Tag: study guide

Both the GRE and the SAT are exams that test your skills in math, reading, and writing. However, when considering the GRE vs SAT we find noticeable differences that all students should keep in mind when preparing for either one or the other.

Students that have done the SAT and are now thinking of furthering their academic career by taking a GRE should not be misled by the thought that it’s the same exam or simply a harder version of it.

While some things students have learned from their SAT can be translated into preparing the GRE, other aspects may not be at all similar. Being aware of the differences and getting familiar with the exam would definitely help you get the highest possible GRE score.

With that objective in mind, here we will walk you through the similarities and differences between these two very useful and popular tests that may unlock the doors to achieving your academic goals in the future.

The Similarity GRE and SAT

For those students that have already done the SAT and are glad this rite of passage is behind them, we have some news. Accessing a graduate program very often requires preparing for another exam: the GRE. But, what is the GRE like? Is the GRE harder than the SAT?

We are here to answer all your questions about the GRE, the SAT, and how they may be similar or different.

First of all, it’s worth mentioning that the SAT and the GRE are two different and separate exams and the results in the first do not guarantee good results in the second one.

Most people wonder about the GRE difficulty, and a common question it is: is GRE harder than SAT? is the GRE difficult? is the SAT difficult? Well, it’s not easy to say because by the time students take the GRE they have gone through four years of college, taking more complex classes and doing assignments that are more difficult than your standard high school work. All of this prepares students to overcome the challenges the GRE represents.

What is similar in GRE and SAT:

• SAT and the GRE are assessing reading, writing, and math,
• wrong answers are not penalized,
• both almost 100% multiple-choice (except for writing),
• both tests offer several mock exams that students can use to practice,
• analytical writing section expects from you to give opinions

Mainly the fact that both the SAT and the GRE are broad-based tests meant to assess your reading, writing, and math skills. They complement your level of education, so for the SAT, you need to use what you’d normally know at a high school level, while for the GRE, more academic college-level content is required.

In both tests, wrong answers don’t push you backward in terms of scores.

Also, both tests are almost 100% multiple-choice, obviously not considering the writing section where students should write essays following clear academic standards.

When it comes to content, we can see similarities in the type of questions that are there to test your logic, analytic, and reasoning skills. Obviously, for the GRE content, the questions are more complex and sophisticated than for the SAT.

The analytical writing section in both tests expects you to give opinions and justify those using solid arguments. The ability to back up your statements is present in both tests, though the expectations are different in each of them.

Finally, both tests offer several mock exams that students can use to practice while they are preparing to take the SAT or the GRE.

The Difference between GRE vs SAT

We have already established that the GRE and the SAT are different exams, now we are going to discuss their differences in terms of structure, sections, expectations, delivery methods, scores, and costs. Hopefully, a better comprehension of both these exams will help you prepare with more confidence and be able to reach your academic goals with more ease.

Understanding the differences between these two exams will also help you be more successful and prepared, with the ultimate goal of obtaining the maximum possible score. Being aware of these differences will help you to better prepare for the GRE.

What are the differences between the SAT and the GRE?

• GRE is more flexible in terms of when to take it,
• SAT is more stressful (future defining) – limited tries,
• GRE can be done every 21 days up to 5 times in a year,
• writing part is optional in SAT,
• GRE can be done on a computer,
• GRE is much more expensive,
• different test structure,
• completely different scoring system

One of the main differences between the SAT and the GRE is that the latter is much more flexible in terms of when to take it and how many times to do so.

It’s well-known the stress students go through when preparing, booking, and doing their SAT. It’s an important exam that defines their future and it should not be taken lightly. To be able to take the SAT students must book their spot with a lot of anticipation as there are only around seven dates a year the test can be done. There is also a limit regarding how many times the test can be taken if the score is not up to their expectations.

On the other hand, GRE offers a different level of flexibility that many students would probably appreciate. Not only you can book your place just a few days before the exam date, keeping in mind availability, you can also apply for a computer-based test that can be done every 21 days and up to 5 times in a period of 365 days. This means that you can wait until you are feeling ready and prepared to register to do the exam, maximizing your chances of success.

What seems just a bureaucratic difference, may actually have an important impact on how students prepare and, especially, on how they deal with the stress during the time leading towards their exam date.

We will discuss other differences in detail, but it’s worth pointing out that in the SAT the writing part is optional, but… this is not the case in the GRE! Do not skip this part thinking it’s not compulsory, get some practice, and prepare before taking the exam, that way even if the writing part is not your strong suit, you can do it successfully.

While talking about the writing, the GRE includes two essay tasks, one of which is very similar to the SAT writing part. In this section, students have to identify the logical flaws in the text. The other writing task is more challenging, but it is thought in a way that if you do a lot of practice during your college years, you should be fine.

The Purpose of the Test

SAT is required to enter undergraduate studies, the GRE is taken by those applying to a master’s or a doctorate

In terms of purpose, there is a big difference between the GRE and the SAT.

While the SAT is required to enter undergraduate studies, the GRE is taken by those applying to a master’s or a doctorate. This represents a big difference in the type of students taking the test: in the case of the SAT is mostly junior and senior high school students; on the other hand, the GRE is aimed at college students that aspire to be admitted into grad education.

Even if the GRE is the most popular test to access higher education programs, the use of this exam depends on the type of course you are hoping to enter. Most grad programs in science, humanities, and social sciences base their admission on your GRE score. However, other courses, such as law or medicine, will require other types of exams for their admission process.

So, when we are thinking about the SAT vs GRE, we need to keep in mind that they are no equivalent exams and will have very different outcomes.

Some people believe that the GRE is more challenging, but is the GRE difficult? Well, as a test, it sets the minimum standards to do a master’s or doctorate, but with thorough preparation, you should be able to get a good score and consequently strengthen your chances to enter the grad program you’re interested in.

Test Frequency and Availability

We have already briefly mentioned the frequency and availability of both exams as one of those aspects that may impact students and how they prepare for the exam, as well as how stressful the time before the exam date may be.

SAT can only be taken once a month from the beginning of October to December and then in March, May, June, and August.

Since the SAT is a paper-based delivered test, it is not available all year round. The SAT can only be taken once a month from the beginning of October to December and then in March, May, June, and August.

This restrictive availability creates some strain and students usually have to book well in advance their seats to take the exam.

GRE can be taken all through the year in many different locations around the world.

Completely different from the SAT, the GRE can be taken all through the year in many different locations around the world. Being a computer-based test, it is convenient and easy to book, even just a few days before the exam date, subject to availability.

With the GRE, students can take the test 5 times in a year with at least 21 days between one test and the other. The test is available all year round in many different countries.

Computer vs Paper based

Another big difference between the SAT and the GRE is the way these tests are delivered.

Some people have asked what’s better either doing the GRE computer vs paper-based. The truth is that most of the time the GRE is done on the computer. This makes it dynamic and easy to take in different dates and countries, as we mentioned, the GRE is much more flexible as an exam, compared to the SAT.

So there is no real choice for the GRE paper vs computer-based. Most of the time students cannot decide if they prefer paper vs computer GRE, the first option is reserved only for those doing the test in countries where it is not possible to do it on the computer.

The SAT, on the other hand, is done exclusively on paper. At the moment, it is only available as a paper-delivered test, though there have been rumors that in the future it may change and become more technological.

The last thing we should mention is that with the GRE as a computer-based test, the delivery is more adaptive, which means that the second part of the exam will be different depending on how well the student performed on the first part. Therefore, to get the best possible score, students should do their very best at the beginning of the test.

The Cost

Since the purpose of both tests is completely different and their sections and delivery also quite diverse, it’s no surprise that the prices of either the SAT and the GRE are rather opposite. GRE is much more expensive than the SAT.

The price of the SAT is either $46 or $60, depending on students wanting to do the optional writing part or not. The GRE costs significantly more at a rate of $205.

Also, the cost of the score reports is different: the SAT costs $12, while the GRE costs $27 per score recipient.

Test Structure

Even though the SAT and the GRE cover the same general topics: math, reading, and writing; the way these sections are presented is completely different.

The structure of both tests is quite different. In the SAT each section appears only once and always in the same order. It starts with the reading, continues with the writing and language part, which is followed by the math sections (with the part without calculator first and with calculator after), to end always with the essay task if students decide to do it.

As seen from the structure of the SAT, we can say that it’s a very predictable test.

The GRE is presented in a very different way. It does always start with the writing part (the two essay tasks). But afterward, the structure of the exam is completely random. The two verbal sections may be first or may be mixed with the quantitative parts. Even the unscored section will be randomly present in the test (though the research section will always be at the end).

Sections

While both tests assess basically the same skills, the sections in each exam have different names and require different skills to complete successfully.

The SAT has four different parts, including an optional essay that not everyone decides to do. The compulsory sections are reading, writing and language, and math.

There is a particular order in which students have to do the different sections: the first one is reading, followed by writing and language, and then math, and finally the essay (if applicable).

Sometimes we may find that when talking about the SAT people mention 5 sections. This is because the math part can be separated into two: one part can be done using a calculator, and the other part doesn’t allow this. These two sections are scored together, so we can count them as one too.

The sections in the GRE are only three and are called: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Each part is divided into several tasks: the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are separated into two sections each, while the writing includes two compulsory essays.

For the GRE, there is a fourth section that is an unscored experimental or maybe a research section (it could be maybe an extra Verbal or Quant section; it usually includes 20 questions and it should be done in 35 minutes top).

Students should be aware that the unscored experimental sections are not specified in the test and it may appear in different sections at not specific moment, while the research section will always be by the end of the test and will be mentioned clearly what it is.

Scoring

Another big difference between the SAT and the GRE is the way both tests are scored. They use completely different scales and present their results in their own way.

On the SAT, there is an overall score for both Math sections. The scale, in this case, goes from 200 to 800. On the other hand, the SAT verbal score, meaning the Reading and Writing and Language get also an overall score with another scale that also goes from 200 to 800. Finally, all the scores are combined to produce the total SAT score that goes from 400 to 1600 (in increments of 10 points).

The GRE is scored following a completely different system. There is a common scale from 130 to 170 for the Verbal and Quantitative Section, but the results are usually presented as separate parts and not as a combined result. The GRE math sections are scored similarly.

When talking about the writing part, both tests use different scales and present the results as separated from the rest of the test. But while on the SAT the score goes from 2 to 8 points for each category (there are three parts, writing, analysis, and reading, so the maximum points would be 3 times 8); the GRE uses points from 0 to 6 with half increments to assess the writing part.

As you can see, the scales each of these exams use, and the way they present results is rather different. The way the institutions you are applying to read these results depends on you doing either the SAT or the GRE, and they may have different standards. The most important thing is to remember you cannot translate SAT scores into GRE scores, or do a GRE to SAT conversion.

Get started with the best SAT math tutors today to prepare for your upcoming exam.

Are you planning to take the GRE? Are you short of time and are you wondering how to study for the GRE in a month? Here we will talk about everything you need to know to get ready for this important exam in just a month. We will help you set up a schedule that covers every subject included in the exam and will help you structure your time to successfully do the GRE.

Are you ready to take the first step towards success?

What is the GRE?

GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. This multiple-choice, standardized and computer-based exam is a fundamental step in your application to a business school or graduate program (like an MBA).

ETS is the test maker that administrates the GRE. With this exam, they can ensure the level and preparation of students before they enter different business schools. In fact, admission committees consider the GRE scores, along with other requirements (like school records, essays, and general academic performance), in order to accept students into further education.

There is no doubt that a higher score on the GRE will positively impact your graduate or business school application, therefore granting you access to your dream career.

What does the GRE include and how is it scored?

The GRE will challenge your knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. In addition, it will test your skills in college-level vocabulary and writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking in academic exercises designed to test your level of preparation to enter a business school.

The results for the GRE are divided into three sections: analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. There is a section in the exam for each one of these skills. But, in addition, the GRE has one of the following sections: an unscored section (that could be verbal reasoning or quantitative reasoning) and a research section.

The scores for the GRE are different depending on the section. For the Qualitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections, the score goes from 130 to 170, being the average score for the first 153 and 152 for the second. The Analytical Writing Section is scored from 0 to 6, being 4 the average score.

The test takes about 4 hours counting each section and breaks in between.

Structure of the GRE exam

– Analytical Writing Assessment: this task is an essay that offers you the possibility of articulating your thoughts and presenting your opinions in an articulate way. There are two tasks, one to analyze a topic, the other to analyze an issue. For each case you will be given instructions you must follow to respond to each part. 

Students are given 30 minutes per part, which results in a total of 1 hour for both tasks. 

– Verbal Reasoning: This section is designed to test your abilities to analyze written material. This part is divided into different exercises (with a total of 20 questions) of the following kind: Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension questions.

Students have 60 minutes to complete these tasks. 

– Quantitative Reasoning: this part of the GRE exam is designed to assess your abilities to reasons and solver problems. In this part, students have to deal with basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis questions. The general level is the Math abilities covered in High School. This section is divided into two parts with 20 questions in each part.

The total time for the Quantitative Reasoning is 35 minutes per section. 

When and where take the GRE?

The GRE is a very popular exam around the world, present in 160 countries with more than 1.000 centers. The test is available throughout the year.

What institutions accept the GRE?

The GRE is accepted internationally by many business schools. For a complete list, you can check this website (https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/scores/send/aidi_fellowships).

Best practices to succeed on the GRE:

Are you wondering how to prepare for the GRE in a month while juggling your work, hobbies, studies, and family chores? If you’re not sure how to deal with it all, the first step to effectively prepare for the GRE is to make a schedule and stick to it!

The first thing you need to know is that preparing for the GRE in a month is ambitious. The best way to do it is following the plan we propose below and paying attention to the tips we share with you here!

The most effective start to our month of preparation is to take a practice exam. This will give you a clear idea of what are your strengths and weaknesses and in which areas you have to work harder. Your practice exam results will give you a clear view of your priorities for the month ahead.

Another important aspect that you should get sorted from the go, is the need of being familiar with the exam, its different parts, and how the scoring system works. Most of this information we have shared in this article.

Now, it’s time to set up a schedule! Make sure you have time every day to practice all different sections. Making a schedule means setting up times during the day that are exclusively dedicated to preparing for the test. This means reorganizing priorities (don’t worry…. It’s only for a month!), so try to decide if there is anything you can sacrifice for the time you prepare for the exam.

The month of preparation for the GRE will include a lot of exercises like the exam so you can practice in real conditions, as well as mock exams.

Finally, it’s very important to physically and mentally prepare for the day of the exam. Eating well and sleeping around 7 or 8 hours a day will help you get to the day of the exam feeling aware and healthy. Don’t forget to do exercises that boost your self-confidence, which is very important to succeed in whatever you decide to do!

How to prepare for the GRE in a month?

Verbal Reasoning Section

Get relevant and reliable material to prepare the GRE. Some recommended sources are the Word Power Made Easy, a book that will help you build up your vocabulary. You should try to cover at least a chapter per day (40 to 60 words). If you follow their recommended mnemotechnics you will be able to have a wider vocabulary quite fast!

Manhattan 5lb is another book that we can recommend to get ready to pass your GRE.

Official Guide (EST) (https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/): while costly, these materials are very useful to prepare for the exam. Using this bundle consistently every day will help you familiarize yourself with the exam and be (and feel!) more prepared.

Online materials and preparation bundles: Magoosh (https://gre.magoosh.com/) is one of the best preparation sites you can find online. Their preparation materials are paid, but when it comes to the verbal part it’s a very useful resource. Use their flashcards daily to learn new words and review difficult vocabulary.

Quantitative Reasoning Section

Since you’ve done the practice test before starting your preparation, you should know what parts of the test are more difficult for you. Concentrating on those is the best strategy since you only have one month.

The mentioned official guide of EST is useful to understand what type of questions you are dealing with. You should work on the parts that you find harder at least once a day.

Using practice tests 

We have already mentioned how important is to do practice tests. Not only they will help you clearly see what areas you need to work harder and therefore set up your priorities better in the month you have to prepare, but they will allow you to be more familiar with the test format (and more confident!).

The official guide offers 2 full practice tests and there are also two Powerprep Software tests (https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/powerprep/). The later ones should be used at the beginning and at the end of your month preparation.

If you get the Manhattan 5lb book you will have access to another mock exam.

When doing the exams you should always recreate the exam conditions as close as possible, so don’t forget to respect the times for each section.

Preparing for the GRE in a month is ambitious and it will require consistency and a serious commitment from your part. Keep your goals clear in your mind to boost your motivation. And good luck! 

Parents usually have quite an important role in helping their kids with their homework and school tasks. But, due to the current crisis, family routines have experienced serious changes. We want to share some tips and advice on how parents can help their children at home maintaining (or restoring) the balance in the family.

Today, with parents and children being stuck at home, adults have had to fulfill diverse roles: they are mothers, fathers, teachers, tutors, entertainers, and babysitters. No surprise parents are stressed! So we want to talk about different options to help you deal with your child’s school needs in a way that helps everyone, contributing to the happiness of everyone in the family, and creating a more positive environment.

We will discuss general topics of helping children while at home during a stressful period, but also what (and how) can parents help their children at home with their academic work.

How can online or private tutor at home help your child?

Many students have suffered due to the changes that our world has seen happening in the last months. Their grades have suffered too. If parents cannot offer the academic support their kids need, or play the role of teachers, finding an alternative, an online tutor, is the best option!

Not only will the tutor fill the gaps left by the online school lessons that the kids may struggle to follow, but it will help with the family dynamic since it frees parents of playing the role of teachers to their kids, with all the stress that may bring into the relationship.

Online or private tutors will help your children catch up, prepare for exams, and start the new academic year with confidence and up to the national standards. But not only that, your kids’ tutor will help them organize their time better, complete the school tasks they may find challenging, and will add stability and structure to the family time spent at home. Having an online or private tutor in these times is the best bet for your children’s future. 

Whatever your kids’ needs are, we have the best tutors to help them.

Structure the family life  

With all the family staying at home, it’s time to set up some rules! The first step in getting your children to do their homework and the chores at home is to create structure. Having all the family at home may have kids confused and they may find it hard to understand that there are different tasks to do, whereas before they may have identified the time at home as leisure.

Challenging situations, like a global pandemic, create a sense of lack of control. The best solution is to sit together and come up with a schedule with clear expectations that allows everybody to know what they have to do and when. Having the necessary guidelines to organize family life offers everyone some degree of control, especially if done together.

Obviously, the next step is to decide how to proceed so the structure is respected by everyone in the family. Establishing a compromise is the responsibility of the whole family and children must be included in the decision-making process. An easy way to do this is by deciding on prizes and consequences, motivating children to take part in daily chores without ending up in a tantrum. This will eventually also give parents the time they need to work from home, or do their own stuff.

How can parents positively motivate their children?

It’s been proven that self-motivated children are more successful. But even more interesting is the fact that families that set up a structure and follow it, experience much less conflict. During crisis times, this becomes a must.   

Plan a schedule together

Families should sit down and make a plan together. Knowing how the day is structured and having a set routine helps not only kids but also the parents, to feel more in control in a time of uncertainty. With small kids, the adults may want to create a plan by themselves, but with older kids and teens, it may help to do it together to understand clearly what everyone is expected to do.

Involve the children in the decision-making

In fact, involving the kids in the decisions that may affect the whole family is a good idea. It doesn’t eliminate conflict but makes everyone involved in the decision-making, responsible.

Be empathetic and establish an open communication

These times are difficult for everyone. Adults have to deal with stress from work, from being at home, from their fears and insecurities. Children also experience all those feelings and creating an environment where there is open communication and empathy, really helps them to manage their own stress, consequently making them less confused and uncertain and helping them stay more focused on their school work.

A typical day at home

Families need to create a sense of routine at home, and the best way to do it is by setting up a schedule so children know what to expect during the day. Each family may have their own routines, but this is a basic idea:

• Morning routines: waking up, brushing their teeth, having breakfast, and some play-time in order to move forward towards school work.
• Afternoon routines: having lunch, doing physical exercise, and time dedicated to their friends. Some extra time for further school work would be a good idea.
• Evening routines: time to spend with the family and share fun activities together.

Screen time

With kids spending all of their time at home while parents are juggling diverse roles, a risk is that screen time for children and teenagers could get out of control. For the last few months, kids have been using computers or telephones not only to do their normal leisure activities but to do homework, attend lessons and socialize with their friends.

During this time, parents need to control their children more closely in front of the many diverse devices we are surrounded by daily, as well as setting more strict rules in terms of how much screen time their kids are allowed.

Families that use their time together away from telephones and computers can enjoy more harmony and help children or teens to stick to their set routine.

Parent involvement in school work

Having kids at home doing their lessons online and dealing by themselves with homework requires a more regular presence of the parents. Goes without saying that little kids will need their mother or father to be present during the lessons and help them with the assigned tasks.

Even though the newer generations are said to have been born with telephones in their hands, the sudden change from traditional classes to online ones has brought to attention the fact that many kids cannot cope with the needed technology for educational purposes. That’s why parents have found themselves with the duty of supervising and offering support to their kids and teens during school hours and homework.

In fact, teenagers may be more independent, but that doesn’t mean they may not find the new system challenging and may be tempted to perform less in a situation where they are not closely controlled. Their parents’ role, in this case, is to offer academic and technological support and create an environment where teens can share their doubts and needs.

How can parents help?

We have mentioned a few things parents can do, like create a daily routine or offer support and supervision to their children with their school work.

But let’s be more realistic!

Parents can’t always juggle all the different roles they are forced to play while all the family is at home. So, what can they do? Well, an easy solution we have already discussed is to find online tutoring. 

What other options are there for parents that want to help their kids at home?

If parents are set in their decision of helping their kids with homework and supervising their school work, there are other options to offer them the right tools to help their kids in the best possible way.

The first step is for parents to get involved in the classes their kids are having and understand the goals set for each kid depending on their age and level. They can achieve this by creating a communication channel with the school teachers and getting familiar with the school materials their kids are using.

Thanks to the internet today parents can access an almost unlimited bank or resources that could help with following their children’s schoolwork and offering them the necessary academic support they may need. Either is for languages, Maths, or Science, there are videos and specialized channels that will keep kids engaged while learning.

Resources for parents to help their children at home

We have selected our favorite sites to help you ease the burden of having to help your kids and find an innovative and fun way to engage them during this period. If you’re a parent with kids at home and you’re looking for some ideas to help them with their school work, you will find the following list useful!

Writing and Reading for kids under 12

Epic (https://www.getepic.com/): resources and activities for kids up to 12.

OxfordOwl (https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/find-a-book/library-page/): great free library for kids aged 3-11.

Middle School Resources

A selection of the best books by teachers (https://www.weareteachers.com/best-middle-school-books/): rich digital library, mostly novels.

Older Kids and Teenagers:

The New York Times Learning Network (https://www.nytimes.com/section/learning): a great selection for teenagers with extra activities and suggestions.

Mathematic activities

Hit the Button (https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button): ideal for kids from 6 to 11 years old. Interactive games and entertaining activities.

Bedtime Math (http://bedtimemath.org/splash-of-math/): a new and engaging method to help children 3-9 with numeracy.

Science fun

National Geographic (https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/): A lot of material for kids of all ages organized by subject. They cover geography, history, animals and many other topics.

Oops, cramming for that Constitution exam tomorrow? This US Constitution test study guide will cover the main areas you need to know to approach it with confidence. Key terms and subjects that you’ll need to remember are in bold and be sure follow points of interest to develop your answers. Need more help?

What Came Before

The United States Constitution was not the first document to dictate the political and judicial makeup of the country. The Articles of Confederation (1771-1789) provided a generally weak framework for a central government since it wanted to emphasize the independence and free-will of the 13 states. Its powers were limited to international diplomacy, national territory, and declaring war (no plans for taxation are a key problem here).

Its President (the President of the Congress) was largely ceremonial as a debate moderator for the 13 states. Failure of the states to work together meant that a better system with a strong central government needed to be put in place. However, it would be enough to win the revolutionary war and establish the Declaration of Independence (1776). This saw the 13 states as independent from Britain and that they would unite to form a nation-state. The Constitution would then need to perform a balancing act between centralizing power (not allowing states/the electorate to do as they please) and avoiding tyranny (not becoming like Britain).

Points of interest:

• How did the War of Independence shape the political foundations of the United States?
• What previous document/s dictated the government of the United States? What were their limitations?

Writing the document

The United States Constitution (1787) was drafted during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and defined the American government as a constitutional republic. It gives power to its citizens in the preamble by beginning with “We the People” rather than owing itself to the inherited position of a throne (Britain’s constitutional monarchy).

Those who helped draft the Constitution alongside the signers of the Declaration of Independence were the Framers of the Constitution. As expected, most of these 55 men were wealthy land-owners with a significant portion owning slaves (a smaller number were entirely dependent on slave-labor). While it only required 9 of the 13 states to be enacted, it was ensured that amendments to the constitution could be made in future. Rhode Island was the final state to ratify the constitution.

Like the Articles of Confederation, many disagreements were made over its contents which meant that compromise needed to be made. The Virginia Compromise called for representation of each state to be determined by population whereas the New Jersey Compromise wanted equal representation for each state. The joining of the two, the Connecticut Compromise, made Congress bicameral.

Points of interest:

• Who wrote the Constitution? Where and when was this conducted?
• What are amendments and how many have been made?
• What is the term for how power is shared between federal, state and local government?

 

How the Constitution designs our Political System

The Constitution divided the government into three branches who would provide checks and balances on their powers. These were the Legislative (congress), Executive (the president) and Judicial (the supreme court).

Legislative

The Legislative Branch is set out first and given the most attention. It’s job is to make laws in congress which is separated into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is a requirement of the constitution that Congress assembles at least once a year. As of 2019, the House of Reps (lower chamber) consists of 435 seats that are divided amongst the 50 states on the basis of their population size.

At the time, Native Americans were not counted in the census and “all other persons” (slaves) were counted as 3/5 of a person, although this was stopped by Amendment 14.

Elections for representatives are held every 2 years with candidates needing to be residents of their state, 25 or older and having been a citizen for at least 7 years. The Speaker of the House is elected by majority, meaning it will be the leader of the controlling party.

The Senate (upper chamber) is comprised of 2 seats for each state, making 100 members total as of 2019.  Senators serve 6 year terms with the requirement that they are at least 30, have been citizens for at least 9 years, and are residents of their state. The Senate is led by its Presiding Officer who is usually the Vice President.

Congressional members are elected by direct popular vote from their constituents (congressional districts elect the House of Reps whereas Statewide elections appoint senators). This system of legislature is a representative democracy where citizens elect members to make laws on their behalf (this is opposed to direct democracy where citizens would vote on matters individually). This is an example of the constitution centralizing power while avoiding tyranny of monarchy.

Section 8 approves Congress to conduct taxation which avoids the problem of weak governance set out in the Articles of Confederation.

Bills can originate from both houses but must also be approved by the majority in both.

The President must also approve, but this can be avoided in different circumstances. If the President rejects a bill it can return to the chamber it was proposed by and become law if 2/3 of its seats approve. Similarly, if the President sits on a bill for 10 days without rejection it will become law. Congress has the power to impeach the President. It is initiated in the House of Reps and subsequently tried in the Senate. Congress also has the ability to declare war.

Test your knowledge:

1. Which chamber has two representatives from each state?
   1. Senate
   2. House of Reps
2. What is the difference between representative and direct democracy?
3. An election is being held for the Senate in Ohio. Who determines the vote?
   1. The House of Reps
   2. Residents of Ohio
   3. The Electoral College
   4. No one, senators are appointed by local judges

Executive

The Constitution then defines the Executive branch made up the President, the Electoral College, and the Cabinet. The Electoral College is responsible for electing the President. The amount of Electoral College members in each state is equivalent to the sum of their congressional seats:

Senate seats + House of Representative Seats = number of electoral voters per state

When citizens vote ‘for the President’ they are effectively voting for a potential elector who will in turn vote for their Presidential choice. No part of the constitution requires electors to vote in accordance with the popular vote. The candidate must win the majority of electoral votes (270 out of 358) to assume the Presidency.

The President is titled the ‘Commander in Chief’ by the Constitution, assuming the highest position in all branches of the United States Armed Forces and the executive. A President is tasked with directing foreign treaties and nominating judges to the Supreme Court. Presidents enforce bills passed by the legislative branch.

Presidential candidates must be at least 35, a natural-born citizen, and a resident for at least 14 years of their life.

Presidents serve 4 year terms and could initially serve as many terms as possible, although 22^nd Amendment (1951) placed a 2-term limit on the position. FDR is the only President to have served 4 terms.

If a President is incapable of holding office then the Presidential line of succession determines who takes their place. The Vice President would be first followed by the Speaker of the House and so on. The President is able to pardon anyone who commits crimes against the United States. The President can also veto any bill put forward by Congress.

Test your knowledge:

1. True or false: the President is elected via popular vote.
2. What decides the number of Electoral College Voters?
3. The exact number is ratified in the Constitution
4. Proportional to population-size of each state with a maximum of 538
5. Sum of Congressional Seats
6. What are the three requirements for Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates?

Points of interest:

1. What could have motivated the constitutional framers to enact an Electoral College?

 

Judicial

The 3^rd article establishes the Supreme Court comprising of 9 judges who serve life appointments, although they can be removed via impeachment. Congress has the ability to set up inferior courts. These courts can rule on all cases that full under the Constitution. The Supreme Court is charged with interpreting the law and deciding what is constitutional and unconstitutional. The Constitution outlines treason as its only crime. The Supreme Court is able to declare any law or act committed by the Executive or Legislature as unconstitutional.

Test your knowledge:

1. How many Judges are on the supreme court?
2. 7
3. 9
4. 13

1. How are Supreme Court judges selected?
2. Nominated by the President and confirmed by both chambers of Congress
3. Nominated by the President and confirmed by the House of Reps.
4. Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate
5. Directly appointed by the President

1. What branch of government can have their actions deemed unconstitutional by the Judiciary?
2. Legislative
3. Executive
4. Both

Federalism and Amendments

The Constitution has been very effective in centralizing the power of government compared to previous attempts. Some feared that this threatened the rights of states and individuals, namely James Madison who had written the first 10 amendments to the Constitution entitled the Bill of Rights.

Notable was the freedom of speech and separation of church and state (1st), the right to bear arms (2^nd), the need for warrants (4^th) and the right to not plead against yourself in court (5^th). The 10^th amendment ensures Federalism, in that power is shared between national and state governments. This meant that any power that isn’t described as Congressional belongs to the states of the people. However, the Elastic Clause allows for Congress to act outside the explicit language of the Constitution if it can rationalise that it fits within its delegated powers.

Amendments can be proposed by 2/3 of both chambers of Congress or state legislatures. They are ratified by ¾ of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions. The president has no official role in these proceedings. As of 2019, 33 amendments have been made to the Constitution.

Points of interest

• The 33 amendments vary in scope and effect. What are the most important amendments in your view? What are the least important?
• What is problematic about the Elastic Clause? Would it be supported or objected by federalists?

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United States Constitution Test Study Guide

 These are some of the topics that you want to dive into deeply and make sure that you can cover at least the basics of each whether it’s for the US History exam, government and politics test or an AP Exam. Often you’ll see questions coming right from these topics, so take the time to check them out and know the answers!

• Functions of the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive Branches
• Definition of Pardon
• Head of the Executive Branch
• # of Justices, including the Chief Justice, make up the Supreme Court
• Term of a Supreme Court Justice
• Term of a member in the House of Representatives and Senate
• Qualifications for a member of the House of Representatives
• Who holds the concurrent powers?
• What Amendment states no state can deny people their basic rights?
• 1^st Ten Amendments is called what?
• What year did the Constitution become effective?
• Who presides over the Senate?
• What amendment guarantees the right to bear arms?
• What amendment provides rights for the accused in terms of punishment?
• What amendment contains a due process clause?
• What amendment ended slavery?
• What 2 things did the Declaration of Independence do?
• Who had the final say in all matters under the Articles of Confederation?
• What was the form of government in which power is handed down from one generation to the next?
• What were the most striking characteristics of the framers of the Constitution?
• What city did the constitutional convention take place in?
• Know the difference between direct and representative democracy.
• How many Presidents have served a complete four terms in office?
• What amendment addresses the term limits of the President?
• What group elects the President?
• Know the differences between the Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut Compromises.
• What is impeachment an example of?  Who holds the power of impeachment?  Who is the jury?
• How many colonies were at the First Continental Congress?
• What is the minimum number of electoral votes to be elected President?
• How many members are there in the House of Representatives and Senate?
• What type of government does the Constitution create?
• Know what the elastic clause does for the constitution.
• In order to add an amendment to the constitution – it has to pass by what margin and does it need a presidential signature?
• What does the Constitution state that no person may be deprived of?
• A trial by jury cannot be denied if the value of the lawsuit exceeds what $ amount.
• What is the minimum infraction necessary for the impeachment of a judge?
• How many times per year is Congress required to be assembled by the Constitution?
• Know what a warrant does for law officials.
• Does the Constitution state anything regarding Church and State?
• Know the Presidential succession.
• Know the President’s job descriptions – chief citizen, chief diplomat, commander-in-chief, chief legislator, and chief of state.
• Be able to identify procedures of the US Government as expressed, implied, inherent. (4.1 worksheet)
• Be able to identify what 10 key Presidents were known for.  (list of Presidents on Review Day)
• How many amendments are in the Constitution.
• What is a filibuster?
• Who has the power to declare war?
• When are congressional elections held?
• Does the 5^th Amendment guarantee that you can’t be tried twice for the same crime?
• What 2 groups make up Congress?
• What court case established Judicial Review?
• Which state was the last state to ratify the Constitution?
• Where does all of the power of government agencies come from?

If you want to learn how to study and if a local tutor can help better than the options, read on!  When it comes to academic success, there are many avenues to help you achieve a positive result. Re-working problems, reviewing all information from the course and teacher as well as solid test preparation skills can be helped by books, online courses and local tutors.

Naturally, your individual learning style and personality will dictate how you you learn best, and what works for one student may not necessarily allow another student to achieve the same success. That’s why we’ve decided to look at several different options to help you decide the best way for you to gain the academic accolades you deserve.  After all, if you’re going to be in school or taking those tests, then you may as well get the best results possible!

Books

For many years books have been the ‘go to’ for both teachers and learners. Textbooks provide practice questions, explanations, examples and, quite often, answers. There are also plenty of books that explain theories and provide summaries of major topics, regardless of the subject. Being well-read is beneficial in subjects such as English and history, so the more you read the better your results will be – providing you take in the content that you’ve covered of course! Reading provides you with an extensive vocabulary and a thorough background knowledge on multiple topics. The overall impact that it can have on your studying ability as well as grades is going to be the subject of another post!  It’s really a game changer….so start reading more! Books are incredibly accessible, especially if you join the library or various online sites. (And if you don’t want to read, then listen!

Pros:

• You can use sticky notes to mark important pages so you can refer back to particular points of information if you need to clarify anything.
• If you own the book you can make notes in the margin and even highlight important parts of the text.
• You can easily borrow books from libraries for free.
• Many textbooks are available second hand.
• There is quite often an extensive range of books on any one subject so you can choose the version that best suits you.
• Some people find it easier to physically flick through pages than scrolling on a tablet or computer screen.
• Studies have also shown that students actually do better and learn more using actual books over electronic books and note taking.

Cons:

• Books are often expensive to buy.
• They take up space which can be problematic if you have a small room.
• If you don’t own the book you can’t write your own notes and thoughts.
• They are heavy to carry around between classes and study sessions.

Online Courses

The internet has opened up a wide world of studying opportunities, right at your fingertips. You can now study virtually any subject from even the most remote location. Online courses use a variety of teaching and learning tools including live chats, online lectures or webinars, practice questions, corresponding documents and study guides, forums with fellow students, and videos. Despite the beneficial aspects of online courses, you need to be very careful that the course you wish to take is genuine, covers the material you need to know and will be beneficial to your future.

Pros:

• Online courses mean that anyone can learn and prepare for exams regardless of their location.
• Some of these courses are free.
• Due to the wide variety of courses, you are bound to find one that suits your needs.
• You can study on your own time & schedule, when it suits you.
• Online courses often come with a plethora of online resources that you can regularly refer to.

Cons:

• The course may not be approved by some schools or programs and the person or people running the course may not have adequate qualifications.
• Online courses can be expensive.
• You have to rely on your internet connection, particularly if there is a live chat or video component.
• Courses can be based in different time zones, making real-time help sometimes difficult.
• You have to be quite internally motivated to achieve positive results.

Local Tutors

Tutoring is a great way to solidify your learning or help you come to terms with subjects you are finding difficult. Tutoring is either done one-on-one or in small groups, both having their own set of advantages and disadvantages. You may find some online tutoring services that are excellent, but local tutoring is definitely better for many over online tutors, especially if you need a little extra motivation and help to stay on track.

The biggest downside to tutoring is that it costs, especially if you want some of the top rated and reviewed tutors. But there is good news. Finding affordable tutoring services is not as difficult as you may think. Typing ‘cheap tutors near me’ into Google will be of some help, but you still have to trawl through several webpages and options before you find what you are looking for.

To make your life easier, check out Private Tutoring at Home. It’s a one stop shop to find a tutor near you.  Plus, if you and the tutor don’t hit it off, you won’t pay for that first session.  It’s part of the “good fit guarantee” that is offered.

Pros:

• One-on-one tutoring involves lessons that cater exactly for your individual needs. Even small groups sessions are more successful that large classes.
• A good tutor will keep you motivated and focused.
• You can increase the number of tutoring sessions as exams approach, or if you are having particular difficulties with a subject.
• Your tutor will use many different resources and teaching strategies to ensure you understand what is being taught.
• You are the number one priority – you’re not competing for attention against other students.

Cons:

• If you live in a remote or rural area, it might be difficult to find a tutor in your area.
• Tutoring sessions can be expensive.
• You may have to try a couple tutors before finding ‘the one’.

The bottom line is that the best way to learn content or prepare for an exam is to use a range of different learning strategies. For example, if you study using only books, you are limiting yourself. However, when you use a tutor they will generally teach using books, online resources, worksheets, videos and more! You are getting the benefits of all these learning tools in one – and the session is clearly designed to your learning needs and requirements which should mean faster, easier and better results.

While the choice is entirely yours, using a local tutor is well worth the cost and is highly recommended. After all, you can’t put a price on a valuable education or getting the results in a course that you need!

Are you unsure about what a tutor is and how tutoring can help you or your child?  Don’t worry, you aren’t alone!  We get asked that question a LOT!

What is a Tutor?

When it comes to achieving academic success you often hear the phrase ‘get a tutor’. This is all well and good, but it is probably useful to know what is a tutor and how tutoring can help before you hire one. The most common, and obvious, reason that parents enlist the support of a tutor is to help their child. It doesn’t matter whether the child is struggling or needs a boost to excel further, the one-on-one personalized sessions are invaluable. Keep reading to find out just how valuable this can be for students and parents alike.

What is the Difference Between a Teacher and a Tutor?

The terms teacher and tutor are often thrown around interchangeably, but ‘teacher’ isn’t just a tutor synonym. There are a few key differences when it comes to what they actually do. Both have a student’s best interests at heart and work incredibly hard to help each student reach their individual academic potential. However, due to the nature of their work, strategies and outcomes will often vary. First, let’s look at the role and responsibility of teachers;

• Teachers must follow a set curriculum and provide learning opportunities to many children at a time.
• Teachers need to develop a ‘best-fit’ teaching strategy. This means that their lessons aim to try and cater for a variety of needs and abilities. Whilst every care is taken to ensure this is done, it is inevitable that some students won’t receive the exact information they need.
• Teachers must abide by state learning standards if they teach in a public school, and teachers are evaluated on how they teach those state standards.
• Teachers will guide students to reach particular targets. These should be achieved within a certain time frame, but it is hard to monitor and record.

On the other hand,

What Does a Tutor Do?

• They work with small groups or, most commonly, with individuals. This allows for the lesson to cater exactly for the student’s needs.
• It can also be adapted as the lessons progress depending on the understanding of the students.
• Tutors follow the lead of their students. Lessons are designed around what the student needs to work on or what they what to achieve.
• They often reinforce what has been taught in the classroom, allowing for content to really be absorbed by the student.
• Tutors can tutor children from the child’s home, a public library, or a space that works best for the parent or guardian.

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13 Benefits of Working with a Tutor

There really aren’t too many downsides to tutoring or having the help of someone. It is equally beneficial for struggling students right through to high achievers. When a student has a tutor, it does not mean that they are struggling to keep up with their peers academically. A tutor is someone that will meet a child where they are and challenge them to grow from there. Here are some of the top reasons why tutoring is helpful and what role a tutor can play:

1. Improves academic performance

This one is obvious, but it is important to remember that these improvements may bring a student up from the bottom of the class, or push a middle student to the top. Students that excel in class could also benefit from a tutor. Teachers are encouraged to stick to the state standards in the classroom, which means it can be a challenge to cater to students that learn above their grade level. A tutor is a great way to challenge students just enough to sharpen their skills without overwhelming them with work that’s too difficult or boring them with work that’s too easy.

2. Boosts self-esteem

When a student learns and understands the content being taught to them they gain confidence. This confidence is valuable not just in the classroom and around test time, but will also filter into other aspects of their lives.

3. Caters for individual needs

The one-on-one sessions are designed to meet the specific needs for that individual student. Unlike a classroom scenario, a tutor can continue to work with the student until they fully understand the content. 

4. Offers a different perspective

In subjects such as math, there are often various ways to reach the same answer. A teacher doesn’t always have the time to explain concepts differently to each student therefore many children miss out. A tutor has the time to explain and re-explain a question and technique until it makes sense to the student. This is an extremely valuable aspecting of tutoring. People learn in many different ways in many different learning styles. A tutor can help a child learn in a way that is comfortable to them, but also show the child different ways to approach problem solving and thinking. 

5. Encourages communication

When working with a tutor, students must learn to communicate their needs and ask questions. As stated earlier, this can be easier to do in a smaller setting with less eyes on the student. This helps them build a different type of relationship than those with their parents, friends, and teachers.

6. Teaches problem-solving skills

Tutors can ask students questions and guide their thinking in a way that encourages problem-solving. When students are guided they can learn to think for themselves in a way that provides them with skills they will use later in life. Students with problem solving skills are okay with completing tasks with a trial-and-error mentality. Students who are able to problem solve are less likely to get discouraged in certain tasks. They will usually not give up on a task right away if they don’t get it right the first time.

7. Helps understand standardized tests

Even the smartest students can struggle with these unique tests. A tutor can provide clarity on the format of standardized tests and the type of questions asked, as well as providing feedback on practice questions. Tutors can also give ways to cope with test anxiety that are specific to each student they tutor.

8. Detailed and specific feedback

Due to the one-on-one nature of tutoring sessions, students will receive feedback that is specific to them and their goals. Quite often this feedback is immediate, helping students to continue to improve at a faster rate than they would in the classroom.

9. Consolidates learning

If a tutoring session complements what is taught in the classroom, students will be able to store the information for longer and will have a greater chance of regurgitating the information when it is needed, such as during a test.

10. A tutor is neither a teacher or a parent

Children will respond differently when working with a tutor. Teachers are highly qualified but are catering to the needs of the group. Parents, while having a child’s best interests at heart, do not have the training to teach the content effectively. Children can also be stubborn creatures and enlisting the help of mom or dad is often not the done thing. A tutor sits somewhere in the middle of teacher and parent and will provide surprisingly positive results.

11. Less embarrassment

Quite often students are hesitant to ask questions in class out of fear of sounding stupid. This severely hinders their learning as they may never fully understand the content and concepts being taught. Some children may be shy or nervous and want to avoid speaking out in front of large groups. Because of this, some children may be more likely to share a concept they don’t understand with a tutor in a small group or one-on-one setting. Working alone with a tutor eliminates this fear and students can ask any type of question at any point during the session.

12. It can take place in a different learning environment

You can find a tutor online to cater to your needs and the sessions can also take place online. Learning from the comfort of home can often support students as it is an environment they are familiar with. Using screens and technology often engages younger learners more than traditional teaching methods.

13. Eliminates learning loss over holiday periods

By continually using a tutor throughout the year, you eliminate any ‘periods of no learning’. Students can continue to learn, or use the time to consolidate learning of practice test-style questions.

When you consider all of these benefits that come with having a tutor, you may wonder what to expect from hiring a tutor. There are a few items to consider when a parent or guardian decides to find a tutor, including where to find one and how much to expect to pay for one.

How to Find a Tutor

Sometimes a child’s teacher can be a great resource when it comes to trying to find a tutor. A child’s teacher will understand the learning style and academic needs of each of their students. This makes them a great contact for recommending a tutor that will help their students most effectively. Teachers may have a list of tutors on hand, they may know retired teachers that tutor, or they could work with teachers who tutor after school hours to earn extra money. You can also perform an online search for tutors in your area.

There are likely tutoring services that you can find in your area with a physical location. These establishments will hire well-qualified tutors to tutor children in any grade level. Some of these establishments also tutor students for SAT and ACT prep. There are also sites online that will lead you to contact information for private tutors. These are just several ways for a parent or guardian to find a tutor. No matter how you find a tutor, you should expect to pay tutors for their services.

What is the Average Hourly Rate for a Tutor?

The average hourly rate for a tutor will vary based on your location, but you should be able to easily find the average hourly rate for your area online. The average hourly rate for tutors also depends on how you find a tutor.

If a parent or guardian registers their child with a tutoring business or program, they may have to pay a larger fee upfront rather than hourly. Some of these establishments would rather parents and guardians pay per month or semester, but these businesses could also charge per hour depending on your needs. Private tutors may choose to set their hourly wage based on their teaching or tutoring experience.

You can certainly ask to see a resume or references before you agree to pay any specific hourly wage. If the private tutor you’re interested in hiring has a master’s degree or doctorate, it makes sense for their compensation to be significantly higher than other private tutors. Hourly rates may be less for tutors who tutor a group of children at one time instead of one-on-one. The amount that a parent or guardian will pay for a tutor depends on the type of tutor that’s hired.

Types of Tutors

College Prep Tutors

Some tutors are specifically experienced and trained to help students with items related to college. These tutors can help students with their applications and essays for college. College prep tutors can also help explain concepts about applying to colleges that aren’t very clear. These types of tutors may also be able to help students with other aspects of applying for college, like financial aid or scholarships. If a student is in high school and needs help with a specific subject, there are tutors for this as well.

Subject Specific Tutors

Subject-specific tutors most often benefit older students but can work with younger children as well. Subject-specific tutors will have experience tutoring in a subject and could also have an advanced degree in the subject they tutor in. For example, if a student struggles with high school math, it would be beneficial to hire a subject-specific tutor with a master’s degree or doctorate in math. If a high school student struggles with writing, it would be helpful to hire a tutor with an English degree. Some parents may need tutors for children that are younger than high school-aged children. These children may not need college prep or perhaps subject-specific tutoring but instead would benefit from general tutoring.

Homework Tutors

Parents may seek out a homework tutor if their child struggles to focus on specific tasks after school hours. A homework tutor can help students in any subject and serve as an encouraging figure and study partner. Homework tutors can also help students prepare for upcoming tests or study items that can sometimes take their place of nightly homework. Sometimes schools can offer after-school programs in which students can get help with their homework.

General Tutors

While some younger children could benefit from subject-specific tutoring if they need support in reading, writing, or another subject, most younger children can benefit from general tutors. General tutors can help a child with skills that are taught at their specific grade level. Some teachers share a monthly newsletter with parents that shares the skills that students are working on in a given month.

A general tutor could use this as a guide to work with a child and give children extra practice in skills and techniques that the teacher is teaching in a specific time frame. This will help students stay on top of their learning and avoid a backslide in learning. If a child is not in school yet, they could benefit from a pre-k tutor.

Pre-K Tutors

Pre-K tutors can be very helpful for children who haven’t been in a school setting before. Pre-K tutors can help students with academic tasks, and they can help with other tasks as well. A pre-k tutor may help students with things like identifying letters, social skills, or even skills like opening lunchbox items or zipping up their jackets. Pre-K tutors can help acquaint young students with tasks that they will encounter in pre-k, even if they haven’t been in school before. This can be beneficial for children who didn’t go to daycare. But sometimes people seek out tutors for reasons unrelated to academics and school.

Language Tutors

Sometimes a child’s needs can fall outside of an academic need and in line with other aspects of life. If a child comes from a two-language home or if parents are interested in their child learning another language, a language tutor can be a great asset. Language tutors can meet students where they are when learning a new language. Students can speak the language at a beginner level, or on a more intermediate level, and tutors will meet them at their level. A language tutor can help a student focus on specific aspects of language like conversational language, specific vocabulary, or other items.  These types of tutors are just a few of the many kinds of tutors that can help children succeed academically and in many other ways.

Now that you know what is a tutor and what does a tutor do, you can decide what you or your child needs to excel this year! Finding the right help to get the results that you want is critical to your success. Good luck and please let us know how we can help.

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!

 

 

 

 

 

AP tutoring help is one of the most common areas where students need assistance! Taking AP, or Advanced Placement, courses are some of the most challenging courses available to high school students.  Successful results on the national exam is a 3 or better score (the goal for most students) and requires thorough knowledge of the topic in detail and frequently some AP tutoring as well.

Advanced Placement, or AP exams provide an opportunity to show what you know and what you can do. They come at the end of a usually arduous AP course and can be stressful, causing plenty of anxiety.  These tests are some of the standardized exams that often help gain college admission and over 3 million students will be taking at least one exam this year! Your best shot at success is to approach exam preparation early, thoroughly and with professional help. Let’s learn more about AP exams, AP tutoring and how you can achieve the best results possible!

What are AP Exams?

AP exams are a little more extensive than your ordinary high school examinations. They are lengthy,  cover a range of material and aim to measure how well you have mastered the course content. In general, AP exams have the following features:

• They are usually 2-3 hours in length. This can be quite difficult to concentrate and focus for that length of time, particularly if you have more than one exam in a day.
• The first section generally comprises of multiple choice questions. The answers are completed on paper and marked by a computer. You get a mark for each correct answer, but don’t have to worry about losing marks for incorrect answers. Don’t be fooled by the fact that the correct answer will be available to your, the other answer options often closely resemble the correct answer, so you really have to know your stuff.
• The second section is a free response section.  The style of questions will vary depending on the subject being tested. Possible question types include essays, solutions to problems and spoken responses. This section gives you a good chance to demonstrate your knowledge and you need to learn to structure your answers effectively.
• Some AP exams are computer-based and others use traditional pen and paper.

Each AP exam covers content that is specific to the course being taught. It is crucial that you attend all classes and adequately prepare for the exams prior to taking the test.

 

List of AP Tests by Subject:

The list of AP subject tests has definitely grown from the initial group that started out in the 1950s.  At the outset of the program, there were only 10 courses that were included.  Now that list has grown to the following all encompassing subjects:

• AP Research
• AP Seminars
• Art History
• Biology
• Calculus AB and Calculus B
• Chemistry
• Chinese Language & Culture
• Computer Science A & Computer Science Principles
• English Language & Composition
• English Literature & Composition
• Environmental Science
• European History
• French Language & Culture
• German Language & Culture
• Government and Politics (Comparative)
• Human Geography
• Italian Language & Culture
• Japanese Language & Culture
• Latin
• Macroeconomics & Microeconomics
• Music Theory
• Physics 1: Algebra-Based
• Physics 2: Algebra-Based
• Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• Physics C: Mechanics
• Psychology
• Spanish Language & Culture
• Spanish Literature & Culture
• Statistics
• Studio Art Drawing
• Studio Art 2-D Design
• Studio Art 3-D Design
• US Government & Politics
• US History
• World History

 

AP Tutoring & How to Study for AP Exams

AP exams can definitely be more stressful than your average high school exam, so your study approach should differ slightly. Successful completion of AP exams can alleviate a lot of stress when it comes time for high school finals and college applications. While your teachers will do their very best to prepare you, a large bulk of the responsibility falls on your young shoulders. The fact that there is so much content and that the exam style is different than what you are used to, it definitely pays to enlist in the help of a professional as well as take the time needed to prepare. There are many options available to you aside from a local tutor or informal study group. Check out AP tutoring online options, AP test prep classes and review classes.

AP courses are full of extensive and comprehensive subject matter so it is wise to break each subject into manageable chunks and set yourself a study schedule. Take note of the following advice:

• Focus on one subject each night. Don’t try and cram your brain full of information. Stick to one subject or topic and focus solely on it, this way you are more likely to take on board the information and retain it for recall later during the exam. (Check out our How to Study Tips for even more ideas!)
• Be specific with your schedule. By writing down exactly what you will study when, will insure all topics are covered and that you aren’t leaving anything until the last minute or leaving gaps in your learning.
• Complete lots of practice papers, it’s the best way to familiarize yourself with the format and type of questions that are asked. Have someone, ideally your teacher or tutor, grade the paper to give you beneficial, specific feedback.
• Constantly review old material. Sure, you have to learn the new stuff, but make sure you revisit topics studied at the beginning of the course. By doing this regularly you are more likely to commit the content to memory and it will save you cramming a ton of information in the final days before your exams.
• Use an AP tutor to help learn the format and style of questions. A tutor also provides valuable one-on-one sessions where you can focus on your weaknesses and any topics that you struggle with. You won’t be alone in this!  There are thousands that type ‘AP tutoring near me’ each year, looking for the help and support that they need to get positive results. If all else fails, you can find plenty of AP tutoring online resources. 
  

How to Get Yourself Prepared

Preparing for AP exams is no small task, in fact, you should start your preparations as early as possible. One to three months ahead of your exams is sufficient time, but this will depend on how busy your usual schedule is and what subjects you are studying, some may require more time than others. Your personal expectations and goals will also play a part in how far in advance you should start your preparations. During this time, your preparation should include the following factors:

• Get the right resources to help you prepare.  That can include books, study guides, AP tutoring help, team up with classmates or take a course.
• Look after yourself. Yes, these exams are important, but you will be able to study much more effectively if you get enough sleep. Make sure your schedule is arranged so that you get at least eight hours every night.
• Your diet is also important. Eat a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, and include plenty of protein. Candy, caffeine and sugary snacks are okay occasionally, but don’t make them a regular pairing with your study sessions.
• Make sure you spend time relaxing, socializing, exercising, or doing whatever it is that you love in order to remain calm and relaxed.
• And remember, it’s only a test that, while important now, will not be important a decade from now.  So do your best and then let it go!

There you have it – your guide to successfully completing AP exams, and doing so relatively stress free! By following these tips you will be sure to ace the exams and gain the academic success and rewards that you deserve.

 

 

 

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.