Suniti's Advice Corner

Back to school season is in full swing. As summer winds down, parents have been swept up in the tide of back to school shopping, double-checking summer assignments, and preparing their children for another year of academic success. This season can get even more stressful as your children begin the college application process. Test preparation in particular can be challenging for children and parents alike. It is important for parents to support, guide and mentor their children through the college admissions process. If you are afraid that your child may struggle with time management, SAT/ACT preparation, or completing their college applications; here are a few things you can do now and over the course of the school year to help your child get ready:

Create an SAT/ACT test prep plan

For many parents nothing is harder than getting their child to study. It’s only more difficult to get your child to study for the SAT and ACT on top of their existing academic obligations. We have written extensively about how you and your child can work together to create a SAT/ACT test prep plan.

If you are the parent of a high school junior or senior, it is critical to start a conversation with your child about which SAT or ACT test dates they plan to register for. Once you and your child have agreed on test dates, use this information to follow up on and guide your child’s test prep process.

Create the right study environment

Effective studying does not happen in a hectic or messy environment. Work with your child to identify the three or four areas or environments in which they study most effectively. These places can be both inside and outside the home (e.g., kitchen table, library, or bedroom). Be sure that any potential distractions are removed from the chosen study areas.

Stay organized

Today’s high school student is expected to juggle any number of academic; extra-curricular; social; and sports commitments. Many parents choose to put all of their child’s commitments on one central calendar to facilitate keeping track of everything. If this schedule is not kept digitally, it should be posted somewhere where it is easy for the entire family to view. 

Introduce yourself to your child’s teachers

Your child’s teachers will be your allies throughout the school year. They can help identify and address academic red flags before they become major obstacles to academic performance.  Partner with your child’s teacher to develop an action plan for achieving goals and addressing any areas of development.

Schedule a meeting with your child’s guidance counselor

Once you have been able to introduce yourself to your child’s teachers, it may also make sense to schedule a meeting between yourself, your child, and your child’s guidance counselor. In this meeting, empower your child and ensure that their voice is heard. This meeting is also your opportunity to have your questions about the college application process answered. Once you have this conversation, let your child drive the process. Be a source of encouragement and check-in to make sure all necessary classes, tests, and applications have been completed.

What else would you add to this list? Add your comments below!

Every year, the ACT prepares a “College and Career Readiness” report. This report highlights significant performance data points for the given year’s graduates. This information is meant to help track test-prep trends, give clear insight into whether aggregate test scores are meeting college readiness benchmarks, as well as capturing student aspirations. Below we share three critical findings from this years report. 

1. The ACT continues to grow in popularity

In 2012, for the first time ever, more students took the ACT than the SAT[i]. The increasing popularity of the ACT continues to be a critical piece of the puzzle for students applying to college. In 2014, 1.8M students took the ACT. This is an 18% increase in the number of ACT tested graduates since 2010.

2. The percentage of students meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks remained steady

The Class of 2014 performed similarly to past classes as it relates to the percentage of graduates meeting reading, math, and science benchmarks. In the class of 2014, the percentage of students meeting college readiness benchmarks was as follows:

English: 64% 

Interestingly enough the ACT reports that in Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming, states that focus on college and career readiness in their curriculum, the class of 2014 saw gains of 0.2-0.3 points in their ACT Composite scores. The ACT explains this improvement in the following way; “gains in achievement are common in states that create an educational culture focused on college and career readiness”.

3. Students aspire to college, but many are not enrolling

In 2014, 86% of graduates would like to attend a college or university. 87% of 2013 graduates reported wanting to go to college, but only 69% enrolled.

Within the class of 2014, excluding those who are undecided or did not indicate a major, Nursing and Pre-Med were the two most popular majors. Only 14% of students with an interest in a nursing major met all four college readiness benchmarks. 48% of those who expressed an interest in being pre-med met college readiness benchmarks. The majors with the best fit based on ACT test scores were Biochemistery and Biophysics (51%) and Accounting (53%).

You can read the entire report by clicking here: http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/2014/pdf/CCCR14-NationalReadinessRpt.pdf

Other TestRocker ACT Blogs

The Dec 13th ACT is quickly approaching, and you haven't started studying yet. Don't fret! TestRocker can help you ace the test! 

Here are the three steps to ensuring you get your dream ACT score on Sept 13th:

1. If you haven't already done so, sign up for our free trial. If you enjoy learning with TestRocker then purchase our program!
2. Use the calendar below and work through the recommended modules, video concepts, and practice quizzes
3. Wake up calm and relaxed on December 13th, and rock the ACT!

Since TestRocker is completely online, you can prep for the ACT whenever you want, wherever you want. In fact after the September test, continue to use TestRocker to prepare for your next ACT. Good luck!

TestRocker Tip: 

Click to download the calendar

TestRocker's ACT program has won Tech & Learning's 2014 award of excellence. Start studying with the best, forget the rest! 

Earlier this year the College Board announced their planned changes to the SAT. Planned changes to test include the following:

- Passages will come from new sources
- The new math section will have a heavier focus on algebra, linear equations, and inequalities
- The SAT essay will go from being required to being optional and scored separately

Another key aspect of these changes includes a change in the type of vocabulary students will need to focus on. Gone are the obscure SAT words of tests past, instead students will be expected to focus on demonstrating a command of complex vocabulary that students will need to excel outside of the SAT or ACT. Since there is such a strong link between vocabulary and reading comprehension, the test will assess the multiple meanings of words in a way that will require sensitivity to context. 

Students will need to do more than just demonstrate the ability to memorize words using flashcards. Words will need to be defined as they are used in context. According to the College Board, “By including the sorts of words-in-context questions sampled above, the redesigned sat supports and rewards students’ development of broad and deep word knowledge without resorting to obscurity.”

All these changes mean that students will need to change the way they study for the vocabulary portion of the test. Memorization of words and their meaning out of context will not be sufficient to get ready for the new SAT.  As they prepare students should focus on “Tier 2” words like, “inimical”, “hallow”, and “consecrated”.  “Tier 2” vocabulary words are defined as any words “of high utility for mature language users and are found across a variety of domains”, according to the CollegeBoard.

Research has shown that conversation alone is not enough to build the level of conversation needed to be successful in college or career.

"A quick comparison between oral and written language is instructive: while the conversation of college-educated adults contains an average of 17.3 rare words per thousand, even children’s book exhibit almost double that frequency. Clearly, then acquiring vocabulary from conversation alone is insufficient to attain skilled comprehension." (CollegeBoard, 2014)

When preparing students should prepare to read widely and deeply. However because a love of reading is cultivated over time, a number of students struggle with comprehension and varied application of “Tier 2” words. Students should also practice in ways that allow them to learn words in context. TestRocker’s vocabulary game is one option for students looking to learn these words and apply them in context.

Whatever method you choose to prepare, it’s important to understand how critical mastery of vocabulary and solid reading comprehension are to college and career success. It is imperative that students see the value of these skills beyond both the SAT and ACT. Cultivating these abilities will allow students to write and present their own thoughts in a clear and concise way. A strong grasp on “Tier 2” vocabulary is essential to putting them on the path to success. TestRocker stands with students in their journey towards excellence in college and career.

SAT and ACT dates for the 2017-2018 school year have been released. As students, specifically sophomores and juniors, start to plan for the academic year ahead as it may be difficult to pin down a specific test date. For students who want to be able to juggle their test prep without slacking academically, planning in advance of test day will be of the utmost importance. The sooner a test date has been chosen, the easier it will be to prepare appropriately.  Here are a few things to consider when picking the right SAT and ACT test dates. 

What are the actual test dates?

For those who have already decided whether they will take the SAT, ACT, or both the next step is looking up the relevant ACT &  SAT dates.

Note: Confused about which test to take? Take our 3 minute propensity quiz to figure out if you are better suited for the SAT or ACT.

Consult the image below to see what your test date options are:

2017 sat, 2018 sat, 2017 act, 2018 act 

When are your major academic, family, and extra-curricular commitments?

A major component of college success will be the ability to manage your time effectively. Now is the perfect time to start honing in on this essential skill. Once you are aware of all the available SAT and ACT test dates in a given year, it is important to start thinking about which dates may be the most convenient for you.

Once school starts, work with your teachers to understand when key exams like midterms, finals, and AP exams will be taking place. Work with your parents to understand what the expectations will be of you in the coming year, and if your family plans to be out of town immediately before or during any of the test dates you are considering. It is also important to start thinking about your extra-curricular commitments. If you are holding any school leadership positions think about your obligations and when you will have busy periods. Once you have identified all of your busy periods try to determine whether any test dates outside of your busy period could work for you.

What will your school calendar look like?

Once you have identified your busy periods, it’s important to consult your school calendar to find out when you will have time off from school. Here at TestRocker, we really encourage our students to make the most of their vacation time. Making the most of your summer and winter breaks can allow you to get ahead of any busy periods and still be prepared adequately for your SAT or ACT test day.

Does your school require you to take the SAT or ACT by a certain date?

Some schools require their students to attempt the test on or before a certain date. If this is the policy at your school be sure to schedule one of your attempts by this time.

When do you need to have your scores back?

This question is especially relevant for seniors who may be retaking the test for a second or third time. Seniors need to ensure that they have taken the test and will get the scores back in time to submit to colleges. Scholarship and pre-college programs may also have a deadline by which students need to submit SAT or ACT scores. In all instances, students should plan to take the test on the most convenient date before their application deadlines. 

If you're applying for early decision or early action learn about deadlines for perticular schools here. 

What is the registration date for your chosen test?

This question does not help you pick a given test date but is extremely important once you have settled on a date. There is nothing worse than selecting a date and then missing the registration deadline. As you pick a test date, make sure you are aware of the corresponding registration deadline and don’t miss it. Luckily our test date charts above do come with registration deadlines listed. Keep in mind if need be, there are still late registrations available for both tests but they do reuqire a fee. 

See ACT Late Registration Information

See SAT Late Registration Information

Get a free test taking plan with one of our SAT/ACT Experts

The start of the school year is on the horizon. As students start preparing for another year of academic growth, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, and new friendships, high school sophomores and juniors are faced with a big question: Should they plan to take the SAT or ACT? Here at TestRocker, we encourage all  students to take both tests. There are many reasons for this, but below are our top 4 reasons why: 

Colleges accept both scores

There is an overlap in subject matter

Students taking both will have an edge in admissions

Flexibility around test dates

Have more questions about the SAT and ACT? Check out our SAT vs ACT webinar today!