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There’s no way around it, the SAT causes students stress. High school students study hours a day for four years to get great grades and and then one 3 hour and 45 minute test is just as important when it comes to getting into college. It’s crazy… but it’s a fact of high school life. The trick is how to ace the test and how to reduce stress. The answer is the same way to succeed at any skill: practice, practice, practice.
There are a few critical aspects of the SAT to think about well in advance. First, the SAT will not test exactly what students have learned in school. No schools completely gear their curriculum towards acing the SATs and there’s no guarantee that the test won’t contain something students have never seen before. Second, at least some questions won’t be phrased exactly as high school students have seen in the past, and this can be a bit unsettling in the already stressful environment of the test. That’s why taking practice SAT tests and studying, not just the subjects on the SAT test, but studying how those subjects appear on the SAT test, is imperative. To decrease stress and improve scores students should take as many time, proctored practice tests as possible.
SAT tutors provide an invaluable advantage because of their familiarity with the test and their ability to assess student strengths and weaknesses and help them recognize what they need to improve. Our tutors will work with students to construct a regular study schedule to improve SAT scores. There’s a lot of material so start this process well in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute! For more information and tips on the SAT, as well as recent changes to the test, check out our blog.
SAT vs. ACT
Many students wonder which of the big two standardized tests they should take. Most universities will accept either; some will be impressed if you submit scores for both (a choice that says something good about your ambition and gives a more complete picture of academic skills). The two tests differ in some significant ways. The SAT might be the best test for you if:
1. Your PSAT score was good. The PSAT is the “SAT Jr.” and the two tests are very similar in structure and subject matter.
2. You have an excellent vocabulary, and know enough Latin and Greek roots to figure out the meanings of most words. The SAT’s verbal section heavily emphasizes vocabulary and verbal reasoning.
3. You know the formal English rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and believe in following them. The ACT’s writing section has more to do with common sense and everyday usage, but the SAT asks for formal usage.
4. You prefer to write fact-based, informative essays rather than persuasive or argumentative ones. You recall facts (history, science, etc.) easily and are good at using concrete evidence to support your arguments in an essay. The ACT allows for more essays about abstract or personal ideas, while the SAT is more fact-based.
5. You are a good test-taker, and can easily figure out what each test question is really asking. The SAT is a “reasoning test” and tests your ability to think, learn, and solve problems, while the ACT covers more of the things you learned in school and will use in real life.
Read more about when the ACT might be a better fit.
How an SAT Tutor Can Help
There are many options to help students prepare for the SAT: Group classes, online tutorials, or books for solo study. But nothing compares to the value of one-on-one, individual instruction from our expert SAT tutors with experience guiding other students to SAT success. Aided by the best study materials, our SAT tutors can help you boost scores, improve your confidence, and develop the skills to succeed.
In group classes, students’ individual needs are overlooked and the emphasis is on “tricks” rather than skills. Our SAT tutors begin with a diagnostic test and then create a unique learning plan, based on your specific needs, to build skills in critical reading, high school mathematics, and expository writing. Our SAT tutors have learned from their own experience, and from coaching many other students, how important it is to create and stick to a regular study schedule. They’ll help you set realistic goals and measure your progress. They can give you straight talk about how to improve your study habits, develop greater concentration and focus, and budget your time during the test. They’ll make sure you understand how to get the most out of your tools – including a graphing calculator, which is allowed on the SAT – and can avoid common errors on the test.
Materials
Inspired Minds Tutoring highly recommends The Official SAT Study Guide as a starting point, as it is put out by the company that makes the SAT, and includes excellent practice sets for between sessions.
Take a Proctored Practice Test
We encourage all students preparing for the SAT to take at least one full-length proctored test that simulates the SAT experience. Sitting down for three hours and 45 minutes and completing an entire test is the best preparation for the mental rigors of the SAT. It helps you understand the structure of the test and supports what your tutor is teaching you about strategies for success. The expert tutors at Inspired Minds Tutoring will proctor timed tests at your home or a local library throughout the duration of the test prep.
Call to speak with a credentialed teacher today! 310-905-6399, or email us at [email protected].
Ready to get started now? Sign up here!
There are a few critical aspects of the SAT to think about well in advance. First, the SAT will not test exactly what students have learned in school. No schools completely gear their curriculum towards acing the SATs and there’s no guarantee that the test won’t contain something students have never seen before. Second, at least some questions won’t be phrased exactly as high school students have seen in the past, and this can be a bit unsettling in the already stressful environment of the test. That’s why taking practice SAT tests and studying, not just the subjects on the SAT test, but studying how those subjects appear on the SAT test, is imperative. To decrease stress and improve scores students should take as many time, proctored practice tests as possible.
SAT tutors provide an invaluable advantage because of their familiarity with the test and their ability to assess student strengths and weaknesses and help them recognize what they need to improve. Our tutors will work with students to construct a regular study schedule to improve SAT scores. There’s a lot of material so start this process well in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute! For more information and tips on the SAT, as well as recent changes to the test, check out our blog.
SAT vs. ACT
Many students wonder which of the big two standardized tests they should take. Most universities will accept either; some will be impressed if you submit scores for both (a choice that says something good about your ambition and gives a more complete picture of academic skills). The two tests differ in some significant ways. The SAT might be the best test for you if:
1. Your PSAT score was good. The PSAT is the “SAT Jr.” and the two tests are very similar in structure and subject matter.
2. You have an excellent vocabulary, and know enough Latin and Greek roots to figure out the meanings of most words. The SAT’s verbal section heavily emphasizes vocabulary and verbal reasoning.
3. You know the formal English rules of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and believe in following them. The ACT’s writing section has more to do with common sense and everyday usage, but the SAT asks for formal usage.
4. You prefer to write fact-based, informative essays rather than persuasive or argumentative ones. You recall facts (history, science, etc.) easily and are good at using concrete evidence to support your arguments in an essay. The ACT allows for more essays about abstract or personal ideas, while the SAT is more fact-based.
5. You are a good test-taker, and can easily figure out what each test question is really asking. The SAT is a “reasoning test” and tests your ability to think, learn, and solve problems, while the ACT covers more of the things you learned in school and will use in real life.
Read more about when the ACT might be a better fit.
How an SAT Tutor Can Help
There are many options to help students prepare for the SAT: Group classes, online tutorials, or books for solo study. But nothing compares to the value of one-on-one, individual instruction from our expert SAT tutors with experience guiding other students to SAT success. Aided by the best study materials, our SAT tutors can help you boost scores, improve your confidence, and develop the skills to succeed.
In group classes, students’ individual needs are overlooked and the emphasis is on “tricks” rather than skills. Our SAT tutors begin with a diagnostic test and then create a unique learning plan, based on your specific needs, to build skills in critical reading, high school mathematics, and expository writing. Our SAT tutors have learned from their own experience, and from coaching many other students, how important it is to create and stick to a regular study schedule. They’ll help you set realistic goals and measure your progress. They can give you straight talk about how to improve your study habits, develop greater concentration and focus, and budget your time during the test. They’ll make sure you understand how to get the most out of your tools – including a graphing calculator, which is allowed on the SAT – and can avoid common errors on the test.
Materials
Inspired Minds Tutoring highly recommends The Official SAT Study Guide as a starting point, as it is put out by the company that makes the SAT, and includes excellent practice sets for between sessions.
Take a Proctored Practice Test
We encourage all students preparing for the SAT to take at least one full-length proctored test that simulates the SAT experience. Sitting down for three hours and 45 minutes and completing an entire test is the best preparation for the mental rigors of the SAT. It helps you understand the structure of the test and supports what your tutor is teaching you about strategies for success. The expert tutors at Inspired Minds Tutoring will proctor timed tests at your home or a local library throughout the duration of the test prep.
Call to speak with a credentialed teacher today! 310-905-6399, or email us at [email protected].
Ready to get started now? Sign up here!
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