Test Prep 101 – Follow the 3Ps to Excel at SAT* and ACT® Tests

In today's competitive college admissions environment, doing well enough on the SAT™ and ACT™ may seem a daunting task. But with some work, and the right preparation and practice, you can demystify these tests and turn in your score best scores. Sylvan Learning, offers the following three-step approach – the 3 Ps – Pace, Prepare, Practice – that will make it happen.

Pace

Even though it's still four years off, you should begin to prepare for college admissions as soon as you enter high school. This is the time to begin laying the foundation for the math, science and language skills you will need to get into college—and to succeed once you are admitted.

Pace yourself along the way. Don't wait until junior or senior year of high school to suddenly realize you should have done more as a freshman and sophomore, like taking those honors and AP classes that college admissions offices like to see on transcripts.

Take your PSAT and any appropriate SAT Subject Tests in your in sophomore year. In junior year, explore colleges, learn about financial aid and take more subject tests as needed. This is also the time to take the SAT and/or ACT—twice—once in the fall and once in the spring. Make college visits in the spring and summer. If necessary, retake the SAT or ACT at the beginning of senior year.

Prepare

Use Your Guidance Counselor

Many students don't make adequate use of their school's academic guidance office. Throughout your high school career, counselors can tell you all you need to know about college and SAT and ACT admissions tests, as well as give you expert advice on which classes to take to reach your goals.

Furthermore, the better your guidance counselors get to know you during your high school career, the better they will be able to help you identify, prepare for and gain admission to the college that best matches your needs, interests and skills.

Research. Target Colleges

Most colleges accept both the ACT and the SAT, but be aware that some of your targeted schools may accept only one of them, or strongly prefer one over the other.

Before you take admission tests, it's important to collect as much information as you can on the colleges you are interested in to see which test they prefer, and how they use it in conjunction with other factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities and work experience. Do this early enough to allow yourself time to prepare for and take both tests if you decide to do so.

Practice

Know Your Test

Take practice tests to gain an understanding of how the tests work and how they are structured.

For example, the SAT is longer. It takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. The writing section is mandatory. The ACT, on the other hand, takes 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete—or 3 hours and 25 minutes if the student takes an optional writing test, which is required by some colleges.

Math also accounts for more on the SAT—33 percent, compared to 25 percent for the ACT. The tests also treat incorrect answers quite differently: There is no penalty for an incorrect answer on the ACT, but each incorrect answer on the SAT costs the test-taker 1/4 point.

Do The Math

Whether you intend to major in English or engineering, math remains an important indicator of your ability to think in a structured and logical way—a key factor that colleges examine when considering your admission application.

Even if you excel on other sections of the SAT or ACT, a poor or mediocre showing in the math sections will damage your all-important total score.  If you need outside instruction to avoid falling behind in Algebra, Geometry or Trigonometry while in high school, get help while there is still sufficient time to nail down those skills.

For additional information and educational resources on test prep programs, visit SylvanTestPrep.com, an online, on-demand, video-based course that teaches students to increase their PSAT, SAT and ACT scores by being smarter test-takers or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

*SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc.

SAT/ACT Testing

Throughout North America, schools are facing budget cuts that could increase classroom sizes and eliminate popular school programs, such as individualized college counseling. Thus, leaving parents to foot the bill. Families today are, on average, spending more than $1,000 on college preparatory books, materials and academic services for each student applying to college. Sylvan Learning is helping to soften the financial blow to parents – and school districts - through their ongoing national effort to partner with schools to provide SAT/ACT practice tests and free improvement sessions.

Today’s high school students are submitting, on average, seven to nine college applications, a marked increase from the two to four applications submitted just 10 years ago. This fact, coupled with the reality that a person with a college degree earns over 70 percent more than someone without one, raises the stakes in the college prep environment. It is in a family’s best interest to be strategic in their planning and engage teenagers in fun, academic activities that promote a lifelong love of learning.

The planning for college, though, starts far before students reach their Junior years-- Students should begin charting their course towards college as early as eighth grade.
Click on the image below to enlarge or to print a full page roadmap.

For more information about College Preparation courses, visit www.sylvanlearning.com

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

Countdown to College

The pressure is on. To compete in today's global economy, teenagers must obtain collegiate degrees now more than ever.

"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 increased the competition," says Rust Greigg, vice president of Sylvan Learning College Prep.

With students reaching for their "dream" schools, many realize increasing their scores on thier college entrance exams is only part of the planning process. More students and parents today are learning the secret that top colleges have known for years - systematically preparing for university-level classes gives students more confidence and more confidence can lead to higher SAT/ACT scores, early admission to the college of your choice, and a smoother transition into higher education.

With the fall season rapidly approaching, we have developed a list of what high school students can do during the Fall/Winter season to ensure they are adequately prepared for the college process.

Freshman Year
*Meet with your guidance counselors to ensure you are enrolled in college prep courses.
*Focus on doing well in your classes and seek extra help from peers, teachers, and supplemental education providers when needed.
*Join a sports team or club to become involved in school.
*Volunteer for local activities to become a part of your community.

Sophomore Year
*Take the PSAT in October for practice.
*Attend college fairs and open houses in your area.
*Talk to friends and relatives attending college and ask them about their experiences.

Junior Year(This is a critical time for college prep)
*Take a leadership role within your sports teams, clubs, or volunteer organizations.
*Register to take the PSAT/PLAN offered in October.
*Attend college fairs and open houses in your area. Question school representatives and recruiters about thier academic programs, majors offered, application fees, and admission deadlines.
*Analyze what you want in an institution of higher learning:
- Small, medium, or large school?
- Urban, suburban, or rural campus?
- Distance from home?
- Rigorous admissions requirements (SAT/ACT scores, GPA, class rank, etc.)?
- Intended major offered?
*Create a first list of schools that meet your personal requirements.
*Begin to research national and regional scholarships. Note the requirements and deadlines.


Senior Year
*Take the SAT/ACT again. Prepare by using prep books or enrolling in a SAT/ACT prep program.
*Create a master calendar that includes:
- Collegiate application due dates
- SAT/SAT Subject Tests/ACT/AP dates, frees and registration deadlines
- Financial aid form deadlines
- Recommendations and transcript due dates
- High school deadlines for information requests
*Narrow down your list of universities to 5-10 and review your choices with your parents and teacehrs.
*Complete and mail your scholarship applications.
* Ask your teachers to write letters of recommendation. Give each person your resume, any requred forms, and a stamp and addressed envelope.
*Write your admissions essays. Ask your teachers and families to proofread.

The college process is involved, but Sylvan Learning Center can help you navigate. We offer free diagnostic SAT/ACT practice tests for students and free parent seminars and resources including college planning guides. Interested in how Sylvan can help you and your child? Call (908)638-6788 or (908)806-4010. It's never too early - or too late - to begin preparing for college and lifelonge economic success.