Believe is the first theme our students will use to write about this summer. What do you believe? Don’t answer right away, think about it.
We will be posting the best essays submitted. More to follow.
ACT vs. SAT Conversion Table
Many High School juniors sat for multiple college entrance exams this term. Now that summer is upon us it would be wise to find out which test results are better. Check out this conversion table here If your scores on one of the exams (ACT or SAT) are markedly better, then you should focus only on the test with the better results.
Dedicate your summer months to improve upon the exam which you did the best as a junior. When you get back into the swing of things in September of your senior year, plan to sit for either the September ACT or the October SAT. This should be your final best effort. Then you can focus on your college applications.
Summer Reading is a Must!
High School and Middle School students must read this summer and with a purpose. A purpose to learn new words, to learn about the world and to develop your intellect. There is an excellent article in the NY Times written by a NYC Middle School English Teacher which explains the different kinds of reading and suggests books for different age groups. You can read the entire article by clicking here
Summer Plans?
What are your summer plans? To work and gain some experience? To volunteer for a good cause? To travel and explore other places and cultures? All of the above? Does college planning and test prep factor into your summer plans? If so, how much time will you allocate each day or week? Please share your thoughts by commenting!
The Great Gatsby Project
We are re-reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald with an eye towards helping everyone with their upcoming SAT’s. We will be defining as many essential vocabulary words we can find in the book. Additionally, we will be looking for various themes, sub-plots, vignettes, etc. which will help students build up ideas for their SAT essay and perhaps their college essays.
Important Test Dates For 2012-2013
September 8, 2012 (ACT)
October 6, 2012 (SAT)
October 27, 2012 (ACT)
November 3, 2012 (SAT)
December 1, 2012 (SAT)
December 8, 2012 (ACT)
January 26, 2013 (SAT)
March 9, 2013 (SAT)
April 13, 2013 (ACT)
May 4, 2013 (SAT)
June 1, 2013 (SAT)
June 8, 2013 (ACT)
Exciting News
We are planning a bi-weekly newsletter on test prep and college planning. Also we will be publishing some articles regarding a summer study plan for both high school bound and college bound students. We provide prep for the ACT, the SAT, the SHSAT, and the TACHS exams.
If you would like to be added to our email list, please send us a brief note to Steve@Testniques.com. The first 100 new contacts will receive a copy of our mini E-book titled Steve’s SAT Summer Study Guide absolutely free!
Did You Take the March SAT? Comments Welcome!
If you sat for the March SAT please comment on the experience. Was this your first SAT? What parts of the exam did you find challenging? Did you write a good essay? Were there any oddball math questions? Did you adequately prepare? Will you be taking another SAT?
Misery loves company! Please share your thoughts.
Focus and Attention to Detail
Focus and attention to detail are important skills necessary to excel in the SAT and in life. The SAT requires focus and attention to detail. Many questions are missed because students misread or misinterpret the questions and come up with an answer based upon not what is on the paper but what they “think” is being asked.
In life focus and attention to detail are also important. Would you want your pilot to stray 2% off course? Or would you want your accounts payable department to add some extra zeros to a vendor and overpay them? Or how would you like it if your administrative assistant booked your hotel and flight to San Antonio for an upcoming conference on March 21st but inverted the numbers and made the arrangements for March 12th?
Thoughts on the SAT Cheating Scandal
Don’t do it! Don’t even think about it! Don’t ruin your life before its starts.
Paying people for things you can do yourself is lazy, immoral and illegal. If you start paying people to take an SAT in High School where will it end? Will you start paying people to take your college and graduate school tests? Will you pay people to write your papers and to “stand in” for you at final exams?
Then, later in adulthood will you pay people for “inside information” and trade on that information? Will you start paying bribes to politicians for favorable deals and contracts?
If you start down this slippery slope two things will inevitably happen– the money will run out, leaving you with no skills or sense of self-worth; or you will wind up in jail with plenty of time to think about how your life went so terribly off course.