College Competition Means New Stress for Today’s Teens

To compete in today’s global economy, which includes international students attending North American colleges in record numbers, U.S. teenagers must obtain collegiate degrees now more than ever. According to the latest research of the U.S. Department of Education, college enrollment grew 16 percent between 1985 and 1995. Between 1995 and 2005, enrollment increased at a faster rate (23 percent), from 14.3 million to 17.5 million. The number of graduating high school seniors is expected to peak in 2011, with 67% trying to gain admission to an institution of higher learning.

What does this mean for students with college aspirations? Acing the college entrance exam is critical. Most students applying to competitive colleges now take the SAT*/ACT® more than once, and as early as sophomore year.

Our growing global economy has made it necessary for more students to attend college in order to obtain good paying jobs. New tools, such as the common application, encourage students to apply to more schools - which increases the competition. Thus, making it more difficult for students to gain acceptance into the top institutions and colleges that were once seen as “safeties.”

More students and parents today are learning the secret that top colleges have known for years - systematically preparing for the SAT/ACT gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT/ACT scores.

New college admissions rules now allow students to score their best by taking the SAT/ACT as many times as they like, but educators suggest taking the tests no more than two or three times. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring, offers the following advice to ensure students properly prepare for their college entrance exams – Sylvan’s 10 STRESSFREE Steps to Reduce the Stress and Ace The Test!

Studying for the SAT*/ACT® takes weeks, even months,
of review. Don’t try to cram overnight.
Trust yourself. Rely on your instincts. Never leave an
easy question blank.
Read the questions and answers critically.
Easy questions have easy answers.
Stop and check. Every few questions, ensure the
question number on the answer sheet
corresponds with the booklet.
Save time. Make sure you have enough time to
answer as many questions as possible, in order to
rack up as many points as possible.
Focus on what the question is really asking. If you
don’t fully understand the question, finding
the correct answer is going to be tough.
Rushing only hurts you. Keep track of the time
remaining for each section.
Eliminate answers. If you can eliminate at least two
incorrect answers, make an educated guess.
End each section by reviewing. If time permits, revisit
the questions you didn’t answer.

For more information about College Test Stress, please join us on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 for a FREE Seminar about the SAT/ACT tests as well as financing a college education. Both parents and students are invited to attend this workshop.

When: November 9, 2010
Where: PNC Bank- 301 Walter E. Foran Blvd. Flemington, NJ
RSVP: By November 6 to sylvan4127@verizon.net or sylvan4123@gmail.com