College-bound high school students face intense pressure around preparing for standardized admissions testing – including choosing whether to take the SAT or the ACT. While it’s generally recognized that neither test is “easier” or “harder” than the other overall, their formats are different – so one might be better suited to a particular student than the other. But which?
In the US, mandatory standardized testing on the national level has primarily been put forth as a public policy strategy, with the aim of establishing stronger accountability measures for public education. … But what has not been a credible part of the standardized testing debate in the US is the idea of making such a test a high-stakes, make-or-break determinant of students’ professional aptitude, college admissions, etc. … In stark contrast is the situation in China…
But is this “holistic” approach to admissions really about students? Or is it about the competitive marketing to college-bound students among the schools themselves? … And are test scores really optional at top-tier institutions just because the school’s policy says so?
One of the oldest and most powerful teaching techniques is simply to guide the learner by asking directed questions. This basic tutoring approach is sometimes referred to as the Socratic Method or the “inquiry method.”
At what point in the junior year is it best to take the SAT or ACT? Here the answer can be different for every student.
A variety of test prep apps have recently come out for the iPad, iPhone and other mobile devices, with more sure to follow.
As US school districts struggle with shrinking budgets, the option to snip a year or even two from students’ high school education has become increasingly appealing. These programs, modeled on systems that have been successful in Singapore, France, Finland and other high-performing countries, hopes to shift the emphasis from seat time and credits to verifiable subject mastery. What might the impact of these programs be on tutoring?
A recent international educational assessment shows that US academic performance has fallen to “average” relative to the sixty-five participating countries. India didn’t participate in this latest assessment, but how might their students compare? Direct observation indicates that Indian kids — even in poor parts of the country — might well come out on top.
College-bound students and their parents are well aware that high scores on the SAT or ACT are of interest not only to college admission offices, but also to financial aid and scholarship programs. As a result, American families annually spend millions of dollars on prep courses hoping to boost scores. From simple practice testing to [...]
Right now many college-bound students are in the midst of taking the SAT, ACT and other standardized “college prep” tests. As their tutor, over the past weeks and months you’ve done all you can to help them prepare. Now it’s up to them. With “the big test” just days away there’s not much more you [...]
