Archive for December, 2009

New Year’s Resolutions – WilsonDailyPrep

newyearThis year, forget the five pounds and always being nice to your little sister resolutions.  This year, resolve to take control of your SAT and ACT scores.  Resolve to practice a little bit each day, and resolve to increase your scores by 200 points or more.

WilsonDailyPrep is an award winning, online program that breaks tests into bite-sized, manageable tasks for students. Students are emailed a six-minute quiz each weekday and are assigned a personal coach to monitor progress and offer encouragement.

The daily quizzes provide the consistent practice that ensures success.  The personal coach holds students accountable by calling home when quizzes are not completed.  Plus, the program’s built-in tracking system allows for self-assessment and goal-setting.  Students can monitor progress and challenge themselves with supplemental worksheets and exercises.

This year, take control of the SAT and ACT.  WilsonDailyPrep provides the practice, tips and strategies you need to reach your testing potential.  This year, resolve to be a champion with WilsonDailyPrep.

Posted in WilsonDailyPrep on Monday, December 28th, 2009 | No Comments »

Are practice tests like the actual ACT?

shankar a asked:

For those people who have taken the actual ACT and prepared with this book, did you find the actual test harder, easier, or about the same level of difficulty as the actual ACT. Also I personally think this book’s tests are easier than the other books, such as Kaplan. Please answer!

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Posted in FAQ on Saturday, December 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

SAT subject test dates

mexicaligrl asked:

If I take SAT tests on January 23, and the deadline to turn it into the school is on Feb-01,
would I have time to take them or would it be too late?

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Posted in FAQ on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 | No Comments »

Dealing with Disappointing Test Scores

So you bombed the test… sadface

The PSAT, SAT and ACT are mentally grueling exams.  As such, they are not a “one-shot” deal.  If you didn’t hit your mark – or didn’t even come close – pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try it again.  (After some more practicing!)  Standardized testing is a process.  Learn from your mistakes.  Practice more.  Think positively!

  • The PSAT is never sent to colleges, so if you’ve bombed this exam, pretend it never happened.  Technically, it never did.
  • The ACT is completely score choice – colleges only see the scores you submit.  So again, if you bombed a test, pretend it never happened!
  • The SAT has reverted back to score-choice, but the policy is somewhat convoluted at this point.  Some colleges are requesting scores for all tests, others are not.  But, don’t be discouraged!  Colleges that are requesting scores from all tests – the good and the bad – are “superscoring.”  In other words, they’re only considering your BEST reading, your BEST math and your BEST writing.

Also, remember that you are more than a number – and colleges realize this!  Colleges consider an entire application package, not just standardized test scores.  Transcripts, GPAs, teacher recommendations and personal statements are all taken into consideration.

So, lie to your friends when they ask how you scored.  This was ONE bad day.  Put it behind you, and start working towards a better test day in the future.

Posted in ACT, SAT on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 | No Comments »

Test Taking 101: Assume Your Proctor is An Idiot

Mean NerdStandardized tests are bad enough on their own accord: they’re always early on a Saturday morning; they’re exhausting; they’re boring; they’re stressful. And, to top it all off, they’re proctored by idiots most of the time…

Always assume that  your proctors will NOT know what they’re doing. Do not rely on them for time, do not rely on them to control the environment, and do not rely on them to give you proper instructions.

To idiot-proof your examination:

  1. Wear a Watch!  Keep track of the time you have and the time remaining on your own.
  2. Wear layers! The thermostat in the room will most likely be set at boiling lava or Arctic blast – so be prepared for either.
  3. Read directions!  Always take the time to read the directions on each section of an exam or bubble sheet.  Do not rely on your proctor to tell you what to do.

And lastly, although this is not the proctor’s fault – bring some Kleenex. It’s not necessarily for you, though.  If you’re stuck next to the kid with the sniffles in the room, pass him a tissue.  It will be much easier for you to concentrate without runny-nose boy.

Posted in SAT on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

The SAT/ACT are not the only college selection criteria

monkyboii1507 asked:

I went to this ACT test-prep class and the teacher says that nowadays the SAT and ACT are becoming less and less important in the college admissions process and that some schools are even considering phasing out the test since they poorly determine how an individual does in college. Is this really true?

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Posted in FAQ on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Smart Holiday Buys: Study Guides that are Worth Your Money

iStock_000007183469XSmallThe bookstore is filled with books, that much is obvious.  But which books are good and which books are bad, that’s not so obvious – especially when it comes to study guides.  Here’s a list of books that are worth your buck:

CollegeBoard’s “Blue Book”: CollegeBoard puts out Official SAT Study Guides.  These books contain actual SAT tests and actual SAT II tests.  Practicing from the “real-deal” is invaluable.

ACT’s “Red Book”: Just as CollegeBoard does, ACT puts out an official study guide containing official tests.  This book, The Real ACT contains three actual ACT tests.

Rock the SAT: This vocabulary study guide offers students who hate memorizing flash cards a new way of studying: listening to music.  Alternative rock songs are easy to listen to and jam-packed with SAT vocab lyrics.  The songs are catchy, easy to memorize and define the vocabulary used within.

Cliffs APs: Cliffs puts out some great AP study guides.  The books are easy-to-understand and easy to get through.  Let’s face it, reading about physics or biology isn’t the most exciting task, but Cliffs is very digestible.  Plus, it minimizes content and highlights vocabulary and concepts necessary for AP success.

WilsonDailyPrep’s English in English: Provides all the rules of grammar you need for both the SAT and ACT – without all the grammar jargon. English in English contains in-depth explanations and analysis of all aspects of grammar.

 

WilsonDailyPrep’s Write the SAT Essay Right: This valuable resource guide is jam-packed with the secrets and strategies you need for writing a 25-minute SAT essay. Write the SAT Essay Right provides you with virtually prewritten responses – you’ll find out what to expect, how to respond, and how to really impress graders by drawing in specific examples and using template opening sentences. With this book, you’ll be able to write it right in 25 minutes.

Posted in ACT, SAT, WilsonDailyPrep on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 | No Comments »


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