Most high school students started to receive their SAT scores these days. From the initial reports, it's clear that there has been a 5% drop in the average scores within the last year.

What might be the possible causes? A lot of school administrators, parents and students are asking themselves the same question.

Here are some of my own answers as a private tutor teaching SAT math preparation for a number of years and who have recently published a book on SAT Math preparation.

1) SAT test has changed in 2005. Now it includes a new section on writing an English essay and an Algebra 2 test. Some of the students might not be familiar with some of the new SAT math subjects like "functions," for example.

2) In my judgment, it also has become harder to "guesstimate" the answers of SAT questions. It is harder in the new SAT just to guess the unknown answers and get it right.

3) The new test is about 1 hour longer than the old one. Old SAT used to take about 3 hours. Now the average completion time is up to 4 hours. In this day and age of short attention spans, constant IM'ing and videogames, some students do not have the concentration and discipline to sit through a 4-hour test and not make any mistakes.

4) The new test is about $20 more expensive than the old one. This might be a factor in the number of students re-taking the test. In the past, students used to take 3 or 4 SAT tests. Now the number is down to 1 or 2. That might also be limiting a student's chances of improving his/her score.

Adequate preparation is still the key. Make sure to find a tutor or self-preparation method/guide that would accomplish two things:

1) Pinpoint your area(s) of greatest weakness.

2) A step-by-step customized method to strengthen those weak points.

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You know that you are taking your SAT’s this morning. You were up all night cramming for the exam. You drank coffee all night to stay awake and plow through your material. You are ready to take this test! NO! You have just set yourself up for failure and you know this because you have walked into the examination room and suddenly your stomach turns cartwheels. Your face is flushed, your heart rate races, and your head is spinning. The testing experience has become a panic attack that will compromise your ability to do as well as you should. Any score you get today will not be a reflection of your knowledge and abilities. It will reflect confusion, panic, and disorganization. But there are healthy and productive ways to avoid the panic experience and maximize your test score.

Preparation for the SAT must be a thoughtful, planned, and organized effort. This preparation takes place over weeks and months and this time will give you the opportunity to gain confidence over the test material and the testing experience. While working on your SAT preparation there are some simple steps to follow to maximize your efforts. Students First, an organization though the University of Buffalo points out some great tips for a successful preparation program.

 Minimize distracting noise.
 Consider a “do not disturb” sign to avoid well meaning friends and family.
 75 watt bulbs are best and placed opposite the dominant hand.
 Better cool than warm.
 A desk and straight-backed chair is usually best.
 Have all your study tools right at hand.

The UIUC Counseling Center states that “Preparation is the best way to minimize rationale anxiety.” Rationale anxiety is one that occurs when you have not adequately studied the material. Cramming will defiantly set you up for rationale anxiety. Cramming does nothing to instill confidence and assurance that you are ready for the exam and does nothing to provide the calm and thoughtful confidence that allows you to perform to your best abilities.

Using a thorough and self- paced test preparation program can structure your preparation to give you time to become comfortable with the material and give you opportunities to practice your knowledge. Make use of practice tests and use time frames similar to the actual time limits used in the actual test. A thoughtful, well paced, and structured approach to SAT preparation can be the difference between a score that shows you at your best or at your worst.

Good study habits will maximize the benefits of your test preparation program. Eat a healthy diet, even if you do not normally do so. Remember, you are in training and like any athlete your body has to be prepared to perform. Getting enough sleep in a regular cycle is vital. Late nights are not the best way to make the most of your attention span. Try to do something relaxing an hour before you sit down to study. Read a “pleasure” book, take a bath, play with a pet, or simply go for a walk. These things can release tension and put your mind at ease and most receptive for studying.

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Preparing for the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be so. You can easily prepare yourself for the SAT with just a little planning. So, here are five tips that you can use to get ready for the SAT.

SAT Tip #1: Read Books, Magazines and a Newspaper

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." -Dr. Seuss
One of the strongest habits a person can develop in pursuit of a higher SAT score is a reading habit. Successful people not only read continuously, they read to stretch, challenge and improve themselves. They read books, magazines and newspapers to stay informed on the latest information. It doesn't matter how good a reader you are, what matters is that you read. The more you read and the longer you read the better you will get at reading. So if you want a better SAT score, READ A LOT!

SAT Tip #2: Improve Your Vocabulary Everyday

"Vocabulary enables us to interpret and to express. If you have a limited vocabulary, you will also have a limited vision and a limited future." -Jim Rohn
One of the top things you must do, if you are serious about doing well on the SAT or the ACT, is improve your vocabulary. Start learning and using new words immediately. If you don't own a good dictionary buy one and use it. Learn a new word's spelling, pronunciation and most common meaning. If you invest time in improving your vocabulary you will:

improve your intelligence

become a better reader

get a better job
A great way to improve your vocabulary is to join an email list that specializes in SAT vocabulary. After you sign up, you will receive an email containing one or two words that appear regularly on the SAT. Try mrcauseytutors.com for an excellent free SAT Vocabulary email.

SAT Tip #3: Start Writing

"Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish." --John Jakes
A great way to use your new found knowledge and vocabulary is to write. It doesn't matter what you write so long as you start writing. Usually, you should write about things you have an interest in so that you don't become bored and quit writing. But writing is very important to SAT success. If you aren't sure how to start writing, you might try getting a journal and writing something in it every day. Or you might enroll in a class that requires you to write essays or articles. The important thing is that your start writing, NOW!

SAT Tip #4: Start an Exercise Program

"If it weren't for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn't get any exercise at all." -Joey Adams
It is very important that you stay fit in order get the most from your SAT preparation time. If you fail to stay fit you have less energy which will result in sleepiness and a lack of energy. Making it very hard to study. But, a fit person has better circulation which results in more oxygen for the brain and more energy for your muscles. This in turn will result in you feeling awake, energized and ready to attack the tasks in front of you. A great way to start exercising is by walking for about thirty minutes every day. Walking is easy to do and it doesn't require any special equipment. Also, you could start some resistance training by doing push-ups and sit-ups, neither require equipment. It's not the equipment of the gym you use that is important, the important thing is that you do something.

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The hardest part of the SAT reading comprehension section for most test takers is arguably the sentence completion. The format of sentence completion is simple. The student is given a sentence with either one or two blanks. The student then must pick the right SAT vocabulary word to fill in that blank. How does the student know which of the five answer choices to pick? The answer is easy:

The definition of the correct word choice answer is in the question itself.

For example:

Judy was ____________; she was so happy that she aced the SATs.

(A) Elucidated
(B) Sardonic
(C) Complacent
(D) Ebullient
(E) Flippant

The correct answer would be (D) Ebullient. Why? Because "Ebullient" means cheerful and as we can see "she was so happy" part of the question is the definition of ebullient.

The hard part? Unfortunately the only way to prepare is get exposure to common sat vocabulary words. Don't worry, I prepared a List of Sat Vocabulary Word with their definitions. All of these words come from practice tests I have taken in the past and the NY Times. (which uses words frequently found on the SAT.)

Esoteric- arcane

Complacent- satisfied, unworried

Admonition- warning

Incredulous- skeptical, disbelieving

Nonchalant- casual, indifference

Sardonic- sarcastic, mocking

Flippant- frivolous, lacking depth, seriousness

Iconoclastic one who attacks settled beliefs or institutions

Naysayer- one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical or cynical about something

Pretentious- pompous ambitious

Errant- out of place

Pertinent- relevant

Loquacious- wordy

Torrid- hot

Laconic- brief, terse,

Audacious- bold, daring

Agape- wonder

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According to a survey of college admissions officers at 374 schools conducted at Kaplan, as much as 58 percent of colleges will be checking the SAT essays of applicants for potential writing level discrepancies, while 15 percent will be evaluating the SAT essay of all applicants.

Timothy Brunold, dean of undergraduate admissions at USC said, "we will definitely take a look at the SAT essay if the student scored poorly on the writing section but wrote a brilliant personal essay."

Lee Stetson, dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, says the essay test will give admissions officers a better feel for applicants' writing and verbal skills and their ability to perform under ``constraint.''

Ted Spencer, director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and trustee of the College Board stated, "The SAT essay will be a first draft, written under timed conditions not unlike the on-demand writing of a college "blue book" exam. It will complement the student's traditional application essay and give us a better, more complete understanding of the student's writing abilities."

Jerome A Lucido Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Director of Undergraduate Admissions of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said that the SAT writing sample "will make the exam a more relevant and useful tool for evaluating student performance, for predicting college success, and for stimulating the high school curriculum."

Ben Streetman, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin said, "This new requirement will be a great help to us in choosing students who can succeed in engineering. One of the most important skills an engineer has is the ability to present his or her ideas verbally and in writing. Virtually every engineering project begins with a written proposal, requires interim reports and culminates in a written summary. Professional success in engineering depends not only on the ability to apply the techniques of math and science to solve problems, but also on the engineer's ability to write those proposals and reports in a way that helps others understand the work."

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One great idea for anyone in search of college aid money and just starting on a college degree: retake the entrance exam. You may think that if you took it once, then that is your score and you can't change it. With preparation and study, you can get a higher score on any test.

You might think, my score is high enough to get accepted, why should I retake the test. I'll give you 2 reasons: math and more money.

First, the math. Nearly all colleges have a math requirement for new entrants. If you don't meet the base score on the math portion of the test, you have to take a basic math class. But with a high enough score, you can skip the class. Also, your college may have other basic classes like this in English, for example.

Next, cold hard cash. You can conserve your college aid money by scoring high on the entrance exam. A high enough score will qualify you for scholarships at the university or college, and can provide you with more money for school.

I made this mistake once. I took entrance exams, both the ACT and the SAT as a junior in high school, earned a respectable score, and never retook it as a senior. I found out later that I could have qualified for a scholarship with a slightly higher score. I was disappointed.

Then, when I applied to go to graduate school, I decided to see how high I could go. I practiced and practiced. I took a complete practice GMAT exam, and looked for my weaknesses. I spent more time preparing those weaker areas.

Finally, I took the actual GMAT test. In this case, I took a practice test, then took the real test so I didn't have to pay for the test twice, but I would have if I earned a low score. My actual score was very near the practice score, and over 700. I had a great score. And yes, I did earn a scholarship based on that GMAT score.

Give it a try. Either study hard and take a practice exam before, or retake the test. It can yield big dividends, and real college aid money. It did for me. And if you need more college money, consider using a student loan.

For those seeking algebra help, topics may include basic math help of learning the number line; concepts of sets on a number line; integers; fractions; decimals; percentages; coordinate plane algebra; linear functions; quadratic functions; polynomial functions [monomial; binomial; trinomial; etc] and the like. For a glimpse of a more detailed description, we can use quadratic functions as elaborated below.

Quadratic functions are second degree polynomial functions. Through the study of quadratic functions, a student is able to understand the idea of "Completing the Square" on quadratic functions, which leads to the derivation of the well known Quadratic Formula. In addition, factoring of familiar quadratic forms as well as general factoring and FOILing [distributive property which translates to First Inner Outer Last] methods are illustrated.

Online math tutors at Multimedia Tutorial Services, Inc. are masters of these topics and know how to break down questions for topics like quadratic functions in a way that all students can handle. For instance, these online tutors can show familiar factors of quadratic forms including (x-y)*(x+y) and at the same time, they can demonstrate how ideas of multiples and factors can help solve factoring problems. In addition, DVDs are available as supplemental studying materials to the students' classroom. Math Made Easy's and Tutorial Channel's expert tutors stand by students' sides to help them master their respective Mathematics subjects.

In addition, these online tutors can provide detail specific problem-solving techniques within the scope of any of the Algebra topics covered, or even with additional topics that may arise. While Algebra help is critical to success with homework and exams, Algebra is a key factor of the SAT test as well. Per request or per session, tutors can highlight information pertinent to success in math related assessment exams. Students can also have SAT preparation alongside their homework. That is, students can engage in tutoring sessions for specific SAT topics on days that they don't have homework. Preparing students for both the SAT and the classroom is an excellent benefit of online tutoring at www.tutorialchannel.com. There is also a site specific to SAT Tutoring at www.satcoachusa.com.

Clearly, the scope of Algebra is larger than what is discussed in this limited description and this description is only to serve as a glimpse of online tutoring. From basic algebra to college algebra, help is available to students in number theory and basic complex variables courses.

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Writing your SAT essay doesn’t have to be difficult or exhausting. Use the following formula to help you write the best essay possible.

The Exam Structure

The first thing you need to do is to think of your essay as three parts; the opening, the body and the closing.

Your opening should consist of one paragraph of about three to five sentences. It should clearly state your view on the topic and how you are going to support this view. Due to time limits, it is best to use only three points to defend your position. If possible try to catch the reader’s attention with a controversial statement that compels them to read more. However, avoid clichés.

The body is your content and should support the three points made in your opening. Each point should be explained in a separate paragraph and flow logically between ideas. Be direct and to the point. Don’t get wordy or you will get stuck in these paragraphs and the body is not the most important part of your essay. Support your ideas and move on to the closing.

The closing is where you bring your message together. Review your position and the points that support your view, then call your readers to some type of action by asking them to make a decision, buy something or support an organization. The closing is the most important part of your essay. It requires your best effort. If you spend too much time on your points and don’t have a well thought out closing it will cost you. It is better to have a weak body and a powerful closing than a weak closing or no closing at all.

How to Begin Your Essay

You begin your essay by carefully reading the assigned topic. Then develop an outline that you will use as a guide while writing your actual essay. The first part of your outline should be a sentence that states your position on the topic. Next, you should list the points that will support your position and determine your body paragraphs. Finally, you should write a sentence that states your closing.

Taking the time to prepare an outline will keep you focused on the task at hand and allow you to make the most of your time.

The Outline

state your position
first point
second point
third point
conclusion
Writing the Essay

Now, armed with your outline, begin writing your essay. Start your opening paragraph with an attention grabbing statement that will draw the reader deeper into your essay. Then state your view and the points that support that view. Next write the body by supporting each of the points in a separate paragraph. Remember, don’t get wordy just explain the points and move on to your closing.

You must have a closing! Do not get caught up in the body of the essay. You will not impress anyone without a closing. The closing is the most important part of the essay. Make sure you have time to write a well thought out closing that brings all your points together and moves the reader to action.

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SAT is standardized tests which are conducted to select students in college and universities in America. For both parents and students, the time before the SAT exams are crucial and they take all efforts to ensure that the entire process is easy. One needs to have good SAT scores if they wish to be freshman in any college or university. Better the SAT score is, better are the prospects of the student to gain entry to a reputed college or university. In other words, your SAT scores will determine if you can continue your further studies in a good institute or not. One means through which the process can become easy and manageable is to seek private SAT tutor NYC.

SAT tutor know what needs to be done if students want to clear the exams successfully with high scores. There are many programs on offer which parents can opt for their children. However, it has been seen that the best results yield only when one seeks the guide of a private SAT tutor to crack the SAT exams. Being successful is very important these days and having a good education surely helps in this regard. And who would not like to study in the most reputed educational institutes in the country. The idea behind hiring private tutors is to ensure that your child is fully equipped to answer any question or questions with ease. Everyone dreams of high SAT scores and entering to the college or university of their dreams.

SAT, also known as Scholastic Aptitude Test, is one thing which is uppermost in the minds of all students who have just passed out from high school or are in the final year of high school. Preparations for SAT needs to be made well in advance so that once you pass out from high school, you are in a position to crack the exams without too much of hassle. You need not dread the tests whether you are the parent of a student or you are a student yourself. Every student has certain abilities and what the private tutor does is fine tunes those skills or helps the student in understanding newer things in a better way. After all it is all about being confident enough to take on any test.

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I keep a box of tissues on the table where I tutor because, as an SAT tutor and college application consultant, I listen to high school juniors and seniors who are so overwhelmed by college pressure that they begin to cry. Not just girls. Not just Ivy League aspirants.

High school students are always convinced their parents don’t understand them. This time the students are right. Parents don’t understand because the college admission process is so much more competitive than it was when most parents applied to college.

These are the ten things I wish I could tell parents:

1. I am convinced that parents have to walk a mile in the student’s moccasins to gain some appreciation for the stress the students are under and to reverse the tension at home. If parents will take an SAT practice test they will feel some of the same anxiety, cringe at their results, and discover that the test is hard. Instead of piling 25 pounds of SAT study books on the desk, parents can commiserate with students over missed problems. Parents and students can become allies rather than adversaries as they face the college admission process.

2. Hire SAT prep tutors who focus on the applicable academic material rather than just the tricks. Increasing a student’s academic preparation for the test in addition to teaching the tricks increases their confidence on the test and in the classroom; teaching only the tricks makes students more insecure because they are relying on tricks rather than on actual knowledge.

3. Have the tutors keep the parents informed about each session so that the parent tracks progress with the tutor rather than pestering the student for information.

4. Have the student try the ACT. All colleges accept it and some students do better on it than on the SAT.

5. Make learning fun. For example, have the students memorize vocabulary using the book Vocabulary Cartoons by Sam Burchers, et al. Also, have the student do the crossword and other word puzzles in SAT Vocabulary Express, the fun book of word puzzles that will increase SAT scores. I wrote it with Michael Ashley, a nationally known puzzler, so that our students would learn to play with words, an important skill for the new SAT.

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While SAT math scores have been climbing, College Board officials have just announced that the Class of 2007 has posted lower math scores than the previous class. The average score in mathematics was 494, showing a 3 point decline from the Class of 2006. This represents a .60 percent decline. While experts debate over the reasons for this decline, one thing many experts are agreeing upon is that test preparation is an asset to achieving higher scores.

As little as ten years ago test preparation was both an expensive and debatable proposition for students and their families. Prep courses were not widely available and the full impact of prep courses on test scores was not fully evident. Did SAT prep courses really help? Faced with $1000 investments in courses that were cumbersome and hard to find, students and their parents were faced with a dilemma. Today, SAT prep courses available on line are both affordable and more attuned to successful test taking strategies. The Christian Science Monitor has recently reported that, “Even the College Board, which once declared that test coaching couldn’t help students, is offering its own test prep services.” It is obvious that experts are now coming to the conclusion that adequate test preparation is the key to higher scores.

As a more diverse group of students participate in SAT testing, preparation becomes more and more important. In the Class of 2007, 24% of all test takers reported that English was not their first language, compared to 17% a decade ago. Also, 35% of those taking this years test indicated that they would be the first in their families to go to college. This diverse group of students is finding invaluable help from on-line test preparation services that allow them to compete with other students. This is especially true in the Mathematics sections of the SAT.

Students coming from high schools offering more aggressive Math departments have greater access to pre-calculus and calculus courses, thus affecting their preparedness for the challenge of the SAT Mathematics sections. Test prep courses can provide the focus needed to guide studies in these areas. With greater affordability and access, test prep courses can effectively level the playing field for students.

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Studying in a reputed college after completing high school is a dream which many students harbor. So if you are one of those students who dream of having excellent academic record by studying in the most reputed colleges and universities you must work dedicatedly in that direction. It is only through hard work and dedication that one can achieve their dreams. To achieve the dream of studying in a good college or university one needs to first of all successfully clear the SAT exams. Clearing SAT exams is the best way through which one can become eligible for admission to good colleges. Having a good education is crucial if one wants to make a success of their life. A SAT tutor NYC is the best person to help you if you happen to reside in New York City.

SAT is the standardized tests which must be cleared by a student to be eligible for further studies after clearing high school. Finding a SAT tutor is not tough thing but finding out that tutor who is the best can be a bit tough. So in order to overcome this you need to know about all the proper sources through which you can get information about this thing. Tutors who provide assistance to help students in clearing the exams have vast knowledge and experience. It goes without saying that a person with this amount of knowledge and experience will surely guide students in the proper way. It is not that only students are worried about that, but as a parent if you have children then you are also bound to be worried about your child clearing the SAT exams.

Being a parent you can help your child in clearing the exams and make the whole process easy. First you need to make your child realize that clearing the exams is crucial as many new avenues in life can open up as a result. However you must be careful so that you do not put too much pressure on your child as this can backfire. Find a good tutor in your city and enroll your child to take tuitions from him. Almost all tutors have good experience about the SAT exams and they will guide you in the proper directions about what needs to be done for clearing the exams.

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The SAT exam is one of the most important exams in any student's life. It is important not to stress out when studying for the SAT exam, and it is not the end of the world if you do not do well on your SAT exam. However, you should definitely give your all when preparing for it. Every student learns differently, so when you are studying for the SAT, you should use the study options that fit your learning style the best.

Some students do their best when they take an SAT course. An SAT course is a great option for a student that needs help with every section of the SAT or that needs a structure to help keep him/her focused. Many students do not do well on their own because they have trouble motivating themselves so a classroom setting with goals and benchmarks are needed to help keep them on track and focused. However, an SAT course has some downsides. The teacher needs to keep the class moving at a certain pace, so if you need extra help in one subject, you may be left behind. Also, the teacher has to use general teaching methods that work for most people. If your learning style is unique, the method that the teacher uses may not work well for you.

Using an SAT tutor is another option that works for many people. If you have a specific area of study that you need help with, a tutor may be a better means to work on that area than taking a full SAT course. A tutor can help keep you motivated, focused, and moving forward while catering to your exact learning needs and learning style. An SAT tutor is also perfect for students that do not feel comfortable in groups and find that classroom benchmarks can make them stressed out. A tutor can move as fast or as slow as a student needs on each area of study, which is much better than having to try to keep up with other students or be bored while waiting for them to catch up to you.

Some students like to use self-study, but this can be fruitless. For students that can stay committed and push themselves to do something that they do not enjoy doing, self-study can work. However, many students will put in far less study time when using a self-study method than they would if they had a teacher or tutor to help move them through the material. When using a self-study method, you also need to learn everything from a book and do not have anyone to explain the material to you. So if you do not learn well from text books or online materials, you may want to consider using a tutor or taking a course. If you decide to tackle it on your own, be sure to learn all about SAT exam info.

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I am often asked, "What are the best resources to help a student prepare for the SAT?" The primary resources that my students use are The Official SAT Study Guide, published by the College Board and Up Your Score published by Workman's Press. The Official SAT Study Guide, also known as the blue book contains many valuable lessons including 8 practice tests. The blue book is published by the actual company that administers the SAT exam. The questions are the most accurate representation of the actual test questions. In contrast to the practical bluebook, Up Your Score is a book written by actual students who have aced their SAT's and have since gone on to Ivy League Colleges. This book is more of a strategic guide. It provides the student with valuable insight into the tricks and traps the test makers set to confuse students.

After an ambitious student has extracted all the knowledge from these two books, I recommend the following multimedia reference materials: For writing and grammar please look at Woe is I by Patricia T. O'Connor. This book contains many valuable rules of grammar often ignored by high school curriculum. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White is another classic book of grammar and usage that will serve as a valuable tool for students throughout college. Finally, a free podcast from Grammar Girl provides a 3 to 5 minute weekly audio lesson on topics which can be immediately used by students to improve their writing skills.

For additional math and reading problems I recommend Gruber's Complete Preparation for the SAT by Gary R. Gruber, PhD. This book contains many hints, tips, practice quizzes and lessons on almost any topic covered by the SAT. Don't be overwhelmed by the size of the book. A student need only use this resource to focus on particular parts of the test he or she is having trouble with. For example, Gruber's has a wonderful section on math word problems, an area which many students often find challenging.

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There seems to be a great debate over the pricey versus the cheap SAT prep courses. Could it be that cheap SAT prep courses found at the local bookstore are just as good as Kaplan, Sylvan and Princeton Review for preparing for the SAT? It just may be true.

Some have been questioning a recent editorial in the Cornell Daily Sun where it states that the SAT "favors candidates from higher incomes who can afford tutoring." The argument being that these courses only serve to give affluent parents and students the illusion of [control] over a scary process. And that in reality, free or low-cost preparation for the SAT is just as good. On the other hand, if you sign up for the Kaplan course, you will essentially be forced to study and this could actually help the unmotivated student.

This seems to be a debate that all students and their parents everywhere need to follow closely. It would be nice to have some statistics for expensive versus low-cost SAT prep courses. The results could be startling. One way very well could be just as good as the other. It might just come down to how motivated is your student to take the time to prepare. If they are not real motivated, the parent may be inclined to sign them up for a class where an instructor or tutor can coach them effectively. And then you have the motivated student who can pick up a SAT prep book at the local bookstore very inexpensively and prepare just as effectively.

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Officially the dreaded SAT experimental section is called the variable section. The first section is going to have essays that are 25 minutes long. The essay will then be followed by another six 25 minute sections. There are then two 20 minute sections and one 10 minute section.

One of those multiple choice 25 minute sections is going to be an experimental one. The people who administer the SAT need to test questions for future exams. This is to see if enough people get them right and/or wrong. So they use you as guinea pigs!

Since one of those sections is going to be experimental, it does not count toward your grade. It’s very difficult to pick out the experimental section, but I’ll give you a little bit of a tip:

If you get to a section that seems really weird or has questions that you haven’t seen before and it’s somehow different from the rest, it’s probably the experimental one. Don’t panic. Stay positive. Just tell yourself it’s the experimental one and move on.

Now, if you get three 25 minute critical reading sections, one of them will have been the experimental one. If you get three 25 minute math sections, one of them will be the experimental one. And if you get two 25 minute writing sections, you’ll know one of those will be the experimental section.

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SAT tests are one of the ways that prospective college students show their potential to the colleges they want to attend. These tests, particularly the Kaplan SAT test, are designed to measure a student's skills and knowledge in particular subject areas and also the student's ability to apply that knowledge. While SAT tests aren't impossible to do well on, they are purposely in-depth and test a wide and deep range of skills and knowledge. The better a student's performance on SATs, the better the chances of getting into the college of their choice.

That's where Kaplan comes in. At Kaplan, SAT tests are important business, and the folks at Kaplan are here to help students prepare for their SATs. Kaplan's mission is to help individuals achieve their educational goals and do well on the Kaplan SAT test.

Kaplan works with students of all ages and their programs cover a wide range of tests that are required for different levels of higher education. The Kaplan SAT test program specifically helps students focus on the subjects covered in the SAT test. SAT subject tests measure what a student knows about specific areas of education. There are more than 20 tests available and the Kaplan SAT test program can help with all of them. Kaplan assists students in deciding which tests to take, based on their educational goals. Kaplan is available to help students prepare for these tests. Kaplan's SAT test program will help students build confidence through practice, review and test-taking skills.

Kaplan is a company that is involved in the communities it works within, offering assistance to low-income and other disadvantaged people. Kaplan wants to see everyone have the chance to excel and to follow his or her dreams. One of the ways you can achieve your educational goals is by checking out the Kaplan SAT test program.

Before you qualify for higher studies, there are certain examinations you need to clear, so that it can be decided if you are eligible to get admission to a particular course or not. Questions set for these exams are pretty tough and to clear the exam successfully, you need to be prepared very well. SAT exams are scholarly aptitude tests, which are conducted to find out the eligibility of students for admission to colleges and universities across America. So, if you are really serious about having a carrier in academics, you must hire the services of a sat tutor NYC to help you clear the exams successfully. Studying in one of the elite colleges or university is a dream that many students have, but not all can clear the sat exams and get admission to these colleges and universities. If you really want to succeed in the exams, you must ensure that you do all that is necessary for clearing the exams and also make sure that you start preparing for the exams pretty early.

Hiring a sat tutor is not a tough thing for anyone to do, but parents must be careful while hiring a tutor and hire only the best one. There are many who offer their services to students who want help to clear the exams successfully. They are experienced and know exactly what needs to be done to clear the exams at one go, so when you approach the person for help, tell him exactly what your strength and weaknesses are. Well it may be that you are not even aware of what you are good at and which subject you are not very comfortable with. Again, here also you can seek the help of sat tutor NYC, to guide you in the best way. Having a good education is very important and getting admission in a good college or university is the first step towards achieving that.

Sat tutor NYC guides students in a unique way, depending on their strengths and weaknesses. The tutor prepares a study course for the student, which is made keeping in mind, the strong and weak points of the student and that is why it turns out to be just ideal for them. Since the person is experienced, it goes without saying that they will be the best person to assist you in taking the exams successfully. If you are worried how your child will fare in the exams, you must take the help of a sat tutor to help him out in this.

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My students often ask me for last minute advice on what to do the night before the exam and the morning of the exam. Here’s what I tell them:

After dinner, collect the things you’ll need on test day:

1) Your SAT Admission Ticket

2) Your Student ID or Driver’s License

3) Several #2 Pencils (with good erasers!)

4) Calculator

5) Watch or other timepiece

6) A good snack! (the test is very long; you will need a snack)

You may also want to decide what clothes you’re going to wear on test day. Remember to dress in layers, because you can’t control the temperature. The SAT test room will most likely be either warmer or too colder than you would prefer.

After you have collected your things, be sure to relax! Watch a movie, talk to a friend on the phone, or go out for a walk. Do something to take your mind off the test.

Here’s my advice on bedtime: if you’re in the habit of going to bed around 11 o’clock, don’t go to bed at 8 o’clock the night before the SAT test. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to wind up starring at the ceiling for hours feeling frustrated. Rather, you should aim to go to bed about 1 hour before you normally would on a school night. Also, remember to set you alarm early enough so that you comfortably have time to get ready for the exam. You don’t want to create a time pressure situation for yourself. There’s going to be enough pressure during the actual SAT exam.
The Final Step:

In the morning, you should remember to Check Your Brain!

After breakfast, take out a test prep book and do the first two questions of each of the three sections. After a few easy math, writing, and sentence completion problems, you’ll realize your brain is still working and everything is going to be OK. Don’t check the answers….just do the problems. I don’t think the first problems you do on test day should be the real ones on the SAT exam.

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INTRODUCTION

What is a standardized test?

Standardized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT etc.) are aptitude tests to assess the proficiency of students for a given course of study. The scores obtained in standardized tests are supposed to predict individual success in job or profession after completing the course. For example, research shows that the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a valid predictor of students' performance in the MBA program. Studies also support the proposition of post-MBA career successes with GMAT test scores.

Most standardized tests consist of some form of evaluation for two subjects: English and Math. The first part of English, often called verbal ability test, assesses test-takers ability to read and write grammatically correct English. Several years of reading text-books, writing papers, speaking in front of the class at elementary and high schools allows standardized test takers to score well without much effort.

Math in Standardized Tests

The standardized test on Math, on the other hand, is not as natural or easy as the English part. Students often receive less than satisfactory training in developing their mathematical abilities and the format of the questions does not help either. For example, how often does one have to figure out the probability of a number to be odd when a two-digit number is chosen at random. Or what is average speed of Jack in total, when Jack drove one way at rate of 40 mph, and returned at rate of 50 mph?

The standardized exam may be composed of its own format of math questions. The Math section, sometimes called Quantitative section, can have questions of the following types: Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency, Data Comparison, Graphical Problems, and Grid-Ins. Despite quantitative problems appearing in numerous forms, they test a limited number of concepts. The concepts can be categorized in 3 broad sections of Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry.


Arithmetic section
Most standardized tests give considerable importance to the arithmetic concepts such as Percent, Ratio, Average, and Numbers. The arithmetic section often makes for 50% or over part of the Quantitative section of the test. The number of arithmetic problems in the GMAT or GRE Math is about 55% to 60% of the total number of questions. In the SAT and ACT exam, the arithmetic portion of the Math section is about 50%.


Algebra section
In terms of the number of questions asked in the test, Algebra is not as important. The areas tested in the Algebra are: Solving Simple Equations, Binomial Theorem & Quadratic Equations, and Advance Algebra with Inequalities. About 15% to 25% of problems are from Algebra section of Math. The percentage distribution may vary for different exams.


Geometry section
Test-makers prefer to make questions in Geometry in many different forms and flavors. The basic concepts tested in this area come from: Angles & Triangles, Squares & Rectangles, Circles, Co-ordinate, and Solid Geometry. Even though advance questions require knowledge and practice with important concepts, the easier problems are often intuitive and aptitude based. In any given standardized Math test, about 20% to 40% of all questions are from the Geometry section. In SAT exam, about 35% pf questions are from the Geometry. In the GMAT exam only 20% of all questions are Geometry problems.

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