For almost 50 years, the SAT has played a pivotal role in the college admissions process. The upcoming transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil format to a digital, adaptive SAT marks one of the most significant changes since its inception in 1926. The Class of 2025 will be the first cohort of U.S. students to undergo both the PSAT and SAT in a digital, adaptive format.
Early acceptance rates at these institutions showed a significant advantage over regular decision rates, according to U.S. News data. Though crafting a standout college application can be a time-consuming and stressful process, submitting an application in the fall, well before the typical winter deadline for regular admissions, is possible.Read on to find out more.
In this guide, we will unravel the mysteries surrounding ACT scores, shed light on the factors that determine a “good” score, and provide invaluable insights into achieving your academic aspirations. Whether you’re a student aiming for the Ivy League or contemplating the best approach to standardized testing, this guide will navigate you through the nuances of ACT scores, helping you make informed decisions about your college journey.
At last count, 62 percent of 2022 high school graduates enrolled in either a two- or four-year college immediately after graduation. But students’ college readiness has reached historic lows, according to several metrics—including the lowest scores in 30 years on the ACT and declining scores on the SAT, the two primary standardized tests used for college admissions. And yet, more than 4 in 5 high school seniors report feeling “very” or “mostly” academically prepared for college, according to a 2023 ACT nationwide survey.
They’re not, say experts.
Standardized tests play a crucial (albeit often feared) role in the college admissions journey. The significance of exams like the ACT extends beyond admission considerations; they are instrumental in curbing prospective college debt by bolstering the scholarships and financial aid you secure. But what exactly is the ACT, and how can you ready yourself to enhance your score? Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of the ACT, including registration procedures, score computation, and strategies to boost your performance. Continue reading, taking proactive steps to elevate your score and position yourself for the most lucrative job opportunities available to high school students.
Starting in March 2023, the SAT is set to transform into a shorter, snazzier digital test. This development is causing quite the buzz, especially for high school juniors (Grade 11). Typically, strong math whizzes have thrived on the SAT, while those leaning towards reading and verbal skills have found their stride with the ACT. However, with the digital shift, SAT takers now need to excel across the board.There's also the option of ditching the SAT altogether and channeling their efforts into the ACT.
Adequate sleep contributes to a student’s overall health and well-being. Students should get the proper amount of sleep at night to help stay focused, improve concentration, and improve academic performance.
Children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and injuries. They are also more likely to have attention and behavior problems, which can contribute to poor academic performance in school.
Colleges universally adopted test optional admissions policies during the pandemic, in part because a handful of national SAT and ACT test dates and a flood of local test center administrations were cancelled. Test optional admissions also served to lower anxiety during a time when both applicants and the schools themselves were panicked about COVID-college. The general public became enamored with rhetoric about how removing objective data somehow produced fairer outcomes. However, feelings among applicants and their parents about test optional admissions have become more mixed as people have had time to consider its implications.
You just finished your junior year, and you are on top of the world. As the seniors prepare for college in a flurry of stress and excitement, you put your feet up, your shades on, and relax. You’re about to be the head of the school – a senior at last.
But wait that means in no time at all you’ll be preparing to graduate, preparing for college! You’ll be starting real adult life! You’re not ready for this! What the heck?! How did it happen so quickly!
Woahwoahwoah, slow down. With a little planning and effort, you’ll be as prepared as can be to take on your Senior year and start an new and exciting chapter of your life. You just need to know what steps to take.
And that is where we can help. If you want to minimize stress and maximize opportunity, there are a few things you should do this upcoming summer (hint: they don’t involve going to the beach).
Check these 7 things off your summer to-do list, and you’ll be ready to take on the world when fall rolls around.
College admissions is a step-oriented process with numerous deadlines. Since prospective students are often juggling college applications alongside high school classes and activities, it's easy to fall behind or procrastinate.
But a well-thought-out plan, anchored by a few organizational tips, can keep students on track with college applications. Check out these expert recommendations for how students can keep delays from undermining their college ambitions:
Start planning early for college applications.
Create a detailed timeline for college applications.
Ask for letters of recommendation early.
Budget time for application essays.
Allow adequate time to prepare other admissions materials.
College application deadlines vary, so students may be juggling different dates depending on their target schools. While regular decision deadlines arrive sometime in January, early action and early decision deadlines are traditionally in November. Identifying a specific admissions avenue is important to keep students on task, experts say.
"I think one of the best things particularly a senior in high school can do is to really clearly define what their choice set is," says Brian Troyer, dean of undergraduate admissions at Marquette University in Wisconsin. "I know a lot of college counselors, counselors within high schools, would encourage students to begin narrowing their list between their junior and their senior year. Hopefully, a student isn't having to navigate 20 different institutions' application timelines."
Though high school students often begin trimming their list of schools down and writing essays in the summer before their senior year, many application tasks also arise during their junior year, such as taking the ACT or SAT and visiting campuses, says Angela Warfield, principal consultant and founder at admissions consulting firm Compass Academics.
"If students use their Junior year to explore college selection, they will have a clear sense of schools (based on their scores, major plans, culture, location, cost, etc.)," she wrote in an email. "This will allow them to feel confident adding colleges to their Common App and beginning the process of creating an application timeline for each school on their list."
She adds that students who fail to plan accordingly "often find themselves in panic mode."
Keeping track of the many requirements in the college admissions process can be simplified by creating a list of when those tasks come due, experts say. For example, Hafeez Lakhani – founder and president of Lakhani Coaching – says his admissions firm creates a customized spreadsheet for each client that breaks down application tasks and timelines.
Creating a spreadsheet with admissions tasks can help students clearly see what needs to be accomplished and work toward those goals. Setting up reminders on a digital calendar around certain dates can also help, experts say.
"Dates to consider include: application deadlines, testing date/score submissions deadlines, dates for recommenders to submit letters of support, and important scholarship deadlines," Warfield wrote in an email.
She notes that students should also include Oct. 1 on their calendars, which is the date the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – which is required for federal and often state and institutional financial aid – becomes available each year.
Asking for a letter of recommendation well in advance can help students avoid falling behind in the admissions process, experts say, noting this as a common pitfall for college applicants. High school counselors and teachers often juggle multiple requests for letters of recommendation and need time to write and personalize each one.
"I don't think it's fair to give recommenders less than four weeks to write their letters," Lakhani says.
Generally, the more time teachers or counselors have, the more personalized they can make such letters. And these letters are important in the admissions process, Troyer says, because colleges value the insights they share.
"I think it's important that students and families know we really do care about these, we like to read them and I think they have to recognize that counselors and teachers put a lot of thought or want to put a lot of thought into each individually tailored letter of recommendation," Troyer says.
Writing college essays is another area where students should allow themselves ample time.
Lakhani says students often procrastinate on admissions essays because they are "intimidated by the blank page."
But these narratives are highly valued by admissions committees where an essay may be the only writing sample a college sees for a student. While essays often aren't make or break, a strong essay can elevate a student's odds of admission. On the flip side, a sloppy or poorly written essay can make a college question an applicant's dedication.
Students should set aside time not only to write the essay but also to brainstorm the topic in advance, experts say.
"We never encourage students to write essays overnight," Lakhani says. He urges students to keep revising, tweaking and perfecting until they've fine-tuned their admissions essay.
"Think of our first drafts as gateways to get to better drafts," he advises.
A high school transcript and activities list are among the other admissions materials commonly needed for college applications. Troyer notes that the turnaround time for high school transcripts may vary, so students should check with their counselors on what to expect and allow a minimum of one week for these materials.
Developing an activities list can be another challenge. While this list is student-dependent, experts say they should think carefully about it and highlight activities that they feel reflect their interests and ambitions.
Students may also want to get a jump-start on the Common App, a popular application portal, as soon as it opens on Aug. 1.
But ultimately, students should remember to prioritize requests for items that depend on others, says Warfield.
"We usually advise that students prioritize the items outside of their control first: letters of recommendation, transcript requests, and (test) score reports. These can often be delayed through no fault of the applicant, so being on top of these requests first will ensure that there is plenty of time for the schools to receive a complete application."
CURRENT SAT FORMAT AND STRUCTURE
Reading – 65 minutes (52 questions)
Writing and Language – 35 minutes (44 questions)
10 minute break
Math – No calculator – 25 minutes (20 questions)
Math – Calculator allowed – 55 minutes (38 questions)
On the SAT, students will have an average of 1 minute and 10 seconds to answer each question. This includes the multiple-choice questions and the math grid-in questions. This varies drastically from the ACT, which gives students an average of 49 seconds per question. The format is similar to the ACT; however, there are two SAT math sections and no dedicated science section like the ACT. There is no penalty for answering incorrectly. Therefore, students should answer every multiple-choice question. Students can only gain points on the SAT, so it’s important not to leave any questions unanswered. The SAT contains four answer choices, instead of five, which was seen on the old SAT (pre-2016).
Interested in a customized test prep program? We will review previous SAT practice test scores or official SAT scores to determine the area of focus. We can also email out a SAT practice test to take at home and provide an analysis for a customized SAT prep program.
Contact us to learn more about our SAT prep program or choose a package from below.
CURRENT ACT FORMAT AND STRUCTURE
English – 45 minutes (75 questions)
Math – 60 minutes (60 questions)
10 minute break
Reading – 35 minutes (40 questions)
Science – 35 minutes (40 questions)
5 minute break
Essay – 40 minutes (each prompt is different and three perspectives are provided for analysis)
On the ACT, students have an average of 49 seconds per question. The ACT is known as a fast paced test; however, the questions are presented in a straightforward and content driven manner. The test focuses on academic achievement, meaning, what students actually learn in high school. There is no deduction for answering incorrectly, so it’s best to answer every multiple-choice question. The ACT composite score is comprised of the four main sections (known as tests): English, math, reading, and science. Most colleges and universities post the ACT middle 50% composite score for their last freshmen class. This helps the student to set an ACT score goal with his or her tutor. A low score on one section can pull down the ACT composite score. However, with ACT prep tutoring, we have seen students go up 8, 9, 10, and 11 points in a single section. All sections of the test have four answer choices, except for the math section which has five answer choices. There is little vocabulary on the ACT, and in lieu of this there are more reading passages.
Interested in a customized test prep program? We will review previous ACT practice test scores or official ACT scores to determine the area of focus. We can also email out an ACT practice test to take at home and provide an analysis for a customized ACT prep program.
Contact us to learn more about our ACT prep program or choose a package from below.
We will be proctoring tests virtually on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am. Upon registering for a virtual mock test, you will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT Answer Sheet
ACT/SAT Test Booklet
Test Instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. Please make sure to include your mailing address during registration, so that we can mail you a testing packet.
ACT/SAT tests will be proctored virtually through LESSONSPACE. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed linked to join the virtually proctored test. The test instructions can be used should the student lose connection to the testing lobby. Please ensure that you have a working built-in mic (or a headset) and audio on your laptop/desktop.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below. :
Mock SAT test dates:
We also offer one-to-one private mock testing at our offices or virtually through Lessonspace. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils.
We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail.
ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, & HSPT
$125 Standard Test (In-office)
$175 Special Accommodations (In-office)
FREE Parent Administration (In-home)
One-to-one private testing at our offices or in-home testing proctored by a parent. A perfect fit for students that need to get acclimated to the test format, structure, and timing. This can help to relieve nervousness and anxiety. Parents have the option of administering the test to their child for free. They can also choose to drop their student off at our offices and we will administer the test to the student. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report from our testing software. View sample reports: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. An individual test scores comparison chart is provided for the ACT and SAT.
Click on the links below to purchase private mock testing, or to learn more:
Private Mock ACT Administration
Private Mock SAT Administration
Private Mock SSAT Administration
Private Mock ISEE Administration
Private Mock HSPT Administration
It’s never too early—or too late—to explore your options for college or career school. We’ll walk through some key steps in preparing for college and provide resources that can help you along the way. You’ll have to take the time to research and understand your options, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help students make informed decisions and find out what they need to do!
Last updated: Jul 15, 2022
College-bound high school seniors should keep two things in mind. The coming months will define the coming years, and you will define the coming months. That’s a bit scary, but the jitters will fade once you take control. To that end, here are 5 back-to-school tips for senior year success.
Senior year is no time to break stride in the academic marathon that high school resembles. Keep your eye on the finish line, and don’t let your grades and extracurricular activities suffer from an excess of graduation hoopla and too much focus on the college colors you want to sport.
Your studies should remain a priority, along with well-chosen extracurriculars, but be sure not to overload your schedule with the latter. Solid performances in a reasonable number of activities will look much better than the so-so record that overreaching can yield.
Two critical and forward-looking senior year duties are research and networking:
You should be researching colleges for a target list, along with college majors and concentrations suited to your skills and likes, scholarship and financial aid options, admissions essay topics, and admissions choices such as early action or regular decision. All this and more must be studied while staying current on international and national news and issues.
Networking must feature person-to-person efforts. Engage teachers who can write recommendations, counselors and admissions officers who can help shape your college adventure, and family and friends who provide critical support.
Networking should include digital footprints that advance academic and potential career pursuits. Two examples are accessing virtual college communities that yield connections and information and exploring LinkedIn and other career- and job-oriented platforms.
Charting your academic future is a study in who you are, and that includes figuring out how to find your passion and a career you love. Most students are still in the hunt when it comes to careers and majors, beginning college with a direction chosen but not a destination.
As a high school senior, however, it’s worth noting that:
Narrowing your career choices, or at least identifying your interests, will make the college decisions more productive.
You might not be ready to choose a college concentration or major based on a career path, but it’s not too soon to start the process.
You can’t get the admissions process rolling until you have a realistic list of target schools.
The essence of this tip is the senior year checklist, and the essence of the checklist is avoiding being overwhelmed by chaos. The checklist imposes a sense of order, putting things such as standardized tests, college admissions hurdles, and scholarship applications on your radar and elevating the odds for and degrees of success.
All academic goals have a timeline, so mark the important dates for each on a calendar. Scheduling apps can help, too. They are great for tracking the steps necessary to reach each goal. But if you want to stay on track, nothing beats having your primary objectives listed on a calendar on a bedroom wall. Better yet, craft a multiple-month presentation, so you can visualize several months’ worth of tasks easily.
For most, planning and preparation must fall within limits imposed by financial realities. A budget is the best way to project, track, and control spending, and it’s never too soon to start.
Budgeting is a skill that can map the financial limits affecting your college options. Use it to expose the financial gap you must close to make your college plans happen. To determine whether you can close that gap, explore financial aid options and pursue scholarships.
At USF, we offer a peer to peer financial education program called Bull2Bull (B2B). The B2B program offers education services such as coaching, workshops, and events designed to help USF students handle their finances well.
Working at the small things can be tedious; it’s easier to cope with the seemingly endless workload if you keep things in perspective:
You aren’t just studying for a high school trig quiz. You’re building an academic record that will make your college applications stand out.
You aren’t just filling out college applications. You’re trying to find the best available path to a fantastic future.
You aren’t just picking a school. You are choosing the way you will define your contributions to the world and shape your dreams.
Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below. :
Mock SAT test dates:
We also offer one-to-one private mock testing at our offices or virtually through Lessonspace. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils.
We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail.
ACT and SAT
$25 Registration Fee (1 Mock Test: ACT or SAT) Includes test scores comparison
Mock testing for the ACT and SAT, held in a group setting. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report and phone consultation. View sample student score reports: ACT and SAT.
For the ACT and SAT, we will compare scores in order to determine which test is better for the student to take. See virtual mock test dates above for the 2022-2023 school year.
ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT and SAT Subject Tests
$125 Standard Test (In-office)
$175 Special Accommodations (In-office)
FREE Parent Administration (In-home)
One-to-one private testing at our offices, private virtual testing through Lessonspace, or in-home testing proctored by a parent. A perfect fit for students that need to get acclimated to the test format, structure, and timing. This can help to relieve nervousness and anxiety. Parents have the option of administering the test to their child for free. They can also choose to drop their student off at our offices and we will administer the test to the student. For virtual private proctoring, we will secure a date and time for one of our proctors to meet the student online. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report from our testing software. View sample reports: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. An individual test scores comparison chart is provided for the ACT and SAT.
Click on the links below to purchase private mock testing, or to learn more:
Private Mock ACT Administration
Private Mock SAT Administration
Private Mock SSAT Administration
Private Mock ISEE Administration
Test prep in the summer prior to junior year isn’t for all students, but it’s a good idea for those students who are targeting an early fall test date in their junior year, as well as those who feel that they need extra help in certain subject areas before taking a first test later in their junior year. The first step is to take baseline diagnostic tests for both the SAT and the ACT to determine which test is best for you. Once you have baseline scores, a tutor will work with you to determine an appropriate test date to target as well as to develop a testing plan.
The results of standardized tests have quite an influence on the decisions the universities and colleges make in relation to student admissions. Two major test types are the ACT and the SAT. If you are thinking of enrolling in university, chances are you will have to take one of the tests. But, which one should you? What is the ACT? What is the difference between SAT and ACT? Read on to find out!
Don't waste time. Get started now on applying to college with these tips.
With 2021 officially behind, the current class of high school juniors – the graduating class of 2023 – will be the next cohort to apply to college. While juniors may feel that they still have plenty of time to begin with their college hunting and college applications, it would be a serious mistake to let the approaching months go to waste.
Below are some actionable New Year’s resolutions that can orient high school juniors as they approach college prep in coming months.
I will earn my highest possible score on the ACT or SAT. While there will still be time to retake the ACT or SAT over the summer or in the fall, do your best to check this item off your to-do list now. That way, you can enjoy your summer more, make time for visiting potentially far-away colleges and have one less commitment on your mind during the infamously busy start of senior year.
I will visit at least half of my prospective colleges. Given that many students to apply to more than 10 colleges, campus visits should start as early as possible to allow yourself time to see each one. If you have a heavy course schedule, you can take advantage of the rest of winter break and spring break to tour colleges, ideally visiting more than one school on each trip.
I will arrange a work or internship opportunity that aligns with my goals. Because competition for summer jobs and internships can be stiff, you should start seeking out such opportunities months in advance. If you are not sure how to go about the process, talk to your school counselor or perform a search, for example on Internships.com.
I will finish touring my prospective colleges. Summer, which involves little to no schoolwork and consistently pleasant weather, is the perfect time to finish visiting colleges. You can make college visits especially memorable by going with classmates or friends who are interested in the same schools as you.
I will write several college essays: Summer is also the ideal season for completing creative tasks, since sunshine and social gatherings can lead to a good mood. Start writing a few college essays, even if they are unpolished or awkward.
At first, aim to craft more generic essays, ones that can apply or be adapted to different prompts. If you're unsure what that means, look at the Common App essay prompts for 2022 and supplemental prompts for your top-pick schools. You should notice similarities among the questions.
Finally, space out your writing sessions so that you can revisit your work with fresh eyes and have others contribute ideas, too.
I will remain as committed to my schoolwork as always. Not taking school seriously enough during senior year can result in disaster, as a significant decline in GPA can be a reason for colleges to revoke admissions acceptance. Avoid overconfidence and be consistent with your studies until the end.
If you are burned out from junior year and want to have a relatively lighter senior year, do not take on more responsibility than you are willing to commit to. Instead, slightly reduce the number of advanced classes you take or find a space in your schedule for a study hall. Remain studious and keep your college applications competitive through coursework and extracurricular activities.
I will tie up college application loose ends ASAP. The start of senior year is the season for completing unfinished business, which could mean giving the ACT or SAT one last try, finalizing your college essays or selecting those who will write your letters of recommendation.
Most college application deadlines loom around late fall and early winter, dates that tend to coincide with final exams and the holidays, so it would behoove you to tie up those loose ends sooner rather than later. Otherwise, what is usually the jolliest time of year could quickly become very stressful.
It’s never too soon to start planning for your future. Act now as a junior to ensure a smooth college application process. Making these resolutions is the perfect way to do that.
2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
May 14, 2022
Five Key Skills for Academic Success
It takes a combination of skills — organization, time management, prioritization, concentration, and motivation — to achieve academic success. But it's never too early or too late to help your child develop these skills. Here are some tips to get your child on the right track.
Talk to your child.
To find out which of these skills your child has and which he can develop further, start a simple conversation that focuses on his goals. Ask him about his favorite subjects, classes he dreads, and whether he’s satisfied with his latest progress report.
Listen for clues.
Incorporate your own observations with your child’s self-assessment. Is your child overwhelmed by assignments? She may have trouble organizing time. Does your child have difficulty completing her work? She may get distracted too easily. Is your child simply not interested in school? She may need help getting motivated.
Help your child identify which of the five skill areas are trouble spots:
Organization
Whether it’s keeping track of research materials or remembering to bring home a lunch box, children need to be organized to succeed in school. For many students, academic challenges are related more to a lack of organization than to a lack of intellectual ability.
Tips to help your child get organized:
• Make a checklist of things your child needs to bring to and from school every day. Put a copy by the door at home and one in his backpack. Try to check with him each day to see if he remembers the items on the list.
• Find out how your child keeps track of his homework and how he organizes his notebooks. Then work together to develop a system he will want to use.
• Shop with your child for tools that will help him stay organized, such as binders, folders or an assignment book.
Time Management
Learning to schedule enough time to complete an assignment may be difficult for your student. Even when students have a week to do a project, many won’t start until the night before it’s due. Learning to organize time into productive blocks takes practice and experience.
Tips to help your child manage time:
• Track assignments on a monthly calendar. Work backward from the due date of larger assignments and break them into nightly tasks.
• Help your child record how much time she spends on homework each week so she can figure out how to divide this time into manageable chunks.
• Together, designate a time for nightly homework and help your child stick to this schedule.
• If evenings aren’t enough, help your child find other times for schoolwork, such as early mornings, study halls or weekends.
Prioritization
Sometimes children fall behind in school and fail to hand in assignments because they simply don’t know where to begin. Prioritizing tasks is a skill your child will need throughout life, so it’s never too soon to get started.
Tips to help your child prioritize:
• Ask your child to write down all the things he needs to do, including non-school-related activities.
• Ask him to label each task from 1 to 3, with 1 being most important.
• Ask about each task, so that you understand your child’s priorities. If he labels all his social activities as 1, then you know where his attention is focused.
• Help your child change some of the labels to better prioritize for academic success. Then suggest he rewrite the list so all the 1s are at the top.
• Check in frequently to see how the list is evolving and how your child is prioritizing new tasks.
Concentration
Whether your child is practicing her second-grade spelling words or studying for a trigonometry test, it’s important that she works on schoolwork in an area with limited distractions and interruptions.
Tips to help your child concentrate:
• Turn off access to email and games when your child works on the computer.
• Declare the phone and TV off-limits during homework time.
• Find space that fits the assignment. If your child is working on a science project, she may need lots of space; if she’s studying for a Spanish test, she will need a well-lit desk.
• Help your child concentrate during homework time by separating her from her siblings.
Motivation
Most children say they want to do well in school, yet many still fail to complete the level of work necessary to succeed academically. The reason is often motivation. Tapping into your child’s interests is a great way to get him geared to do well in school.
Tips to help motivate your child:
• Link school lessons to your child’s life. If he’s learning percentages, ask him to figure out the price of a discounted item next time you shop.
• Link your child’s interests to academics. If he’s passionate about music, give him books about musicians and show how music and foreign languages are connected.
• Give your child control and choices. With guidance, let him determine his study hours, organizing system, or school project topics.
• Encourage your child to share his expertise. Regularly ask him about what he’s learning in school.
• Congratulate your child, encourage him and celebrate all his successes. Often what holds children back from trying is the fear of failure or the memory of a time they didn’t do well. You can help break this cycle by celebrating your child’s successes, no matter how small, and by giving him opportunities to succeed academically.
2021-2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
ACT/SAT test booklet
Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 16, 2022
May 21, 2022
Mock SAT test dates:
February 19, 2022
March 19, 2022
April 9, 2022
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How to Understand the Changes in Standardized Testing
Like colleges and universities, private schools are changing the way they use admissions tests. Change has come to standardized testing, and not just college admissions exams like the SAT and ACT. Private grade schools are also altering the way they view testing.
For a variety of reasons, many colleges have chosen to go test-optional, meaning they no longer require test scores with student applications, or test-blind, meaning they will not take test scores into consideration even when they are submitted. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, private elementary, middle, and high schools are following suit with admissions tests like the SSAT, ISEE, and the HSPT.
“For admissions offices at all levels of education, the shift to test-optional is driven in large part by the need to keep application volume high,” says Brian Galvin, chief academic officer at Varsity Tutors. “Faced with testing challenges and decreasing applicant flow, schools had to look for a way to reduce barriers. Foregoing tests was an easy way to handle that.”
While the pandemic altered the thinking about standardized testing, Galvin says that even prior to the pandemic there was a growing acknowledgement that standardized tests don’t necessarily represent how students might perform. “There’s been a recent wave of ideological pushback against standardized tests, and the test-optional and test-blind trends reflect some of that,” he says.
Constance Borro, founder of Ivy Tutor Connection in Ohio, agrees the pandemic acted as a catalyst for educational institutions to reconsider the value of testing. “There’s a realization that mastery of material, the ability to perform under pressure and to persist at a task, and to think critically are skills that cannot be captured in a test,” she says.
Equity also plays a part in the changing attitude toward standardized testing. Education is often seen as an equalizer, but critics say that testing can be inherently unequal because students from low-income families often cannot access the same preparation courses and materials as students from wealthy families. Borro says admissions officers know that the ability to pay for test prep may correlate with higher test scores, and are relying less on testing for admissions as a result.
Christine Chu, a former assistant director of undergraduate admissions at both Yale and Georgetown, says that secondary schools are likely to continue following colleges and making admission test scores optional. But she also says this approach is still an experiment. “High schools will likely keep reviewing their test-optional policies,” she says.
So, what can parents do to help their children with applications? Education experts say there are several solid strategies. Testing has always been just one data point on an application. Without it, the other indicators may become more important. “With a test-optional policy, admission-based high schools continue to utilize other components to evaluate applications, including academic records, recommendations, essays and interviews,” Chu says.
Here are some things that families can do:
Know your school’s policy. Most schools are very transparent about how they treat testing. Make sure you understand the policy. If information on their website is insufficient, reach out and ask questions.
Take the test. Chu says it is a good idea for students to prepare and take an entrance exam. If the scores are good and the school can use them, that’s a benefit. If they are tepid, you may not have to reveal them to the school.
Broaden your child’s experience. Without testing, schools will be looking closely at other aspects of the application. Many have been increasingly interested in how applicants have contributed to the community. Volunteering and other community work is becoming a requirement.
Practice interviewing. Some schools require an interview as part of the admissions process. Borro recommends that students do practice interviews with adults to build confidence. In addition, they can schedule their first interviews at schools that are not a top choice to boost experience before interviewing at the school they really want to attend.
Borro says parents and students should remember that the individuality displayed in an interview often carries the day. “Kids are kids, and if their personality shines through and they are a delight to be around, the admissions officer will be interested,” she says.
2021-2022 Mock Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor
VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:
ACT/SAT answer sheet
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Testing instructions
Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.
Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.
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