Oops! The College Board makes mistakes, too.
I guess College Board can't choose answer choice E (no error), on this one...
Disregard That ‘Past Due Invoice’ From the College Board
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Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
How does an ACT score compare to an SAT score?
I often get asked how to compare ACT scores to SAT scores.
Here's a table from the maker of the ACT.
The table says a 29 composite score on the ACT is equivalent to a 1300 on the SAT math and reading section's combined.
How are the equivalencies of the ACT and SAT scores determined?
A student scoring a 29 on the ACT is in the 90th percentile (only 10% of students did better)
A student scoring a 1300 on the SAT math and reading combined is in the 90th percentile.
Because those scores draw the same percentage of students, they are equivalent scores.
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Here's a table from the maker of the ACT.
The table says a 29 composite score on the ACT is equivalent to a 1300 on the SAT math and reading section's combined.
How are the equivalencies of the ACT and SAT scores determined?
A student scoring a 29 on the ACT is in the 90th percentile (only 10% of students did better)
A student scoring a 1300 on the SAT math and reading combined is in the 90th percentile.
Because those scores draw the same percentage of students, they are equivalent scores.
Vancouver SAT ACT Test Prep Tutoring
Your Score Booster
http://www.yourscorebooster.com
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Following Mom (or Dad) to an Ivy League School..
If your mother or father went to an Ivy League school, do you have a better chance of getting in? Yes. (Of course, a good SAT score or a good ACT score could help, too.)
But should you have a better chance because a parent attended the school?
Check out the debate in The New York Times?
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But should you have a better chance because a parent attended the school?
Check out the debate in The New York Times?
Vancouver SAT ACT Test Prep Tutoring
Your Score Booster
http://www.yourscorebooster.com
Friday, July 15, 2011
A media executive resigned to bad grammar
Today Rebekah Brooks resigned as chief executive of News International.
I'm surprised she headed a media corporation. She would not do well on the writing section of the SAT.
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I'm surprised she headed a media corporation. She would not do well on the writing section of the SAT.
"At News International we [lacks antecdent. The same error occurs throughout the letter] pride ourselves on setting the news agenda for the right reasons. Today we are leading the news for the wrong ones.
"The reputation of the company we love so much, as well as the press freedoms we value so highly, are ["is", not "are." Only "and" forms a compound subject. Or even better, switch "as well as" to "and" and keep "are"] all at risk.
"As chief executive of the company, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt [,] and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place.
"I have believed that the right and responsible action has been to lead us through the heat of the crisis. However [,] my desire to remain on the bridge has made me a focal point of the debate.
"This is now detracting attention from all our honest endeavors to fix the problems of the past ["of the past" is superfluous.]
"Therefore [,] I have given Rupert and James Murdoch my resignation. While it has been a subject of discussion, this time [Misplaced modifier. "This time" has not been a subject of discussion. Correct: While it has been a subject of discussion, my resignation has been accepted this time.] my resignation has been accepted.
"Rupert's wisdom, kindness and incisive advice has ["have", not "has." This is a compound subject] guided me throughout my career, and James is an inspirational leader who has shown me great loyalty and friendship.
"I would like to thank them both for their support.
"I have worked here for 22 years [,] and I know it to be part of the finest media company in the world.
"News International is full of talented, professional and honorable people. I am proud to have been part of the team and lucky to know so many brilliant journalists and media executives.
"I leave with the happiest of memories and an abundance of friends.
"As you can imagine[,] recent times have been tough. I now need to concentrate on correcting the distortions and rebutting the allegations about my record as a journalist, an editor and executive.
"My resignation makes it possible for me to have the freedom and the time to give my full cooperation to all the current and future inquiries, the police investigations and the CMS (Culture, Media and Sport Committee) appearance.
"I am so grateful for all the messages of support. I have nothing but overwhelming respect for you and our millions of readers.
"I wish every one of you all the best.
"Rebekah
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Friday, June 10, 2011
The SAT or ACT -- in 7th grade...
Independent Day School Students Selected for Duke University Talent Identification Program - Carrollwood, FL Patch:
"Duke TIP identifies academically talented seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are then invited to take the ACT or the SAT as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, they gain valuable benefits and resources for gifted students."
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"Duke TIP identifies academically talented seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are then invited to take the ACT or the SAT as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, they gain valuable benefits and resources for gifted students."
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Push for A's at Private Schools...
Push for A’s at Private Schools Is Keeping Costly Tutors BusyBy JENNY ANDERSON
Siddharth Iyer spent eight Mays cramming for finals, first at Stuyvesant High School and then at Columbia University.
Nine years later, it is still crunch time for Mr. Iyer, a top tutor at Ivy Consulting Group, as his clients face a deluge of end-of-year exams. “He’s been prepping my son all week,” said the mother of one, a senior at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, speaking on the condition that she not be named because Riverdale discourages both tutoring and talking to reporters.
“Prepping” — in this case for an oral exam in Riverdale’s notorious Integrated Liberal Studies, an interdisciplinary class laden with primary sources instead of standard textbooks — did not start the week before the exams, the mother pointed out. She said she had paid Mr. Iyer’s company $750 to $1,500 each week this school year for 100-minute sessions on Liberal Studies, a total of about $35,000 — just shy of Riverdale’s $38,800 tuition.
Read more...
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Siddharth Iyer spent eight Mays cramming for finals, first at Stuyvesant High School and then at Columbia University.
Nine years later, it is still crunch time for Mr. Iyer, a top tutor at Ivy Consulting Group, as his clients face a deluge of end-of-year exams. “He’s been prepping my son all week,” said the mother of one, a senior at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, speaking on the condition that she not be named because Riverdale discourages both tutoring and talking to reporters.
“Prepping” — in this case for an oral exam in Riverdale’s notorious Integrated Liberal Studies, an interdisciplinary class laden with primary sources instead of standard textbooks — did not start the week before the exams, the mother pointed out. She said she had paid Mr. Iyer’s company $750 to $1,500 each week this school year for 100-minute sessions on Liberal Studies, a total of about $35,000 — just shy of Riverdale’s $38,800 tuition.
Read more...
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Monday, May 16, 2011
One tip for preparing for the SAT the week before...
Get Enough Sleep
I can't emphasize enough how important it can be to get enough sleep.
Check out this story about the sleep deficit of teen-agers....
The Other Big Deficit: Many Teens Fall Short On Sleep : NPR
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I can't emphasize enough how important it can be to get enough sleep.
Check out this story about the sleep deficit of teen-agers....
The Other Big Deficit: Many Teens Fall Short On Sleep : NPR
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Tuesday, May 3, 2011
When your SAT score isn't the problem
Make sure your school follows through sending out documents to colleges.
Otherwise, you could be in for a surprise...
Cherry Abdou says that from the moment she walked into Western High School four years ago, she has been crafting her college application.
...
However, after applying to 12 colleges, Abdou was perplexed to receive nine rejections and one waiting-list notification in April.
...
Alisha Trusty, principal at Western High School, revealed Friday on the school's website that the school system was investigating cases involving at least a dozen students whose college acceptances may have been compromised as a result of school staff failing to send pertinent documents to colleges.
Read more
Western High student worries about college after school's application missteps - baltimoresun.com
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Otherwise, you could be in for a surprise...
Cherry Abdou says that from the moment she walked into Western High School four years ago, she has been crafting her college application.
...
However, after applying to 12 colleges, Abdou was perplexed to receive nine rejections and one waiting-list notification in April.
...
Alisha Trusty, principal at Western High School, revealed Friday on the school's website that the school system was investigating cases involving at least a dozen students whose college acceptances may have been compromised as a result of school staff failing to send pertinent documents to colleges.
Read more
Western High student worries about college after school's application missteps - baltimoresun.com
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Thursday, April 14, 2011
Can I use Canadian / British spellings on the SAT essay?
That's a good question posed by a perspicacious student. OK, all of my students are keen and come up with good questions, but I thought this was an especially good question that deserved a blog entry.
I called up College Board and posed the question today. The first representative told me that spellings must be in "English." I said that Canadian English is English. "Do spellings have to be American English?" I asked.
She said spellings do have to be in American English.
I always call customer-service lines twice. If I get two answers, I know the reps don't know what they're talking about.
Well, they don't know what they're talking about. Or, I should say, at least one of the representatives doesn't know what she's talking about; the second representative initially said that she thought only grammar mattered. Well, we know that's wrong information.
Then she looked on the website to find the answer. The answer to my question isn't there. Then she spoke to a supervisor and said British spellings are acceptable. Well, at least a supervisor -- supposedly -- gave that answer.
Here's the bottom line: When possible, stick to US spellings. Leave out the "u" in "colour," and leave out the "e" in judgment.
But remember that your essay is a first draft. You can still get a perfect score even if you have some misspellings. So don't go crazy or let your concern about spellings slow you down so much that you don't make it to your conclusion.
Nevertheless, if you'll attend a U.S. school, you should be familiar with U.S. spellings anyway.
Here's a site that covers the differences between British English and American English. Vancouver SAT Tutoring Your Score Booster http://www.yourscorebooster.com
I called up College Board and posed the question today. The first representative told me that spellings must be in "English." I said that Canadian English is English. "Do spellings have to be American English?" I asked.
She said spellings do have to be in American English.
I always call customer-service lines twice. If I get two answers, I know the reps don't know what they're talking about.
Well, they don't know what they're talking about. Or, I should say, at least one of the representatives doesn't know what she's talking about; the second representative initially said that she thought only grammar mattered. Well, we know that's wrong information.
Then she looked on the website to find the answer. The answer to my question isn't there. Then she spoke to a supervisor and said British spellings are acceptable. Well, at least a supervisor -- supposedly -- gave that answer.
Here's the bottom line: When possible, stick to US spellings. Leave out the "u" in "colour," and leave out the "e" in judgment.
But remember that your essay is a first draft. You can still get a perfect score even if you have some misspellings. So don't go crazy or let your concern about spellings slow you down so much that you don't make it to your conclusion.
Nevertheless, if you'll attend a U.S. school, you should be familiar with U.S. spellings anyway.
Here's a site that covers the differences between British English and American English. Vancouver SAT Tutoring Your Score Booster http://www.yourscorebooster.com
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
How to Write an SAT Essay
If you want to write a great SAT essay, read the New York Times Opinion pages.
Especially check out the pieces called "Room for Debate."
Several people give their sides on an issue of debate.
By following the various sides, you can see how to develop an argument in a short essay.
The Times now requires a subscription. But you can read 20 articles a month for free.
Check out these "Room for Debate" essays.
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Especially check out the pieces called "Room for Debate."
Several people give their sides on an issue of debate.
By following the various sides, you can see how to develop an argument in a short essay.
The Times now requires a subscription. But you can read 20 articles a month for free.
Check out these "Room for Debate" essays.
Ai Weiwei and the Artist's Role in China
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Monday, March 28, 2011
The Ivy leap: 5 ways to land a college scholarship | Prism Money | Analysis & Opinion | Reuters.com
The Ivy leap: 5 ways to land a college scholarship Prism Money Analysis & Opinion Reuters.com: The article has this section on test scores: "Test scores still matter. The better the college-entrance test score, the better your odds will be of getting a grant. Those scoring 1300 or better on the SAT were six times were likely to get aid vs. those obtaining scores under 700. Take tutorials and prep course before you take these tests. It will increase your chances of lowering your college bills." Vancouver SAT Tutoring Your Score Booster http://www.yourscorebooster.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
SAT’s Reality TV Question Flummoxes Some Takers - NYTimes.com
Every year, the SAT reduces more than a few teenage test-takers to tears.
But few questions on the so-called Big Test appear to have provoked more anxious chatter — at least in this era of texting and online comment streams and discussion threads — than an essay prompt in some versions of the SAT administered last Saturday in which students were asked to opine on reality television.
“This is one of those moments when I wish I actually watched TV,” one test-taker wrote on Saturday on the Web site College Confidential, under the user name “littlepenguin.”
“I ended up talking about Jacob Riis and how any form of media cannot capture reality objectively,” he wrote, invoking the 19th-century social reformer. “I kinda want to cry right now.”
SAT’s Reality TV Question Flummoxes Some Takers - NYTimes.com
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But few questions on the so-called Big Test appear to have provoked more anxious chatter — at least in this era of texting and online comment streams and discussion threads — than an essay prompt in some versions of the SAT administered last Saturday in which students were asked to opine on reality television.
“This is one of those moments when I wish I actually watched TV,” one test-taker wrote on Saturday on the Web site College Confidential, under the user name “littlepenguin.”
“I ended up talking about Jacob Riis and how any form of media cannot capture reality objectively,” he wrote, invoking the 19th-century social reformer. “I kinda want to cry right now.”
SAT’s Reality TV Question Flummoxes Some Takers - NYTimes.com
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Sunday, February 13, 2011
What's the best way to learn (or memorize) SAT Vocabulary words?
Students preparing for the SAT should read the New York Times every day. The newspaper provides a plethora of vocabulary words. Just double-click on a word, and a little question mark pops up. Click on it to get the word's definition.
Students also should consider using flash cards, especially cards that have pictures on them that tie the words to the definitions. Mnemonic devices are invaluable in remembering words.
Try to use some of the words in your everyday speech. (Quick grammar quiz: What's the grammatical problem with the previous sentence ("Try to...")?
By the way, it's always a good idea to drop some SAT words in an essay. The essay is evaluated, in part, based on use of vocabulary. So no big vocabulary word is superfluous in your essay.
Quiz answer: The previous sentences are written in the third person (e.g. "Students preparing..." "Students also should...") The third sentence incorrectly shifts to an implicit "you" with "Try to use." It would be better to say something along the lines of: "Anyone studying for the SAT should use ..."
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Students also should consider using flash cards, especially cards that have pictures on them that tie the words to the definitions. Mnemonic devices are invaluable in remembering words.
Try to use some of the words in your everyday speech. (Quick grammar quiz: What's the grammatical problem with the previous sentence ("Try to...")?
By the way, it's always a good idea to drop some SAT words in an essay. The essay is evaluated, in part, based on use of vocabulary. So no big vocabulary word is superfluous in your essay.
Quiz answer: The previous sentences are written in the third person (e.g. "Students preparing..." "Students also should...") The third sentence incorrectly shifts to an implicit "you" with "Try to use." It would be better to say something along the lines of: "Anyone studying for the SAT should use ..."
Vancouver SAT PSAT ACT Tutoring
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
How do I update my TI-83 operating system?
First, check the version of the operating system using this information.
If your system doesn’t have the latest version, you can transfer a new operating system to the TI83 via a PC or Mac or from another TI83 using info starting on p633 of the manual.
You will need a TI Graph Link cable to make the transfer via a computer.
Make sure the cable is compatible with the TI83.
Check here for places that carry that cable.
A knowledgeable salesman at London Drugs in Burnaby said the store no longer carries the cable. (The TI-83 is an older model but works just fine.)
If you know someone whose TI83 has the latest version, you may bring that calculator to one of my tutoring sessions and I can update using a calculator-to-calculator cable.
I have a TI-84 Plus, which cannot update the TI-83 calculator.
No worries. Your TI-83 is fine for the SAT, even if you don’t have the latest operating system.
But if it’s possible to update it, you should.
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