A study, conducted by International Communications Research, found that 69 percent of students between the ages of 13 and 17 agreed they could benefit from help on how to study and take tests better. The survey also revealed that more students get nervous when they sit down to take the test than when they are studying.
Students experience different kinds of stress associated with the test-taking process – stress during the actual test and pre-test stress while preparing for the exam, especially if the student is cramming the night before. Recognizing that a child's emotional state will affect her score, it is especially important that parents and teachers help students prepare for tests without cramming, in order to reduce the anxiety associated with the exam process.
To help students overcome the hurdles associated with testing, Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages and skill levels, offers the following test-taking tips for multiple choice, open-ended and essay format exams. Tips include how to prepare for the exam and reduce test day anxiety:
Multiple Choice Test
• Relax. It’s only a test.
• Do a quick review of the entire test – see what kind and how many questions are asked.
• Try to manage your time. Keep a close eye on the clock so you don’t run out of time.
• Make sure you read all directions clearly and carefully.
• Answer ALL questions. If it’s a multiple-choice test, even if you’re not sure of the answer, it’s better to guess than to leave the question blank.
• Go through and answer the easy questions first – they take less time. Save your time for the difficult questions.
• Can’t figure out the answer? See if you can eliminate at least one obviously wrong answer.
• If you finish early, review your answers and be sure you didn’t miss any questions.
• Mark your answers clearly. If you change your answer, erase it completely – you wouldn’t want the teacher to mark it wrong because you had two answers!
• For true or false questions: go with your instinct – it’s often right. And, look for trigger words like “always” and “never.” There are few things you can say never or always about, so the answer is probably false.
• On reading tests, scan for key words that relate to the question, and always be on the lookout for the main idea and for answers to who, what, where, when, why and how.
• On language arts tests, quickly eliminate known misspellings. For fill-in sentences, read the entire sentence and look for context clues before trying each possible answer.
• On math tests, use scratch paper and write down the key information you need to solve the problems, such as number sentences and equations. Check answers by reversing, i.e. adding to check subtraction.
Open-ended Questions
• Do a quick scan of the test. How many questions are there? How many points is each question worth? Remember, a question that’s four points versus 10 will require less detail.
• Write your answers clearly. You don’t want to lose points because the teacher can’t read your writing!
• Do the easy questions first. Then, come back to the difficult ones. Sometimes, the questions you can’t answer immediately make sense when you look at them a second time.
• Don’t lose track of time. You want to be able to answer all of the questions.
• Proofread. Did you answer the question? Check for spelling, punctuation and capitalization errors.
• Plan out what you want to say. It can’t hurt to jot down a couple of quick notes so you know the direction of your answers.
• Mark any questions that you need to come back to. If you want to add additional information to the answer, make a note, so you remember to review it.
• On reading questions, if you’re asked to write an answer that draws a conclusion, use details from the passage to support your idea.
• For math questions, jot down what you know about the word problem and maybe draw a picture to help you solve it. Make sure that your answers make sense – if the question asks how many miles, make sure that your answer is in miles, not feet or meters.
Essay Questions
• Review the question thoroughly. How many parts are there to the question? Make sure you answer every aspect of the question.
• How much time do you have to complete the exam, and how many questions do you have to answer?
• Read the question twice - once to see what’s wanted and then a second time to underline key words.
• If you have a choice of questions to answer, which ones are you most comfortable with? Do you have enough supporting material to answer the ones you want?
• Prepare an outline. Organize your thoughts. If this is one of the questions that you prepared for when studying, you’re already halfway there! Keep your facts straight, and be sure to include supporting details.
• Be concise when expressing your thoughts. Don't ramble.
• Pace yourself. Leave enough time to answer all questions, and time for reviewing and editing. In addition to answering the questions correctly, remember you’ll likely be evaluated on spelling and grammar, too.
• Provide supporting details for major topic areas – create introductory and concluding statements and restate your theme or thesis statement in your conclusion.
Sylvan Learning offers tips on writing, reading, making math learning fun and much more. For tips and information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.
Sylvan Learning Directors and teachers from Flemington, New Jersey dish on the latest educational trends and what you can do to help your child achieve academic success!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Local Sylvan Learning Offers College Planning Fair
Are you in high school and worried about your college plans?
Getting a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by parents and students working in tandem with each other. It provides knowledge and skills students will use for the rest of their lives.
With more than three million college admission tests administered each year, the SAT and ACT are two of the most important exams that a high school student will ever take. While taking these tests is critical to a student’s acceptance into college, students must also begin taking into account what college they would like to attend and more importantly, what they will do with the degree they earn once they graduate from that college.
The Sylvan Learning Centers of Clinton, Flemington and Hamilton, New Jersey are hosting an event for all High School students and their parents to talk with admissions counselors from Mercer County Community College, Raritan Valley Community College and Warren County Community College, along with a transfer counselor from Centenary College, amongst others. The event will be held at the Flemington Sylvan Learning Center located at 301 Walter E. Foran Boulevard on Thursday, November 10th from 10am to noon. Most New Jersey public schools are closed that day for teacher conventions, so it is an excellent opportunity for students to begin their college planning.
Students will have the opportunity to learn from these counselors what kinds of courses their local community colleges provide, what kinds of tests they will need to take (including the SAT) for even these colleges, and how to make the transition from a Community College to a 4-Year college seamlessly and in a relaxed atmosphere. Sylvan will also be on-hand to provide information about the college preparation services they offer.
RSVP's are accepted, but walk-ins are encouraged! Please call your local center for more information.
Clinton: 908-638-6788
Flemington: 908-806-4010 or
Hamilton: 609-588-9037
Getting a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by parents and students working in tandem with each other. It provides knowledge and skills students will use for the rest of their lives.
With more than three million college admission tests administered each year, the SAT and ACT are two of the most important exams that a high school student will ever take. While taking these tests is critical to a student’s acceptance into college, students must also begin taking into account what college they would like to attend and more importantly, what they will do with the degree they earn once they graduate from that college.
The Sylvan Learning Centers of Clinton, Flemington and Hamilton, New Jersey are hosting an event for all High School students and their parents to talk with admissions counselors from Mercer County Community College, Raritan Valley Community College and Warren County Community College, along with a transfer counselor from Centenary College, amongst others. The event will be held at the Flemington Sylvan Learning Center located at 301 Walter E. Foran Boulevard on Thursday, November 10th from 10am to noon. Most New Jersey public schools are closed that day for teacher conventions, so it is an excellent opportunity for students to begin their college planning.
Students will have the opportunity to learn from these counselors what kinds of courses their local community colleges provide, what kinds of tests they will need to take (including the SAT) for even these colleges, and how to make the transition from a Community College to a 4-Year college seamlessly and in a relaxed atmosphere. Sylvan will also be on-hand to provide information about the college preparation services they offer.
RSVP's are accepted, but walk-ins are encouraged! Please call your local center for more information.
Clinton: 908-638-6788
Flemington: 908-806-4010 or
Hamilton: 609-588-9037
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Fear Formula
National survey finds high anxiety among 8th and 9th graders taking algebra, tops list of worries for parents who struggle to help.
More than 70% of parents believe that helping their kids with algebra is harder than teaching them to drive a car.
As the new school year gets underway, a just-released survey finds that most eighth and ninth graders consider algebra to be their toughest subject — and the same goes for parents who say advanced math, like algebra, tops the subjects they struggle with when helping their children with homework.
The findings of the national survey are significant because algebra is regarded by many educators, including the U.S. Department of Education, to be a “well documented gateway course.” The designation comes from its importance as the foundation for high school level math and a critical stepping stone to college and future careers—from electrician to architect.
The challenge facing our students is underscored by the most recent results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which show that only 34 percent of eighth graders scored at or above the proficient level in math.
The nationwide survey of eighth and ninth graders and their parents was conducted between August 1 and August 8, 2011 by Kelton Research and commissioned by Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels.
Among the key findings:
• One in three students would be quick to sacrifice video game (36%) or Facebook (33%) privileges for a month to avoid taking algebra again.
• As students drown in anxiety over algebra, parents feel just as lost. Parents feel far more prepared to discuss delicate topics like drugs and alcohol (97%) and even sex (88%) with their child than to help with algebra homework (54%).
• Doing algebra is harder than completing tax returns. More than four out of five (82%) parents admit that they are likely to make more mistakes on their children’s algebra homework than on their tax returns.
• Six in ten (60%) parents are so unsure of their own algebra skills that they gave themselves a hypothetical grade of C or lower in their child’s algebra class.
These statistics add up to a “fear formula” in which the gap is widening between students’ needs and their parents’ ability to assist or provide the help required for success in algebra. Dr. Francis “Skip” Fennell, Professor of Mathematics Education at McDaniel College and past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, believes these numbers could be altered through simple preparation. “One of the most important considerations to student success in algebra is their readiness,” he says. “If we can identify student misconceptions, challenges, and struggles earlier, parents and teachers can provide students with the support they need to succeed.”
Sylvan Learning seeks to accomplish this with the launch of “Fit 4 Algebra: Take the Algebra Fitness Challenge,” a free interactive online “screener” that parents can use to assess their children’s algebra readiness. It consists of a 21-question algebra readiness check-up, which tests the key skills identified by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel as providing the basic foundation for algebra.
After their child completes the screener, parents will receive diagnostic results that highlight areas of strength as well as areas that are in need of further skill development. Additionally, parents will have immediate access to valuable free resources, including video-based math tutorials aligned to the skill areas where students need additional improvement.
“Success in algebra is a step toward success in life. Ensuring that our children are prepared to succeed is vital to our mission as an educational services company,” says Jeffrey Cohen, president and CEO of Sylvan Learning. “Every parent should know where their child stands with algebra and be in a position to help. We have researched and aggregated some of the best math and algebra resources currently available, and are thrilled to make these resources immediately accessible in one central place,” he said.
Parents who are concerned—or curious—about how well their child may measure up in algebra can take matters into their own hands by screening their child’s readiness through Sylvan’s Fit 4 Algebra website. In addition to seeing where their child stands on the Algebrometer®—an engaging visual created by Sylvan that gauges a student’s readiness level for algebra—parents can take advantage of a host of free resources, including online math challenges, entertaining games, interactive concept tutorials, and links to thousands of already-asked math questions with answers. The parent resources section also includes tips on helping children succeed in math, links to algebra smart phone apps, and information on finding personalized help, if needed.
“Parents recognize that their children are missing the mark in algebra and they need help,” says Dr. Lynn Fontana, chief academic officer for Sylvan Learning. “By taking advantage of Sylvan’s algebra check-up screener and free resources, parents can put their children back on track in the new school year and take the first step in ensuring their children’s future achievement in higher math studies, college, and ultimately their careers.”
Dr. Fennell also advises parents to determine “early on” if their children are ready for algebra by underscoring the link between algebra and future achievement. “Algebra is an important stop along the road to future success—in high school, college, and even professional earning power, so it’s critical that students know and understand the prerequisite concepts and skills that will help them succeed in algebra. Early detection is key to success down the road,” he said.
Sylvan’s free screener is available on www.Fit4Algebra.org. Parents of children entering middle school are encouraged to have their child take the screener to assess algebra readiness at the start of a new school year.
More than 70% of parents believe that helping their kids with algebra is harder than teaching them to drive a car.
As the new school year gets underway, a just-released survey finds that most eighth and ninth graders consider algebra to be their toughest subject — and the same goes for parents who say advanced math, like algebra, tops the subjects they struggle with when helping their children with homework.
The findings of the national survey are significant because algebra is regarded by many educators, including the U.S. Department of Education, to be a “well documented gateway course.” The designation comes from its importance as the foundation for high school level math and a critical stepping stone to college and future careers—from electrician to architect.
The challenge facing our students is underscored by the most recent results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which show that only 34 percent of eighth graders scored at or above the proficient level in math.
The nationwide survey of eighth and ninth graders and their parents was conducted between August 1 and August 8, 2011 by Kelton Research and commissioned by Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels.
Among the key findings:
• One in three students would be quick to sacrifice video game (36%) or Facebook (33%) privileges for a month to avoid taking algebra again.
• As students drown in anxiety over algebra, parents feel just as lost. Parents feel far more prepared to discuss delicate topics like drugs and alcohol (97%) and even sex (88%) with their child than to help with algebra homework (54%).
• Doing algebra is harder than completing tax returns. More than four out of five (82%) parents admit that they are likely to make more mistakes on their children’s algebra homework than on their tax returns.
• Six in ten (60%) parents are so unsure of their own algebra skills that they gave themselves a hypothetical grade of C or lower in their child’s algebra class.
These statistics add up to a “fear formula” in which the gap is widening between students’ needs and their parents’ ability to assist or provide the help required for success in algebra. Dr. Francis “Skip” Fennell, Professor of Mathematics Education at McDaniel College and past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, believes these numbers could be altered through simple preparation. “One of the most important considerations to student success in algebra is their readiness,” he says. “If we can identify student misconceptions, challenges, and struggles earlier, parents and teachers can provide students with the support they need to succeed.”
Sylvan Learning seeks to accomplish this with the launch of “Fit 4 Algebra: Take the Algebra Fitness Challenge,” a free interactive online “screener” that parents can use to assess their children’s algebra readiness. It consists of a 21-question algebra readiness check-up, which tests the key skills identified by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel as providing the basic foundation for algebra.
After their child completes the screener, parents will receive diagnostic results that highlight areas of strength as well as areas that are in need of further skill development. Additionally, parents will have immediate access to valuable free resources, including video-based math tutorials aligned to the skill areas where students need additional improvement.
“Success in algebra is a step toward success in life. Ensuring that our children are prepared to succeed is vital to our mission as an educational services company,” says Jeffrey Cohen, president and CEO of Sylvan Learning. “Every parent should know where their child stands with algebra and be in a position to help. We have researched and aggregated some of the best math and algebra resources currently available, and are thrilled to make these resources immediately accessible in one central place,” he said.
Parents who are concerned—or curious—about how well their child may measure up in algebra can take matters into their own hands by screening their child’s readiness through Sylvan’s Fit 4 Algebra website. In addition to seeing where their child stands on the Algebrometer®—an engaging visual created by Sylvan that gauges a student’s readiness level for algebra—parents can take advantage of a host of free resources, including online math challenges, entertaining games, interactive concept tutorials, and links to thousands of already-asked math questions with answers. The parent resources section also includes tips on helping children succeed in math, links to algebra smart phone apps, and information on finding personalized help, if needed.
“Parents recognize that their children are missing the mark in algebra and they need help,” says Dr. Lynn Fontana, chief academic officer for Sylvan Learning. “By taking advantage of Sylvan’s algebra check-up screener and free resources, parents can put their children back on track in the new school year and take the first step in ensuring their children’s future achievement in higher math studies, college, and ultimately their careers.”
Dr. Fennell also advises parents to determine “early on” if their children are ready for algebra by underscoring the link between algebra and future achievement. “Algebra is an important stop along the road to future success—in high school, college, and even professional earning power, so it’s critical that students know and understand the prerequisite concepts and skills that will help them succeed in algebra. Early detection is key to success down the road,” he said.
Sylvan’s free screener is available on www.Fit4Algebra.org. Parents of children entering middle school are encouraged to have their child take the screener to assess algebra readiness at the start of a new school year.
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