“The SAT is Changing! Oh no!”  That will likely be the response from those who read the headlines, but not last weeks New York Times article. Here’s a quick breakdown of the changes being made to the SAT.

First things first though: The new SAT will NOT debut until SPRING 2016. So, for now the SAT will remain largely the same. 


Why the changes? Les Perelman, a former director of writing at M.I.T, explains that in the current SAT, details matter, but factual accuracy does not. “You can tell them the War of 1812 began in 1945,” he said. On the current SAT, if students writing their essays sprinkle in little-used but fancy words like “plethora” or “myriad” and use two or three preselected quotes from prominent figures like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, regardless of whether they’re relevant to the question asked, they can achieve a high score. This seems a flawed measure of student aptitude to say the least. 

And that is one of the reasons the test needs to change. Again, though, for now the test will not be changing. So vocabulary still matters and for the next couple of years at least, students should keep practicing those flash cards!

What will the new test look like?

Format: The new SAT will be a three-hour exam scored on the old 1,600 point system (800 for math, 800 for reading, with an optional essay scored separately). Supposedly, by 2016, there will be a computerized version of the SAT, and students may someday search the text and highlight the lines on the screen.

Reading and Writing: Evidence-based reading and writing will replace the current sections. It will use as its source materials pieces of writing, from science articles to historical documents to literature excerpts, which research suggests are important for educated Americans to know and understand deeply. Every SAT will contain a passage from either a founding document (The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers) or from a text like Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

David Coleman, the fairly new head of the College Board (which administers the SAT), is big into evidence based reading and arguments supported with contextually relevant facts. The changes will, in his view, promote the idea that students must read a wide variety of texts throughout their high-school years, instead of encouraging students to memorize flashcards. 

Vocabulary: Vocab will include language more commonly used in classrooms as opposed to obscure words memorized for the sole purpose of the test. This seems like a great, and much needed change, emphasizing context over memorization. Evidence-based reading and writing versus a broad personal essay seems to more aptly test how well a student can actually process new information rather than focusing on rote memorization.

Math: The changes to the math section seem even more radical. Coleman’s view (based on empirical evidence, of course) is that American schools typically teach a broad range of math but they do not teach much depth. Research shows that depth outweighs breadth, so the new SAT will test deeper understanding of just three fundamental math concepts: linear equations; complex equations or functions; and ratios, percentages and proportional reasoning, and calculators will be permitted on only part of the math section.
The studies he’s basing both his conclusions and the test’s changes off of do suggest that such a change would be good for American students. However, he’s not changing what the students will be learning throughout the year in school, he’s just changing what the SAT will test. This could open a potentially large disparity between what high school students know and what appears on the test. Lucy Calkins, the founding director of the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University’s Teachers College, put it well, “The issue is: Are we in a place to let Dave Coleman control the entire K-to-12 curriculum?” 

Our Opinion: We think the changes to the reading and writing portion are relevant and beneficial. The changes to the math portion make us a bit nervous without similar changes in K-12 curriculum. However, Coleman is trying to partner up with the folks at Khan academy to make the SAT content more transparent and less murky. If this is accomplished before the 2016 changes, students will have ample time to adjust and prepare for whatever gap may exist between current high school curriculums and the future SAT.

Big changes are afoot at the College Board and for the SAT test, but not until 2016. In the meantime, students and SAT tutors should hold off on panic or changing their study plans until the changes are implemented. 

Want your child to build confidence, improve math scores, maintain focus, refine social skills, and increase their chances of getting into a top college?  Does your child need to build literacy, improve grades, or just learn that patience and hard work help develop confidence and skill?

If so, your kid should be playing an instrument. Many parents put music on the back burner, thinking only math and reading skills matter.  And while we agree that they matter (we are a tutoring company after all), we value the importance of educating the whole child, and know that studies have proven again and again that music lessons help children in ways that carry over to the classroom as well.  Many of our math tutors, science tutors, and test-prep tutors come from strong music backgrounds, and help kids manage academic work so they have time for music.

For students to stay competitive in our quickly changing society, they need to know how to innovate, chart new territory, and think outside the box, in order to stand out to private schools, top universities, and potential employers.

Need some proof? Check out these top four reasons music helps kids succeed:

#1 Success in School

Studies show kids who play instruments earn higher grades and standardized tests scores, and fare better on cognitive and spatial development tests (which are often used as a measure for kids to get into gifted programs).  Colleges love musicians, too!  According to the U.S. Department of Education, “Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as a valuable experience that broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them.  It is also well known and widely recognized that the arts contribute significantly to children’s intellectual development.”

A 2001 report by the College Entrance Examination Board states that students who studied music appreciation scored significantly higher on the SAT (63 points on verbal, 44 points on math) than students who do not.  The National Center for Education Statistics reveals that music students not only receive more academic honors, but also make up the largest percentage of students receiving top grades.

#2 Improve Brain Development

Studying music has been shown to improve concentration and focus, which carries over to the classroom as well.  Children who study music increase coordination, dexterity, complex thinking, and fine motor skills as they translate notes into hand movements.

Musicians quickly adjust tempo, rhythm, and style, and they improvise constantly. This helps the brain learn to quickly adjust to new situations, maintain focus, and build abstract reasoning skills, which are fundamental for math and science reasoning in school.  Music has been shown to dramatically increase spatial reasoning skills in students as young as three years old.

#3 Build Confidence, Patience & Work Ethic

Kids who study music learn early that persistence pays off.  They understand that reaching a goal often takes hours of practice, focus, determination, and stamina as they work through initial failures.  Kids who study music also build a real sense of pride and self-confidence when they work hard and reach their goals.

This attitude carries over to academic and professional life, as academic courses such as AP Biology, physics, math, and foreign languages require intense stamina.  The self-discipline required to master music translates to highly effective work habits, study skills, and an intrinsic motivation to learn.

#4 Improve Social & Life Skills

Music opens doors for kids to interact with each other during lessons and recitals, and to join ensembles, orchestras, and music groups as they get into middle and high school.  Students often get to travel with school bands, helping them discover new cultures, create strong bonds with peers, and have a richer social life.

Embracing music also allows kids to experience highs in life that come from a deep appreciation of music.  Learning an instrument helps students connect with themselves and with others as they share in the joy and wonder that music can bring to life.  It also helps kids make smart choices.  Afraid your guitar playing son will turn to drugs if he joins a band?  Not so.  The Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse states, “Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, drugs)."

Committing time for the arts is essential to building skills that lead to success in school, work, and life.  Most of our academic tutors grew up playing an instrument and went on to study a wide variety of impressive academic subjects, from Aerospace Engineering, to Law, Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, and beyond. Our expert test-prep tutors and homework tutors can help students balance school workloads so they have time for music, because we believe in the importance of helping kids develop a well rounded foundation incorporating arts and education.

References:
College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001.                                                                                                                                                                                      
Getting Ready for College Early: A Handbook for Parents of Students in the Middle and Junior High School Years, U.S. Department of Education, 1997                                                                                                                                                         
Ratey, John J., MD. A User’s Guide to the Brain.  New York: Pantheon Books, 2001.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report.  Reported in Houseon Chrinicle, January 1998.

As the school year winds down, many students are looking forward to taking a break from the books with the onset of warm weather. While all kids deserve a break from sitting in school all day, research shows that the average student falls significantly behind over the summer.



According to summerlearning.org, most kids lose about 2.6 months of math skills over the summer and lower income students lose more than 2 months of reading. Parents dread the idea of having their students start the next school year feeling behind and less confident because they’ve slipped behind in math and reading.

What can parents do to prevent summer learning loss while allowing students to have a fun, active summer? Here are a few quick tips to help keep skills sharp and minds inspired over the summer. 

1. Read, read, read! Encourage kids to grab a book and read outside, read on the beach, read before bed, and read with others. Post a chart listing every book kids finish reading over the summer, and encourage the whole family to participate and share with weekly book talks. Barnes and Noble is giving away a free book for every eight read, so get reading!

2. Set aside 10-20 minutes a day for a math refresher. Great web resources such as mathletics.com and IXL math provide great web resources for K-12 students to refresh at home. On a road trip or flight, portable video games such as Personal Trainer for Nintendo DS in addition to a ton of learning apps for smartphones and tablets are fun ways K-12 students to practice math skills at their level while on the road.

3. Incorporate learning into daily activities—let kids learn about money by giving them a small allowance or letting them budget a given amount for shopping. Cook with kids to teach fractions and reinforce following directions with recipes. Let kids help build things or design & make clothes to learn about measurement and geometry.

4. Make writing fun by using summer as an opportunity for kids to get creative with writing. Hone in on kids’ interests and channel them into writing. From writing a play, to creating a blog, to writing formal letters to favorite authors or athletes, to writing and submitting a poem or short story to an online magazine, to having a pen pal, or writing a comment to a newspaper, summer writing empowers kids and helps them develop a love for the written word without the restrictions of the classroom.

5. Hiring a summer reading, writing, or math enrichment tutor for younger students, or a test-prep tutor for older students helps ensure time is made for summer learning, and provides an outside mentor to work with students.

6. Test prep (ISEE, SSAT, PSAT, SAT & ACT) is especially effective over the summer as it both reinforces academic skills, and allows kids to prepare without the added stress of school and homework. Summer is also a great time for kids to take a homeschool course to lighten their academic load during the year. Check out our summer programs for great deals!

Keeping kids up to speed over the summer takes just a few hours a week, and can be fun and engaging. Studies repeatedly show huge academic losses in the summer months, and these losses can be easily prevented with a simple course of action. Learning shouldn’t stop just because school does, and summertime allows kids to explore their own intellectual curiosity.  

With AP Exams fast approaching for Los Angeles students, it's important to amp up prep in the month before the test. Earning a 5 on an AP exam not only makes students stand out on college applications, it can also save time and money for college students, as most colleges and universities accept AP courses for college credit. 

Passing AP Exams can save thousands of dollars when transferred to college credit. They allow students to fill requirements and take courses that work toward their majors once in college, and they show colleges that students are ambitious and persistent when it comes to studying. Earning a five helps top universities know that students can excel with a rigorous curriculum.  

Here are five tips for students preparing to take the AP Exams in May: 

1. Ask your teacher for help! If you don't have a great teacher, don't panic, there's a ton you can do on your own and with a tutor, but if you do, use the resources provided by your school. Do NOT miss class in the month leading up to the exam. 

2. Get at least one prep book, and take practice tests at the same time your test is scheduled. Make sure to time yourself, make copies of the bubble sheets and emulate testing conditions as much as possible. Ditch your cell phone and any distractions while taking the test so you can have as close to an authentic experience as possible. The more tests you can take, the better, but we recommend a minimum of three, staggered across the 8 weeks leading up to the exam.  

3. Modify your study plan based on your practice test results. Retake sections where you missed problems until you have them down. 

4. Make flash cards and review them in the car or during any down time you have.  Keep flash cards with important facts and formulas handy to review throughout the day. 

5. Form a study group to meet once a week and quiz each other, and work one-on-one with an AP test prep tutor for two-hour sessions to go over tough concepts, and to hold you accountable for study between sessions. Study daily, and schedule a long study session over the weekends. Make a calendar with a study schedule. If you don't pencil in time, generally, it won't happen. 

Passing an AP exam can also qualify you for scholarships, making study time worth all the more. If you have a part-time job, it can be worth it to take time off, as your studying will pay off ten fold if you pass! Don't get us wrong, AP exams are no joke, and even if you don't pass, colleges acknowledge the immense effort AP courses take. 

That said, it's better to take fewer AP exams and earn a 4 or 5 on the exams than to stack up on APs and not pass. Our Los Angeles tutors are AP experts, and can help you take your AP exam prep to the next level.