Spring semester tips for students
1. Prep for College Follow college prep checklists to get ahead of the game on your college preparations. Every Thursday, check SciMath Education’s blog for weekly tips on test preparation and getting ahead. 2. Seniors, Complete Your FAFSA If you need assistance, check out FAFSA homepage. 3. Juniors, Consider AP Classes Juniors, now is the time to consider adding advanced placement courses to your senior year schedule. Be sure to plan ahead and take advantage of them. 4. Apply for Scholarships Fastweb’s 2018 list of scholarships might be a great start. 5. Save, Save, Save! This year, save more. You’re going to need some savings to pay for things you need for college, such as books, housing, and food. It all adds up and you’ll be grateful you planned ahead once you’re there. 6. Stay Motivated Easier said than done, but losing focus toward the end of the year is a huge problem that can impact your grades and college admission. 7. Steer Clear of Known Setbacks Now that you have a fresh start, there’s no point in looking back. Make sure you steer clear of second-semester setbacks, like losing focus, assuming you’re all set for college or slacking off in your courses. Remember, everything counts until the very last day of high...
Read MoreBuild Confidence
One key test-taking strategy that teachers can incorporate in the classroom is building confidence in their students. Teachers may find it helpful to spend some time on counterbalancing all of the negative input your students have heard about themselves, their school and the test. Have your students write words of encouragement for themselves or their peers. They can write lines such as, “fear is the only thing that is feeding the test’s power over the students” or “I will enter school ready and prepared like a cowboy in a showdown.” The point is to encourage students to take the test and not to let the test take them. Remember, when it comes to testing strategies there is no single way to prepare students. Many strategies are based on the classroom and the student’s individual...
Read MoreTransform Your PSAT Score Into an SAT Game Plan
Transform Your PSAT Score Into an SAT Game Plan Students can use newly released PSAT scores to create an SAT study plan right away, while the content is still fresh. U.S. News & World Report By Tiffany Sorensen, Contributor |Dec. 11, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. This year, high school students will receive their PSAT scores on December 11, 12 or 13. PSAT scores range from 320 to 1520. The redesigned PSAT adheres more closely to the revised SAT, which has a maximum score of 1600, and performance on the PSAT is an ideal starting point for SAT study endeavors. The following three steps can help you translate your PSAT results into an effective SAT review plan. [Use your PSAT performance to choose a college entrance exam.] 1. Account for differences between the tests: There are a number of key differences between the PSAT and the SAT. For instance, the PSAT is two hours and 45 minutes long, while the SAT is three hours without the essay and three hours and 50 minutes with the essay. As a result, the SAT requires increased focus and stamina. The essay component, which is not present on the PSAT, also requires students to use analytical and rhetorical skills. As you prepare for the SAT, consider both the essay and the exam length so that you are neither exhausted on test day nor lacking the proper practice to excel on the essay. In addition, keep in mind that the most complex SAT questions may not appear on the PSAT. For a strategic approach, you can review by question type, such as focusing on trigonometry problems on both the PSAT and SAT. Within each type, note those SAT practice questions that are marked as difficult, since you may not have encountered them on the PSAT. Given these differences between the PSAT and the SAT, your approach to studying for the SAT should be cautiously optimistic. It is better to assume that your SAT score will be lower than what the PSAT suggests, rather than to be overconfident that your PSAT score will translate directly to your SAT score. [Read 10 test prep tips for SAT and ACT takers.] 2. Create a review plan immediately: You should create a study plan for the SAT as soon as possible after reviewing PSAT score reports. The PSAT’s content and format will be relatively fresh in your mind, and you should have a rough idea of which question types and sections were most challenging for you. Carefully review your PSAT score report to determine which questions you consistently answered incorrectly. The College Board provides detailed explanations for each item to help you better understand where and why you erred – so be sure to read these. [Get information on how parents, teens can make use of PSAT scores.] 3. Set realistic expectations: Finally, make sure to plan for sufficient time between the PSAT and the SAT. Taking the tests too closely together may result in disappointment if you have not given yourself space to improve. Be honest with yourself about target scores and the amount of time you can dedicate to SAT studies. For example, signing up for the March 10, 2018, date may not be conducive if you hope to increase your score by 200 points but will have limited time to study in January and February. One general rule to abide by is that each 10-point increase on the SAT necessitates several hours of intensive study. Therefore, if you wish to increase your score by 100 points, assume that you will need to review for roughly 40-50 hours. Be aware, however, that this number is only a general estimate and will depend on the quality of...
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