chances are you will struggle with the next chapter. Understand each step and topic before moving on.
14. Don’t cheat. Copying someone else’s homework will only make it look like you understand math problems, and cheating in an exam can have serious ramifications. There is truth in the saying that you are only cheating yourself.
15. Sit in the right place in the classroom, making sure you can see the board clearly and hear the teacher. Try to avoid sitting with anyone that is likely to distract you.
16. Get a tutor to provide personalized help in the areas you struggle the most.
17. Play math games. By making studying fun you are more likely to do it. Plenty of games can be found online and you can compete against yourself (improving your personal best) or against other players for extra motivation.
18. Talk to yourself. This may sound a little weird and probably a tactic that is best done in the privacy of your bedroom, but by talking through what you are doing you will be reinforcing rules and committing them to your memory.
19. Always check your answers to avoid making silly mistakes.
20. Color code your notes. Highlight each topic in a particular color to help you find information when you are looking for it.
21. Get some sleep. This might sound counterintuitive, but staying up all night takes its toll on your brain so make sure you get adequate rest, especially the night before an exam.
22. Practice good time management. Organizing your study schedule isn’t the only thing that will benefit from effective time management. Managing your time in exams is crucial. If a problem is stumping you, make a note and come back to it if you have time. You’re better off answering the questions you know you can answer successfully than spending a lot of time on a question that is confusing and time consuming.
23. Form a math study group with some like-minded friends is a great answer to the question of ‘how to study math in college’. Studying in a group can be very effective, but also has the potential to turn into a social gathering so make sure your group remains focussed on math.
24. Create a ‘cheat sheet’. This isn’t actually cheating, but organizing your rules and formulas onto one page that you can easily access when you need to refresh your memory. Sometimes you are even allowed a ‘cheat sheet’ in exams so having an easy-to-read one already prepared is very handy.
25. Sing about it! Learning a song can help you memorize formulas and rules. Try some of these: http://www.calculus-help.com/storage/funstuff/qformula.mp3
    http://mathstory.com/mathsongs/hypotenuse.aspx
    https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/switch-sign-in-algebra
26. Ask lots of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher or tutor loads of questions, and don’t be embarrassed because chances are that many other students will have the same question so you will be helping others too.
27. Team up with a friend or classmate who will take notes for you if you happen to miss class. You should do the same for them. They might prove to be a valuable study partner as well.
28. Try and apply the mathematical concepts you are studying in geometry or algebra to the real world. You are more likely to remember them by doing this.
29. Always show your work in each problem that you do! This proves that your thinking is on the right track, even if you make a silly mistake and come out with the wrong answer. You will get marks for showing your working, and all those marks add up!
30. Get clarification on anything you are unclear about. If you are unsure if what you are doing is right, check it. You can do this by asking your teacher or tutor, reading back through your notes or textbook, or by asking a friend to check your work.
31. Be positive! A good attitude will go a long way to helping you succeed. Don’t dwell on your mistakes, instead, keep reminding yourself what you can do, and that you are capable of mastering difficult topics.
32. Understand your calculator. Not just how it works and ensuring that you press the buttons in the right order, but also the reasoning behind why you a pressing each button. This will help cement your understanding of concepts and formulas.
33. Redo your mistakes to understand and learn where you went wrong to avoid making the same mistake again.
34. Take your time. Sure, exams have time limits and it’s always good to be mindful of this, but if you rush too much you are likely to make silly mistakes. When doing your homework, take the time to ensure you understand each problem.
35. Stick at it! Don’t give up. As Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Persevere and you will succeed.

When it comes to knowing how to study math, you are now an expert! By applying these tips, you are on your way to becoming a math genius! Good luck!

Trying to how to study for the new SAT at home and F.A.S.T. –  like in a week or a month?  For students planning to attend college, there may be nothing more important than successful SAT results – at least right this moment in time! The big question that still remains is exactly how to study for the SAT.

There is nothing wrong with wanting perfection, and perfect SAT results are possible for some. With a little time and effort, there is no reason to achieve anything less than your absolute best. Creating effective study habits is no simple task, and time must be spent in order to gain the academic success you deserve, but the good news is that it can be done. There is a plethora of information out there that offers statistics, advice and preparation tactics.

Read on to find out options that you can use starting now.

How to Prepare for the SAT Exam at Home

Like most major exams, timing is crucial. Last minute cramming is certainly not the ideal way to go, but sometimes that’s the only option that you have! In order to achieve your best results, you must start as early as possible. In saying that, if you have left it a little late, there are several steps you can take to reach your SAT goals in a much shorter time frame. If you are time-poor, this article will outline ways you can study for the SAT in a month, or even a week!

How is the SAT Scored

Learning the scoring system for the SAT will not automatically mean you score highly – there is no way to ‘play the system’, so to speak. However, having an idea of how the process works can help prepare you. In each section of the SAT, you will receive a raw score. This is simply the number of questions you answered correctly, much like many other tests you take. Although, unlike many other tests, you will not lose marks for any missed or incorrect answers.

The process gets a little more complicated as the SAT compares students who take different tests. The College Board equates the scores based on the difficulty of the test to ensure fair comparisons can be made. For example, a March Math test may be deemed more difficult than the May Math test, therefore a lower raw score in March will be equal to a higher one in May.  Confused yet?

The new SAT, delivers a maximum equated Math score of 800, and a combined Reading and Writing score of 600.

While this may still sound a little complicated, the bottom line is very straightforward – achieve the highest raw score possible. In other words, answer as many questions correctly as you can! Let’s look at ways you can do that.

SAT Reading Tips

Even if you are a math genius and can expect your exceptional math abilities to carry you to a high SAT total, many colleges will still require a strong reading score. Also, increasing your SAT reading score will obviously help boost your total, opening more doors and increasing your chances of acceptance into more colleges.

For those who are more math-brained, it’s going to be a relief to know that success in the Reading section can easily be achieved even if you don’t consider yourself a strong reader.

Here are some useful, and achievable strategies to boost your reading score.

• Pay attention to time – one of the most common problems with most tests is running out of time. The questions in the reading section are not ordered according to skill level. In other words, the simplest question may be at the end and it would be silly to spend the bulk of your time on a difficult question earlier on in the test. Skim read the passage and then move on to the questions. Refer back to the passage after each question, focus on the part of the passage that is relevant to the question. You do not need to understand the entire passage in extensive detail, so don’t waste your time doing so. Finally, set yourself a time limit to answer each question. If you haven’t answered in this time, move on, allowing yourself the opportunity to answer more questions. You can always come back to the question at the end if you have time.
• Look for wrong answers – this may seem counterintuitive, but eliminating the answers that you know are wrong is often far easier than trying to identify the only correct one (remember, there is only one correct answer). Look for answer options that are too specific or too broad, or answers that sound plausible but are irrelevant or have a reversed relationship. Even if you can only eliminate two answers, you are then guessing between two options instead of four, which greatly increases your chances of choosing correctly.
• Use official SAT practice papers – reading any old passages and answering the questions may sound like a good idea, after all, you have been told to practice, practice, practice! But if you do not practice using SAT-style passages, you will never understand the type of questions and therefore be unable to develop appropriate and effective strategies.

SAT Math Tips

By boosting your SAT math score, you will boost your overall, combined score. This may seem rather obvious, but think of it in terms of increasing the number colleges you could potentially be accepted into. Whether math is your strong point or an area of weakness, try these tips to improve your score.

• Understand your weaknesses – you probably have a fair idea of the areas that need improving, so focus on these. You may be fine with the knowledge of the content, but struggle with the time pressure. Either way, completing practice paper after practice paper will help you. Either focus on your weaker topics to improve your knowledge, or simply practice completing the questions at a faster rate (whilst maintaining accuracy) to ensure you will have enough time to answer all
• Learn from your mistakes – work hard to figure out where you go wrong. Be specific and thorough. It’s no good just reading through the explanations, you must learn exactly where you went wrong – it’s the only way to ensure that you are as prepared as possible come test day.

SAT Writing Tips

The writing section of the SAT can be strenuous and stressful. Time limitations often mean students don’t answer all questions, or make silly mistakes in the ones they do. Alleviating the stress and achieving positive results can be done simultaneously if you follow these simple SAT writing strategies:

• Learn the grammar rules – there’s no way around this one. Learn them. Write them down, read them aloud, have somebody test you. Use the most effective learning strategy for you to ensure these rules stay embedded in your brain because you will need them.
• Understand rhetoric question types – find effective ways to construct sentences and passages. The best way to do this is, like every other section, is to practice. SAT questions are unique and take some getting used to, so find as many official practice papers as you can and complete them.
• Be wary of ‘no change’ answers – in the SAT writing section, one of your answer options is likely to be ‘no change’. Of course, there are times when the sentence structure and grammar are spot on. However, if you find yourself choosing this answer option the majority of the time, chances are you just don’t know enough grammar rules. Take this as a hint to go back and learn the grammar rules and become more familiar with appropriate sentence structure.

Develop Effective Study Habits

You’ve heard the story before – someone spends hours and hours studying and achieves poor results. While this disappointing, it’s not surprising. Studying isn’t always about the hours you put in, it’s about how you spend those hours.

Let’s face it, students are busy people and time isn’t something they have a lot of, so it’s important to use it wisely. Learn your areas of weakness, in all sections of the SAT, and work to improve those. Spend a small amount of time each study session using the skills you are competent at so you don’t lose them completely, but focus on those you have most difficulty with. Completing as many practice papers as possible will help you identify these areas.

The key to the success lies in three simple areas:

• Learn the types of questions asked in the SAT,
• Use your existing skills to develop strategies to answer the questions, and
• Practice!

How to Study for the SAT in a Week to a Month – What to do when you are running out of time!

If you are concerned that you have left your SAT preparation too late, don’t worry. Actually, you don’t really need to do anything different than the strategies already mentioned. You simply need to make adjustments. For example, you may not have time to amend all your weaknesses, so focus on the biggest weaknesses that know you can fix in your limited time.

There are a few things you can still do to optimize your results. Put everything that you can aside for this brief time period and FOCUS on your prep work!  Enlist some support and some help from family, teachers and tutors that know how to study as well as the areas that you are weak.

Study hard for shorter time periods while taking study breaks to enable you to stay focused and alert enough to cram all that you need to.  Healthy eating and sleep are also going to be critical during this time period.  And no matter what – just remember, it’s one test.  One piece of the overall package that schools look at.

The SATs have caused issues and angst for students for decades now.  As a part of your application process there is nothing you can do to avoid the test, barring simply not applying to any schools that require the exam.  And while it’s certainly possible, the schools you are interested in might not be one of those schools.  So – look at the time you have available between now and the exam, no matter how little it might be, and create a plan, execute and work towards getting the best results you can on the test!  And don’t forget, let us know how it all turns out for you.

Geometry is one of the more difficult math topics that you will be studying in school over the next few years and geometry tutoring is one of THE most popular subjects to look for help while in school! For some, the topic will always be difficult while for others, it becomes a lot easier with a bit of practice and effort.  In order to master the subject, like many looking for math help, a lot of students will need to find that the need some help outside of the classroom if they want to thoroughly understand the subject and excel.

What Topics are Covered in Geometry?

Geometry is a broad subject and the basics are often taught in elementary school. Of course, at that level it’s not being called geometry.  As you progress through your school years, the topics become more complex and confusing. You will study concepts such as:

• Basic shapes
• Angles
• Polygons, triangles and quadrilaterals
• Perimeter and circumference
• transformations
• Areas
• Congruence
• Similarity
• just to name a few!

The good news is that despite geometry’s troublesome reputation, there are some aspects that are on the easy side. I’m sure you can easily identify most shapes, even when rotated, and understand their properties. Congruence and similarity are also generally on the easier end of the scale for most students, as are transformations and circles. In general, perimeter and area are also topics that most students pick up quickly, their concepts and formulas are easy to remember and can be applied in a variety of ways.

Naturally, what you find easy is likely to depend on your individual learning style and capabilities, and also the quality of your teacher. Don’t be concerned if you struggle with these so-called ‘easy’ topics.

On the flip side, there are some common struggles when it comes to geometry. The subject in its broad sense can be a sticking point for many high school students, but topics such as proofs may make you want to pull your hair out! The reason that many students find proofs so hard is because you have to try and understand someone else’s thought process, it’s not as definitive as most other math topics. This is definitely one of the areas where a high school geometry tutor can help! It might be easy enough to memorize a formula, but the understanding behind it is important to help long term success. Memorizing every single formula can be incredibly difficult, especially when exams are stressful enough!

How is Geometry Used in Real Life?

This is probably one of the most common questions asked by students, especially those who find the subject difficult and struggle to understand the relevance of the topic to the real world. Here are some examples of when you might use geometry without even realizing it:

• Setting up a house – I’m not just referring to owning your own home in the future, but think about how you decorate your bedroom at home. Or a dorm room at college. Finding bedding to match the size of your bed, frames to match the size of your pictures, shelves to fit your books, and how you arrange the furniture. Without even thinking you are using your skills regarding perimeter, area and congruence.
• Sports fields – have you ever played a game of casual basketball or soccer with friends? When you mark out goals and sidelines you are using geometrical skills. They may not be super accurate or technical, but I bet you’ve never played soccer on a circular or triangular pitch. This would be due to your knowledge of parallel lines and angles. Kicking, hitting and throwing all require you to assess angles to be accurate and successful.
• At the dinner table – whenever you cut a cake, lasagna, pizza or any other dish, you are using geometry skills (especially if you wish to serve up even portions).
• Getting crafty – many arts and crafts require geometrical skills to create symmetry and order to look aesthetically pleasing.

Even if you are wondering what, where and when you will use these topics, you will soon find that there are many careers that require a strong geometry background. If you are interested in engineering, architecture, construction, graphic design or robotics, then geometry will be used extensively in your job. Check out how geometry is used in web design here.

You Might Also Be Interested in: Find A Geometry Tutor

How to Improve Your Geometry Skills

The good news is that there is plenty of geometry help for high school students. Geometry tutoring videos are available and allow you to watch and re-watch problems until you have a thorough understanding of the concept, and you can watch them in the privacy of your own room.

Geometry tutoring apps are great at helping you remain focused, but they frequently lack the personalized help for points that are causing you issue. You can also make good use of geometry help online options, many websites come with free answers to give you the confidence that you are on the right track. Some websites offer a combination of tutorials and lessons, while others are, unfortunately, a waste of time.  You’ll have to dig around a bit to find ones that have exactly what you need.

Your best bet to understanding geometry and  the tricky concepts is to enlist in the help of a geometry tutor. This is often easier said than done. The most common question that is asked when it comes to tutoring is ‘how do I find a geometry tutor near me?’. Of course online tutors are available, but nothing beats the one-on-one, real time help that comes from sitting down with an expert on a subject. Finding local tutors is easy with Private Tutoring at Home. It offers the perfect portal for finding your perfect geometry tutor match up.

Find the Best Online Geometry Tutor or In Person Tutor Near You

Overall, the key to success in geometry is a combined effort. Pay attention in class, ask questions, make the most of online resources, and meet regularly with a superstar tutor!  And if you keep working at it, you’ll get the break thru that you need to see the results that you want.  Math classes, and geometry in particular, do not have to be overwhelming and difficult.  Take the time needed and keep working at it – try geometry tutoring for an additional boost!  You’ll get it figured out soon enough.

Our Quickbooks tips and tricks are designed to help you learn this software quickly and painlessly! QuickBooks is a software program by Intuit. It is designed to manage payroll, inventory, sales, and other business needs. Learning how to use QuickBooks is relatively straightforward, the software is so well designed that it takes care of most of the hard work. However, when the success of your business is at stake, you don’t want to be making mistakes. Finding a QuickBooks tutor is an easy way to get your head around all the functions and features of the software without compromising business success. This article will help you identify the difficult aspects of QuickBooks and how to boost your knowledge quickly!

There are several versions of the program, so it is best to determine which is the one that suits your needs. In general, the QuickBook applications include;

• Manage bills
• Track miles
• Income and expenses
• Invoicing and payments
• Multiple users
• Manage contractors
• Enhance payroll
• Full service payroll
• Track time
• Inventory
• Reporting
• Sales and sales tax
• Estimates
• Tax deductions
• Get capital

Bottom line – Quickbooks is designed to make it fast (or quick…..we couldn’t resist) to get the boring task of accounting done so that you can move forward with other areas of your life and business.  With so many features, you can see now why having a tutor is a valuable way to learn how to use QuickBooks in a fast, easy and effective way.  You can gain all that you need to know without wasting time trying to figure it out yourself.  And as someone that did initially try to do that before getting help, I have the experience to show that it’s ineffective and time consuming.

Who Uses QuickBooks

QuickBooks can be used by anyone actually.  However, it is most commonly used by small business owners as this is the intended target market that the software was created to help. Intuit must be doing something right, because QuickBooks is now used by 2.2 million small businesses across 192 countries! Now that should boost your confidence. You can read more about the success of QuickBooks here.

How to Learn QuickBooks Fast

So you’ve done all the hard work – market research, business proposals, employer interviews, and more. Your business is up and running and you’re loving it. Except for one thing. The bookkeeping and administration. This is where QuickBooks comes in. It will help manage all your data allowing you to focus on more important aspects of your business. But you need to know how to use the software now!

There are plenty of QuickBooks tutorials for beginners, the software comes with a free QuickBooks training manual, and you might even be lucky enough to attend a local QuickBooks training session. However, if you are really serious about learning QuickBooks quickly and effectively, a QuickBooks tutor is the way to go. They can create tailor-made sessions to suit your exact needs and will act a little like a mentor in your business endeavors.  Within a couple of hours you’ll be up and running like a pro and able to keep track of everything you, your business and your accountant need.

Areas of Difficulty

This one is rather personal. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, so what one person finds difficult another might find easy. If your area of expertise is in your product then sales may be easy, but you will possibly struggle with income and expenses. Being good at accounting, bookkeeping and tracking is not easy for many of us!

Equally, if you are familiar with the business side of things or happen to love accounting, invoicing and payroll will be a breeze, but keeping track of your inventory will be a little more difficult. The good news is that QuickBooks is easy to learn at least on the basic level.  However there are going to be areas you may find challenging and it’s much better to have someone that can provide a bit of input quickly than employing extra people to take on unnecessary work at an unnecessary cost.

 You Might Also Be Interested In: Quickbooks Tutor Help

What to Learn and How to Do it Quickly

Start by learning what you need to know. This may sound very obvious and simple, but you will most likely already be familiar with some aspects of QuickBooks even if you haven’t used the software before.  It might take a bit of time, but dig into the software to find out all the features that it offers and determine which are ones that you want or need and which can be ignored.

If you don’t travel for work you can temporarily ignore the ‘track miles’ feature, and if you don’t employ contractors, you can forget that section too! Focus on more pressing aspects such as income and expenses and managing bills to set your business on track fot quickly scale the financial ladder.

To learn as quickly as possible, skip the manual and written instructions. They can be confusing and time consuming. Instead, opt for possibly checking out some QuickBooks tutorials on YouTube. A simple search for ‘QuickBooks for Dummies’ should bring an abundance of videos that you can pause and rewind to ensure you understand key concepts. Many of these videos have been made by accountants and other professionals so you know the information you are receiving is correct.

Better still, is considering using a QuickBooks tutor. This way, the information you need will be delivered directly to you without all the stuff you don’t need. It is a far more time-effective option as well as being quite specific to your business. Where possible, try and find a QuickBooks tutor near you that is able to meet in person which will be more beneficial than online.  It will almost be like having your own personal consultant to help you not only learn the software faster than you thought possible, but also help you get setup and configured in a way that will benefit your business.

So there you have it. A brief rundown on QuickBooks and how it can help you and your business grow as well as some tips that can help you master the software quickly easily and then get back to making your business explode this year!

 

Anyone wishing to practice law must first figure out how to pass the bar exam: it’s one of those unfortunate requirements that must be hurdled before your career begins. It is intense, extensive process figuring out how to pass the bar and requires a great deal of preparation to guarantee success. Using a bar exam tutor is one way to insure you arrive ready to start the exam,  filled with confidence and the knowledge required to pass the test successfully. This article aims to help you understand what is covered in the bar exam, what are generally the most difficult areas for many, and how much time and effort is required to pass the first time around.

How to Pass the Bar Exam: What You Need to Know

The bar exam is a test to ensure applicants are competent to practice law. While the exam will vary between states, there are some common aspects.  One of them is the length of time the test generally takes.  The bar exam is scheduled over two days. One day is devoted to the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which includes 200 standardized items covering seven areas. These areas include:

• Civil Procedures
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Evidence
• Real Property
• Torts

The second day covers a broader range of topics, but it is common for two nationally developed tests to be used. These are the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). The MEE is ‘state specific’ and is in essay format, often comprising of around six questions. The MPT examines the applicant’s ability to use fundamental lawyer skills. It evaluates the candidates ability to complete a task that is suitable for a beginner lawyer. The MPT is not required in every state.

Bar Exam applicants may also be required to undergo a background and character check.

The Hardest Part of the Bar Exam

Due to the fact that we all have different talents and intellect, the hardest part of the Bar Exam will vary greatly between people. At first glance, you may think that multiple choice questions will be the easiest because, after all, the answer is there in front of you. While this is technically true, many people may find these type of questions harder. This is usually because there is more than one right answer. You may be wondering how that can be, but your job is to find the most correct answer in a collection of answers that might, possibly, could be accurate as well. This is to separate the candidates who really know their stuff. It is also quite difficult to remain focused for the two, three-hour multiple choice sessions.  Your brain and you will be tired after slogging through this portion of the test!

Essay questions will prove problematic to those who struggle to compose their thoughts into the written language. Even the most confident of essay writers will feel the constraints of time and pressure.  The key here is to have cogent thoughts covering all areas that you might need to address, and do it within the time allotted.  Practicing and preparing for this section is critical!

In order to pass the Bar Exam successfully, it is best to understand your strengths and weaknesses and prepare accordingly.  It’s also very important that you get support in your prepping as well as give yourself plenty of time to review literally everything that you covered in the past three year.

How Much Preparation is Required?

Passing the Bar Exam requires far more than some last minute cramming and natural brains. The average law student will need to spend around 400 hours to pass the exam successfully. Of course this number is a guide only, but it certainly gives a good indication of the time required. If you are a full time student, this means you will need to start studying at least nine weeks before the Bar Exam. If you have other commitments you should start much sooner. Equally, the more time you spend preparing, the greater the chance of first time success. The majority if your preparation should be on learning the subject content and completing practice examination questions. The last few weeks before the exam, focus should be on reviewing the law and taking timed practice exams.

In summary, spend as much time as possible effectively studying – treating it like a full time job and your number one priority. Using a private bar exam tutor will ensure your study time is spent wisely. While it isn’t feasible to use a tutor for every study session, regularly meeting with one will help keep you on track and answer any questions you have. They may even be helpful at providing feedback on your practice examinations since they’ve “been there, done that” and passed.

Bar Exam Success Rates

The percentage of students that pass the Bar Exam varies greatly between states. Nebraska and Missouri have the highest pass rates for first attempts, while California and Nevada have the lowest. The pass rate for first time applicants will help give you an indication of how much preparation you will need to undertake. However, it is unclear whether the pass rates are indicative of how hard the test is, or how intelligent and prepared the applicants ares for the exam….or both. Either way, you should spend as much time as possible preparing as possible so that you pass the first time around.

Which States are the Most Difficult?

How difficult students find their respective test varies between every state and while opinions exist over which state is the most difficult, there are some generalizations and information that provides a fairly conclusive top five list for those states that are the most difficult to pass for test takers.

1. California – notoriously difficult, the Californian Bar Exam has the lowest first time pass rate. It used to be a three day exam involving multiple choice and essay questions. While the format has changed slightly and the time has been reduce to two days, it is still no walk in the park.  This is definitely a state  where getting help from a California bar exam private tutor is a good way to ensure your preparation will result in success.
2. Arkansas – the difficulty of the Arkansas Bar Exam may have something to do with the local and state laws.
3. Washington – Seattle is one of the most moved-to cities in the country, attracting many new potential Bar Exam takers. The two day test is vigorous and challenging.
4. Louisiana – the bar exam in Louisiana is entirely different from anywhere else in the country. To practice law in Louisiana you must have attended law school in the state to learn the unique legal system. In addition, the difficulty of the exam may also be related to the fact that the content is vastly different to every other state.
5. Nevada – the Nevada bar exam takes 2 ½ days and has one of the highest passing score requirements. The number of first time applicants that pass the Nevada Bar Exam is pretty low when compared to other states. These factors combined with the fact that Nevada has some pretty unique laws, makes it one tricky exam to pass.

So there you have it, the bar exam in a nutshell. While it is rigorous and time consuming, plenty of people attempt (and pass) each year.  If you put in the time and effort plus get support from classmates or tutors, you can have a successful result.

As we have mentioned, some states are more of a challenge for bar exam students.  Here are a few of the states that have ranked highest in difficult,

California

The California bar exam is the most difficult in the country. Only 60% of candidates passed the exam on the first attempt in 2016. The three day exam previously consisted of six essay questions, 200 multiple choice questions and two performance tests. As of 2017, the exam only takes two days and comprises of five essay questions, one performance test and 200 multiple choice questions. There are 17 subject areas that are covered, and the essay questions could be on any of these 17 areas. If you are an out-of-state applicant, the good news is that California-specific legal knowledge is only required for five of the subjects – federal laws apply to the other sections. Despite this fact, familiarizing yourself with the nuances of California law is incredibly beneficial as the approach to the California bar exam is different to other states. Complete several practice papers to understand the technicalities and marking criteria. This is particularly necessary when sitting the performance test section. While you do not have to regurgitate information, you will need to apply detailed law to show that you have the skills and competence to practice within the state.

Using a private tutor for the bar exam is the bet way to maximize your chances of success. California law is unique, as are the style of questions and marking used on the bar exam. A California bar tutor will have experience in these areas and be on hand to answer any questions you have as well providing unique hints and tips to ensure success. One of the biggest stumbling blocks for this state’s applicants is the ability to write in the correct format. A tutor can help you, so can a California bar coach. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t attempt a marathon without months of training and professional guidance, so why should you attempt the bar exam alone? Enlisting professional help and allowing yourself plenty of preparation time is one of the most beneficial things you can do to ensure a relatively stress-free and successful and passing score result.

Florida

With only 66% of first time applicants passing the Florida bar exam, using a Florida bar exam tutor is crucial to your success. The Florida Exam is divided into three sections. Part A and Part B make up the General Bar Examination (GBE). Part A comprises of three hours spent answering essay style questions and three hours completing 100 multiple choice questions. Both General and Florida law are tested in this section. Part B is the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The final section is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). In order to sit the General Bar Examination, applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school. The MPRE can be attempted prior to law school graduation.

The examination procedure in Florida allows candidates to select from two methods of testing. These methods are:

• The Overall Method – only applicants who submit both Parts A and B during the same administration can use this method. To pass using this method requires an average score of 136 or higher.
• The Individual Method – applicants who have previously passed part of the exam and wish to retake the part of the exam they failed may use this method. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each of the sections in order to pass the Bar Exam overall.

Statisticians indicate that applicants who opt for the Overall Method may find passing easier. This is probably due to the fact that only one pass score is required as opposed to having to pass each section.

Like most of the exams, it is highly advised to spend a lot of time preparing by learning both federal and Florida law, and by completing as many practice papers as possible. Using a private bar exam tutor will help guide you through these questions. They can offer constructive feedback to ensure you are as prepared as possible come examination day. It is also recommended to make the most of the bar study guide that has been developed by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, it can be downloaded for free here.

Finally, all applicants to the Florida Bar Exam must be able to provide evidence of good moral character. Further information can be found on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners website.

Virginia

The Virginia Bar Exam is passed by 75% of first time applicants which may be an indication that it is a little easier than some other states. This doesn’t mean that you can sit back, relax and pass the exam with minimal study or preparation. Like many other bar exams, the Virginia bar exam takes place over two days. The first day comprises of a taxing 20 short answer questions and nine essay questions. Day two is the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), which is 200 multiple choice questions. The MBE score is weighted at 40% and the essay section equates to 60%. The sections are combined to provide an overall score. The Virginia bar essay topics may include:

• Agency
• Conflict of Law
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Business Organizations
• Creditors Rights
• Criminal Law
• Domestic Relations
• Equity
• Evidence
• Federal Practice and Procedure
• Local Government Law
• Professional Conduct
• Real and Personal Property
• Sales
• Suretyship
• Taxation
• Torts
• Trusts
• Uniform Commercial Code
• Virginia Civil and Criminal Procedure
• Wills and Estate Administration

As you can see, the vast number of possible essay subjects makes studying for the Virginian bar exam incredibly difficult. There is a lot of content to get your head around and become familiar with, so getting help or working in a group is an excellent way to help you achieve a pass result the first time around. Using a tutor allows you to receive constructive feedback, especially when completing practice questions. However, a tutor can sometimes be costly and not accessible by everyone. If that is the case, it is possible to self study for the Virginia test.

Self study requires a fair amount of dedication, but there are a few useful tips you can follow to give yourself the best chance at success. These include:

• Start early – this doesn’t mean well in advance of the bar exam (although that is essential), it means early in the morning. If you are not a morning person, it might be time to start. The test starts early in the morning so it’s a good idea to train your brain to start thinking in the morning. Starting early also ensures you get enough study done each day.
• Start with an essay – essay questions are renowned for being the hardest so it’s always a good idea to to get the hardest study over and done with first, rather than procrastinating.
• Use Virginia bar exam study materials – these can be found online and include study guides and practice questions.
• Allow for some rest time – while studying for the bar exam should be considered a full time job, your brain will function better if you allow yourself some down time. Watch a movie, go for a walk or hang out with friends.

A combination of productive self study and a Virginia bar exam prep help will give you the best chance at stress-free success.

District of Columbia

The first time pass rate for bar exam applicants in the District of Columbia is 74%, making it seemingly a little easier than quite a few other states. The exam is held over two days, each day is explained in more detail below:

Day 1 – the written part of the DC Bar Exam takes place on the first day. This includes the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) which has two questions and a three hour time allowance. The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) also takes place on day one and involves six questions over three hours. The essay questions can come from any of the following subjects;

• Business Associations
• Conflict of Laws
• Family Law
• Federal Civil Procedure
• Trusts, Wills, and Estates
• Uniform Commercial Code
• All MBE Subjects

Day 2 – applicants will sit the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) on the second day of the DC Bar Exam. It is split into two sections, each administered over three hours and consisting of 100 multiple choice questions.

The weighting of each section is: MPT 20%, MEE 30%, and MBE 50%.

Like other states, each section is vastly different so knowing how to prepare and study effectively is key to passing the DC Bar Exam. Here is some sound advice for each section:

Multistate Bar Exam – firstly you must understand the material, then memorize the material, and finally practice applying the material. Spend plenty of time answering practice questions in timed conditions.

Multistate Essay Exam – practice writing several essays each week. Make sure you understand the material, using a tutor can help you with this. Once you are confident that you know what you are writing about, time yourself writing your answers to stimulate exam conditions.

Multistate Performance Test – whilst you may not need to learn specific content for the MPT, spending time practicing the style of questions will ensure you approach this section confidently.

Options that are easily available are some of the group or courses that exist as well as private bar tutors. Self study and group sessions are great ways to prepare for the DC bar exam, but using a private tutor will ensure any troubles you have are eliminated. They can tailor lessons to suit your exact needs and provide valuable one-on-one teaching that you just can’t get from group lectures plus they’ve already passed the exam which helps in knowing any tricks that you might encounter during the test days.

 

Pennsylvania

Three quarters of first time candidates pass the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, a statistic that should fill future applicants with a little confidence.

There are six essay questions, and at first thought that may sound simple. The tricky part is that any one of 15 subjects can be tested using these essay questions. In preparation for the exam make sure that you learn the content in each and every one of the 15 subjects throughly. The next step is to spend a large amount of time completing practice essay questions. Finally, essay questions should be practiced under timed conditions to stimulate real exam pressures.

Applicants will also be asked to complete a performance test. The purpose of this test is to ensure that candidates are able to perform basic legal tasks. The test involves being given a file and various documents with the aim to formulate an answer to the task. While you do not need to learn and memorize specific content, there is some skill in achieving successful results in this section. Like many other sections, practicing questions in crucial. This way you will gain an understanding of the style of questions asked and the best way to formulate your answers.

As with other states, the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) comprises of 200 multiple choice questions testing the seven standardized areas. Learning, understanding and memorizing content is the key to success in this part of the exam. Keeping a clear head when answering all 200 questions in a given time frame is no easy task, so practice is crucial. Allocate plenty of time to prepare for this section and do so in timed conditions to stimulate exam conditions.

As you can see, the most successful way to achieve passing bar exam results is to practice, practice, practice.  Using any of several studying and practice options on your own, in a course or with a tutor will be critical to getting a successful result on your bar this year!

Illinois

Illinois has one of the highest first time pass rates for the bar exam with 78% of candidates competing the examination successfully. Definitely one of the states that has a high pass rate, you don’t want to get too complacent. The exam takes place over an intense two day period and is comprised of four components.

• The Illinois Essay Exam (IEE) – candidates will need to answer three 30-minute essays on Illinois Law.
• The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) – a 90 minute test that examines candidates’ ability to use basic lawyering skills. They must separate relevant from irrelevant and communicate legal concepts effectively.
• The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) – six 30-minute essays must be answered and provide evidence that candidates can understand universal law concepts.
• The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) – like most other states, candidates will have to answer 200 multiple choice questions over two, three-hour periods. Candidates are tested on their knowledge of fundamental legal principles. They will analyze fact situations and choose the correct answer from the four options available.

Out of state applicants can use their MBE score from their own jurisdiction if their score is over 141 and transferred within 13 months of sitting their exam. These applicants must still sit, and pass, the other sections of the Illinois bar exam.

Both local and out of state applicants should enlist the help of an Illinois bar exam tutor to ensure that they are learning the correct content and material. A knowledgeable tutor will also be able to provide Illinois-specific information and ease concerns regarding difficult topics. They will provide feedback on practice papers, which is the best form of preparation you can do. Practice essay questions can be found here and it is recommended that applicants complete these questions under timed conditions to stimulate exam conditions.

Organization is key when it comes to the Illinois bar exam. Not only will you be better prepared and confident in your ability to succeed if you spend more time studying, but you will also save yourself money. Also, don’t forget!  The sooner you apply to sit the Illinois bar exam, the cheaper the application fee.

Overall, begin preparing the for the exam early and practice, practice, practice!

Arizona

Applicants wishing to pass the Arizona Bar Exam on the first attempt may not be filled with confidence upon hearing that the pass rate is only 63%. This places it among the lowest passing states. Don’t let this fact put you off, however. Good preparation will ensure you give yourself the best shot at passing the first time around. Familiarize yourself with the Arizona bar exam and allow plenty of time to learn, revise and practice each of the sections.

• Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) – 200 hundred multiple choice questions are administered over two, three-hour periods testing knowledge of each of the seven standardized bar areas.
• Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) – unlike many other states, there are nine questions available in this section. However, most jurisdictions only choose six (like other states) to test the applicants. Each question or essay is allocated 30 minutes to complete. The essay question can come from the following subjects;
• Business Associations
• Conflict of Laws
• Family Law
• Federal Civil Procedure
• Trusts, Wills and Estates
• Uniform Commercial Code
• All MBE Subjects
• The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) – two 90 minute questions are administered and cover areas such as legal analysis, fact analysis, problem solving, resolution of ethical dilemmas, organization and management of a lawyering task, and communication.
• The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination – 60 multiple choice questions must be completed in the designated two hour and five minute timeframe.

Preparation for the Arizona bar exam takes several months and involves learning the content, memorizing the content and then applying your knowledge practically. It is advisable to complete several practice questions, ideally under timed conditions, to gain a thorough understanding of the expectation and reality of the exam.

Prepping for the bar alone can be exhausting.  Finding and using additional resources or group studying will make the process a bit more enjoyable.  And if you struggle in certain areas or aren’t as confident as you might be, an Arizona bar tutor might be helpful as well! 

Texas

To pass the Texas bar exam the first time, you will need to join the other 77% of successful candidates. The exam is longer than most other states so you probably need to spend more time preparing. Don’t let this put you off, with a fairly high success rate for first time candidates you can approach the exam with a positive attitude.

The exam is spread over 2 ½ days and is made up of four components;

• The Multistate Performance Test (MPT) – a 90 minute session that makes up 10% of your final mark.
• The Procedure and Evidence questions (P&E) – another 90 minute session, also contributing 10%, that covers Texas civil procedure and evidence (including jurisdiction), and Texas and federal criminal procedure and evidence.
• The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) – contributing 40% to your overall Bar Exam result, the MBE is 200 multiple choice questions administered over two three hour sessions.
• The Texas Essay questions – this component is spread over two sessions of three hours each and and makes up 40% of your total score. Essay topics can include;
• Business associations
• Wills and administration
• Family Law
• Uniform commercial code
• Real property (including oil and gas)
• Trusts and guardianships
• Consumer rights (including DTPA and insurance)

When it comes to preparing for the Texas Bar Exam it is recommended to make the most of study aids given to you at law school and to build a strong support network. This network is crucial for both academic and emotional support. Either a bar prep course, Texas bar exam tutor or other study options will help.  You want to make sure that you have plenty of time to go over and cover everything in detail.  When you create your study schedule, allow for several sessions each week with your tutor or team to go over material, content and practice questions.

 

New York

Future New York lawyers will be pleased to hear that 81% of first time applicants pass the bar exam. It is unclear whether this means that the exam is easier or that New Yorkers are simply better prepared. Even with the fairly high success rate, passing the New York bar exam does not guarantee employment in the legal sector. Studying for the bar exam is difficult and time consuming, even with the high first time pass rate, you shouldn’t assume immediate success.  On top of the seven standardized areas, New York bar exam applicants are also tested on:

• Agency and Partnerships
• Corporations
• Conflict of Laws
• Family Law
• Secured Transactions
• Trusts
• Wills and Estates

There are six 30-minute essay questions as part of the examination. This is a large proportion of the exam so using a bar exam essay tutor is advised. Even the most capable essay writers should seek specific advice when studying for the bar exam. The content and structure is different to many other essay-style examinations.

The MPT section is a 90-minute question that is designed to examine candidates’ ability to use fundamental skills in a realistic situation. They are given a case file and library, and are given a task such as writing a memo, a brief, a statement of fact or a will. It doesn’t necessarily require any regurgitation of knowledge, but more evidence to suggest that an applicant will be capable in the legal workforce. That being said, some specific knowledge of the law is still required to form a thorough and logical response. The best way to review for this section of the New York bar exam is to complete as many practice questions as possible to familiarize yourself with the layout and style of questions asked.

New York is one of the few states that allows candidates with a foreign legal education to sit for the bar, making it a popular choice for international applicants.

If you are studying Python these days, it can get overwhelming quite fast and that’s when many students start looking for a Python tutor.  And once you fall behind on this or just about any course, it becomes a struggle to catch up.  That’s where staying on top of your course will make all the difference in your grades as well as your stress levels.  Last minute, end of semester scrambling for grades or figuring out what you need to learn months before becomes more difficult and stressful.

Python is a complex object oriented programming language.  And like any programming language, students have areas that can become difficult to grasp.  Since much of programming builds upon earlier knowledge, making sure that you grasp all the steps of your coding and the processes along the way is critical for not only your coding but your grades at this point.

So if you want to stay on top of your courses, and Python in particular, it’s time to start exploring what types of private tutors or other tutoring options are available.

Python Tutor Options:

1. You can keep on muddling along.  Give it a go for another month or two and see how things work out?  Maybe you and Python will all of a sudden “connect” and it will all fall into place?  You never know, these kind of things do happen!
2. Give up some of your free time and make some appointments to see your teachers for assistance.  Depending on where you go to school and the teacher, this can be a great choice.  After all, the professor is the one that makes the exams so knowing what they want, how they are thinking can make the difference between a B or an A at times.  For a quick fix or an occasional question or two, this might be very effective and helpful.
3. Online resources are becoming better in just about any academic or technical topic that you can think of. There are many computer tutoring options available! And this holds true for Python tutoring as well.  If you are good at researching and digging into information, there’s several options that you can explore.  Just make sure that you are choosing solid websites that have the correct and applicable information.
4. Python tutors are yet another option to consider.  These days finding one that can either help you in the convenience of your home or office is easy.  In addition, online Python tutors are additional options that you might want to consider.  This way you can find the best tutor no matter where you or they are located.  Both at home tutors as well as online tutors can work with your schedule and requirements.  In terms of flexibility, this is the best option!

What to Look for in a Python Tutor:

Like with any tutor, when you are choosing a Python tutor, you want to make sure that they have experience.  Are they well versed in the areas and topics that you need now and that you will need in the future.  Once you have found your programming resource, you want to make sure they can assist you into the future as well.!

Have they tutored others in the course/s or areas that you need assistance with?  This avoids any lags or downtime which can be a money saver.  If they have tutored in these areas then they’ll be ready to help you as soon as you kick things off rather than trying to get up to speed on where you are and what you need.

Find a Python Tutor Near You Today!

How much tutoring experience have they had?  A “newbie” can be great, but do you want to be the person they test out their tutoring skills on?  The call is yours as is the expense.  Experience might cost a little more initially but in time saved when your Python tutor is there?  You might find a big savings.

Flexibility and availability.  Life and schedules can get in the way sometimes of the best intentions.  A tutor who understands that is much easier to deal with and makes your life better as well.

Don’t let yourself fall too far behind in any courses!  Finding a Python tutor can make all the difference in how you do in your courses.  It’s worth taking a little time to see what tutoring options are available to you.  Just search for your tutors in your area or online and see the options.  If you have questions or find a tutor that might be a fit, send them a message to find out more.  Might make all the difference this year!