Organization Archives - SciMath Education

Tackle the ACT the second time: Dedicate the time

For many students, one of the biggest challenges they face is simply finding the time to commit to preparing for the ACT on a regular basis. With their academic obligations, extracurricular activities and other responsibilities, finding the time to test prep have become more difficult. Prep time can vary from prospective college students. There are several factors to consider when preparing to retake the ACT such as the original score and how high you want your score to increase. For example, a student who has a composite score of 27 but wants to increase their score by one or two points may only need to dedicate a few weeks to reach their desired score. But, students who want to increase their score by five or more points will need to dedicate significantly more amount of time for test prep. We recommend students to take enough mock tests to get close to their desired score before retaking the real exam. Learn about our mock testing program here....

Tackle the ACT a second time: Watch the clock

It’s not uncommon to skip some questions while taking a standardized exam. A score report can show you where you skipped questions, possibly revealing that you ran out of time. First-time test takers are not always aware of how quickly the exam moves and so they need to develop a strategy for timing and pacing. The ACT has more questions per minute than the SAT. The SAT has a grammar section which is 44 questions in 35 minutes. Whereas, the ACT English section has 75 questions in 45 minutes. SciMath Education’s mock test program administers practice tests in timed environments to improve college applicants time management for test...

Parents: So, what if it’s hard?

What if you hated math as a child? Parents should try to set aside their distaste for math and encourage their children as much as possible. Young children are eager to learn. Avoid talking negatively about math, even if you have no need for trigonometry in your daily life. If your child believes that math doesn’t really matter, he or she is not going to be as open to learning. Tip If you are stuck on how to foster math enthusiasm, talk to your child’s teacher about some ways to support math learning at home. There may be a new game that you have never heard of, which both you and your child will...

Students: Start the day off strong with a good night’s sleep

Get a good night’s sleep every night. Trying to take a test in the morning when you had five hours of sleep last night is not a good idea. Eating breakfast in the morning is a good idea too. If you’re not a breakfast fan, take a small snack with you in your backpack to eat before class. Studies have shown that students who eat breakfast before school get better grades than students who don’t eat breakfast. Have something to eat before you start any homework or assessment. This way you will have the energy to keep you going. Bring a snack to school if you are late for...

Tip for Students: At Home Organization

Establishing a home study area is just as important as organizing your stuff for school. Nobody wants to spend longer than required on homework, but without realizing it, you’ll take longer just looking for materials. Find a place in your home where you’re comfortable and there are no distractions from family. • Load this quiet space with a separate pencil case, calendar, computer, writing space and bookshelf for homework. • Have some snacks stored in this desk, because doing your homework may get you hungry. There should be no distractions and everything you need should be close in hand. Develop good habits. Establish routines to maintain your set-up systems. Come up with a set time to do your homework every day, and put it back in your backpack when you are done. Put everything you will need for the next day in your backpack the night before, and set out your clothing and any extras and things you will need. Consult your planner often, and check on, maintain, and alter your organization system when...