Education Resource

Brian asked:


Q. My teacher says that we are going to have a test quiz next week. Isn’t that term a bit redundant? What in the world is a test quiz?

A. Ah, the wiley test quiz. It’s an odd creature indeed and it is very rarely encountered in the wild. In fact, you are a very lucky student to have a teacher that even knows what a test quiz is much less is wiling to administer one.

A test quiz is a preparatory quiz that is given in advance of a major test. Its purpose is to familiarize you with the type of questions that are going to be asked on the major test without revealing the actual questions that will be asked.

For example, if you’ve ever taken the PSAT test, then you’ve taken a test quiz. The PSAT test is designed to prepare you to take the actual SAT tests that many colleges require high school students to take before applying for admission.

The fact that your teacher is willing to give you a test quiz means that he or she truly cares about you and wants you to do well on the actual test that will soon follow. If you read between the lines, you might also see where your teacher is saying words to the effect of “the actual test is going to be tough folks so I’m going to give you a test quiz, in advance, so you’ll have a better idea what you’ll need to study.”

There aren’t many teachers who are willing to take the time to write a test quiz and that’s the reason why most students will never see one in the “wild”.

Take advantage of you teacher’s generosity and study well for your test quiz. The chances are you’ll see the same concepts in the actual test that you saw in the test quiz. If you do well on the test quiz then you’ll probably do well on the test itself. If you fail the test quiz, however, you’d better hits the books harder and leave the partying until after the test.

Melissa

Guy Van der Biek asked:


Students sit nervously but neatly in rows of old school desks. Hopes are high and so is the pressure Whether it is a group of pre-law majors taking the LSAT Test, or a group of expectant high school seniors taking a college entrance exam, the scene is familiar to millions of students every year.

In addition to becoming the latest group of students to perform the traditional rite of passage of test-taking, they are also part of a multimillion-dollar machine called the educational testing industry.

The market for education is enormous, representing roughly $750 billion annually in the United States alone. It is about 10 percent of the US gross domestic product and growing. It doesn’t matter where you are on the education curve – small child, kindergartener, high school student, college grad or even corporate executive – your life will somehow be touched by educational testing.

Thanks to the tests mandated under No Child Left Behind, states will spend up to $6 billion to implement new testing procedures according to the Government Accounting Office. And that only includes the costs associated with creating, scoring and reporting on the tests. It doesn’t include extra costs for the teachers who have been tapped to prepare students for the new tests, proctors who must administer the tests and the time parents and educators spend. The real costs of new testing could be 15 or even 20 times higher than the GAO’s estimates.

It’s a heavy investment, especially when you consider that many teachers and parents are at best undecided about the results of the testing programs. The focus has shifted from traditional learning methods to pure test preparation as schools battle it out for the bragging rights to the highest median test scores in each district and state.

Parents of stressed-out high school students have argued nationwide that colleges and universities need to apply a more personalized process to admissions rather than ranking their students solely on test scores and grade point averages.

But most universities continue to require the examinations for entrance. They have created a market place where students and their parents must bear the additional financial burdens of test preparation in addition to the costs associated traditional education. While the entrance tests themselves are relatively inexpensive – less than $100 for college-related tests, over $100 for graduate related tests – test preparation is another issue entirely. It isn’t unusual for a student preparing for the LSAT test to pay $5,000 in tutoring.

“This seems to create a bias for rich kids,” says M, the founder of Test Sherpa, a web site devoted to bringing free and affordable test preparation tools for the LSAT Test and SAT Test. “If you can afford tutoring, you will score higher. So those with privilege have a special advantage in testing.” To level the playing field, M has put all of Test Sherpa’s LSAT courses into an easily accessible format on it’s web site and is working on converting content for SAT and GRE as well.

“We still charge for tutoring – we incur a cost for that so we have to charge,” M says. “But we want to get as much information about the LSAT out there as possible.” When other companies are charging several thousand dollars for the same information, what Test Sherpa is attempting is quite laudable.

One thing is for sure — tests are not going away any time soon. Colleges and universities will always face the daunting challenge of assessing student performance and success metrics. And in the meantime, many will continue to profit from the increase in spending on test preparation and administration.

Georgia

Hugh Goldsmith asked:


Show me a student who says that he or she is not frightened of appearing in exams and I can show you a lair! Exams have this quality of making students feel frightened and they literally dread this. It is something which has been happening for a long time. However the truth is that one needs to face and clear the exams no matter how frightened they are of the whole thing. One such exam that students need to undertake is the SAT exam. SAT exams are mandatory exams students need to undertake to have a successful academic career; these exams need to be taken right after one has passed out from high school. Scores attained in the SAT exam determines if you are eligible for admission to a reputed college in the United States or not. Now if you are one of those people who are looking to be successful academically by having an excellent academic record, you must make sure that you clear the SAT exams with high marks.

In NYC there are several tutorial agencies that guide students in taking the exams successfully without any hassles. SAT tutor NYC is in fact the best person to guide you not only taking the exams but successfully clearing it too. If you get a helping hand many things become easy and especially if someone is there to guide you throughout the whole process of preparing for the SAT exams, you are sure to be successful. Depending on their preference students can seek the help of an online SAT tutor NYC or a real SAT tutor NYC. Students must make sure that if they want to score really good marks in the exams, they must start preparing for the exams pretty early. Leaving everything for the last moment solves no purpose, so both student and their parents must make sure that they have all the things in place well in advance.

Now SAT exams have a certain procedure and if you want to be successful you must be well versed with the entire thing. So it is vital to know about the whole process of the exams and know it really well, so that when they face the real exams they do not feel that this is something they are doing for the first time. Lots of mock tests are conducted by the SAT tutor NYC beforehand to fully prepare the students to take the exams with ease. Students have different capabilities and the task of a SAT tutor is to find out those capabilities and help him or her use that for cracking the exams successfully.

SAT tutor NYC supplies study materials to students, which are prepared keeping in mind the requirement of the students. Taking private tuitions for a SAT tutor is in fact the best way through which a student can successfully crack the SAT exams. Clearing the SAT exams with a high score if the only means through which you can fulfill your dream of studying in the best colleges and Universities in America.

Judy

pandabubbaluv asked:


I was thinking of taking the SAT in June (next year), but I’m not sure where to go to take it exactly. Do they only tell you after you register? Is there any site that tells you where the testing takes place?

Allan

Hugh Goldsmith asked:



That competition is the ruling factor now days needs no proof. The rate at which the geniuses are being created overnight has become the norm rather than the exception. A reason why the cream amongst the student community finds America as an attractive destination for their career moves. Going for the best of the institutions in States is not a cakewalk as most of the students discover sooner or later. The reason, being the exceptionally high standards in these colleges and universities and also that a thorough preparation of English is required. This is where SAT Tutor NYC comes into picture about whom a proper information can be had form the Yellow Pages themselves. He is the person who guides you through these highly competitive exams, thereby securing an admission for you in your dream institute.
It is important to secure a certain percentage in SAT or Scholastic Aptitude Test whereby you can secure an admission in any prestigious American college. You are helped in this effort by the SAT Tutor NYC who understands the specific needs of their students. Owing to their vast expertise over the years, they can exactly pin-point the strengths and weaknesses of their students and thereby help them in overcoming these. A SAT Tutor NYC helps you in preparing for the tough examinations, which test you thoroughly. As English is the global language nowadays and it finds its use in every area of life, it is important to be adept in it. Knowing this, a Sat Tutor makes you run ahead in the competition with his updated teaching modules.
To a large extent, the competence of a student depends upon the kind of preparation a SAT Tutor NYC makes him go through. It is basically the skilled expertise of his tutor plus his own will to excel that sees him through the rigors of the examination. A student should therefore select an experienced hand in coaching him, which he can find from the internet or ex-students. They being thoroughly familiar with the teaching fraternity can help the new lot in locating a perfect one for them. All this should proceed in a stepwise manner and last but not the least, with a single-pointed attention a student should begin his preparations for the exam.
Competitive exams prepare you to face a real world in the future and help you to correctly asses your weaknesses and strengths. It is said that practice makes a man perfect. And what better way to start with a SAT Tutor NYC in whose able hands you are sure to win hands down. It is his guidance with which you can tide over any difficulty while preparing for these exams. You are sure to aim for the highest under his able guidance and come out as winners for the rest of your life. Taking the help of the tutor definitely increases your chances of being able to fulfill your academic goals and get into one of the reputed colleges of the United States.


Clyde

Lisa Parmley asked:


The ACT and the SAT are the two major college admissions exams for U.S colleges and universities. If you are interested in pursuing a college degree, you will likely need to take one of these exams. So which one should you take?
Most colleges and universities accept either one, but the ACT may be slightly more accepted by the majority of 4-year programs. The major differences between the two exams include; the number of times they are administered per year, the topics they cover, and whether or not there is a penalty for right or wrong answers.
Let’s get into the specifics of these three major differences.
As to the number of times they are administered per year, the SAT is usually administered a little more often than the ACT. In the 2006-2007 test year, the SAT will be offered 7 times while the ACT will only be offered 6. Clearly, this difference is really not much of a reason to choose one over the other. With a little planning, you should be able to fit taking either the ACT or SAT into your schedule.
The test topics between the ACT and SAT, however, are quite different. The tests are different enough that this may be the determining point for you.
The ACT covers trigonometry in the math section, while the SAT does not. The major sections of the ACT include the English, math, science, and reading sections with an optional essay. The SAT includes a critical reading, math, and writing section. An essay is mandatory with the SAT. However, the SAT does not include a science section. Therefore, if you are stronger in writing essays than in science, the SAT may be the test for you. Alternately, if science and more advanced math are your strong suits, then the ACT test may be a better fit for you.
Lastly, the SAT will give you a penalty for wrong answers. This means if you do not know the answer to a question, you may be better off leaving it blank than guessing. In contrast, you will not be penalized for wrong answers in the ACT.
As you can see, there are a number of differences between the ACT and SAT exams. It is best to analyze your strengths and weaknesses before deciding which of these college admission exams you plan to tackle. In addition, make sure to check the requirements of the colleges you are planning to apply to.

Marie

Emmaline asked:


I just registered for the Biology E/M SAT II, and I forgot to register for Chemistry. I know you can add another test on test day and get billed for it later, but who do you talk to about that and when? After you finished the other test?

Sheila

Help Me! asked:


I didn’t write the paragraph on the back of the SAT Booklet in cursive, will they still count my test or will they tell me my test doesn’t count now?

Derrick

Hugh Goldsmith asked:


Life places many examinations in front of us and if we are to pass them with flying colors, then we should know to take the right steps at the right time. Competitive examinations, too, have their impact on our lives, as our performance in such examinations decides our future course. One such important examination is the SAT or the Scholastic Aptitude Test, which forms the benchmark for students, hoping to get admission in a reputed college or university of their choice. Now, if you too, are planning to appear for these exams, then it is time to pull up your socks and give it your best shot. It would definitely help your cause, if you have the guidance of someone who is experienced in the pattern of these competitive exams which have set a very high benchmark for the students. The best person who can act as your friend, philosopher and guide in such a scenario is a SAT tutor NYC.

A SAT tutor NYC has the necessary competence and experience of teaching many candidates for the exams and would be well aware of the pattern of questions and the expected answers. If you decide to train under a SAT tutor NYC, then you must ensure that you are selecting the best tutor for yourself. The internet and yellow pages are reliable sources of information and you could easily locate the best tutor in New York through these sources. Even the references of the past or present students, are a reliable guide when selecting the right tutor to prepare you for an examination as important and crucial as SAT. A successful track record of the tutor can assure you about his teaching skills and knowledge about the subject matter and hence, you could safely opt for a tutor whose students have fared reasonably well in the exam.

The contribution of the SAT tutor NYC is perhaps as important as that of the student preparing himself to appear for the tough competitive examination. As each student has specific strengths and weaknesses in various subjects, only a tutor can help the student identify these areas and work on them accordingly. Also, it is not only important to solve the question paper correctly, but it is equally important to solve them within the time specified in a smart manner. Such tactics for doing well in your examination can only be taught by a tutor, who is used to the examination pattern and question types.

When your future depends on your performance in the SAT examinations as only scoring well can ensure an admission into a college of your choice, it is imperative that you put your best foot forward and prepare as well as you can. So, even if you have hired the best SAT tutor NYC to guide and teach you, nothing can compensate for hard work on your behalf. Hence, take the help of a tutor who can train you properly but also ensure that you have a strong dedication and determination and put in sufficient efforts to ensure that your future is secured.

Lois

Konrad Braun asked:


SAT evaluates critical thinking skills required in college courses. SAT is usually taken by high school juniors or seniors. SAT scores supplement secondary school records and are required to be admitted into many colleges.

SATs can be frightening, but with proper studying, discipline, and effort, they can be defeated without any pain. One of the best ways to practice for the SAT is to answer practice questions that are modeled after previous SATs. In general, the more practice questions you are able to answer, and the more you do answer, the better you’ll do on your SAT. Answering practice questions also leads you in the proper direction of study. Questions you are unable to answer let you know which topics you need to study more for.

Learning relevant vocabulary can help with the verbal section of the SAT. It is best to start vocabulary expansion well before the test, since it can take quite a lot of time to memorize new words and their meanings.

For the math in the SAT’s it is useful to review older mathematic material, as well as more recent curriculum. Some of the math on the SAT’s may be from early high school, so despite your more recent achievements, it’s a good idea to brush up on some of the old geometry and algebra.

Writing in advance is a well-advised idea. You can find or create SAT-type essays, and write them often. The more you write them, the better, and faster, you’ll become at writing.

Remember to be fresh and well fed before the test. Sleep plenty the night before, and have a good breakfast. Don’t cram study on the night prior to the exam, a late night will only hinder your performance. Arrive early to the test, and stay as calm as you can. SAT’s are long tests, and can be very monotonous. Getting nervous will only waste time.

Unlike tests in school, guessing answers on the multiple choice part of the SAT is not at all smart. If you guess incorrectly, you get more points deducted than if you were to leave the question blank. If you can narrow it down to two choices, the risk is 50/50, and is worth taking. If you have no idea what the question is about, and guess without removing any choice, you are more likely to be harmed than benefit.

There are many other tips and tricks in taking the SAT. These methods and bits of information can be found on various sites. Start studying early, study hard, study often and your results will show it!

Kathleen