Category: Test Prep

AP Exam Prep Strategies

Posted by: admin on April 22nd, 2019

Spring has sprung, and all you want to do is to go enjoy the sunshine, explore the outdoors (apart from those pesky allergies), and relax after a long winter and a longer school year. But spring also means that AP exams are approaching quickly. Maybe you’re taking your first AP class, or maybe you’re wondering […]

6 Things to Know About SAT Subject Tests

Posted by: admin on April 4th, 2019

 Stressing over the SAT Subject Tests? Here are six things to know:   You may not need SAT Subject Tests.  A student of mine made himself crazed by trying to add SAT Subject Tests to his busy schedule. He believed he had to take them because everyone else was. Okay, fine. But, he had his list […]

What Is On the SSAT & the ISEE Anyway?

Posted by: admin on March 19th, 2019

Thinking about taking the SSAT or the ISEE and trying to figure out which is best for you? The first step is to make sure you know the requirements of the schools that interest you. In the Washington, DC area, most schools (other than some of the Catholic schools that require the HSPT) will accept […]

The Week of the SSAT/ISEE

Posted by: admin on March 19th, 2019

The week of the test… Prioritize sleep. The #1 test-week “to do” is a straightforward one: get plenty of sleep! Research has proven time and time again that a lack of sleep raises the level of the stress hormone cortisol, impairs cognitive functioning, and even negatively impacts our physical health. Still, too many students with […]

What to Know About SSAT & ISEE Writing Samples

Posted by: admin on March 19th, 2019

One aspect that the SSAT and ISEE have in common is the writing sample. Each test asks the student to write a relatively short essay in response to a prompt provided by the test. On the SSAT, students have the choice between different styles of prompts. The ISEE simply offers a single standardized test type […]

What’s on the HSPT? How Do I Prepare?

Posted by: admin on March 19th, 2019

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is the entrance exam required by many Catholic high schools. Its content is reasonably similar to that of the SSAT and the ISEE, but the HSPT is much faster paced: the HSPT has roughly twice as many questions as the other two tests, but the test runs for about […]

What did you REALLY learn from your Standardized Testing?

Posted by: admin on March 19th, 2019

Wait, what? The SAT? The ACT? Why are we talking about these tests again? Those are reasonable questions and — I promise — this is the last time we’ll be talking to you about the SAT or ACT. You’re now likely neck deep in the college application process and have happily, hopefully, left standardized tests […]

Unexpected Results: Test Scores Can Uncover a Learning Disability

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

Standardized tests have few virtues but not all are vices. One positive is that the tests serve as a tool for flagging a possible learning disability. How so? I’ve often asked my friend and partner-in-scribe , psychologist Dr. Bill Stixrud: “How does a teacher/tutor know when to refer a student for an evaluation and possible […]

Understanding Your PSAT Score Report

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

You’ve likely pushed hard to get the most out of your PSAT results, to get those high numbers you’ve dreamed of seeing on your score report. The numbers at the top do tell a lot, but they aren’t the whole story. As you look over your PSAT scores, try not to focus too much on […]

The Truth About Prepping for the SAT or ACT

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

By Ned Johnson & Aaron Golumbfskie Here are nine truths to keep in mind when prepping for the SAT or ACT. The most important factor in college admissions is your transcript. Unfortunately, the next most important factor is your standardized test scores, but never let test prep get in the way of acing school! Success […]