It’s 8:00 AM. Saturday. The day you have been both waiting for and dreading over the past few months. ACT Test day.

Although you will certainly be feeling the pressure, remember that today is the day you get to show what you know. It isn’t the time to cram the formula for volume of a cylinder at the breakfast table, or frantically try to learn the exact definition of “superfluous.” Today you have to relax and be confident that you are ready to show this test who is boss! Make sure to stay confident, and facilitate your test day experience by using the following tips:

1. Make sure that you pack a bag with the following items the night before your test: a printed copy of your admission ticket, your ID (issued by your school or the government), a calculator (make sure you check and make sure your calculator is permitted here: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/calculator.html TI-89 calculators, for example, are not!), several No. 2 sharpened pencils…not mechanical pencils!, snacks and Gatorade or water for breaks, a sweatshirt or light jacket in case you get cold, and a watch so that you can keep track of your timing.

2. GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP ON THE NIGHTS LEADING UP TO THE TEST. This is absolutely key! Don’t sleep 4 hours on the Thursday night and then 12 hours on the Friday night before your test. Stay consistent, and know how much sleep you need and what works best by taking your diagnostics under real conditions. This means figuring out if you perform better with 8 hours of sleep or 10 hours of sleep.

3. Eat a good dinner the night before (think carbo-loading with whole grain pastas and other foods that will keep your energy up the next morning), making sure to drink lots of water the night before, and try to eat a protein-rich breakfast that morning. Go easy on the caffeine (but have a little if you typically drink coffee or tea in the mornings), and don’t drink too many liquids the morning of the test.

4. Get up early. Don’t rush through breakfast. Give yourself time to have a relaxed morning so that you don’t have a huge adrenaline rush before the test even begins.

5. Review a few of your notes or vocabulary to get yourself in the “testing mindset.” This doesn’t mean learn all that last minute information, but rather remind yourself of what you already know.

6. Dress in comfortable clothing that won’t distract you. This is not the correct or appropriate venue for those tight jeans or a scratchy wool sweater.

7. Don’t be late. Check in at your test center BEFORE 8 AM. Make sure that you go to the appropriate test center (check your registration).

8. Choosing your seat: sit somewhere you won’t be distracted. In general, stay away from doors that people will enter and exit to go to the bathroom or drafty windows. It is often best to choose a seat where you cannot see any other students, such as in the front row.

Now sit back, relax and have a great test! You’ll do fantastic.

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If you’re looking for any test prep or private tutoring, feel free to get in touch directly at (800) 501-7737.
Thank you Beryl Manning-Geist for writing this post and helping students prepare for the SAT, ACT and more!

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Article about whether you should take the SAT or ACT exam:

College admissions tests can be overwhelming, but choosing the test (SAT vs. ACT) that best suits you puts you on the path to success early on. While the SAT is historically regarded as the typical admissions test, the ACT is quickly gaining ground and becoming an important part of your college application. For many schools in the Midwest and the South, this test is even the standard for admissions. As you consider your testing options, it is important to determine what kind of student does well on the ACT. This guide should help identify if the ACT is the test for you!

About the ACT Exam:

First off, it’s important to understand what the ACT is all about. There are 4 sections to the test: English, Math, Reading, and Science, and there is also an optional writing section that some schools require. The test takes approximately 3 hours to complete, or 3.5 hours if you choose to complete the writing component. The SAT, meanwhile, takes just under 4 hours. If you tend to get restless during tests or lose focus, the ACT may be a better test for you, because the test has more breaks and a shorter run-time.

In addition to the testing length, the character of each test differs. Although both tests evaluate similar skills and knowledge bases, particularly in math, the ACT tends to ask questions in a more straight-forward manner. The test writers are not trying to trick you in the same way the SAT writers may try. Because of this difference in each test’s style, improving your score on the ACT often involves reviewing concepts, while much SAT prep focuses on test-taking strategies. If you prefer straight-forward questions rather than nuanced or “trick you” questions, the ACT is probably your best bet. That being said, the ACT does tend to focus on grammar (think, “what is wrong with this sentence” type of questions), while the SAT emphasizes vocabulary. You may choose your test based on your strengths in these areas.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the ACT is its science section. At first, many students are fearful of this section, but it is important to realize that very little prior knowledge is required! The science section mostly tests your ability to make connections, use reasoning, and employ basic skills like using information in tables or graphs to answer questions.

Overall, if you tend to be the type of student who works harder in school than your peers and does better in difficult classes, the ACT is for you. If you consider yourself to be more intuitive with strong reasoning skills, but not always the best work ethic, the SAT might be a better test. In general, however, it is important to recognize that with hard work in school and in your test preparation, you can succeed in the college admissions process.

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This post on the ACT exam was written by Beryl Manning-Geist; she’s part of the SAT private tutoring and ACT private tutoring team at Top Test Prep. To learn more about how to prepare for either exam, simply call Top Test Prep at 1-800-501-7737.

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The topic of today’s blog post is comparing a school’s reputation versus cost and majors – extremely important factors that go into making your college choices.

With nearly 6000 higher education institutions in the United States, college-bound seniors have quite a few choices of colleges and universities to sift through to pare down their choices to a (relatively) manageable number. Nobody wants to write a hundred different essays. Save that for your writing courses (kidding, but not really).

I can unequivocally say that the importance of your school’s reputation depends on many factors. While there is always a certain amount of pride being able to put down on your resume (insert Ivy League, Duke, Stanford, MIT…), the question is, is it worth it? Chances are that twenty or thirty years down the road, the college you went to will only matter to you. Your success at 40 won’t depend much on what college you went to – it’s up to your own ingenuity, ambition, hard work with a little luck sprinkled throughout (isn’t it always?). However, are bragging rights worth having student loans at 40? The average student today graduates with nearly $30,000 of undergraduate debt, and this can take decades to pay off.

Our goal is not to say whether an Ivy is better than a top ranked state school like UC-Berkeley – rather it’s to show you that with each you can accomplish great things and further that you absolutely should consider all three: cost, majors and reputation of a college.

What’s the difference between a private institution that costs upwards of $40,000 per year and a public one about 10-15 per year? Some of you live in states with phenomenal state schools that can compete with the very best Ivies or just a fraction of their cost – like Virginia, Texas, California, (begrudgingly) North Carolina and Michigan, to name a few. To those who live in those states, if you can get into those respective schools, then more power to you.

There are certain majors and fields where reputation matters more, though more applicable for graduate program reputation like PhDs, MBAs, JDs and MDs. And those exactly are the fields where reputation might come into play – business, law, and medicine. The graduate program you went to will be more important in getting that first job. However, that isn’t to say that where you go to college doesn’t matter – it’ll help you get into the dream graduate program (applications will never end). There are a number of things that come into play with your undergraduate “stepping stone” into good business, law or medical schools. Above all, you need to do well. Remember that if you go to one of the top tier schools, you’ll have pretty stiff competition – we’re talking about the top 1% of students from all over the country. Can you compete? A 4.0 and good ranking in your class is valuable no matter where you went. A mediocre 2.0 from an Ivy? How do you (or an employer, or graduate school) begin to interpret that? You always take the chance.

Ivy institutions and their brethren have resources. And generally speaking, lots of it. But while they have some of the nicest buildings and newest toys, that doesn’t mean YOU get to use them. Having a cast of Nobel Laureates on faculty sound great, but I guarantee you they didn’t get a Nobel based on their teaching ability. Fun (or sad) fact – many of them find teaching bothersome because it gets in the way of their ability to secure research grants and conduct the research that they are passionate about.

Go to the best school you feel confident that you can get good or preferably great, grades. Go on college visits, sit in on a class or two in your potential field of interest (seminars and big lectures). Preferably go during fall or spring semesters (the summers tend to be average representations at best) to see if you can hack it. See what student engagement is like, and whether you feel like you’d fit in.

We recommend you think about a school’s value on the whole – considering reputation alongside cost and majors. Hope that helps you when choosing a college.

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Verne wrote this essay; he’s an admissions counselor and private tutor at Top Test Prep. For more information on getting into top schools, call (800) 501-7737 today.

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Studying for the SAT is no easy task: often, students feel like all their hard work is in vain, or they become frustrated with ambiguous study concepts. A common symptom of SAT studying is “burnout,” when students lose motivation to keep working hard. One of the best things to do in the face of burnout is to form an SAT study group.

Study groups for the SAT go beyond motivation—teaching others is one of the best ways to ensure that you understand important concepts. There are clear advantages to adding a study group to your test preparation regimen. You must, however, think carefully about the dynamic you want to form when assembling your study group. Here are some important things to think about:

1. Keep your study group limited to 4-6 members. More than this and you will get bogged down with each student’s weakness.
2. Try to work with students who are aiming for a similar score as you. This will ensure that you achieve a balance of learning from others and helping others learn.
3. Make sure that everyone brings a different strength. Try not to have a study group where all four of you are math whizzes, but no one knows the definition of “coincidental.”
4. Meet consistently, and have a schedule. It is easy to get distracted when you are hanging out with a bunch of friends, and it is often difficult to find a time that works for everyone to meet. Find a specific time and discuss a “study plan” at your first study group meeting. Stick to it! Generally, it is a good idea to meet for 1-2 hours once per week.
5. Try to do a “homework task” every week. This will ensure that you all are doing the same preparation, and that week’s homework can illuminate weaknesses that your study group can work through together.

Good luck, and most importantly remember that a study group is there to create a change of pace from solo studying. Keep at it on your own, and use this as a tool to continue motivating your progress!

If you find yourself in search of SAT test prep and SAT tutoring, give us a call at (800) 501-7737.

This article was written by Beryl Manning-Geist, an admissions counselor and private tutor with Top Test Prep.

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More and more, colleges are beginning to consider students holistically. Admissions committees acknowledge and reward a breadth of interests, like athletic achievement, artistic endeavors, or other activities. Your application includes a variety of information: personal statements, academic records, and recommendations all play important roles. In light of this, you may wonder how important are your ACT scores? The answer: they are crucial. Although there may not be a huge difference between a 34 and a 35 in an admission officer’s eyes, there is a big difference between a 25 and a 35. You must, with few exceptions, score within a certain range to attend the nation’s best colleges.

So what is a good ACT score? It largely depends where you want to go! The nation’s most elite colleges, like Williams College, Yale, or Stanford, all have average ACT composites of 30-34. This means that only 25% of students scored below 30, and 25% of students scored above 34 at these schools.

Interested in schools like Washington and Lee, Georgetown, or University of Virginia? You’ll want to score between 28 and 31 or 32.

Lastly, make sure that you score comparably in all sections! It may raise a few eyebrows if you score 35 on your science, English, and reading sections, but earn a 25 on your math. Make sure to work on your weaknesses so that you earn a similar score on each section. This will demonstrate that you are a well-rounded student prepared to succeed in many different disciplines.

Keep in mind that these numbers do not secure an offer of admissions. You could score a 36 on the ACT, but if you have a few bad grades that you can’t explain, or you haven’t participated in any activities in high school, you still might not get an offer! Ideally, colleges are looking to confirm that your standardized testing complements your grades. Are you a straight-A student with a 33 on your ACT and a few strong extracurricular activities? You are well situated for the admissions process!
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This article was written by Beryl Manning-Geist, who is on the admissions counseling expert team at Top Test Prep. For more information on ACT Prep and Tutoring, contact (800) 501-Prep today.

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In recent years, it has become fashionable for families to consider a “gap year” for graduating high school seniors in which they take a year off prior to entering college to travel or participate in community service activities. A cottage industry of books, advisors, and even
“gap year” scholarships have emerged to promote and support this ostensibly maturing experience. Little has been written, however, about the down-side of not heading off to college once you complete high school. Once size does not fit all, and a “gap year” can have an adverse impact on some students. Concerns about the repercussions of “gap years” follow.

First, for those in cumulative disciplines such as science, math, and languages a year away from focused study can hinder your ability to master them. Noble intentions may not make up for a sustained period of time away from core academic subjects.

Secondly, for students who lack focus and a sense of purpose, a year removed from studies may have little impact on their overall motivational level. A sense of commitment to academic pursuits generally comes from within, a state of affairs which is not fostered over a calendar year removed from academia.

Third, your longer term earning potential is hurt every time you take time off from picking up the academic skills which are a pre-condition for success in the job market.

Finally, in an increasingly degree conscious society, the most logical period to take time off is between undergraduate and graduate school. You will then have a stronger skill base for the job market, and some professional graduate programs as business look favorably on experience acquired in the work place.

While the “in crowd” may be enamored with “gap years,” it may be of little utility once you decide to pursue undergraduate studies and move into the work force beyond.

David Dickson is an admissions expert for Top Test Prep which provides test preparation to help students gain admissions to top private schools, colleges, and graduate schools. Call 800-501-7737 to learn more.

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Kiplingers magazine has released its annual list of the best values in American universities. The criteria used by Kiplingers include cost and financial aid (31.25%), competitiveness including admissions rates (25%), academic support including freshman retention rates (12.5%), graduation rates over four years (18.75%), and student indebtedness (12.5%). Institutions which excelled using these criteria follow. Top Test Prep makes an annual assessment on the best values in college educations so as to help our loyal readers make decisions when applying to colleges.

Best Values in Private Universities:
1. Princeton
2. Yale
3. California Institute of Technology
4. Rice
5. Harvard
6. University of Pennsylvania
7. Duke
8. Columbia
9. MIT
10. Stanford

Best Values in Public Universities:
1. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
2. University of Florida, Gainesville
3. University of Virginia, Charlottesville
4. College of William and Mary
5. New College of Florida
6. University of Georgia
7. University of California, Berkeley
8. University of Maryland, College Park
9. University of California, Los Angeles
10. University of California, San Diego

Best Values in Liberal Arts Colleges:
1. Pomona
2. Washington and Lee
3. Swarthmore
4. Williams
5. Davidson
6. Hamilton
7. Vassar
8. Wellesley
9. Bowdoin
10. Amherst

David Dickson is an admissions expert for Top Test Prep which provides college admissions counseling to help students gain admission to top private schools, colleges, and graduate schools. Call 800-501-7737 to learn more.

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High School seniors must be aware of the importance of not dropping any important spring semester courses. The senior classes students list on their college applicatons include course work for the spring 2012 semester. College admissions officers base their decision to accept students on their grade transcripts and course curriculum which includes spring semester classes. If a student elects to drop a course in the spring semester, they have submitted a false college application. Consequently, colleges could rescind their offer of admission because the information submitted on the application is no longer true.

If you feel compelled to drop an elective spring course that you don’t need, contact the admissions officers in charge of your college files to ask how doing so will affect your application. However, don’t drop classes in core subjects such as math, science, English or social science. This will be frowned upon by college admissions officers when your submit your final grade transcripts in June 2012.

David Dickson is an admissions expert for Top Test Prep which provides tutoring including SAT tutoring and ACT tutoring to help students gain admission to top colleges and graduate schools. Call 800-501-7737 to learn more.

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We all know that standardized test scores and grades play a major role in college admissions. What about community service, however? What does it mean to be a “good citizen?” JP Morgan partnered with on-line educational service providers to conduct an annual survey of the top 50 colleges according to US News and World Report on admissions topics including how they treat community service.

Some of the key findings include:

-70 percent of admissions officers prefer students to be consistently involved with one issue over a variety of causes.

-69 percent of admissions officers considered a political campaign to be community service. However, they cautioned that it is not considered “community service” if the work is paid.

-95.8 percent of admissions officers value a student who took a gap year and did a service project while only 4.2 percent value a student who spent the time traveling the world.

Follow your passion on social change by committing yourself to a cause that it is meaningful to you. Use your application essay to explain why that cause matters to you.

David Dickson is an admissions expert for Top Test Prep. Top Test Prep provides test preparation to help students gain admission to top private schools, colleges, and graduate schools. Call (800)-501-7737 to learn more.

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Here are a few tips for those of you finishing up your college admissions essays.

1.Use care in responding to the short queries. Admissions staffs use them to gain insights into your character and suitability for their institution.

2.View each prompt as a chance to display another aspect of your personality. Give them something they don’t know about.

3.Strive for originality. Another essay about getting cut from the team and then playing for five minutes isn’t helpful.

4.Don’t write in such a generic fashion that it could apply to any college. Tailor your response to the institution you are applying to.

5.Avoid the common error of inserting the wrong college’s name in the essay.

Essays are an integral part of your application package and should be treated as such.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor for Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep provides college admissions counseling and private tutoring to help students gain admission to top private schools, colleges and grad schools. Call (800) 501-7737 to learn more.

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Once you push the “submit” button on your college application, the process is not complete. Ten steps that will help you keep it moving follow.

1. Check in with teachers who agreed to write recommendations to confirm they have been submitted.

2. Make sure that your standardized tests have been sent by the appropriate testing agency.

3. If you submitted applications electronically, review your “receipts” and confirm that the application supplements and payment were all sent.

4. Check with your guidance counselor to ensure that transcripts and secondary school reports were sent.

5. If you applied early to a school requiring a CSS Profile for financial aid consideration, verify that your parents have sent all required information.

6. Regularly review e-mail and telephone messages. You may get requests for interviews or follow-up information.

7. If you have been given a log-in to check the status of your application, do so.

8. Update colleges on important information like strong senior year grades or new awards occurring after you submitted your application.

9. Follow-up with the admissions office if you are concerned about the status of your application.

10. Keep focused on your school work. Declining grades will hurt you if you are deferred from early admissions or wait listed.

With effort you can increase your chances of achieving your admissions goals.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor for Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep provides college admissions counseling and private tutoring to help students gain admission to top private schools, colleges and grad schools. Call (800) 501-7737 to learn more.

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