Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
SAT & ACT Training Plan; Step II: Practice
Are you an athlete who has been told that the admissions office says you need higher test scores?
Do your SAT and ACT test scores not reflect your academic standing?
Do you want to significantly improve your SAT and ACT test scores?
You CAN improve your scores if you are willing to make a commitment to the following training plan.
Training Plan
Preparing for the SAT and ACT is similar to training for a marathon (I have run two). Training takes a personal commitment to spend the time and energy necessary to reach the finish line under your time goal.
Set a goal score based on the median test scores of the reach schools on your list of colleges.
Set a goal to complete 8 SAT practice tests and 6 ACT tests. Write your goal down and post it in place you will see it first thing in the morning (bathroom mirror).
Schedule a time to train (25 or 50 minutes five days a week).
Memorize the test directions.
Learn strategies and techniques to approach the critical reading and writing questions and math problems.
Practice with the answer book open.
Close the answer book and take practice test sections.
Take timed practice test sections.
You can beat the test!
Plan to win!
SAT & ACT Training Plan; Step I: READ
The best advice that one can give a person who wants to get more enjoyment and value out of their life is to read novels, non-fiction, The N.Y. Times, national, literary, and news magazines like New Yorker, New York Magazine, Discover, The Economist, Harpers, The Atlantic Monthly, Time, Newsweek. These magazines can be read on line at: Literary magazines
Reading is the BEST single thing that a student can do to improve their SAT and ACT scores. Two thirds of the SAT score is comprised of the scores of the Critical Reading and Writing sections. The SAT critical reading section tests reading comprehension, and vocabulary. The only way to improve reading comprehension is to READ and reading is the best way to improve vocabulary. In a way the SAT and ACT is a vocabulary test. If you want to do well you need a strong vocabulary. If you don't understand the words in the reading passages you will struggle with comprehension. When you read, you learn vocabulary in context giving your mind a schema or framework for remembering the meaning of the word. We remember things better when they mean something. The SAT tests the secondary and tertiary definitions of words which are learned from seeing words in context.
Vocabulary
Gary Gruber Ph.D is recognized nationally as the leading expert on standardized test. His book, Gruber's Complete SAT Guide 2010 is in its 13th edition. Gruber analyzed 47 SAT tests and published a list of SAT words that appeared more than once over those 47 tests. The list is less than 140 words. Gruber lists 291 words that he, designates as, "frequently used." If you are committed to memorizing vocabulary you will get a better pay off learning Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes that you can use to decipher words. Sixty percent of all the words in the English language are derived from Greek or Latin.
In addition to reading, listen to quality radio and T.V. and to people who speak well. Playing word games like cross word puzzles, anagrams, and Scrabble will help you increase your vocabulary. (Gruber) When you come across a word that you don't know send your self a text or Facebook message with the word and its definition in it.
READ something every day from the sources mentioned in the first paragraph. When you read note the words that you don't understand and try to define them in context. Send your self a reminder message with the word and the sentence.
Active Reading Approach
Be an active reader and read with a purpose. In other words ask yourself the following questions as you read.
1.What is the main idea?
2.What is the author's opinion?
3.What is the tone or mood (serious, satirical, humorous, critical, mysterious)of the piece of writing?
4.What key information does the author use or imply in defending their thesis?
5.Predict what the author is going to say or the character is going to do?
6.Think of questions that you would like to ask the author and read to find the answers.
7.What do you like and dislike about the characters?
8.Underline and annotate (take notes in the margin) words and phrase that help you answer the questions above.
Be curious when you are reading. Read what interests you. Read what you enjoy.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
"The" College Admissions Essay And Other Admissions Advice
Back by popular demand:
There is "unlimited" advice available on how to write "the" college admissions essay in the blogosphere, on websites, in books, from guidance counselors (private expensive, and very expensive and at your high school), English and history teachers, friends and parents.
There is "unlimited" advice available on how to write "the" college admissions essay in the blogosphere, on websites, in books, from guidance counselors (private expensive, and very expensive and at your high school), English and history teachers, friends and parents.
One of the student's toughest jobs may be to decide which advice to follow. This task may test your critical thinking and analytical skills more than the SAT Reasoning Test.
The essay is the best opportunity for students to differentiate themselves from all the other wonderfully capable, accomplished applicants with comparable grades and test scores. Writing the college essay is an incredible opportunity to let the admissions staff get to know you. I visited with the Stanford University Dean of Admissions at revisit day for the class of 2012 and asked him how they made admissions decisions when they had more than enough highly qualified candidates to fill the freshman class many times over. He said that student's essays and teacher recommendations were the differentiators.
The N.Y. Times started a blog about the college admissions journey named, The Choice. Note I said journey, if you are the parent, your job is to make the journey fun by staying out of the way and by understanding first and foremost that you aren't the one going to college. Read the N.Y. Times article on the college essay and the advice contributed by the Dean of Admissions at Connecticut College
The best tips from The Choice. Write about yourself. Use your own Voice, that means use your own vocabulary and sentence construction. Don't allow anyone to take away your voice. It must be yours, any college admissions staff can easily pick out essays influenced by adults.
The University of Virginia posted an article titled, Writing the Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert. This is the best advice that I am aware of on writing a college admissions essay.
The author advises not to write the McEssay because he knows what is coming next. McEssays are like the Big Mac they all look, smell, and taste the same regardless of where in the world you buy them.
Show, don't tell. Showing appeals to all of the senses. Pick a topic with a sharp focus that provides the room for a lot of descriptive detail. The detail in your essay will differentiate you as an individual.
Most important tips: Be yourself! I'd go beyond that and say reveal yourself. What makes you tick? What makes you stand out? Be yourself, don't try to impress.
Tell the reader something new about you that they won't find somewhere else in your application.
The writing process is laid out in steps for you by the College Board and they must know since the colleges trust their Writing test as a credible measure of student's writing skills.
The 2011/2012 Common Application. The Common Application is widely accepted. Go to the website and register, it's easy and it's free. After registering click on "My Colleges" link and add all the colleges that you are interested in applying to. This gives you access to any supplements that your specific schools of interest require.
The advice that stands out above all else is to write about yourself. In your own voice, show the reader what you want them to know about you. Your personal experiences are what differentiates you from the crowd. You are unique, show them who you are, let them experience you.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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