Perfectionists Need Not Try The SAT!

While perfectionism may be a great trait in sports, on the job and in life, do not try to be perfect on the SAT.  Only a very small percentage of all test takers will ever achieve the elusive 2400 score.  For the rest of us, our mission is not to be perfect, but to answer as many questions correctly and in a timely manner without getting bogged down on an impossible question.

The SAT is a moderately timed test, you must work at an average pace.  You do not need to be a speed reader, but you cannot stare at the page for several minutes either.  For math, you do not have to solve every problem in 10 seconds, but you cannot spend 5 minutes calculating and crossing out, calculating and crossing out, etc., etc.

Perfectionists are loath to omit a question for fear they are giving up.  Trust us, your life will not change and you will still get into a great university if you get over your perfectionism and learn to strategically omit the impossible questions.

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

 

Attention Parents: The Best Thing You Can Do for your HS Junior or Senior This Summer Is ………

Buy a home delivery subscription to the NY Times. Have your child flip through the newspaper each day and pick out 2 articles he or she finds interesting.  Buy some index cards as well. Have your child read the articles, pick out some vocabulary words and place them on the non-lined side of the index cards. Then have your child go to www.thesaurus.com and find five synonyms of  each new word.  Have your child write  the synonyms on the opposite (lined) side of the index card.

When the summer is over your child will have read at least 120 articles, defined 300 words and grouped those words with 1500 synonyms.  This should take no longer than 45 minutes per day.  This activity will become so commonplace with your child it will be as natural as brushing his or her teeth.

In addition to the increased word power, your child will become more worldly and have a new and broader knowledge about  a range of topics.  When your child sits for the PSAT or SAT this fall, his or her mind will be sharp and reading comprehension will be much better.