Reading Articles

The Test Prep Industry

By Kathryn S. | 5/21/2013 2:39 AM CST |

I'd like to rant, if I could, about the test prep industry, specifically as it relates to the SAT and the ACT.

THEY LIE. They give their students "practice tests" that aren't real practice tests! They make up their own "SAT" or "ACT" and train their kids on that and it makes me so mad, because they have no idea how to model such a test! It's like training someone how to spike a volleyball and then telling them that they're going to do great on their basketball game on Saturday. LIES, I TELL YOU!!

And THEN, they tell you that all you need to do in order to get ready for the test is study...

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It's a Matter of Style: Success on the Verbal Portion of the SAT

By Nicole T. | 5/15/2013 12:55 PM CST |

Just like learning a new language, every year students try to learn CBS: College Board Speak. The College Board is the name of the company that creates the SAT. In order to make gains on the SAT, one may have to try new ways of learning. One of the best ways to learn a language is to create an immersive experience by surrounding yourself with speakers of that language, by traveling to an area in which the language is spoken for an extended period of time, or by attempting conversational level fluency prior to learning the written language.

Ways that have worked for me and for students I have...

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Availability

By Lynne S. | 5/13/2013 8:28 PM CST |

Writing,
Reading

Because my availability keeps changing, I've decided to post it on my blog instead of continually updating my profile. From June to the middle of August tutoring will be my only job, and so I will have more availability during the week than I did before. Some of my current students are taking vacations for all or parts of June, which means I have more time available in June. In addition, I've been approved for online tutoring, which should also help. Times when I will definitely not be available include Tuesdays after 4pm and Thursdays after 6pm. If you have any questions about this, please...

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Get Those Wiggles Out!

By Jessica M. | 5/10/2013 12:44 PM CST |

When working with children (especially 7 and below) it can be vital to their memory retention to take a break every thirty minutes.

I have had great success with my younger students who become stir crazy after half an hour of reading by leaving the study are and going outside or in a space where we wont bother others and doing some physical activities.

Since time is a concern it is important to only do this for ten minutes or so.

Sometimes we run and play tag, or we will do some jumping jacks, or just do some silly dancing.

When the student returns they are feeling a little more refreshed,...

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SAT Daily Word

By Kenneth B. | 5/6/2013 4:53 PM CST |

A great way to prepare for the SAT and life in general is by reviewing vocabulary daily. Consider purchasing a daily word calendar, or simply check College Board's Word of the Day at http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day. If a student begins studying a a new word every day beginning with their freshman year of high school, they could learn up to one thousand words before they take the SAT! Increased vocabulary will not only increase SAT scores, but give students a much improved ability to construct essays and papers in college.

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Spring and Summer Reading, Writing Help

By Timothy N. | 5/4/2013 1:33 PM CST |

This Spring and Summer, why not invest in yourself or your child? Effective written communication is key to success in the competitive academic and career markets.

Get help with Getting Started with Writing, Discovering Writing Topics, Finding Focus
Responding to Writing Assignments<
Reading for Comprehension and Understanding - Retaining Key Concepts, Theme, and more
... and, of course, that always challenging concept of Grammar. I teach Grammar as a Tool ... not Rules. Yuck.

Looking forward to hearing from you and hearing about your tutoring needs. See my profile for more information...

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SAT ACT Test Taking Tips

By Aaron G. | 4/29/2013 10:34 AM CST |

Be Prepared!

The night before, collect

plenty of sharpened #2 pencils
an eraser
a small pencil sharpener (in case your pencils break during the exam)
a watch (you cannot rely on the proctor and there may not be a wall clock or it may be on the wall behind your seat)
your calculator
your admission ticket
your identification
directions to the testing center
tissues
medicine (if necessary)
disposable earplugs (if you find the background noise of people coughing and fidgeting distracting)

It may be helpful to collect these items in a clear plastic (Ziploc) bag that you can grab and go in the morning...

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Tired of What You Are Doing? Why Not Retrain for a New Career in the Health Care Field?

By Vicki N. | 4/27/2013 12:33 PM CST |

It was the Fall of 2009 and the economy left many of us unemployed for the first time ever! I'm SO glad I LOST MY FULL TIME JOB. Just like that, the corporate world is cruel, they pulled the rug right out from under me! I only got 1 week of notice too!!! It doesn't matter how great your severance package is, it is no fun to have your life turned upside down without giving you time to process what is happening to you.

Returning to college was the best decision I ever made. If you started a college education and put it on hold to raise a family or build a career and now you wish you were...

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Back for the Spring and Summer!

By Valerie H. | 4/16/2013 11:42 AM CST |

After an absence due to the busiest part of the academic year, I am back in search of tutoring clients for the spring/summer. Before June 17, I will have hours available after school. As of June 17, my hours are much more flexible!

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College and Your Passions

By Brooklyn L. | 4/9/2013 7:49 PM CST |

As the school year begins to wind down, I have noticed that many of the students I help have begun the journey of signing up for next years classes or, better yet, deciding where they will start the next chapter of their life in college. I began to reminisce on my Senior year of high school and how stressful that year was for me. It was so easy to become overwhelmed by all of the choices that (seemed to be) abruptly placed in front of me: what college should I go to? What should I major in? Should I choose a college close to home? Should I rush? Should I go to a college with all of my friends...

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