We encourage students to find the test – whether the SSAT or the ISEE – that works for them and to prepare for that test. However, sometimes students will perform about the same on both tests or will simply want to give both the SSAT and the ISEE a try. How should students best go […]
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 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 […]
Many students I work with have voiced frustration with the admissions process. The normal refrain sounds something like this: “I wish I could just go inside the brains of the people reviewing my college application and make them know me!” Thanks to recent findings in neuroscience, it turns out that a well-crafted essay can […]
As many parents remember, and as many teenagers are learning, a strong vocabulary is a key component of success on most standardized tests. Test makers often seem determined to punish less robust vocabularies with extreme prejudice. All of the major secondary school tests — the SSAT, the ISEE, and the HSPT — include verbal or […]
Like many of you, I am on vacation. Ideally, days are full of fun and frivolity. Nights are restful, or, if you’re a night owl, full of even MORE fun and frivolity. Frankly, I think we deserve it. So it was with some peevishness that I looked up at the roof of the lovely little […]
Tuesday was the first day of spring, which is great news for most people but perhaps not if you’re a high school junior. Spring brings term papers, APs, and, possibly, another go at the SAT or ACT. You likely have taken at least one test at this point and might be wondering, “Should I take […]
Social media reaches way beyond your personal world to create an expansive, public, online presence. It can be a spontaneous, fun time: posting party pics, connecting with students across the globe, stating political opinions, or voicing your innermost thoughts—across a variety of platforms in multiple mediums (photos, words, gestures, emojis, videos). With social media, you […]
Welcome to junior year, the most important year of the high school transcript. This will be the most recent full year of grades submitted with your college applications. This is the year that highlights your mastery and expertise. The juggling act has begun as you manage AP classes, debate team, sports, and such, all while […]
As our students make their way through their tutoring programs, they will begin taking more weekend practice tests. These simulations are meant to evaluate the student’s mastery of the content and strategies they have been learning. The tests are also an opportunity to prepare the student for many of the intangibles of testing. Variability in […]