How Should I Prepare for the ACT or SAT?

At High Performance Tutoring, we recommend that students begin preparing for college admissions during their junior year of high school.  Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States require you to take the SAT or ACT.  A high score on either test will greatly increase your chances of being accepted.

Reaching the score you want will require a great deal of preparation.  Here is what we suggest you do.

• Find The Right Test. Many schools accept both the SAT and ACT, so take the one in which you are likely to score the highest.  The ACT measures how much you have learned in school, whereas the SAT measures your general reasoning ability and problem solving skills.  Free practice tests are available online. Take a few of each type and determine the test on which you perform better.  Your guidance counselor may also be helpful in this process. [ 1 ] [ 2 ]
• Choose Your Test Dates. The SAT and ACT are offered on specific dates throughout the year.  We suggest you take it once in the spring of your junior year, and again that summer or the fall of your senior year.  Take note of the dates the test is offered and the registration deadlines.
• Study Guides & Practice Tests.  Find a good practice book to read through that has a structured study plan, explains concepts thoroughly, has worked out examples, and practice tests with solutions.  We generally recommend materials by Kaplan and Princeton Review.  The College Board offers past SAT exams to practice from.  The ACT offers practice tests through its website as well. [ 4 ] [ 5 ]
• Tutoring & Prep Classes. Find a tutor who specializes in the ACT and SAT.  We recommend at least 40 hours one-on-one time with your tutor or participating in a prep class.  This will help structure your studying and provide far more insight than you could pick up from simply reading a book.  Make sure to plan these 40 hours to span over a month or two and end of the day of the test.  [ 3 ]
• Test Day!  Make sure that you get plenty of rest and healthy during the week before the test.  The night before, get all of your things together such as your calculator, extra batteries test ticket, #2 pencils, extra lead, and snacks.  On the morning of the test, be sure to relax, eat a healthy breakfast, and drink plenty of water. [ 6 ] [ 7 ]

At High Performance Tutoring, we have several tutors who specialize in ACT and SAT preparation. We currently offer one-on-one tutoring for both tests and are in the process of developing a preparatory course for small groups. Register today and try our ACT/SAT tutoring services for FREE!

References

[ 1 ] Frequently Asked Questions. (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/actsat.html

[ 2 ] ACT vs. SAT. (2007) Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/guidance.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[ 3 ] How Do I Get Ready for Test Day? (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/testday.html

[ 4 ] SAT Practice Tests. (2013) Retrieved from: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-test

[ 5 ] ACT Practice Tests. (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.actstudent.org/onlineprep/tour/practice.html

[ 6 ] Permitted Calculators for the SAT. (2013) Retrieved from: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/calculator-policy

[ 7 ] Permitted Calculators for the ACT. (2013) Retrieved from: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/calculator.html

How To Search Effectively On the Internet

Search engines work a lot better when you know how to effectively use them.  Most people rely on Google, Yahoo, and Bing to navigate the web.  Google contains the best features for doing specialized searches and checking the accuracy of your data.  Here are some useful features in Google that you may not have previously known about. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ]

• Google employs a highly specialized advanced search function.  This tool allows the user to filter searches based on specific keywords and phrases, negative keywords, languages, domains, regions, date range and more.  Suppose for example you were interested in finding recent news articles and reviews about the new iPad.  Your search phrases could include “iPad”, “Reviews”, and “News”.  You could specify a date range to ensure that Google only returns pages that were updated in the last two weeks.  Further, you may only be interested in articles that were published in Great Britain rather than the United States or elsewhere. All of this and more is possible through Google.
• Google Scholar , a specialized search tool, returns content from academically viable sources. This feature validates content by tracking the number of times the source is cited in other academic sources.
• In Google Drive’s Research Tool you can do a regular Google Search, check a source in Google Scholar, find a useful quote, or look up a term in the dictionary.  It is easy paraphrase important material from these tools into Google Docs without needing to open another window or browser tab.
• Google Books is a great tool for searching through content in millions of books.  You can skim through the books you are considering purchasing, or you can look up words and phrases you want to find within the book and discover the page number..

Evaluating What You Find On the Internet

Much of information on the Internet is outdated, biased or inaccurate.  A major challenge will be to assess the quality of information you find.  It is recommended that you ask yourself the following questions when reviewing material from the Internet. [ 7] [ 8]

• Who wrote it? Does the source provide the author’s name? Is the author an expert and can their credentials be verified?
• For Whom was the material written: the college student, the general reader, or children?
• When was the material written? Is the material so old that the information is irrelevant?
• How is the material written? Is the content biased? Is the author trying to convey a particular viewpoint to the reader? Are they leaving out information that does not support their viewpoint?

Using Wikipedia to Further Your Internet Search

College professors and high school teachers discourage students from using Wikipedia because it often contains information written by non-experts.  However, Wikipedia can still be an extremely useful tool for conducting research and finding information.  Here are some useful features of Wikipedia: [ 9 ]

• Wikipedia provides a general overview about a topic and links to other pages that explain certain keywords and ideas. For example, the Wikipedia page on the Civil War links to other topics, such as slavery, the Presidential Election of 1860, and the Confederate States of America.
• Wikipedia articles frequently link to other websites that provide quality information on a topic. The page on the American Civil War, for example, links to photos found at the National Archive.
• Wikipedia can help narrow the scope and focus of your research. Reading the overview of a topic can help you focus on a particular subtopic. After reading the Civil War overview, you might focus your research on a particular battle or an individual involved with the war.
• Wikipedia provides flags when particular information is questionable or controversial. These flags appear at the top of a page. Flagged Wikipedia pages provide accurate information for general purposes and often link to good external references.

We Can Help!

At High Performance Tutoring we are proud to have the best team of math and science tutors in Salt Lake City.  However, we can help you with a whole lot more!  We offer workshops in many things such as searching the internet effectively, managing your time, organizing, solving word problems, and a whole lot more.  Let us know if you see anything you like and we will sign you up!


References
[ 1 ] Internet Guide: How To Use the Internet for Effective Academic Research. (2012). Retrieved from www.library.dmu.ac.uk.

[ 2 ] Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/FindInfo.html

[ 3 ] Recommended Search Strategy: Analyze Your Topic and Search With Peripheral Vision. (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Strategies.html

[ 4 ] Research Tool. (2012) Retrieved from: http://support.google.com/drive/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2481802

[ 5 ] Google Scholar Search Tips. (2012) Retrieved from: http://scholar.google.com/intl/en-US/scholar/help.html

[ 6 ] Here Is What You Can Do With Google Books Search. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/press/uvagoogle/use.html

[ 7 ] Evaluating Sources. (2013). Retrieved from http://usingsources.fas.harvard.edu

[ 8 ] Research: Using the Internet. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/net/

[ 9 ] What’s Wrong With Wikipedia? (2013). Retrieved from http://usingsources.fas.harvard.edu

The Era of Online Learning

Recent advancements in technology have made it possible to bring important aspects of the classroom directly to your laptop.  The important question to ask yourself is whether online learning is as effective as the traditional classroom experience.

Your most productive learning happens when the information is embedded in your experiences and is relevant to your life, goals, and needs. Making connections to prior knowledge makes the learning more meaningful, and learning through problem solving makes learning more effective [5].  Your teachers should organize group discussions, simulation exercises, problem solving activities, case methods and laboratory experiments instead simply presenting material.  The process of working with others and helping each other has been proven to be highly effective [5].

So how does any of this help you in an online course?  Here is what the research is saying...

Advantages of Online Learning

Flexibility. The ability to attend class when and where you prefer is very convenient when trying to balance your other classes, your family, and your job.  Imagine the time you can save from not traveling to school [1][2][3][4].

Learning Styles.  In a quality online course, you can choose the mode of presentation and interaction with the material. Choose the style that fits you best [1][2][5].

Speak Freely.  Online learning can offer anonymity and equality, as no face-to-face interaction occurs between you and online students.  As a result, students often feel more comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions openly [1][2][3][4][5].

Low Costs.  Tuition for online courses costs less than tuition costs for traditional classes. In fact, some courses are free, such as Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) classes [10].

Disadvantages of Online Learning

Lack of motivation and poor study skills can overwhelm you in an online course, especially if you are accustomed to the routine and structure of a traditional class. It is easy to fall behind and become confused about deadlines and expectations [1][3].

Feeling isolated from your instructor and your peers may discourage you from participating in an online course, due to delayed feedback and missing social interaction [1][3][10].

Lack of experiential learning in an online course is a major disadvantage.  Accommodating peer discussions, group projects, and hands-on activities occurs more easily in the traditional classroom setting. [1][10].

The Technology Learning Curve can be daunting and pricey.  Purchasing and setting up the proper equipment and software is just the beginning.  It takes time at the outset of the course to develop a functional understanding of the interface  [1][3][4][10].

Online Learning with a Private Tutor

The Best of Both Worlds.  Most of the disadvantages of online learning disappear once you find a good private tutor.  Research shows that you prefer learning online but still want someone to connect with.  It can be far more effective to receive individualized help periodically and do the rest online, rather than attending regular classes where you do not get to ask many questions [7][8][9][11].

It is Still Cost Effective.  Tutors can be expensive. Think of their fee as part of your tuition cost for the online class.  The sum of these two expenses during one semester may total a few hundred dollars, but it is a huge savings when compared to the thousands of dollars spent on tuition at a traditional college or university [6][7][8][10].

High Performance Tutoring offers exceptional help for all of your online courses.  Our tutors know how to motivate you, bring the subject matter to life, provide clear answers to your questions, help you stay organized, and help you manage your time effectively.  Try us out for free and let us show you what a difference we can make! Visit us at www.highperformancetutoring.com to find out how we can help you succeed in your online course!

References

[1]      Advantages and Disadvantages of eLearning. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.dso.iastate.edu

[2]      Educational Benefits of Online Learning. (1998). Washington, DC: Blackboard.

[3]      Graham, J. M., Mogel, L., Brallier, S. A., & Palm, L. J. (2007). Do you online?:The advantages and  disadvantages of online education. Coastal Carolina University.

[4]      James, G. (2003). Advantages and disadvantages of online learning. Retrieved from  http://www.leerbeleving.nl/wbts/nieuw_basics/addis.pdf

[5]      Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2011). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (7th ed.). New York: Elsevier.

[6]      McPherson, M., & Nunes, M. B. (2004). The role of tutors as an integral part of online learning support. Retrieved from http://www.eurodl.org

[7]      Ng, K. C. (2007). Replacing face-to-face tutorials by synchronous online technologies: Challenges and pedagogical implications. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(1), pp. 1-15.

[8]      Price, L., Richardson, J. T. E., & Jelfs, A. (2007). Face-to-face versus online tutoring support in distance education. Studies in Higher Education, 32(1), pp. 1-20.

[9]      Serlin, R. (2005). The advantages and disadvantages of online courses. Presentation: Money, Consumers, and Family.

[10]    Warner, K., & Wolf, P. (2004). Online tutoring to support online classes. University of Maryland.

The Benefits of Tutoring

Should I hire a tutor?

Many of us struggle in one or more of our classes despite putting forth our best effort.  The consequences of not seeking help when we need it will lead to a great deal of frustration and cause us to lose confidence in our academic abilities.

Hiring a good private tutor can make all the difference!  Your tutor will help you stay on track, keep a positive attitude, and reach your academic goals.  At High Performance Tutoring, we search high and low to find the brightest and most talented tutors in our community so that your experiences with us are always superior!


Personal Growth

Over the last thirty years, research consistently indicates that tutoring has significant social benefits including increased student confidence and positive social interaction, two of the most significant contributors impacting academic performance [6].  

Prolonged, regular tutoring has a cumulative effect. It empowers students to engage their full academic potential, making school a very positive experience [2][4][7][10].


Academic Success

The most immediate benefit of tutoring is academic success.  This has more far reaching consequences than people realize.

An improved grade is the most common reason for students to seek a private tutor.  Though success in one class will influence a student’s performance in other classes, since it develops good habits and raises self-confidence [4][5][ 7].

Improved time management and study skills.  A good tutor will naturally influence students to manage their time effectively, stay organized, and focus [4][5][7].  Everyone at High Performance Tutoring makes a conscious effort to teach these skills to students in the process of tutoring.

Improved creativity and critical thinking skills. A good tutor encourages students to use upper levels of cognitive thought, including the ability to analyze, evaluate, and create. We use questioning techniques that engage students in the content that cause them to exercise critical and creative thinking skills [4][5][7][8][10].

Financial Benefits

When considering medium and long-term financial ramifications, succeeding in school is important. Investing a little money today will pay off many times over down the road!  Here are several important examples:

Annual Income for those having only a high school diploma averages approximately $33,000 while those who stay in school to receive a master’s degree or higher earn about $84,000 [3].  Through the course of an ordinary worker’s life, that is a difference of about 1.5 Million Dollars!

High AP Test and Placement Test scores allow students to skip many introductory classes in their first year of college.  Spending a few hundred this year on a private tutor will save thousands next year on those high tuition costs [1][9].

High ACT and SAT scores can increase your likelihood of being accepted to top tier Universities. High scores can also earn you more money in merit-based scholarships.  Spend your time and money preparing for these tests and you will see it pay off big time [1][9].

Your Education is Worth it!

In the grand course of your life, it pays to have a good education and self confidence.  Do not sell yourself short!  Spend the time, effort and money necessary to find your rightful position in life and be the person you want to be.

References

[1]     Brigham Young University. (2012). AP guides 2011-2012. Retrieved from

http://saas.byu.edu

[2]     Bruner, J. (1985). Vygotsky: An historical and conceptual perspective. Culture, communication, and cognition: Vygotskian perspectives, 21-34. London: Cambridge University Press

[3]       Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2012). Employment projections. Retrieved from     http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

[4]     Fager, J. (1996). Tutoring: Strategies for successful learning. Portland, OR: Northwest      Regional Educational Lab.

[5]      Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2011). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (7th ed.). New York: Elsevier.

[6]     Martino, L. R. (1994). Peer tutoring classes for young adolescents: A cost-effective strategy. Middle School Journal, 25(4), 55-58

[7]     Merritt, R. D. (2008). Tutoring. Tutoring, Research Starters Education, pp. 1-14. EBSCO Research Starters. 

[8]     Truschel, J., Ed.D. (2011). What tutors can do to enhance critical thinking skills through the use of Bloom’s Taxonomy.  Synergy, 2. The Association for the Tutoring Profession.

[9]     University of Utah. (2012). University of Utah AP credit and general education guide. Retrieved from http://admissions.utah.edu

[10]     Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.