Top 10 SAT and ACT Test-Taking Tips
1. Be Equipped
On the night before the test you should gather everything you'll need: the admission ticket, a valid form of photo identification, several #2 pencils, a calculator with fresh batteries (for the SAT only), a watch, and a high-energy snack.
2. Don't Cram
You've worked hard. The best thing to do the evening before the test is to get a good night's sleep. You've covered the content and you've perfected the skills. Now it's time to get in test mode -- calm, rested, confident, and ready.
3. Dress in Layers
The climate in test centers can vary from sauna-like to frigid. Be prepared for both extremes and everything in-between. You need to be comfortable to do your best.
4. Arrive Early
You may want to scope out your test location before test day to ensure that you know where you're going. Getting to the test should be the least of your concerns.
5. Don't Spend too Much Time on One Question
Each question is worth the same number of points. If a question is confusing or too time-consuming, don't lose your cool. Instead, move on to greener pastures. You can come back to hard questions if you have time at the end of a section.
6. Don't Look for Unscored Questions/Sections
The experimental section on the SAT is well-camouflaged. Sometimes the ACT contains experimental questions that are scattered throughout the sections. Do your best on every question--that way, you're covered.
7. Keep Track of Where You Are in a Section
On the SAT, obvious answer choices early in a set may be correct. Obvious choices near the end of a set are often booby traps.
8. Guess Aggressively
If you don't know an answer, don't leave the question blank or guess randomly. Eliminate the choices you know are wrong, then make an educated guess from the remaining options. Remember, if you can eliminate even one answer choice then it pays to guess on the SAT. On the ACT, students aren't penalized for guessing. Only the correct answers count toward their score, so it is better to guess than leave a blank.
9. Be Careful Filling in the Answer Grid
Make sure you're filling in answers next to the right numbers.
10. Relax
Your attitude and outlook is crucial to your test-day performance. Be confident.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
TIP OF THE WEEK - FEBRUARY 21, 2011
Internships Create an Advantage
Not only do internships reveal viable career paths through hands-on learning experiences, they give a student an edge over their competition when it comes to applying for jobs. You may have a killer cover letter, a stellar grade point average and glowing recommendations from your professors, but in today’s competitive market, employers are ever watchful for the new hire that knows how to jump right in and start running with the ball. "Internships have become key in today's economy," says Melissa Benca, director of career services at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. "Graduating students with paid or unpaid internships on their résumé have a much better chance at landing a full-time position upon graduation. Students are doing internships as undergraduates, and it is now not unusual for recent grads to take an unpaid internship with hopes of turning it into a permanent position or at least making some contacts and building their résumé." Internships allow a student to explore and experiment while gaining professional experience and exposure. Additionally, interning helps participants develop essential skills and build the confidence to secure a first job or graduate school opportunity.
Interning makes sense to high school students as well. Upon applying to colleges, students that intern are showing that they are able to bridge the gap between wanting to become a professional and taking steps to become a professional.
Actual Benefits
Besides getting a foot in the door with a potential employer and looking good on a résumé, internships have other advantages:
Not only do internships reveal viable career paths through hands-on learning experiences, they give a student an edge over their competition when it comes to applying for jobs. You may have a killer cover letter, a stellar grade point average and glowing recommendations from your professors, but in today’s competitive market, employers are ever watchful for the new hire that knows how to jump right in and start running with the ball. "Internships have become key in today's economy," says Melissa Benca, director of career services at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. "Graduating students with paid or unpaid internships on their résumé have a much better chance at landing a full-time position upon graduation. Students are doing internships as undergraduates, and it is now not unusual for recent grads to take an unpaid internship with hopes of turning it into a permanent position or at least making some contacts and building their résumé." Internships allow a student to explore and experiment while gaining professional experience and exposure. Additionally, interning helps participants develop essential skills and build the confidence to secure a first job or graduate school opportunity.
Interning makes sense to high school students as well. Upon applying to colleges, students that intern are showing that they are able to bridge the gap between wanting to become a professional and taking steps to become a professional.
Actual Benefits
Besides getting a foot in the door with a potential employer and looking good on a résumé, internships have other advantages:
- The opportunity to "test drive" a career (Would I be happier in marketing or advertising? Am I more comfortable working with patients or in a lab?)
- Chances to networK
- Establishing relationships with mentors
- Possible college credit or certification
- An introduction to the field's culture and etiquette (Are clients addressed by their first name? Are jeans appropriate for Casual Friday?)
- Accumulating new skills
- Gaining a "real world" perspective in an occupation(How much overtime do employees really work? How much time is spent behind a desk versus in the field?)
Monday, February 14, 2011
TIP OF THE WEEK - FEBRUARY 14, 2011
Strategies on How Students Can Triumph over Deferrals and Wait Lists
Early applicants may be deferred to regular decision, and regular applicants may be wait-listed or… just waiting. Students may see this time as a purgatory, unsure whether to hope or grieve. Choose hope. By taking action, admissions deans say, you can increase your chances of getting in. The bottom line is: Don’t Give Up. Students should make sure that the schools have received their updated winter grades and should write a letter to the admissions dean, reaffirming their interest and updating their achievements. Most deans agree that additional materials (tapes, essays, recommendations) can help only if they offer something new.
The University of Chicago’s Ted O’Neill encourages applicants to schedule an interview if they haven’t had one. The college interview can be a turning point for the student, helping him/her to see the school in a different light, and to show the college that you are putting a priority on attending their school. Make sure you talk about what interests you and be prepared to discuss items on your application and resume. Be enthusiastic, but be yourself, sharing details about your passion in life can only help the admissions officer understand who you are.
Everyone agrees that at this time showing strong interest to a school is crucial, especially if you have decided this is the right one for you.
Early applicants may be deferred to regular decision, and regular applicants may be wait-listed or… just waiting. Students may see this time as a purgatory, unsure whether to hope or grieve. Choose hope. By taking action, admissions deans say, you can increase your chances of getting in. The bottom line is: Don’t Give Up. Students should make sure that the schools have received their updated winter grades and should write a letter to the admissions dean, reaffirming their interest and updating their achievements. Most deans agree that additional materials (tapes, essays, recommendations) can help only if they offer something new.
The University of Chicago’s Ted O’Neill encourages applicants to schedule an interview if they haven’t had one. The college interview can be a turning point for the student, helping him/her to see the school in a different light, and to show the college that you are putting a priority on attending their school. Make sure you talk about what interests you and be prepared to discuss items on your application and resume. Be enthusiastic, but be yourself, sharing details about your passion in life can only help the admissions officer understand who you are.
Everyone agrees that at this time showing strong interest to a school is crucial, especially if you have decided this is the right one for you.
Monday, February 7, 2011
"TIP OF THE WEEK" - February 7, 2011
Top 6 Job Trends to Watch in 2011
- Healthcare: The healthcare field is expected to grow at an increasingly rapid rate over the next several years, including 2011. The field is expected to see wide growth overall, but it will be especially high for specific careers. Such careers include registered nurses, physicians assistants, and physical therapists. The average salary for these jobs is between $60,000 and $80,000. Employment opportunities for registered nurses are expected to increase 22% in the next several years, while opportunities for physician assistants will grow by almost 40%, and physical therapists careers are expected to grow by about 30%.
- Business and Finance: The business field covers a number of companies and industries which has plenty of sectors and growth opportunities in terms of employment. Due largely to overall business growth and constantly changing finance laws, financial sectors are expected to experience large growth boosts. Accountants and financial auditors, advisors, and analysts will be in high demand, with an expected job growth by more than 22%, depending on profession, in the next several years. Average salaries for financial accountants, auditors, and analysts are between $60,000 and about $73,000.
- Information Technology and Computer Systems: Information technology jobs, also commonly known as IT jobs, and computer system jobs are on the rise. Many jobs in this area will be on the rise, with administrators, developers, and network engineers with the highest growth opportunities. In addition, many IT jobs offer annual salary averages of around $90,000 for experienced workers.
- Education: The education field is expected to grow greatly over the next few years as well. Several jobs in the field are expected to see increases, but the most job opportunities will be in teaching. Occupations for all level teachers are expected to increase by 13%, adding more than 468,000 teaching jobs in the next several years. Median annual wages for all level teachers range between $47,000 and $51,000.
- Marketing and Advertising: Marketing and advertising fields include promotions, public relations, advertising, and a number of other occupations. Growth in television and radio stations will produce a greater need for advertising in the coming years, as well as an increase in digital media advertisements on the Internet and other devices. Marketing managers are expected to increase by 15%, while overall employment in promotions, marketing, public relations, and sales managers is expected to increase by 13%.
- Customer Service: Customer service representatives currently rank amongst some of the largest occupations. Accounting for more than 2 million jobs in 2008, customer service representatives can be found in almost every industry. Overall employment for customer service representatives is expected to grow by about 18%, bringing about 400,000 in the next several years.
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